Intermission ~ Until My Voice Reaches You
A new day has come. Avi, still drowsy and in her pajamas, moved to the kitchen. Yawning, she poured herself some water, then leaned against the counter and stared at the glass and smiled faintly. - “Halfway there.”
She took a slow sip, then moved to the synthesizer and lazily scrolled through their database, searching for a snack.
That's when Charlotte entered, already in her daily clothes. - “You didn't even dress yet, and you are already eating?” - She asked jokingly.
“Mom...” - Avi complained as she synthesized a small carrot, aware that she was caught.
“Oh, at least you picked something healthy this time.” - Charlotte smiled at her.
Avi munched with effort and spoke at the same time. - “It's not like I can get anything else when you and Luna continuously pressure me.”
“It's for your own good, my little sun.” - Charlotte stated as she synthesized a hot, herbal infusion.
“Eh, you don't have to repeat yourself.” - Avi mumbled. - “Better tell me, do you like your new room?”
“It has... a very sterile and reserved appearance.” - Charlotte answered.
“...and what do you mean by that?” - Avi raised her eyebrow.
“It's nice to have some personal space, but I would have furnished it differently.” - Charlotte explained.
“Eh. That's what happens when you ask Luna something, and when she chooses robots as her helpers.” - Avi sighed.
“Geometric entities.” - Charlotte corrected.
“Same thing!” - Avi exclaimed. - “You know what? Once we find a planet with a developed civilization, we have to go shopping together.”
Charlottee giggled. - “I think so, too.”
Smiling, Avi finished her drink. - “Did Luna say how long it'll take until we reach the next star?”
“About three days...” - Charlotte replied. - “...and besides, she wanted to have a word with you once you're dressed.”
“Oh, alright. I won't have her wait.” - Avi said, quickly consuming the carrot.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Sure. I'll make breakfast in the meantime.” - Charlotte suggested, and Avi thanked her quietly, then disappeared.
---
Once Avi was in her casual clothes, she moved to the bridge, where Luna was studying the readings from the universe's map.
“Hello, Avi.” - Luna said.
“Good morning, good morning.” - Avi replied, then sat on the edge of the hologram's platform, looking at it and wondering what Luna was so deeply confused about.
“Didn't you notice?” - Luna asked.
Avi's eyes narrowed. She looked at the map again. - “No.”
Luna sighed. - “That means you have knowledge gaps even in something as basic as addition.”
“Hey! I know how to add!” - Avi protested.
“Six hundred eighty-nine plus seven hundred forty-three?” - Luna asked.
Avi looked at her fingers and started to count with them. - “Nine plus three, twelve. One to memory...” - She whispered. - “One thousand four hundred thirty two?”
“Bravo! I underestimated you!” - Luna said sarcastically, then focused her sight on the hologram. - “Can you subtract, too?”
“Eh, stop teasing me and tell me what's this about!” - Avi insisted.
“Fifty-two stars, minus Cross of Immortality, equals forty-seven systems, but the map shows forty-eight of them.” - She pointed at a star between the forty-first system and the forty-second. - “This one is guilty.”
Avi looked at the map and started to count. - “A new star? How?”
“I don't know.” - Luna admitted. - “Maybe it has something to do with the artifact that you destroyed. Based on its description, it's a probable hypothesis.”
“Does it mean... that it's good that I've opened it?” - Avi asked.
“Nobody knows it.” - Luna said. - “For some answers, we'll have to wait.”
“Hm.” - Avi was thinking. - “One more star to see is one more chance to make new friends.”
“I admire your optimism, but there is always a chance that it was hiding something too dangerous to be left free.” - Luna countered.
“Oh, Luna. Don't be such a herald of misfortune.” - Avi waved her hand.
“I only remind of the alternatives. Before making any decision, it's better to first gather intel. The artifact could've waited.” - Luna argued.
“If somebody trapped you who knows where, would you also want to wait?” - Avi asked.
“No, but I would understand if my potential savior would prefer to verify their safety.” - Luna stated.
Avi sighed and rolled her eyes. - “Why am I not surprised?” - She looked at the map and rotated it, seemingly bored, then zoomed in on the twenty-seventh star.
“Mother's Spire.” - Luna recalled. - “It might be our last step before finding Daichi.”
“A runaway astronaut...” - Avi uttered, still remembering the dream at the 'Rebirth' station. - “...he was through a lot.”
“Are you worried?” - Luna asked.
“A bit. I fear that the evil he endured might have made him forget who he was.” - Avi replied.
Luna also recalled a memory, from 'Afterlife'. - “I don't know why he betrayed astronauts, but before he did it, he appeared to be a noble person.”
“It seemed so to me, too. There is good in him... but also immense sadness.” - Avi said. - “It might be because he was stolen from his people... from home.”
“Now, he steals the only hope of other survivors, just to save a single life.” - Luna added.