Chapter 296
Chapter 297 A Plan to Help the Outer Worlds
Ayla drank her fruit juice, her eyes growing wide.
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Finantsec!
Overhearing the talk of Earth history, Elowen’s ears pricked up too. She was deeply fascinated by Easthold culture from Earth.
Ayla set down her glass, stunned. “How could kids end up with bellies that swollen p>
Lyra typed. “Poverty. They often went hungry and lacked vital nutrients. That caused edema. Their limbs stayed thin and scrawny, while their bellies puffed out like inflated balloons.
“Sickness or parasitic infections, made worse by terrible economic conditions, also brought it
on p>
Ayla’s face twisted in disgust. She lost all appetite for the remaining pastries on the table.
“No way. My instructors told me people back on Earth lived wealthy, comfortable lives p>
Lyra blinked in feigned surprise and typed her reply. “Is that so? The books I read described so many tragic stories p>
Ayla frowned. “All kids like the ones you just talked about p>
Lyra shook her head. “It went far beyond swollen bellies from malnutrition. Whole bodies would bloat. Imagine people blown up like balloons. Their skin stretched thin, limbs puffed as though soaked in water.
“Medical care was scarce. Sick children in those hospitals lay unnaturally quiet, too weak to cry or scream. Thousands died every single year because they never got proper treatment.
“Those lands were torn by constant rebellion and war. When armies needed more fighters, they would snatch lone children off the streets and force them into service.
“Kids who could barely get enough to eat were handed guns, made to learn how to kill p>
“Stop, stop.” Ayla grabbed Lyra’s arm, her brows drawn tight.
“Where did you even read this stuff? It’s absolutely horrifying p>
Elowen sat silent nearby, clear shock written across her features.
Lyra typed, “I read them before I came to Core Prime.
“I
grew curious. If the world was so cruel to children back on Earth, what are conditions like here?
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Chapter 292 A Plan to Help the Outer Worlds
“So I looked into the conditions in Federation slum districts p>
Ayla asked tentatively, “It… can’t be anything like Earth, right p>
Lyra shook her head once more.
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“Grade-two planets fare reasonably well. But Grade-three and Grade-four worlds sit right next to quarantine zones, with none of our protections. They are dangerous and chaotic.
“Poor families keep having child after child, hoping one of them will awaken as a Sentinel or a Guide. If just one makes it big, the whole family gets lifted out of misery.
“Whole households cram into shabby shacks built from scrap metal, plastic, and mud-brick. No. warmth in winter, no relief from the summer heat.
“No one dares fall ill. Even minor sickness can kill you there. When someone dies, their body gets dumped into open sewers near the quarantine barrier, and that counts as burial.
“What happens to those who never awaken powers? Older kids take odd jobs to bring in income. Younger ones stay home minding smaller children. For girls…
“People there will do almost anything for food and Credits. Their suffering brings out the worst kinds of desperation p>
Ayla could barely process what she had heard.
She had never imagined such places still existed within the Federation. She paid almost no attention to news feeds, so she knew nothing of the hardship beyond the White Citadel walls.
“I-I…” Ayla glanced at the lavish, untouched cakes and desserts spread across the table, heavy guilt settling over her. “Could we send food out to them p>
Lyra nodded. “I suppose that would work p>
“I can arrange to ship large shipments of clothing for children and adults as well p>
Elowen’s voice drew both Lyra and Ayla’s gazes toward her.
“Then we could transfer Credits to the Grade-four planet governor, so he can take good care of those people?” Ayla suggested.
Lyra shook her head. “We can send supplies, but not Credits p>
“Why not?” Ayla pressed right away.
Elowen also looked on, confused.
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Chapter 29: A Plan to Help the Outer Worlds
Finessed
Lyra struggled with how to explain corruption without spelling it out plainly.
If the governors of Grade-four worlds were truly honest public servants, she would never have come across those written records in the Black Spire library.
She also could not speak too openly.
After all, earlier that day, she had praised the Federation excessively in front of the cameras.
Lyra typed, “If we only send Credits, we will never know what the money actually buys, or how many people truly receive help. It is like a deadbeat who tosses money at a problem and walks
away.
“Besides, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Those people need to learn how to support themselves.
“Our charity only helps temporarily. Self-sufficiency lasts forever p>
Ayla stared at Lyra with obvious admiration shining in her eyes. “Lyra, you are so sharp. No wonder you gave such powerful speeches in front of huge crowds p>
Lyra offered a soft smile.
“Teach a man to fish…” Elowen murmured. “You also enjoy Easthold culture p>
Lyra turned toward her and typed, “I find it interesting, but I don’t know much about it p>
Elowen gave a gentle nod, pleased to meet someone who shared her interest, and impressed by Lyra’s charitable plan.
“We should discuss it sometime p>
Lyra smiled and nodded.
“Lyra, Lyra.” Ayla grabbed her hand and shook it lightly. “When can we start? I have piles of snacks back at my place. Can we ship those to the people first p>
The thought of doing something meaningful and important filled Ayla with bright excitement.
Lyra watched her, amused.
Just like that, Ayla’s fixation on desserts had smoothly shifted elsewhere.
Fural Scotinels Obey Only Her
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.