Kyndris stood near the edge of the massive metallic platform beside the Factory Sector, her dark military coat shifting slightly beneath the artificial wind generated by the nearby turbines. Behind her rested the factory-produced combat-ready Hover Jet prepared for deployment.
The aerial vehicle possessed a sleek black exterior reinforced with layered armor plating, while portions of its frame curved with subtle draconic features, giving the craft an aggressive, predatory silhouette beneath the platform lights. Soft blue energy lines glowed faintly across the hull, connected to the integrated T1 Energy Shielding System designed to disperse both physical and magical attacks during combat operations.
Mounted along the upper section of the craft was a compact T1 Autocannon Turret, its targeting assembly quietly rotating as the onboard systems performed passive environmental scans.
Built to transport a standard five-man combat squad alongside supplies and support equipment, the Hover Jet looked less like a conventional vehicle and more like a weapon forged from some forgotten draconic civilization.
This particular mission, however, was relatively simple.
Escort Elyndra back to her homeland and assist her if necessary.
The first to arrive was the assigned pilot.
[Reis]
[Gene Tier: 1]
[Genetic Ability: Atlas Physique]
[Unit Classification: Factoreer]
[Bonus: Factory Work Efficiency +150%]
[Research Bonus: Militia]
Reis had a medium build, short white hair, and pale whitish-blue eyes. Subtle black draconic features traced lightly across parts of his skin near the neck and arms, a trait common among several Atlas units.
A factory-issued gauntlet rested around one arm while compact maintenance tools were secured neatly around his belt.
Although most factory production was automated through the Origin system, the facilities still required administrative crews to oversee logistics, production flow, and maintenance coordination. Reis was one of the personnel assigned to those operations.
“Vice Commander,” the boy greeted simply before boarding the Hover Jet.
Kyndris nodded once before shifting her gaze toward the second person approaching the platform.
However, the moment she recognized who it was, her eyes immediately narrowed slightly.
“…Why are you here?”
“I’ll be taking this…” Altea proudly raised a compact firearm slightly larger than her own arm.
The weapon itself was a factory-produced T1 militia-grade kinetic firearm, modified with an oversized grip clearly unsuitable for someone of her size. Even lifting it properly looked difficult for the tiny Newt, yet she still held it with visible pride as if presenting some legendary weapon.
Kyndris stared at the firearm for a long second.
“Absolutely not.”
“Ehhhh, but—”
Altea immediately puffed her cheeks in protest.
Without another word, Kyndris simply extended one arm toward Altea, clearly expecting the weapon to be surrendered.
“I practiced already.”
“No shooting.”
“But—”
“No buts.”
Altea’s shoulders drooped slightly before she reluctantly handed over the firearm.
“…Okay.”
Even then, she still looked visibly disappointed.
Kyndris stared at her silently for another second before finally asking,
“How are you even here?”
Truthfully, Kyndris already knew Altea had received the militia upgrade package alongside the other units.
Technically, she was qualified for deployment. However, Altea was… Altea.
She was small, cute, usually obedient, and occasionally extremely chaotic.
“Oh oh, I saw Commander last night, and he was like, ‘Altea, would you like to go out?’ Then I’m like, ‘Yes, Commander!’ and then we eat in the restaurant. Meat grills yum!”
The little Newt looked unbelievably proud while explaining it.
For a brief moment, Kyndris simply closed her eyes.
…Commander.
With Altea finally boarding the Hover Jet while still visibly thinking about meat grills, another set of footsteps soon approached from the far side of the platform.
The third to arrive was the assigned medic.
[Hana]
[Gene Tier: 1]
[Genetic Ability: Atlas Physique]
[Unit Classification: Medical Officer]
[Bonus: Medical Work Efficiency +150%]
[Research Bonus: Militia]
Hana approached the platform carrying a compact medical package strapped securely along her back and waist, its white-and-black casing reinforced with lightweight armored plating designed for field operations. Thin blue indicator lines glowed softly across the surface, connected to the internal stabilization systems housed within the equipment.
Several smaller compartments were attached neatly around the sides, containing emergency injectors, regenerative gel capsules, sterilization tools, portable treatment scanners, and sealed medical supplies necessary for prolonged expeditions.
Despite the advanced design of the equipment she carried, Hana herself looked completely unenthusiastic about the mission.
“Vice Commander, do I really have to come…?”
Hana already looked genuinely exhausted. Ever since hearing that the outside world was filled with unknown dangers, hostile creatures, and possible conflict zones, she had been visibly nervous about the deployment.
“How many days are we going out?”
“A few days. Possibly more.”
Hana’s expression immediately worsened.
“…Can I stay on the ship? I don’t want to go outside.”
Kyndris looked at her silently for a moment.
“You are the field medic.”
“…Yup... Unfortunately. I'm really gonna miss the food.”
