novelraw Chapter 5 : Talo Star
Chapter 5 : Talo Star
Chen Sui lay on her back and turned her head. Her body felt as if it had been run over by a car, with lingering aches throughout her limbs. The healing chamber released medication, greatly alleviating her discomfort.
The doctor scanned her information with a light brain and read: "Chen Sui, 18 years old, not Awakened, residing at 139 Ocean Boulevard, please confirm your information."
She showed the light brain to Chen Sui, who confusedly responded as directed. She parted her dry, cracked lips and said in a hoarse, dry voice: "Yes, the information is correct."
The doctor nodded, adjusting her medical chamber and speaking hurriedly: "Your injuries are almost healed. You can be discharged by noon today. After the slow-release medication finishes in half an hour, remember to come to the treatment room to collect your medical record information."
After speaking, she hastily put away her light brain. Chen Sui quickly asked: "Doctor, may I ask why I was admitted here?"
The doctor paused her steps and looked at her strangely: "You don't remember? You were hit too severely by the energy storm in the energy field. Fortunately, there was a decent soldier in your energy field who resolved the energy body, otherwise in your condition, if it had been a bit later, you couldn't have been saved."
As she spoke, the doctor scanned her with a relieved look.
After the person left, Chen Sui lay in the healing chamber, feeling the medication soothing her body, aimlessly contemplating life in her mind.
She remembered that after resolving the energy body, the energy field suddenly behaved abnormally, with a powerful energy surging into her body. That must have been when she was impacted by the energy.
When the medication was finished, Chen Sui felt nothing unusual with her body. She got out of the medical chamber, planning to go to the treatment room to get her medical records as the doctor had instructed.
She could have directly accessed it through bed information and light brain scanning, but Chen Sui hadn't purchased a light brain, so she had to make a trip to get the paper records.
Leaving the ward, the corridor outside was crowded with people.
Medical robots carried one victim after another into the wards. Passing by, one could see bodies disfigured by energy erosion, some even bitten by energy bodies, with large splatters of blood on the medical institute's floor.
Cries of pain and wails of suffering were incessant.
Border army personnel in deep black uniforms with Star Alliance badges moved back and forth continuously.
Seeing this scene, Chen Sui paused her steps, finding it somewhat unbearable to watch. She pressed her lips together, avoiding the crowd, and passed through the long corridor.
Around the corner on the other side, several young students surrounded a robust man. Chen Sui recognized him as Mr. Pyson. The surrounding students looked somewhat familiar, but she didn't approach, instead detouring around the other side.
But Mr. Pyson saw her and hurriedly raised his hand to greet her.
"Sir, we from Third Ring Sixth Academy will buy this energy crystal. You can name a price."
Mr. Pyson helplessly repeated once more: "This energy crystal really isn't mine. I have no right to decide."
"Didn't you kill the energy body? The border army said whoever resolves it owns it. Are you worried we can't afford it?"
The young man speaking showed growing impatience in his expression. Haggling with people from remote star rings had nearly exhausted his already limited patience. If the energy crystal didn't match his team's output attribute, Tong Zhou wouldn't have wasted effort here.
Mr. Pyson didn't know how this energy crystal ended up in his possession. Perhaps it accidentally fell beside him after Chen Sui was injured, and since it was damaged by his mecha weapons, the border army left it with him.
Mr. Pyson had been mistaken because of this as the soldier who resolved the energy body.
Goodness, how could he possibly resolve an S-class energy body?
It was clearly that repair technician, who did it by piloting a basic mecha.
Mr. Pyson felt extremely anxious inside.
Yet he was detained by these military academy students, missing Chen Sui. Somewhat anxiously wanting to see Chen Sui, he patiently explained once more:
"Listen to me, listen to me, gentlemen and ladies, students, this energy body wasn't resolved by me, but by the soldier who was with me. This energy crystal is hers. You should negotiate with her, not waste time with me here."
Tong Zhou was stunned for a moment, involuntarily recalling the gaze he had seen two days ago.
Such intense killing intent, as if the next moment, she would bite through the neck of any prey she fixed her eyes on. He couldn't help but shudder.
The next moment he quickly recovered.
She's just a soldier from a remote star ring, damn.
Tong Zhou cursed inwardly but outwardly expressed doubt: "She resolved this energy body? Who are you trying to fool? Her mecha was just a basic mecha."
