Chapter 97: A New Dawn
'Twin suns. A binary star system.'
Orion's earlier musings returned, but now with sharper clarity. Could it truly be the Kepler-47 system? He recalled scraps of knowledge from his past life about Kepler-47.
But what really gnawed at him was the distance. That Kepler system, if his memory served him, was located over 3400 light-years from Earth. Even with faster-than-light travel, which he still struggled to believe was possible, how had humanity bridged such an immense distance?
Traveling such a vast distance would require technology far beyond what he had encountered so far. The technology he had seen so far, while impressive, didn't suggest the level of advancement necessary for interstellar travel spanning thousands of light-years, not only would you need faster-than-light travel which he thought was impossible, but traversing thousands of light-years made it even more so.
His mind raced to piece together the puzzle, seeking an explanation that aligned with both the familiar elements and the contradictions he perceived.
His eyes were drawn to his new parents, Cassian Reyes and the woman referred to as Valeria. Cassian carried himself with an air of authority, his every movement precise and deliberate. He exuded an almost magnetic aura, the kind that turned heads and silenced rooms.
His presence radiated gravitas, a force that demanded attention and respect without a single word. Yet, when his gaze fell upon Orion, the weight he carried seemed to shift, the lines of tension on his face easing, if only slightly. His eyes softened, revealing a warmth that seemed at odds with his otherwise stoic demeanor.
Orion could see them from his vantage point in Valeria's arms: towering, humanoid machines that moved with a grace that defied their immense size. They were patrolling the estate's perimeters, their sleek frames glinting in the sunlight like living sculptures crafted from metal. Their movements were mesmerizing, a harmonious blend of mechanical precision and almost human-like fluidity.
Orion found himself unable to look away, his thoughts swirling with questions and possibilities. His pulse quickened, the distant machines igniting a fire in him that he had yet to understand.
In his past life, technology had been his escape. Robotics, artificial intelligence, systems theory—those were the puzzles that had once given his life meaning. And now, here, in this new world, he was staring at their apex.
Cassian seemed to sense Orion's fascination. He walked towards Valeria and to Orion's surprise, lifted him gently from Valeria's arms. The sudden motion made Orion's tiny hand grasp instinctively at Cassian's coat, but his eyes never left the mechas.