Chapter 7: Ch 7 – Euphoria

Throughout the night, Issac and Asphodel held a nonstop discussion. They bounced between all kinds of scientific concepts, both bringing a unique standing to the table and then comparing. They also brought up many real world problems they had, attempting to help the other solve their dilemma. 

Occasionally there would be thoughtful exclamations followed by bouts of laughter as they came to many understandings. Even as they dropped by the kitchen to get a late night snack and drink, they were still discussing anything that popped into their heads. 

At some point, Issac also booted up his computer to do some actual mathematical analysis, running numbers and even drawing up blueprints. Through the use of his neural interface that could connect directly to the computer, he could display any thoughts of his, and Nifty would validate any queries. Turns out, Asphodel also had a neural interface, so she also jacked in, the two diving into a small session of hard research. 

For several hours this went on, neither noticing the passage of time. They were too busy talking with each other, indulging in the exchange of ideas between two brilliant and creative minds. Like Issac, Asphodel loved the study and development of dark technology, so neither got bored. 

Like this, they talked all the way until the sun came up. When they noticed that morning had come though, they only laughed before continuing.

Finally, when afternoon came around, both of them finally tore their eyes away from the computer screen. On it was an entire functioning blueprint for a mech suit conversion core. Taking the core in Issac's nearby suit as the foundation, they had revamped several systems and upgraded its overall function. The result was a core around three times more powerful than the one in the suit. 

Usually, such a design would take weeks or even months to construct. Also, this design utilized both Human and Aatrix technology. There were pieces from both sides that were actually confidential, but neither hesitated to input them, only wanting to make the best piece of tech they could. 

And the result was this. Even for these two young geniuses, this was a work of art. A harmonic system constructed from the distant perspectives of the Human and Aatrix. They both stood side by side, looking at the simulated 3D image on the screen. Nifty had already gone through and run hundreds of simulations, resulting in a theoretically functional piece of tech. 

"Did we really do it?"

Asphodel scratched her head, her eyes a bit bloodshot. Issac was the same, and he felt similar doubt. He was both confident in his work yet unsure of the results. 

"I think we did."

"This conversion core, it easily surpassed the one I have in my own mech suit."

"Same."

"It's compatible with both Human and Aatrix systems too thanks to the junction we created. I would say that its maximum power handling is realistically around Division 2 of Echelon Tactical. That's far higher than our current power levels."

"Yea."

"...Hehe, it's good!"

Asphodel couldn't help but clap with excitement. The night had gone from scientific discussion to an actual session of experimental design. And they came out with a working blueprint. Issac was a bit dumbfounded. A single night with this girl he met just yesterday resulted in him surpassing the suit he had spent a year creating. 

Asphodel was also a bit shocked though. She never would've imagined that this random farmer boy could not only keep up with her, but push the limits of what she knew about dark tech. 

Issac glanced at Asophodel, scratching his cheek. 

"...So, I don't think I doubt your expertise anymore."

"Pfft, why thank you. I also don't doubt your knowledge."

"Hehe, thanks."

Issac smiled. The next moment though, Asphodel became serious. 

"We made a really good thing here. Only, there's a good amount of technological design from both of us that shouldn't be here. Let's agree not to go waving it around. If you build it, do so under wraps."

"Obviously."

"Mm. It'll be our little secret."

She nudged him with her shoulder as she said that. He smiled and nudged her back, causing her to laugh. Suddenly, he remembered the black crystal object she promised to give him. Looking at the pocket it was in, he dove forward. 

"Ah! What are you... hey!"

"Haha, you said I could have it."

"I said I would give it to you, not that you could snatch it you little thief. Give it here!"

"Come get it!"

Issac sidestepped as Asphodel dove at him. She smiled, her canines flashing with ferocity. The two entered a standoff before she lunged forward and grabbed his arm. The two wrestled as she attempted to pry it from his grip. 

"Haha! Unhand my crystal!"

"It's mine!"

"No! Nifty, come help me! I gave you a data crystal!"

"You fed my cat?!"

The two shouted as they spun around. Their laughs became louder as their bodies felt an odd weakness come over them. They both seemed to fight with all their might, Issac maintaining his grip and Asphodel trying to pull it open. 

Eventually, the two stopped. They faced each other with their hands grabbing onto the other. Their breaths were a bit labored, but their smiles were still wide. They looked into each others eyes for a while. Despite being bloodshot, both their iris' glowed with radiant color. 

"...Hey, I-"

*Rumble!*

Just as Asphodel started to speak, the two felt a small earthquake. They grabbed each other's arms to steady themselves.

Feeling this quake, Asphodel suddenly frowned. Issac could also guess what it was. His grip loosened as he planned to surrender the crystal, but her's actually tightened. Her hands pushed the crystal back into his palm, closing his fingers around it. 