Mr. Pyson shook his head, feeling unable to reason with him, "Alright, I've explained very clearly. If you continue to block me, I'll have to be impolite."
As he spoke, Mr. Pyson clenched his fist, the muscles on his arm bulging, forming a fierce arc.
Tong Zhou stepped back, his face somewhat unpleasant.
A passing border army rescue team of two coldly glanced over, only commenting to their companion after walking far enough away.
"Here we go again, never-ending, right?"
"The young masters from the near star rings are like this. It's only because Commander Song isn't around anymore, otherwise they'd all be sent to Zone Eleven for training."
Their tone was somewhat mocking, stinging Tong Zhou's face with heat.
He knew it wasn't good to leave his team to buy energy crystals during a rescue operation, but Third Ring Sixth Academy didn't come to rescue for nothing—if not for energy crystals, then for what?
Tong Zhou stepped back somewhat reluctantly. Mr. Pyson sidestepped away from the corridor, following in the direction Chen Sui had left.
The Third Ring Sixth Academy team left behind looked at their leader, "Commander, what do we do now......"
Tong Zhou's face turned cold as he watched Mr. Pyson's retreating figure: "There's not just one energy crystal on the entire Talo Star. If we can't buy this one, we'll get another."
Others exchanged glances, all somewhat helpless.
A girl in the team said: "Why don't we ask that soldier? Didn't Pyson say she was the one who resolved the energy body?"
"You really believe that?" Tong Zhou raised an eyebrow. "A remote star ring soldier piloting a basic mecha resolving an S-class energy body, don't you find that laughable?"
The girl had endured his foul temper for a long time and immediately retorted: "Stop saying 'remote star ring' over and over. The Ninth and Tenth Star Rings were once under Zone Eleven's jurisdiction. The people here have combat abilities no worse than those on the main star."
"You also said that was when Song Baining was still around. She's been dead for ten years. The remote star rings have long been drained of blood by the main star. Do you really think they can produce any geniuses?"
Tong Zhou contemptuously retorted, "Enough, Pyson obviously just doesn't want to sell. It's just an S-class energy crystal. I'll buy you another one at the auction later."
The girl glared at him angrily. It was impossible to communicate with such a fool!
Chen Sui pushed open the door to the treatment room. There was only one doctor on duty inside; the others were all busy with energy field rescue work.
She sat down at the isolated treatment window in front. The doctor inside was operating the medical system, inquiring amidst his busy work: "What are you here for? Please provide your hospitalization number."
Chen Sui quickly reported her information.
The other person soon processed her documents and handed them out through an internal-external connecting gate. Upon seeing Chen Sui's electronic file, he was surprised: "Hmm, you're 18 years old this year?"
Chen Sui nodded. The doctor saw that the girl before him was thin in stature. Although Talo Star was in a remote star ring, there were still few people as skinny as her. The test results showed she was somewhat malnourished.
The doctor felt complex emotions for a moment and brought up her examination interface, giving extra advice: "You show some pre-Awakening signs, possibly approaching a mental Awakening. Oh, right, looking at your age, you're planning to attend a military academy, right?"
Chen Sui indeed planned to find a school with an interstellar nomad channel to process enrollment, so she nodded.
"That's good. Your pre-Awakening signs aren't very obvious, and since you're not in the optimal Awakening period, there's a possibility of failure. During this time, due to energy overflow, special manifestations may occur. Remember to go to a hospital with Awakening detection at your school for complete Awakening monitoring."
Chen Sui was not unfamiliar with mental Awakening, as it was the most prominent group in the interstellar era.
After mental Awakening, one would develop an energy-storing mental threshold and a core crystal. The core crystal could summon spirit bodies for combat, forming the backbone of defense against energy bodies and energy fields.
The currently recognized optimal Awakening period in the interstellar era was between 13-15 years, with earlier Awakening within this range being better. Those who Awakened after 15 were called post-period Awakened, and such Awakened had very low mental threshold energy storage values and formed core crystals slowly.
Cases like Chen Sui, Awakening at 18, were extremely rare, which is why the doctor worried about the possibility of her Awakening failing.
But Chen Sui looked at the test sheet in her hand with a shocked expression.
It's worth noting that she had completely come from another world, with both her body and soul from an apocalyptic world, yet she could actually possess the Awakening of interstellar people?
