Chapter 32: Through the Helipad

After returning to Amaris central streets, Livra spoke decisively, “Alright, we need to head back to Aeris to find that orphanage. She asked “Couldn’t we just go directly to the floating debris beneath Aeris? After all, Amaris is close, and those remnants should be just under Aeris, right?” Livra suggested. Her childhood education in geography was evident in her reasoning. “We could try to acquire a levitation capsule or personal levitation gear from the black market.”

“I doubt it,” Calen replied, shaking his head. “Amaris and the Rainshadow Isles are connected to Aeris in some way because they orbit it, but they’re at the mercy of the winds and levitation compensations. Let me explain. Levicita, as you know, allows the islands to float. But contrary to what you might think, they don’t float without regulation. Sure, we can control the height an island floats by adjusting the radiation levels imbued into the mineral, but what keeps the islands from colliding with each other? It’s the radiation itself.

"There are radiation sensors on the boundaries of every island, no exceptions. If we tried to fly toward Aeris or any of its floating rocks using personal levitation gear, those radiation barriers would force our levitation to fail, sending radiation pulses to disrupt the levicita in our equipment. It’s designed to prevent collisions. That’s why, when islands approach each other, they rise or descend depending on the established routes,” Calen explained, his tone both instructional and firm.

“Yeah, I’ve heard about that,” Balthar chimed in, his tone laced with disdain. “That’s why I’ve always hated the islands. Those bastards in the administration always know when I’ve come or gone. I had to build a solid reputation as a mercenary in Operientes Solem just to earn their trust. Anyone who’s schemed against the administration or tried to act in the shadows ends up dead. It’s never been worth crossing them, at least not while I’m working in the levitating isles.”

“That’s what makes this whole conspiracy so unbelievable,” Balthar continued, his voice heavy with disbelief. “And all over a little girl? It doesn’t make any damn sense. But, of course, after hearing about how the Rainshadow Isles’ black market manages to smuggle so much under the administration’s radar, I’m ready to believe anything.”

“What if it’s not under the administration’s radar?” Livra interjected, her voice sharp with insight. “Maybe someone inside is allowing it to happen. After all, Rion was murdered inside the LCC that night, and no culprit has been found. Clearly, someone powerful is covering it up. It has to be someone with enough authority to silence everyone, even Valtheris.”

“Well thought out, girl,” Balthar said with a crooked grin. He was clearly impressed. “You’ve got a good nose for this. I could use an assistant, you know. Always need someone sharp to watch my back,” he joked, laughing deeply.

“Ahem,” Calen interrupted, clearly annoyed. “Could it be Valtheris himself? Could he be behind all of this?”

“I don’t think so,” Livra replied confidently. “First, it wouldn’t make sense for Valtheris to talk to us about Ava Lysan and then assign you this mission, Calen. He must be tied up by someone higher up. Whoever’s pulling the strings in the LCC without his knowledge has to have rank, and they’re likely being helped by someone above Valtheris—someone with immense power. If I had to guess, I’d suspect a magistrate.”

“Smart thinking, girl,” Balthar said with a chuckle. “You’re definitely sharper than this fool we’ve got as our guide. Kid, you better step up your game; this little one’s outclassing you.”

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Calen said, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. He had always known that Livra was exceptional—quicker, sharper, and more capable than many twice her age. She had a knack for reading situations and drawing precise conclusions.

“So, we’re taking a levitation capsule to Aeris,” Calen said, regaining his composure. “They depart in the morning, so we need to hurry and get to the helipad.”

The cold night air in Amaris was heavy, almost oppressive, as Calen, Livra, and Balthar made their way toward the helipad on the outskirts of the decrepit island. The trio hurried through narrow alleys illuminated by the arising lights of the dawn.

“We’ve got to move fast,” Calen said. “If we miss the next capsule to Aeris, we’ll be stuck here for another day. That’s time we don’t have.”

“Relax, kid,” Balthar grunted, his massive frame brushing against the walls of the narrow alley. “These things don’t leave without clearance. I know the guy running the helipad—he owes me. Worst case, we convince him to hold the capsule for us.”

Livra glanced at Balthar. “Convince him, how?”

“With my charm, of course.” Balthar smirked, tapping the hilt of the knife strapped to his belt. “It’s amazing what a little charm can do.”

Calen rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. Livra suppressed a laugh, despite the tension gnawing at her. The dynamic between the three of them had settled into an odd rhythm—Balthar’s brashness, Calen’s determination, and Livra’s charm and own analytical edge seemed to balance each other.

As they approached the helipad, the towering silhouette of the capsule levitator came into view. It was a sleek, metallic vessel shaped like a teardrop, its surface pulsing faintly with the blue-green hue of levicite radiation. Around it, dockworkers loaded crates of supplies under the watchful eyes of armed guards.

“Stay close,” Balthar said. “We don’t need any trouble.”

Livra chuckled. “Trouble’s what makes life interesting, right?” Said looking to both Calen and Balthar.They couldn't help but look at each other and sigh in resignation.

The trio approached the ticket booth, where a wiry man with oily hair and a crooked grin eyed them suspiciously. He leaned forward, his voice a rasp. “Destination?”

“Aeris,” Balthar replied, sliding his digital comunicator wallet to the billng machine.

The man said. “Full party of three?”

“That’s right,” Livra said, her tone firm. “And we’re in a hurry, you know?.”

The man looked up, his grin widening. “Capsule’s almost full. You’re lucky. But tell me… what business does a merc like you have in Aeris?” His eyes flicked to Balthar, then to Livra, lingering a moment longer than necessary. “And with such fancy company.”

“None of your concern,” Balthar said, his voice dropping to a growl. “Take the money and give us the tickets.”

The man chuckled nervously and slid three tickets across the counter. “Enjoy your trip.”

The capsule shuddered as it detached from the helipad and began its ascent. Through the small, reinforced windows, Livra could see the sprawling expanse of Amaris fading below them, its patchwork of shantytowns and ruins glowing faintly in the distance. Above, the shimmering leviathan of Aeris loomed, its luminous underbelly dotted with the lights of floating platforms and levicita rigs.

As they rose higher, the capsule’s engines emitted a low, warning and alarming sound. Livra’s chest tightened. She turned to Calen. “What’s that sound?”

“The radiation barriers,” Calen explained. “The capsule’s levicita is adjusting to the frequency of Aeris’s orbit. It’s normal."

The capsule stabilized after a tense few minutes, the rest of the ascent proceeded without incident. When they finally docked at one of Aeris’s lower platforms, the group disembarked quickly, eager to leave the confined space behind.