"I meant what I said. The crystal is yours. It's more valuable to you than it is to me."

"...Alright. But on one condition."

Issac grabbed her retreating hand, squeezing it a bit. 

"You'll come find me again to take it back. You said you would lend it to me, so you'll have to come back to collect the debt. Perhaps then I can repay you with another productive night like this."

"Oh? I think I like that idea. Okay then. Don't lose this, or you'll owe me big time."

"Never."

"Hehe. Also, I'll be taking those files with me if you don't mind."

"Of course not. Nifty, get her those files."

Turning, Issac spoke to the cat that lazily lay on the desk. Raising its head, its eyes momentarily flashed.

Asphodel felt a ring on the device in her pocket, taking it out and seeing that the files were sent. 

"Wow. Since when did you hack my stuff?"

"I didn't do anything. Blame the cat."

"Haha, sure, sure."

She chuckled as she put the device away. After that, she sighed, facing Issac.

"Well, it was a fun night. Definitely not what I expected after crash landing on a farming colony."

"Mm, never expected someone would actually come to this planet anyway, let alone an Aatrix."

"A very pretty Aatrix at that."

"I would agree, but I keep getting blinded by glare."

"Haha, shut up!"

Asphodel punched out, hitting Issac's chest. He shrunk back a bit, but the next moment, she grabbed his shirt. His eyebrow raised, looking at her face that showed a bit of hesitation. 

"...Damn, I had fun."

She cursed, causing Issac to tilt his head. Right after that though, she rose on her toes and pulled him in, wrapping her arms around him. He was surprised before happily returning the hug. The two remained there for a while. 

Unfortunately, there was a knock on the door to interrupt. After hearing the knock, they remained together for a few more seconds before separating reluctantly.

"Well... that's me."

"...I'll walk you out."

With a bit of oncoming sorrow, Issac nodded. After that, the two hurriedly cleaned themselves up a little. After having Nifty save files and hide away the recent research, Issac shut down the computers. They then walked out of the bedroom. 

Unfortunately, the effects of staying up all night couldn't be easily hidden. Seeing their bloodshot eyes and fatigued faces, Max who was outside the door could only shake his head. 

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"Asphodel, your ride is here."

"Yes."

"And here's your dress."

"Oh, thank you."

Seeing the freshly cleaned dress, Asphodel suddenly remembered that she did indeed have other clothes. However, she didn't change, just grabbing it before smiling at Issac.

"I hope you don't mind."

"Only if I get it back later."

"It'll be a trade then."

With a hum, Asphodel spun on her heel, continuing down to the bottom floor. Issac and his father looked at each other before shrugging and following. 

After getting to the ground floor of the house, the three were greeted with the sight of two conversing men. One of them was Cornelius while the other was a tall Aatrix man. His deep red skin and dark green crystalline hair made him stand out. 

"Hello Admiral Hayle. Admiral Caston."

"Asphodel."

The two men, both Admirals, nodded back to Asphodel. The Aatrix man, Admiral Caston, was surprised when he saw her clothes. 

Asphodel didn't give him a chance to ask questions though. Taking control of the situation, she clapped. 

"Alright, let's leave quickly. I'm supposed to be a good many light years away and on a planet that isn't a farm colony within the next two days. If I get chewed out upon arrival, I will not be happy. Admiral Caston."

"Right this way. Admiral Hayle, I thank you for the hospitality."

"It was no problem."

Cornelius shook the Aatrix Admiral's hand. There was no hostility between them, but also not much friendliness. As two of the highest level commanders for Humanity and Aatrix, this meeting was actually a massive deal. It would raise several questions among the top brass of each military. Thankfully, neither wanted to escalate a small issue, so this was happening off the books. The two simply maintained their professional attitudes as they made this exchange. 

Without much suspense, everyone walked out of the house. When they did, they were greeted with the sight of a large ship parked right next to the house. Its size far surpassed the house itself. More than that, upon looking at the sky, everyone could see an even larger starship parked in orbit around the planet with a small armada surrounding it. Issac gawked at the sheer scale before looking at Asphodel. Who was she that she could just call upon an entire armada to pick her up?

Sensing his gaze, Asphodel turned her head toward him. With a wink, she walked off, heading for the ship. 

The admiral followed behind her, and after boarding, the ramp to the ship closed. The engines fired up the next moment, frying patches of plants under it. Within a few seconds, it rose to the sky, taking off toward the ship in the planet's orbit. 

After the ship took off, Issac watched it disappear before turning around. Contrary to the bright smile he just recently sported, he now looked to be in a downcast mood. It was like all the fatigue from pulling an all-nighter set in all at once. He sighed.