"Alright, all your procedures are completed. Due to compensation for Talo Star energy field losses, this treatment is free of charge. Keep your medical record information and belongings safe, and you can leave."
The doctor briefly advised her about her condition.
After thanking the doctor, Chen Sui left the treatment room with her paper medical records. She examined her treatment results back and forth, feeling a dreamlike quality about the "awaiting Awakening" at the end of a string of text.
At this moment, Chen Sui felt a sense of being bound to this new world.
Just as a rare feeling of emotion rose in her heart, it was quickly dispersed by a voice from behind.
Mr. Pyson, after taking several detours, finally found Chen Sui and called out eagerly: "Technician Chen, wait."
He ran up quickly, handing over the energy crystal.
Mr. Pyson hadn't even caught his breath: "Technician Chen, this energy crystal, the border army said there were too many energy bodies this time. Whoever could resolve them, the energy crystal belongs to them."
Chen Sui looked at the grayish-white crystal. Her thin fingers picked it up; the energy crystal was only as big as her fingernail. Who would have thought it could nurture an energy body with such destructive power?
Chen Sui couldn't help but think of a type of alien species from her original world, insects like ants that could occupy human brains and control human thoughts.
The power of biology is truly marvelous.
"Thank you, Mr. Pyson."
Chen Sui put away the energy crystal, politely thanking Mr. Pyson. He scratched his hair somewhat embarrassedly, "Don't mention it, Technician Chen. It's really thanks to you this time. Otherwise, I really don't know if I could have survived."
Chen Sui exchanged a few polite pleasantries with him before eagerly wanting to leave.
She needed to quickly ask Mr. Peter whether she would still be paid this month. If she could receive payment, she could buy a light brain earlier and then enroll in a military academy, or else the time for the interstellar nomad channel would pass.
The sudden descent of the energy field had interrupted Chen Sui's plans, but overall, it wasn't too far off.
The Peter Repair Shop had been destroyed by the energy field. Fortunately, old Mr. Peter wasn't in the shop but in the mining area of Talo Star. When he received Chen Sui's message, the old gentleman heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
"Little Sui, you really gave me a scare. When I saw the news, I feared something had happened to you."
Chen Sui was using an emergency light brain from the street office to contact Mr. Peter. She briefly reported her safety, then asked about the salary issue.
Old Mr. Peter said with lingering fear: "Of course I'll pay you. Speaking of this, it's indeed a pity. My son got a promotion at the Star Committee, wanting me to move to the main star. I had originally planned to let you take over the repair shop, who knew such a thing would happen, alas."
Old Mr. Peter complained helplessly for a few sentences.
Hearing this, Chen Sui's eyes tightened, her heart full of regret, her aversion to the energy body deepening involuntarily.
You have no idea how much trouble your damned descent has caused me. You really deserve to die.
Chen Sui's heart bled with hatred, yet she still had to calmly respond to Mr. Peter: "I'm grateful for your kindness, but it's a pity."
Old Mr. Peter also sighed: "But it's also good. You're just 18 years old, perfect to go study in school. When you go to the military district later, you'll surely make great achievements, much more promising than guarding a small repair shop."
Chen Sui's heart cried a little: No, I'd rather guard the small repair shop.
Old Mr. Peter continued: "By the way, the salary has been transferred to your star card. Remember to process your identity certification, Little Sui. I'll see if I can finish things here quickly and come back to see you off. After that, who knows when we'll meet again."
Old Mr. Peter's tone was somewhat sad but also somewhat happy for Chen Sui, making her heart ache.
"I will, don't worry. The procedures still take time."
In fact, Chen Sui's statement proved quite understated. By the time she completed her identity certification, it was already three days later.
Talo Star had built transit stations for those who lost their homes due to the energy field. Chen Sui now lived in one of these transit stations.
With her newly purchased light brain, when she received old Mr. Peter's communication, Chen Sui was searching the StarNet for military academy interstellar nomad programs.
Her favorite planet was Wisteria Star.
Wisteria Star was located in the Second Star Ring, a famous scenic planet in the Interstellar Alliance.
It had the most closely matched ecology to the mother planet's native land in the entire interstellar system. Unlike the artificial ecologies of other planets, Wisteria Star was naturally formed, known for its miraculous workmanship.
The planet had a total of ten military academies, all with very expensive tuition fees.
