The Eterna Enigma: A Rhann Chronicle

"Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say..."

That was the first realization that crossed Marek's mind as the initial shock of an explosion in the Sojourn's ship bay sent him, alongside the OV(Orbital Velocity-Cruiser) and numerous storage crates violently reeling outwards. Although the bay doors and security fields were active by default, something or a more frighteningly uneasy thought: someone had left them deactivated.

The rush of the burst's shockwave and the subsequent vacuum shift it caused, spiraled him wistless and caught staring at the charred entry of the ship bay. He couldn't help as the waves of memories about the preceding events that led to this moment washed over him, occurring a mere 2 weeks ago.

10 Days Ago:

The chime of the Meta-Web abruptly awoke Marek from his dream. Rising forward, covered in a cold sweat he recalled the memory nostalgically. The flashes of his childhood. His parents & sister. The summers spent on the moon Ea, the stations & Keplar-Prime. They were one of his most treasured memories from childhood. Simpler times. The innocence of youth, long gone but not completely forgotten. A time before all his trials, before he felt it was all taken from him.

As he readied himself, he looked towards the sleek design of the VG-50, which always perked his day, and removed it from its resting space on its charging port. While physically a light tool of non-lethal enforcement, carried a heavy burden of its former office's responsibility. Readying to place the blaster to the magnetized Alt-Fabric holster, which was strapped tightly to his person like armor on his torso.

He checked it for charge, damage, and any irregularities that may have occurred from usage, "Pertinent to know before activation." Sure in assessment, he placed it snugly and then walked towards and activated the food atomizer to prepare breakfast.

The hum of the device brought together the design of a neatly formed omelet, toast & fruit. He searched a nearby cabinet & collected the custom wrapped bag of beans imported from the moon Ea. The lush smell teased this sought-after and unique blend of Earth's coffee, which was redistributed, grown, and refined further on the ethical growing farms on the surface of the satellite. Remarking enjoyably: "Still have great coffee."

Marek's interstellar trip from the UTR (United Terran Republic) on Gaea (or Earth as many still called it), left him quite fatigued and bereft seemingly of any motivation, yet pushing himself forward with a discipline that both came easy to and was conditioned into him, continued preparing his day.

Reflecting on the core planet's name, (which was deemed a reliquary of the past but continued maintaining its popularity as a colloquium), made more sense than the official designated policies of the Republic. "Why fix something if it's not broken," muttering obviously. Still, however, it's important to understand that a unifying theme become commonplace, as expansion has always been the ultimate goal of the government back on the Core Regions. He didn't know if these thoughts were his or inspired by those he's repeated, and likely enforced thru deliberate study in his time as a decorated member of the UTR clandestine ops and a stationed detective in his previous occupations.

"Either way, that's the past now," sighing with exertion. He left the dishes to clean in the wash. Noting the weather, he headed to the metallic, slate dresser for outfitting within a more professional attire. Satisfied with the selection, slowly placed on the garments, consisting of a Neutralizer vest, a dark black shirt, dark pants, an alt-leather jacket, Vibro-boots, & a polarized pair of custom-tinted glasses. The specs while classy, were deemed necessary, especially today.

The surface of Keplar-Prime exhibited much precipitation during its seasons but remained bright despite the dreariness of the weather. An image harkening back to modern & historical metropolises on Earth, centuries past. As he stepped into the storage garage, Marek ensured the security systems were activated.

Maintaining an awareness for its discrete hum, he began to monitor the tuning of his transport; a sleek automotive, with Flexi-tires for maneuvering & magnetized anti-grav repulsion. Admiring the design: a lengthy chassis in the front, with a dark wine color that radiated a purple sheen in the brightest of lights. But today it reflected the weather, and maintained an overt, velvety dark hue in appearance, like the deep obsidian tints of the building windows in the financial & government sectors.

Now cushioned snugly in the alt-leather seats, and igniting the propulsion thrust, he maneuvered the tires forward. Observing the immediate appearance of the visible expressway tiers & ship departures as they melted together and became engulfed by the layers in the distance. Eterna gleamed vibrantly in the rain as the slight reflection of the vast landscape via the architecture tiered and warped itself, its presence looming akin to a watchful guardian, aloft in the background. The Meta-Web interface hummed discretely with tasks as a voice pinged, "Captain Rhann, hope this morning finds you energized. Your priority today is a gas leak expulsion in the Historic District."

"That's odd," doubted Marek. "Why a gas leak investigation? Shouldn't we contact KORD first and have them on the scene before sourcing out concerns?"

Stationed neatly at her work desk, and appearing both professional with a hint of seductive flair as the short cut of her dark hair framed her jaw and flicked elegantly off her fair neck, the Meta-Web operator, Lyssa, elaborated. Detailing that Keplar's Order & Research Department had already been present at the scene for a few hours, and put out an alert for specialists on their network channels. The Meta-Web's algorithm had simply concluded the best Private Investigators nearby and for the issue at hand. Lyssa, as per her partnership duties with the Investigator Agency, had simply delegated that alert to Marek.

Speeding onto the expressway, Marek propelled the magnetized-levitation exhaust forward and accelerated ahead of the various transports, autos, and under the massive ship lanes. His attention leapt briefly to the high stations housing Interstellar Transports, known as ISTs. They were beautiful ships, famed for traveling far distances, carrying passengers, supplies, rudimentary terraformation equipment, and various technologies for UTR expansion.

As he passed the Holo signs for the various exits, Rhann maneuvered into the Historic District's exit and readied his tires for lane travel. Once the vehicle slowed its acceleration into a breezy cruise, he switched off the Auto-Nav to manually direct towards the destination. Driving past the museums, historic sites, and important buildings of Eterna, Keplar's capital city.

Alongside the multitude of trade districts collecting on its borders, and the main seats of governance, the Historic District was one of the first areas to be founded in the heart of Eterna. Notable for the beautiful, and serene gathering squares, topped by marbled buildings which gleamed with self-aware importance. Marek couldn't imagine why anyone would target this region, that is, if his suspicions were correct.

Noting his training and dispassionate study of crime investigation: gas leaks, historically were either the results of poor construction, insurance scams, or a message. Given this area, he didn't like the sound of the latter. "What could be the motive?" contemplating deeply. Like a ripple in a still pond, Lyssa's voice alerted his analysis as his thoughts continued to spool with dreadful curiosity halting once he pulled into the district's main square.

"Marek, you're gonna want to review these reports..."

End of Chapter 1