"Wow, it looks like he just sent his wife off to war."

"I'm going to sleep."

Hearing his father's teasing voice, Issac couldn't bother, just heading back for the house. He felt like he could collapse at any moment.

Before he got far though, his mother stepped in front of him. She looked at his tired face before combing his hair with a smile. 

"Don't worry. Sometimes the universe has its own way of doing things. Just give it time and focus on yourself for a bit. Who knows, you might be met with a surprise in the future."

"..."

"Wow, you really are tired. Alright, go and knock out. Come night we're boarding the starship. This'll be your last several hours at this house."

"Okay..."

With a weak nod, Issac walked back to the house. His parents couldn't help but smile at him. 

After going up the stairs, Issac entered his bedroom. Seeing the scattered devices across his desk that reminded him of only several minutes earlier, he felt a tinge of longing. It was only one night, and it truly felt like a dream. 

He rubbed his head. Before he could collapse on his bed though, Nifty came over and rubbed its head on Issac's leg. 

"What, you got something for me?"

He spoke as he picked up the cat, bringing it over to the computer. After setting Nifty down, its tail jacked into one of the ports. Issac watched as the computer booted up and two files were displayed. 

The first was a picture. It was of the night before, an image taken from Nifty's perspective. It showed Asphodel and Issac as they sat near the computers. Asphodel sat on the desk, her foot on the edge and resting her chin on her knee as she hugged her leg. She gazed at Issac who sat reclined on a chair with a crossed leg and wide arms. He was also looking at her, the two staring at each other with small smiles. 

It was a cute picture that seemed to highlight the essence of the night. It caused Issac to smile and recall the previous hours. He wished that night would never end. 

After looking at that picture for a long while, he tore his eyes away and looked at the second file. It was a white document with a long series of numbers on it that came from the data crystal Asphodel gave Nifty. Issac recognized the numbers on the document. It was a personal contact number. With this, Issac could contact Asphodel specifically no matter where she was in the galaxy. Each of these numbers was very special because they were tied to a unique person. No other person had this same number among the trillions upon trillions in the galaxy, so it would never be confused with someone else. Such numbers weren't so easily given away. 

This caused him to smile even more. He scratched Nifty's head. 

"Good cat. Hey, send that picture to her. Maybe she'll like it."

He spoke softly. After that, Issac closed the files before trudging over to his bed, collapsing into the sheets.

............

Meanwhile, after she boarded the ship, Asphodel's smile quickly turned to a frown. She said nothing as the ship docked inside the flagship in the atmosphere. 

Walking over to a window, she watched as the ship pulled away from the planet below. Even after the ship activated its fracture drive and began its shuttling sequence, she remained standing there, deep in thought. 

The admiral walked beside her. 

"We'll be at the planet in 40 galactic hours."

"..."

"...Are you okay, Miss Vanadis?"

"I'm fine."

Asphodel bluntly spoke as she turned on her heel, walking away from the window and down a metal hallway. The admiral was surprised by her obviously poor attitude and followed.

"I took the liberty of grabbing a dress for you on our way here. It's in your quarters."

"Sure."

"...Did those people displease you in any way, Miss Vanadis?"

"No, they didn't. And you will leave them alone. I don't need you 'taking liberties' and bothering them in any way. In fact, make sure that no records of us visiting this place exist before we arrive at our destination."

Asphodel spoke with narrowed eyes, boring into the admiral. He shrunk back, a bit surprised at this seemingly random hostility.

"...I understand."

"Good. Sigh, I can't believe I have to go back to slogging away with a bunch of bootlickers and arrogant assholes. If he were there with me, who knows how much progress I would make? Maybe I should've offered to bring him along..."

"Sorry?"

"Nothing. I'm going to my quarters. Don't disturb me until we're there."

After mumbling, Asphodel waved and stomped off. The admiral was left behind, unsure of what to say. 

Like that, Asphodel entered her temporary quarters. It was a large space fit with an entire bed and amenities. When she saw the bed, all her fatigue bore down on her. She walked over and collapsed on the cool sheets. 

After doing that though, the device in her pocket suddenly rang. She pulled it out with half shut eyes. Seeing the recieved file, she opened it, and the picture that Issac had sent was displayed. 

"Huh?"

Her eyes fully opened, looking at the scene from last night. She looked between herself and Issac, a smile blooming on her face. Realizing what perspective the picture was taken from, she chuckled a bit. 

"What a good cat. Maybe I should make a trusty companion too. Then when I go back, Nifty can have a friend..."

Asphodel mumbled, her eyes still staring at the picture. As she recalled the euphoric memories, she didn't even realize when she fell asleep, the device falling out of her hand. 

 

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