When Chen Sui was three years old, the planet she lived on underwent aberrations. Massive pollution and radiation placed the global ecology in an extremely dangerous situation, with organisms undergoing various degrees of mutation, forming alien species.
Her impression of beautiful nature remained in the few remaining images from her childhood, similarly yearning for the so-called ancient star natural landscapes.
Chen Sui checked the housing prices on Wisteria Star, thinking that perhaps after earning money, retiring there wouldn't be bad.
These were secondary concerns; more importantly, she had already missed the regular enrollment period for military academies, and not many schools opened the interstellar nomad delayed enrollment program.
Among the schools that were relatively close, with tuition fees within her affordability and an environment Chen Sui liked.
There was only Interstellar Academy Seven located on the Yuguang Star, referred to as Zhu Jing Fu on the StarNet.
Interstellar Academy Seven was located in a remote area of Yuguang Star, classified among ancient building groups including Zhu Jing Fu. The entire academy's design was filled with the cold, metallic feel of the future, and the deep, ancient style of heavy wood, appearing particularly pleasing to the eye.
The tuition fee was just within the range her savings could afford.
Around the academy was a commercial street with clusters of repair shops, very suitable for some extracurricular part-time work. Additionally, there was student poverty assistance, fitting Chen Sui's current situation.
After simple consideration, Chen Sui included Zhu Jing Fu in her plan.
She then received a call from old Mr. Peter, who requested if Chen Sui could complete the repair shop's after-sales work.
Some of the mecha keys stored in the repair shop had been swept away by the energy storm. After the border army cleared the energy field, lost items were handed over. Mr. Peter wanted to return these items to their owners, but he still had matters in the mining area and could only ask Chen Sui to share part of the work.
This wasn't difficult for Chen Sui. She gladly agreed and then obtained contact information for some customers from old Mr. Peter.
During the time she completed the remaining work for the repair shop, Chen Sui received her identity certification.
When she went to the service point to collect her certification, the border army lady assisting Talo Star looked Chen Sui up and down.
"Your identity certification, go over there to register your StarNet account," the short-haired woman spoke with surprisingly gentle tone, guiding Chen Sui. Seeing her walk to the other side for authentication, she spoke with her colleague: "Is this the girl Team Seven mentioned? Hmm, she does have some ability."
Her colleague's eyes showed some complexity: "It's hard to imagine there are still such skinny children nowadays. She seems to have just a layer of bone."
The short-haired woman marveled at the exaggeration: "Not at all, she does have muscles. Although she's a bit thin, she definitely has strength. No wonder she could eliminate an S-class energy body with just a basic mecha. The last person to achieve such a feat was General Song! Looking at her data, she seems to be awaiting Awakening. She'll surely achieve great things in the future!"
Her colleague, however, held a contrary view: "I don't think so. She's from an interstellar nomad background, right? People like them, after wandering in the interstellar for a long time, have their own set of experience fighting energy bodies. S-class energy bodies are manageable, but going higher would be difficult. Moreover, Awakening at her age, it's hard to Awaken with high values. General Song shocked the entire Star Alliance as soon as she Awakened. How can they be compared?"
The short-haired woman wasn't angry, still smiling: "Well, we'll see in the future."
When Chen Sui finished her authentication, she also gave a friendly reminder: "Young student, I see your information is bound to a jump flight. The earliest one is the day after tomorrow. If you miss it, you'll have to wait another week."
Chen Sui hadn't yet checked the flight information. With her reminder, she realized this point and nodded gratefully: "Thank you."
The short-haired woman smiled as she saw her off, slipping three military-grade nutrient solutions into her hand before leaving, "Take these. You need to eat more. With your weight, I could lift you with just one finger."
Chen Sui knew she wasn't exaggerating. The evolution of interstellar people was somewhat beyond her imagination. They all grew quite tall; Chen Sui's outstanding height in the wasteland barely reached the average line here. Their strength was also extraordinarily great. Chen Sui had seen a border army soldier carrying two people in each hand, with two more on his shoulders, bringing people out of the ruins like carrying sacks of rice.
Leaving the processing office, Chen Sui looked at the nutrient solutions, her mind involuntarily thinking of the mother and son next to the repair shop, wondering how they were doing.
The energy body's effortless descent, in an instant, destroyed countless families and lives.
They are indeed strikingly similar to alien species, both equally detestable.