Scene 1: Arrival at the Wreck
The Aether Wind finally stabilized, its engines blowing plumes of burning steam into the cold air of space. They were in precarious orbit around the Oathwreck , a monumental, jagged hulk of an Old Civilization vessel. Cosmic ice crystals coated its shattered hull.
Kaelen Rion leaned over the Dawn Compass. "The wreck is protected by a residual energy field. It survived the explosion. That's where the Remnant should be."
"We're not hanging around," Anya said, putting away her wrench. "We narrowly escaped Vane. He'll be back, and this time he'll bring bigger guns."
Jax, already donning his lightweight jumpsuit, flashed his usual smile. "Come on, Anya. A little treasure hunt to cheer us up. You stay in charge, Kaelen, and cover for us."
Scene 2: The Entry Logic
Anya hesitated. "It's too dangerous. There must be traps."
“ Remnants don’t come easily,” Kaelen interjected. “This wreck is called Oath . It involves a trial or test of loyalty. Look for the symbols.”
Jax gestured to Pyxis . "Together, my friend. Show us the energy path." Pyxis darted forward, his pulsing flames blazing the trail. Circuits, less at ease in the void, huddled in a pocket of Anya's suit, the eye of his antenna observing the damaged circuits of the wreckage.
Anya finally relented. "Fine. But I'll take the safety harness, and you don't touch anything without my permission." She pointed a finger at Jax. "Especially not the red wires."
Scene 3: The Hall of Glyphs
The two Starships entered the wreckage through a breach created by the fall. The interior was a ghostly mix of ancient technology and floating debris. Pyxis flew to a central alcove, signaling a concentration of energy.
The room was lit by strange glowing glyphs inscribed in the wall. In the center, an empty pedestal. "The location," Jax breathed.
“The symbols... they're not decorative,” Anya murmured, touching the wall. Circuits beeped resonantly. “They're circuit diagrams. You have to connect them in the right order to reveal the Remnant.”
Kaelen radioed. "These glyphs are an ancient language of protection. If you get this wrong, the containment field could collapse. The Oath is a test of patience, not strength. "
Scene 4: The Hidden Remains
Jax, impatient, tried to activate three symbols at random. The wreck shuddered. "Wrong choice!" Anya shouted.
Circuits, taken out of his pocket, flew toward a specific symbol, then another. He used his Technological Resonance to "feel" the right current.
"Wait, Jax! Circuits is showing me a sequence based on energy flow!" With guidance from her Astramau, Anya used her wrench to close some circuits and open others, following the logical order revealed by Circuits.
An intense blue light burst forth. The pedestal activated, and an object appeared: a glass globe containing a tiny ocean of liquid stars . This was no simple compass, but the Navigation Seal , a fragment of the Matrix Map.
--- Continued Next Time: The Light of Menace ---
