Night in the observatory

The old Dr. Bermeel’s hands shook over the control panel, his heart pounding with the weight of the moment. Tonight, beneath a sky full of stars, Prince Mihab was set to arrive, and the atmosphere was thick with a mix of excitement and worry. The observatory, a place for exploring the universe, felt more like a stage for scrutiny. where every detail—from the polished lenses to the meticulously arranged charts—had to be perfect. As subjects of the mighty Kesrawiyah kingdom, the proud scientists in the observatory felt a strong obligation to showcase their work at its best. They knew that if they failed to impress, the funding for their important projects could be cut by the whims of an inexperienced young prince.

Five towering royal guards in sleek black Kesrawiyan armor stood at the gates of the observatory, armed with advanced, multi-purpose spears. Behind them strode the infamous Prince Mihab, a 25-year-old with a frowning expression. He wore opulent garments in shades of light orange and cardamom, His dark, slightly curly hair brushed the tops of his ears, and his piercing black eyes radiated an unsettling intensity. A neatly trimmed beard framed his jaw as he idly twirled a lavish ceremonial dagger in his fingers.

The gates swung open, and Zujaj, Dr. Bermeel’s 23-year-old assistant, stepped forward. A proud student from the renowned Darul Fudool Astronomy University—the pride of the Kesrawiyah kingdom—he was eager to make a good impression. As he began showing the prince around the sprawling observatory, which featured multiple floors and various fields of study, Prince Mihab feigned excitement, peppering the air with uninformed criticisms and opinions. He waved his dagger around, issuing orders to the more experienced scientists, who forced smiles while pretending to be captivated by his ramblings.

Zujaj, struggling to keep his composure, found it increasingly hard to hide his annoyance at the prince's arrogance. Just as Zujaj was about to voice his true feelings about Prince Mihab, they encountered Dr. Bermeel and a group of top scientists. Dr. Bermeel greeted the prince warmly, and to Zujaj's surprise, the prince responded with unexpected humility, expressing his admiration for the doctor’s books and referencing them frequently. The old scientist’s nervousness dropped as he realized that the prince seemed quite different from the rumors he had heard.

It was time for Dr. Bermeel to reveal the highlight of the observatory: the main observation station on the top floor. The group settled into comfortable seats around the control panel, where numerous monitors flickered with data. With a swift motion, the doctor and Zujaj demonstrated their impressive teamwork, setting up an array of scientific instruments while the excited but puzzled prince feigned understanding. Dr. Bermeel pressed a button, and the monitors retracted, revealing the entire oval-shaped roof as a breathtaking view of space. He began zooming in on various stars, his face beaming with enthusiasm. Suddenly, the prince interrupted, saying:

That’s all well and good, but I didn’t come here to look at the stars—I came to see the moons.

Dr. Bermeel replied: Ah, so you’re eager to learn about the moons orbiting distant planets! Such a curious royal mind you have, Prince Mihab.

Mihab: No, I mean our moons... yes, the six moons orbiting our own planet, Sadismakan.

The old doctor and Zujaj exchanged confused glances. Zujaj swallowed his annoyance, composed himself, and replied in a measured, formal tone:

Well, Your Royal Highness, I'm certain that a well-studied prince like yourself knows those moons were colonized by Sadismakan kingdoms long ago. Anyone can visit them, and even children can observe them in detail with affordable Astrolabos brand of telescopes from any local astronomy shops. Given your extensive knowledge, surely you understand that this esteemed observatory—generously funded by your royal family—is dedicated to exploring the unknown reaches of the universe, not for observing lunar cities in colonies held by our rival kingdoms.

Prince Mihab slid his dagger back into its sheath, took a deep breath, and moved closer to the control panel. He fumbled with it briefly before figuring out how it worked, then zoomed in on the six moons. Speaking slowly, as if to ensure his odd intentions were clear, he began:

Marghoob... Mafroosh... Mahboob... Madroos... Maslook... five radiant moons dancing around Sadismakan, filled with colonies that bring great wealth to their kingdoms. Kesrawiyah’s regret lies in our ancestors’ failure to claim a piece of pie of the lunar colonial era, too absorbed as they were in defending Sadismakanian borders.

He paused, his gaze shifting to the final moon:

But look here—there is Manhoos, the sad, lonely, fog-covered, frankly unsightly moon. I came tonight because this is one of the rare times it can be observed from the observatory, thanks to its bizarre and unpredictable orbit.

Dr. Bermeel approached slowly, still confused yet intrigued:

The cursed moon, shrouded in a mysterious gas, defying all regular patterns. Countless attempts have been made to study the laws that govern it, yet we’ve yielded few results. We can predict very little about it; it seems to pause at certain positions, but it never follows a specific path. It’s as if it has a mind of its own

Zujaj added: Attempts to investigate in greater detail have proven futile. As your royal highness surely knows, many missions—including scout ships—have been sent to it, only for contact to be completely lost. When we sent humans, we received only sparse reports about the 'faceless curse' phenomenon before all communication went dark and silent.

Catching a few familiar words, the prince's eyes lit up, eager to flaunt his knowledge. He announced loudly:

Yes, indeed! Numerous reports mention encounters with faceless creatures in the fog, even before any landing on solid ground. Then it all goes... tshshshshsh... which is why Manhoos remains the only undiscovered and uncolonized moon. So, tell me, great men of science—do you have any idea what I'm planning to do?

Zujaj, losing his patience, snapped in frustration:

Let me guess—you plan to flash that expensive dagger of yours while ordering yet another reckless mission, underfunded and bound for disaster, sacrificing the lives of our finest, most educated men for the colonial fantasies of delusional politicians.

Dr. Bermeel interjected: Hold on, Zujaj. I'm certain His Excellency has a well-thought-out plan. The royal family has always been respectful and considerate patrons of science.

Prince Mihab responded with a broad smile: No, Doctor, your insolent assistant is actually correct. I, Prince Mihab the Eighth of the Kesrawiyah Kingdom, am proud to announce Project Faceless Quest. Our goal is to conquer the faceless curse and claim the uncharted lands of Manhoos for our glorious kingdom! Let’s seize the treasure hidden in the uncharted mist!