CHAPTER ONE

After about fifteen minutes, all the leaders and lower-level leaders finish being seated. The kitchen Staff and NARI Server Synths begin taking orders and providing drinks. The leaders begin to make small talk while Ms. Choi checks her Synth to verify it is recording everything. Then she pulls out a handheld digital aid to review an encrypted message from Shylzan. It is a report sent by her mother and father. They explain that things on Shylzan are quickly getting worse. The message instructs her not to share any of this information because it violates the agreement made with the Colonizing Council on Unity Star.

If this gets out, you may lose the power we have arranged for you to have on Roadie 5.

Ho Min-je took a seat with the lower-level leaders even though he was classified as one of the top leaders, equal to Ms. Choi and Ji-Hyun. He did wonder why Kang was at their table. He was not listed as a Top leader. He scanned the room quietly, taking in as much of the chatter as possible. As the food was being served, Ms. Choi took her sandwich as she stood up, saying, “I will see you all at the meeting with Admiral Verne.” Then she quickly left the room with her Synth in tow. They walked around the Station for about forty-five minutes so her Synth could collect as much information as possible. She also made sure her Synth noted all the questions she had so she remembered what to ask the Admiral.

While eating her breakfast, Ji-Hun read more articles and reports on the planet terraforming that was going on. She read about how unique it was that they found four planets suitable for being terraformed. She also found a report titled "Naeya Proposal”. She tried to open the report, but it indicated she was not authorized to read it. This only made her more curious.

As Ji-Hun became increasingly focused on her research, Ms. Choi left with her NARI Synth, whom she named Betty. Betty was a Synth made to resemble one from Ailartsua with a pancake-like face, round eyes, and pale complexion. Her eyes were the only thing about her appearance that indicated she was a Synth. Betty had eyes like a sophisticated camera but with an unusual color. Her eyes were orange. Ms. Choi has been wondering whether the eye colors of the NARI Synth had any significance. Ji-Hun’s NARI had purple eyes.

The exploration of Unity Star with Betty was becoming more of a challenge than Ms. Choi expected. The smell of the station in the dining room was very pleasant, but on other levels, especially the area around the research labs, it had an awful smell. It smelled like melting plastic with a hint of metal dust. The noise was also troubling. Sounds of metal being sliced, workers yelling, it seemed. But when she investigated, she found that it was the voice of NARI Synths being tested. After about fifteen minutes, a guard approached her and told her she should not be in this area unless her Synth is part of the upgrade testing. Ms. Choi asked how she could get Betty to be part of the upgrade test. They just responded that being part of the upgrade testing, one must be invited. Also, there is no guarantee your Synth will survive the testing. For this reason, personal Synth Aids are not accepted into the program.

Meanwhile, Talon Jax is just finishing her morning meditation and recording her thoughts and ideas in her NDJ (neuro-linked dream journal). She is glad that she was granted a different schedule than the rest of the new leaders of the colonies. She knows they would not readily welcome her since she is a dreamer. Rising from her meditation posture, she stretches and stands on her left leg while pulling the right leg up slowly in front of her until her foot is above her head. Then she switches and does the same with her left leg. Her synth assistant, known as Joxie, notices the activity and begins making the morning drink as Talon is accustomed to. Joxie has been loaded with an extensive library of knowledge related to the Ailartsua Mystics History and Diet. She recites partial quotes by some of the famous Ailartsua mystics while pausing as Talon would finish the quote. This has become the routine they started fourteen days ago, when they arrived at Unity Star. After drinking the fruit and vegetable blended drink provided by Joxie, they begin going over her schedule. Joxie just starts saying in a very monotone way with no indication of emotion the daily schedule. “At 1000 you have your briefing on the Roadie 5 colony, at 1130 you have your sparring practice with Master Joven. At 1330 you have lunch. Then at 1500 you meet with Kang and the Kim clan to review your alliance.…” Talon says, “That is enough Joxie, send a message to Kang that when we meet, we will only use NDJs to communicate. Our meeting requires the highest level of security.” “Yes, Lady Jax.” The message is sent as Joxie responds to the instructions. Talon really likes how efficient Joxie is but also is concerned about becoming dependent on her. Many tech gadgets have become so addictive to the Shylzani general population. Many claim they are the reason for the downfall of Shylzan society. Talon believes they contributed to their problems, so she plans to limit her interactions with Joxie once she is settled on Roadie 5.

Over the station-wide comms, an announcement is heard, “J.M. Sung Arriving,” and it repeats a few times. Many around the station ask what does this mean? The talk in the passageways gets louder, and some are running but to where? Others start to tell stories they have heard about J.M. Sung, the founder of the Sung Gai order. Some say they are a crazy bunch. Some quietly say they are to be respected and honored because Jenai has saved so many from the calamity happening on their planet Shylzan. Another announcement is heard over the comms, “All appointments with Admiral J.D. Verne are postponed until further notice,” and it repeats three times. The new leaders of the colonies begin to review their schedules and make changes to their meetings. Many decide to investigate the J.M. Sung. Lee Ji-Hun speaks up and says to those chatting loudly about the events, “The news of J.M. Sung's arrival is not just that ship; the Sisters of Unity Ship accompany it.” Kang asks, “What is the big deal?” Ji-Hun explains that the Sisters of Unity ship has all the Sung Gai Order. “That means like 150 priestesses and 50 or so Dreamers with many of their followers and some Acolytes.” Kang responds, “so... Why the chaos caused by their arrival?” Ji-Hun says, “You know their longtime leader, Jenai, died just a few weeks ago.” Kang responds again, saying “So?” Ji-Hun looks at Kang with disgust and says, “You are so clueless!” Kang says, “Yes, Ji-Hun. What is it that I am missing?” The others have gone silent while they listen to the conversation between Ji-Hun and Kang. Ji-Hun stands up and addresses the crowd saying, “You see they have not elected a new leader yet, so they will be electing one while here. This will cause the station to be focused on them for a while. After they elect a new High Priestess, it is expected they will have a celebration that may go on for a few days.” Kang says “Ok, ok Ji-Hun I have heard enough!” Then Kang collects his stuff and returns to his quarters as he does not enjoy how things have changed since the J.M. Sung arrived. As he returns to his room, he quickly takes a seat at his desk and says, “Toaster, bring me a strong drink.” Toaster replies, “Yes, Young Master. Should it be intoxicating or energetic?” “Intoxicating of course. Also, Toaster send me all the latest reports on the Sung Gai order to my viewer on my desk.” “Yes, Young Master.” Kang thinks about how he does not want to be called Young Master anymore. Soon when he becomes the leader on Roadie 5, he will be Master Kim, or in more private settings Emperor Kim as the inner circle of the Bam’e Dangeon refer to their leaders.

The activity around the station is slowly rising as a few skirmishes are reported between supporters of the Sung Gai order and some of their critics. As things seem to be only getting worse, Security Chief Dosh calls up the full security force. Then she makes an announcement over the station wide comms for all non-station workers to return to their quarters until further notice. About ten minutes later the station is crawling with Security with some Space Corps commandos assisting. Within thirty minutes the station is quiet. All the future colony leaders returned to their quarters. Many have turned on the station’s news broadcast channel to keep up with the events. One report indicated three arrests were made, seven injured, only one seriously that will require surgery. Another announcement was made to inform station personnel and guests that the Sung Gai order would be electing new leaders, and the ceremony would be broadcast over the viewers. Now that the station had quieted down and so many were confined to their quarters, Kang, Talon, Choi and Ji-Hun began exploring the station's video broadcasts and researching the many questions they had.