Wanderer Ch 15: Technology The Could Destory The World!

(JACK)

I had been on the planet Krugar for a day, and already I didn't really want to leave. Everywhere I looked, there were incredible inventions and vehicles that seemed straight out of a dream. Honestly, after spending some time here, I was getting a few ideas that could help with my own inventions back home. But the reason I was here wasn't because these people wanted to help me—they wanted to know the secret of my craft, which had been taken to their scientific department.

Was my ship really that impressive? I guess I was about to find out, as I walked toward the scientific department, led by Ko Jaro.

"So tell me, Jack, how do you like our planet so far?" Ko Jaro asked, his tone as calm as always.

"It's an amazing place," I replied, looking around. "It really is." I couldn't help but smile.

"Indeed," Ko Jaro responded, his pace steady as we walked.

I hadn't known Ko Jaro for long, but he seemed like a man of few words. Still, he was polite and to the point.

We soon arrived at a building that almost looked like a massive pyramid, sparkling like diamonds in the light. Two guards stood at the entrance—a massive bronze door that looked like it could withstand anything.

"I am Ko Jaro, left-hand lieutenant of Exe Borlag!" he announced.

The guards didn't say a word as the one on the right moved his hand to his wrist, pressing a few buttons on the gauntlet he wore. Soon, the door began to open, revealing a path inside.

"Come," Ko Jaro said, leading the way.

I followed him, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity about what I was about to see.

As we stepped inside, the first thing that struck me was the sheer scale of the place. The pyramid was even more massive on the inside than it appeared from outside. The walls were lined with strange, glowing symbols, and I could hear a low hum that seemed to pulse through the entire structure.

The hallway opened up into a vast chamber filled with incredible devices. Machines that looked like they could manipulate gravity itself, hovering platforms that moved silently through the air, and complex arrays of crystals that pulsed with energy in time to the hum I'd heard earlier. The Krugar scientists moved about the chamber with purpose, their bronze armor reflecting the light from the crystals.

Everywhere I looked, there was something new to marvel at—machines that could project entire worlds in three dimensions, others that seemed to defy the laws of physics as I knew them. The Krugar clearly had a deep understanding of technology that went far beyond anything on my planet.

As we continued through the chamber, we passed by tables where scientists were working on various projects—each one more complex than the last. One was disassembling what looked like a small, floating orb, its inner workings far more intricate than any engine I'd ever seen. Another scientist was monitoring a large, holographic display that showed the layout of entire star systems.

Finally, we reached a massive bronze room at the end of the chamber. The doors to this room were even larger than the entrance to the pyramid, and they opened with a deep rumble as we approached. Inside, my ship was suspended in the air, surrounded by dozens of Krugar scientists. They were scanning it with all sorts of strange devices, their faces focused as they studied every inch of the craft.

The room itself was filled with a soft, golden light that seemed to emanate from the walls. The ceiling was impossibly high, and the air was thick with the scent of something unfamiliar—metallic, but not unpleasant. My ship looked small in the vast space, but I knew it was holding their attention because of something extraordinary.

"This is where we've been studying your craft," Ko Jaro said, his voice echoing slightly in the huge chamber. "Our scientists are intrigued by its design—particularly the energy source. We've never seen anything quite like it."

I nodded, stepping closer to get a better look at my ship. Seeing it here, surrounded by these advanced machines and brilliant minds, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pride and apprehension. My little ship had brought me all this way, and now it was the center of attention in a place so far from home.

"What could someone like me have to offer to these people?" I wondered, still trying to wrap my head around everything I'd seen.

As Ko Jaro and I stood by, watching the scientists meticulously study my ship, one of them finally broke away from the group and approached us. He was tall, with a calm demeanor that hinted at an intense, focused mind behind his dark eyes.

"Welcome," he said, offering a respectful bow.

"Uh, hi..." I replied, awkwardly bowing my head in return. I wasn't used to this level of formality.

"I am To Bonta, Head Scientist of GonFa," he introduced himself with a measured tone.

"GonFa?" I echoed, the name unfamiliar to me.

"The name of this city," Ko Jaro clarified, his voice patient.

"Oh," I mumbled, realizing that I had been so caught up in the wonders of the planet that I hadn't even learned the name of the city I was in.

To Bonta turned his sharp gaze to me. "You must be the human known as Jack."

"That's right," I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease now.

To Bonta's eyes flicked over to the ship. "We've been studying your craft with great interest. It's unlike anything we've encountered before. I'd like to understand more about its design, if you're willing to share."

I hesitated for a moment, but then decided to explain. "This ship is of my own design," I began, choosing my words carefully. "It was created with a very specific concept in mind—using the gravitational force of a planet to achieve speeds that conventional engines can't reach. By aligning the ship with the planet's gravity at the right angle and timing, it can slingshot around, gaining incredible speed. But that's not all," I added, seeing To Bonta's interest grow. "The ship also has the ability to store the gravitational energy it absorbs, which can be used later for an extra boost of propulsion."

To Bonta's eyes widened slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration. "Fascinating," he murmured, more to himself than to me. "This technology—using the gravitational force as you described—is remarkable. But..." He paused, his brow furrowing. "It's also dangerous."

"Dangerous?" I repeated, not expecting that response. "How so?"

To Bonta looked at me with a serious expression. "If your ship extracts too much gravitational energy from a planet, it could destabilize the planet's core balance. The effects could be catastrophic—tectonic disruptions, atmospheric collapses, even orbital decay. The damage could be irreversible."

My heart sank. "I never thought of that," I admitted, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "I didn't realize it could cause that kind of harm."

Before I could say more, a sudden blaring alarm echoed through the building. Red lights flashed urgently, casting an ominous glow across the room. To Bonta, Ko Jaro, and I looked around in confusion as a voice blared over the loudspeakers.

"A massive mass is headed toward the planet! All personnel, prepare for emergency protocol! Repeat, a massive mass is headed toward the planet!"

"What's happening?" I asked, my pulse quickening.

Ko Jaro's grip on my arm tightened. "We need to move—now!" he urged.

Without hesitation, we sprinted out of the building, racing through the corridors and out into the open air. The moment we stepped outside, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. The sky, once vibrant with the colors of the alien world, was now darkened, overshadowed by something massive.

I looked up, and my breath caught in my throat. Above us, stretching across the sky like an endless, skin-colored wall, was a colossal form. And at its center, a single, enormous golden eye gazed down at the planet, unblinking and seemingly all-seeing.

"What the...?" I whispered, my voice trembling with shock.