✧ Chapter 20 ✧

"So basically, you're saying that this crystal is the same one that Nebules used to power the new messenger robot that works for him?" asked Hisa.

Flight nodded his head, affirming it to be true. Chelbie was also interested in this conspiracy. Apparently, having ties to one of her relatives that was a government agent came with its perks. She asked Hisa a lot about her job. In this case, there was a good chance that the crystal was found before Flight saw it on Mechatopolis. Or at least that was what she had been told.

"Hmm. Since Mr. Flyguy found that crystal on past Mechatopolis, it's likely that the chances of it already being archived in the database means that SAF has definitely discovered another replica of it on that planet sometime after winning The Great Invasion, or that was the only one. If we go with option B, then that shows we have a time-traveling situation to deal with," said Chelbie.

Flight was slightly annoyed at her nicknaming him Mr. Flyguy, even after the introduction. Regardless of that, he was more confused on the subject of time paradoxes and why a kid would speculate or even know how it worked.

"I'm sorry but what kind of problem are we dealing with here? As far as I'm concerned, we have the orange crystal. Finding Styra should be our main focus right now," demanded Flight.

Chelbie became curious upon repeatedly hearing a name she had never heard of before. When she asked who Styra was, Flight requested a piece of paper to answer her question. Chelbie gave one to him from her personal workstation desk. On the paper, Flight began to quickly draw the diamond star he saw on her suit, summarizing the symbol being connected to who she was in a few brief sentences. The drawing and mention of this mystery person intrigued Chelbie deep down. Instead of further asking any more questions, she proceeded to drill on about her theory despite his prioritized concerns.

"Alright relax. The thing is that the crystal may not be in Nebules's robot anymore. I think either one of two events occurred in which either the future was changed or everything has still remained the same. In order to test which one is true, we're going to need to find the other crystal. If it's not inside that machine, then there has probably been a large change to the future of our entire universe."

Hearing Chelbie sound like she was dismissing the importance of finding Styra, agitated him. Still, the idea that something had changed since his previous adventures were not too far away from being proven right. They had yet to see if this was true.

"We can't afford any more time as is, so we need to get there as soon as possible. Also, Hisa, do you have some sort of idea on which planet we were on? I remembered it being a beach location with clear skies, pink palm trees, and other exotic plants. Sorry to come off as repetitive but, I really need to get this out of the way," requested Flight.

Hisa thought for a moment about his question. As nice as it would've been to take a guess and have what he wanted on the spot, there were numerous planets recorded in the SAF database that matched this description out of one they needed. She decided it would be better off getting the information at the SPQB. The available public internet did not have all of the information necessary to locate every planet they had discovered since some were bound to be confidential. However, it occurred to her that the other crystal they were searching for was also the source of an all-knowing navigation machine of their observable galaxy. The only problem was, Nebules operated behind it.

"I cannot really figure out which planet that could be. If searching through DIVA is going to be too time consuming for you then we will have to hit the base and check those files."

Flight could see where she was going with this. Without a moment to lose, they started to walk towards the exit when Chelbie interrupted them.

"Umm, instead of walking there why don't I give ya two a lift? We can get there faster in my Flamethrottle Fury monster truck."

Flight and Hisa looked back at it with visible anxiety. Even with it being fast and all, neither of them wanted to cause a big scene driving all the way back to the investigation site. Going there would guarantee that they could use one of the spaceships that the SAF had parked in the middle of at least one out of the many intersections where damaged property could be spotted. Technically they were authorized to use them anyways under reasonable protocols or emergencies.

"Okay. How 'bout my other personal fav? The StealthSteel Trike. Sleek, silent, and dark. No one will notice us," said Chelbie enthusiastically. As she was waiting for any sort of answer, Hisa kneeled down and put her hand gently on Chelbie's shoulder as she was pushing through words filled with deep regret.

"I think it's best to leave it at that. I don't want my uncle getting mad at you because I let you do something they might not want. It is very dangerous anyways. Just stay here. That's all I ask, alright? We'll be fine. I promise."

Chelbie's face showed a side of her that not even Flight was expecting. It seemed more dead inside as if everything had been taken away that she wanted to do.

Her eyes dropped with the tiniest hint of depression as she walked back underneath another one of the monster trucks to fix it. To Flight, this was unusually familiar. In some ways, it reminded him of Styra. Her motivation drove him to finish what they started. This wasn't an easy choice considering how she sent him back without a second thought. He liked teaching her things about StarSpace and traveling alongside her as a mentor. There was too much stuff for him to try and achieve, but that was what he wanted to thrive in. With all of these thoughts in his mind, it didn't matter whether or not it would happen. He just felt something that he wasn't able to express about himself that needed to breathe for once.

Hisa turned to Flight as they walked out of the entrance.

"I know it seems like we were in there for only a piece of information but, knowing that crystal has unlimited power sounds like something Nebules would do."

Flight felt an arising suspicion in that statement. He knew she was right too. The real question was why did she hide that from him? Perhaps there was a transfer of confidential secret files going unnoticed by the majority of individuals working for him. Mr. Nebules may not have been the president, but he definitely had extreme power like the former mayors of his time.

Another twelve minutes later, Hisa and Flight arrived next to the Zuropa Museum where a spaceship blocking the intersection was getting ready to leave in five minutes while some officers and investigators were still looking for evidence behind the recent events. When they arrived onboard the ship and sat in the cargo hold where seats were available, Flight began to recognize the voice of a certain space pilot talking to someone behind the cockpit. His name was Josh Acerson

Josh was one of the most egotistical yet well-trained pilots ranking top ten in a majority of the missions he was assigned. Even though this was commendable, Flight had a somewhat conflicting rivalry with him before when he was just a trainee. There were constant issues where Josh would mess with Flight because of his outspoken determination to be the best. That competition ended years ago. Fortunately, they were not on speaking terms anymore as far as he could remember. Even right now, there was no way he would get called out. It just wasn't possible to him.

By the time the ship made it to the entry of the base, Hisa and Flight started walking fast to the file room so they could find out where Styra was located first. Their pace came to a halt upon turning the corner at the end of a yellow hallway where Compass was blocking their path to the door.

"Welcome, Ms. Night and Mr. Takeshi. I must stop you for a certain warning that needs to be addressed. According to Mayor Nebules, Flight's negligence to appear before him at the appointed time of eight o'clock has been reported. You must state a reason for your absence, or risk permanent suspension of your position as a space pilot."

It was at this moment that Flight could see what was going on. In a way it kind of messed with him. Was it detrimental to be where he was since Styra abandoned him? Probably. The worst part about all of this came from the fact that he had ignored Mr. Nebules of all people. This certainly wasn't going to go unpunished without it hitting deeper than this. Speculation on that thought proved right when a strange voice came from multiple announcement speakers that echoed into every single room.

"Flight Takeshi, listen well. If you fail to answer with proper evidence within the next ten seconds, you and Ms. Night will be under arrest for attempting to violate the SAF code of conduct. Strict regulations and its terms of agreement policies were made applicable to them."