Chapter 26

The park had a lot of tall trees with long and bare trunks. The dim light made it feel like this place came out of a horror story.

Aster: Where exactly is the spot we're looking for?

Ordis: Just keep heading straight towards the center of the park. There should be a lake there. That is where the coordinates lead.

Aster: Alright, but if you see a tall dude with a suit and no face then tell me.

Ordis: What kind of suit? A spacesuit? Superhero suit?

I facepalmed and looked up.

Aster: Just forget I said anything, I have an idea.

I jumped on a tree and kept jumping from one tree trunk to another.

"The trees are tall so if this is really a trap then no one will notice me. Hopefully..."

Jumping helped me go faster and it also made less noise than stepping on leaves and twigs.

Lots of jumps later, I found the lake. It was calm but thanks to the dim light, black as the night.

One thing caught my attention. In the center of the small lake was flat rock that protruded from the water. It wasn't big, around 1 square meter but what was on it, drew my gaze.

A faint light, green in colour, was flickering. I looked around to see if anyone else was here. I also jumped to different trees around the lake but didn't find anything.

"Now what could that be?"

Aster: Ordis, do you see anything that might endanger us?

Ordis: Yes! Be careful behind you!

Almost panicking, I turned around and saw the creature staring at me.

Aster: Ordis! That's a freaking squirrel! What could it possibly do to hurt us?

Ordis: That's what they want you to think. Look at those teeth! That's a natural murder weapon.

I sighed. I imagined Ordis being a core like those from the Portal franchise and me kicking him right into a trash compactor.

Returning my attention to what mattered, I did another round or searching. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, I jumped on the rock to see what was producing the green light.

Aster: It looks like...an earphone.

I picked it up to check it.

Aster: What is it?

Ordis: This is a piece of tech that's not supposed to be here!

Aster: How do you know that? And what does it do?

Ordis: Those are good questions. Hold it with your right hand and place it on top of your left wrist while staying transformed.

I did as Ordis instructed. At first nothing happened but after a few seconds, the device was covered in blue glowing patterns and was absorbed into my wrist.

I didn't feel anything when that thing entered but it was definitely weird.

Aster: What now?

Ordis: Now? Just wait.

He said in a smug way.

I rolled my eyes.

Aster: Stop trying to act cool and tell me.

The moment I finished, I heard it. A soft sound. If my senses weren't heightened I wouldn't be able to hear it.

The water surface of the lake was disturbed by something. Then, out of nowhere something started to appear in front of me.

It was small at first but it started expanding. The rate was like falling dominos or like paper that was on fire.

Aster: This...this is a Mantis! And it was invisible!

The surprise and excitement in my voice was evident.

A Mantis is a kind of spaceship that was used by the Tenno as transport to and from missions. It is a short range insertion spacecraft with stealth capabilities.

Ordis: Behold! Though I have no idea where it came from.

Aster: You used the device to call this? But...there are so many questions! How is this thing here? Why is it here? The transmission with these coordinates led us here so that we can find the shi.

Ordis: Maybe we'll find some clues inside.

Aster: You're right, let's go inside.

The Mantis turned and a hatch opened at the back.

Aster: A hatch? It might be me but...Ordis, isn't it bigger that it's supposed to be? I mean landing crafts like Mantis are smaller than that.

Ordis: You're right but we can't do anything from outside.

I nodded, stepped on the hatch and walked inside.

The interior was quite elegant. It resembled an Orbiter from the game. The main lighting was sky blue with a few crimson lights from some machines. It wasn't too bright and it created a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Most of the interior devices seemed out of order.

Aster: Ordis, report!

Ordis: I've run diagnostic regressions Operator. Propulsion and navigation systems are in good order. Life support also functions perfectly. Stealth system is operational. Besides those, the only thing that functions is a station that can customize warframe appearances.

Aster: This looks great! Does it have a living quarters? Maybe I can live here!

Ordis: It has indeed Operator!

Since the ship is not too big, the interior is simple. In the front, it's the bridge which has the navigation console and a terminal that serves as a computer. In the belly of the ship there's a big round room. It has a big bed, a couch with a low table and an aquarium with no fish inside the wall. On one side of the room, there's a large glass-like material that functions as a window.

The customisation station is close to the exit hatch and the other rooms house the life support system, the stealth system and other vital things that Ordis didn't let me go close to.

Aster: Ordis, can you pilot this thing for now? Because I have no idea how.

Ordis: Of course Operator! Just to inform you though, we cannot go to deep space with it yet. So, where would you like to go?

Aster: Initiate the stealth systems and prepare for takeoff!

"I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY THAT!"

I squealed like a girl inside my mind.

Ordis: We are invisible operator!

Aster: Good, now take us above my apartment! I need to stay close just in case.

I gave Ordis the command and went to the terminal to see if I can find information that will answer some of my questions.