After a brief moment of resistance, Hana finally gave up and boarded the Hover Jet with a defeated sigh.
Even Altea looked slightly sympathetic toward her.
The last to arrive was the main objective of the mission.
Elyndra.
The blonde elf moved carefully toward the Hover Jet, her elegant figure wrapped in a sleek, futuristic regal dress produced by the Atlas Retail Facility, one of the newer support structures responsible for manufacturing the base’s daily consumables, civilian clothing, and various utility items. Silver-lined fabric traced the contours of the attire, blending advanced synthetic materials with a design refined enough to still suit her noble background.
Unlike most Atlas-produced clothing, the dress had been specifically adjusted to incorporate several elements of traditional elven royal fashion. Flowing layered fabrics, elegant sleeve patterns, and silver ornament lines reminiscent of the garments once worn within the Elven Palace blended naturally with the sleek aesthetics of Origin technology.
The result was surprisingly refined.
A balance between two entirely different civilizations.
And standing beneath the platform lights, Elyndra carried the same graceful presence expected of royalty.
A few days had already passed since Elyndra officially became an Atlas envoy.
Since then, she had been given her own habitation chamber and freedom to move throughout most sections of the base without restriction. Surprisingly, she adapted far faster than anyone expected. Most of her days were spent quietly exploring the different facilities scattered throughout the Origin Base, observing how the strange civilization operated from within.
The greenhouse farms fascinated her. The factory sectors unsettled her.
And the research facilities left her visibly overwhelmed more than once.
Still, she continued learning.
She also seemed particularly fond of the food court area.
More than once, Kyndris had seen Elyndra sitting among the Atlas Newts while they enthusiastically introduced her to various meals and beverages, treating her less like a foreign queen and more like a newly welcomed member of the colony.
Strangely enough, Elyndra herself never seemed to dislike that treatment.
“I’m ready, Vice Commander.”
Kyndris glanced toward Elyndra briefly before giving a small nod.
“You sure you’re up for the task?”
The elf hesitated for only a second, her gaze drifting momentarily toward the Hover Jet waiting behind them before she finally nodded.
“Yes…” she answered quietly.
“It’s the only way to make things move faster. I have to try.”
Kyndris remained silent for a moment, studying Elyndra’s eyes carefully. Beneath the nervousness and uncertainty lingering within them, there was still resolve. Seeing that, Kyndris chose not to ask further.
With that, everyone had finally boarded the Hover Jet.
Kyndris stepped inside last before the rear hatch slowly sealed shut behind her with a metallic hiss.
The interior lights dimmed slightly as the Hover Jet's systems activated one after another.
[T1 Energy Shielding — Active]
[Autocannon System — Standby Mode]
[Navigation Link — Connected]
[Aerial Stabilizers — Operational]
A low mechanical hum spread throughout the cabin as the craft slowly lifted from the launch platform, blue thruster light illuminating the surrounding hangar walls.
Elyndra quietly gripped the edge of her seat as the island base began shrinking beneath them.
Even now, part of her still struggled to believe that all of this truly existed.
Seated at the pilot position near the front of the cabin, Reis calmly adjusted the holographic controls surrounding him. His movements were smooth and precise despite this being one of the first real aerial deployments conducted outside the island perimeter.
“Flight stability normal,” Reis reported quietly from the pilot seat. “Estimated arrival to mainland coastline in twenty-three minutes.”
Kyndris remained standing near the center of the cabin while holographic mission data flickered to life before the squad.
After that, Kyndris began distributing compact metallic armbands to the squad one by one.
“T1 Energy Shielding devices,” she explained.
“Keep them equipped at all times.”
Soft blue light flickered briefly across the surface of each armband as the systems synchronized with their users.
Even Elyndra looked slightly surprised while examining the strange device now wrapped around her arm.
Now that everyone was finally prepared, Kyndris crossed her arms and looked across the cabin one final time.
“Our mission objective is straightforward,” she said calmly.
The holographic display shifted, revealing a highlighted region deep within the mainland forests alongside a massive structure built around enormous ancient trees.
The Elven Realm.
“We are escorting Elyndra back to her homeland.”
“Ehh!? We’re going to Elyn’s home?!”
Altea immediately lit up with excitement from her seat beside Elyndra.
The little Newt leaned closer toward the elf with sparkling curiosity practically visible in her eyes.
“Do elves really sleep on trees? Is there elf food? Are there giant animals too?”
Elyndra looked slightly caught off guard by the sudden barrage of questions before giving a faint, awkward smile.
“…Not exactly.”
“It’s fine, Vice Commander,” Elyndra said gently before smiling toward Altea.
“I don’t mind.”
Altea somehow became even more excited after hearing that.
Kyndris quietly sighed.
Somehow, the atmosphere inside the Hover Jet had become far less tense than she had originally expected.