Page 151 of Stars in Nova

Genovia, a Rhesian-aligned independent colony on the fringes of Pegasi’s vast galaxy, was notorious for its chaotic politics and volatile trade routes.

‘Whateverthefokkthis is doesn’t sit well with me. Do I need to initiate a psionic jag, or are you au fait with what we are up against?’ he rasped.

The AI’s countenance flickered, her confidence giving way to something unreadable. ‘I’m not certain what it is. Might be a new enemy? Or an ancient one with a fresh face. I’m still processing. I need time.’

The tension in the room was palpable. Zane leaned back, gripping his seat arms. ‘An enemy, ay?’

Mirage’s holographic form shimmered, her expression wry but edged with concern.

‘Isn’t there always one?’

The morning air was cool and carried the aroma of blooming wildflowers.

Kisan sat in a carved wooden chair on the porch of his new home. One barefoot foot crossed over one knee.

A cup ofkahawanestled in his hand.

Head back, eyes canted to take in the view.

Orilia’s sky was alive with color, the rising sun streaking it in shades of gold, crimson, and deep violet. Wisps of clouds caught the light, glowing like they had been brushed with fire.

Below, the landscape stretched out in vibrant hues, a far cry from the barren wasteland it had been only months ago.

The lakes were full, their surfaces glinting and mirroring the surrounding greenery.

Birds skimmed across the water, their wings brushing the surface, sending ripples out in patterns that glistened in dawn’s radiance.

The Rider had found unexpected solace in the rhythms of a simple life.

He became a farmer.

A freakin’ good one, too, planting and harvesting grain he now sold and distributed widely.

Alongside Samira and her children, he tended to the land, harvesting the abundant produce that seemed to flourish overnight in the bio-kinetic-infused soil.

He got a kick from working outside, where the sun was warm on his back, and the scent of fresh crops filled the air as he worked.

Samira’s political acumen shone as she joined the newly formed alliance with the Principalities. Under her guidance and Kisan’s reputation, Thalassa became a beacon of resilience and renewal.

As the ravaged plains of Orilia XIV transformed into a vibrant landscape, the Rider and his woman focused on building a future.

Their home stood on the gentle slopes of Thalassa’s central hills, overlooking a crystal-clear lake that shimmered beneath the sun’s golden rays. The house blended Vaelorian architecture and Edenite ingenuity.

It harmonized with the environment, was constructed with sustainable materials, and infused with kinetic enhancements.

The structure seemed to breathe life, with climbing flora walls that changed color with the seasons. Inside, the house was warm and inviting. Smooth stone floors cooled the space, and expansive windows framed the verdant fields and distant forests.

One wing of the house was set aside for the primary suite. The kids’ bedrooms were in the center of the second floor, while Misandra got a two-bedroom apartment on the far end of the building.

A spiral staircase led to a private underground pool, a secret sanctuary where water reflected dancing light over the rock-lined cavern walls.

It became their haven for whispered conversations and shared dreams, and they luxuriated in the mineral-rich waters fed by the endless streams flowing across Thalassa.

He leaned back in his seat, breathed in, and closed his eyes.

‘Twas quiet in the house to his rear, though he sensed life stirring within.

Liora and Malik would wake soon, and their play and running through the home would no doubt fill the space like sunlight.

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