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 Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 5:51 am
Lyndin’s eyes drifted from the screen of his ComTech to the crystals, and to Solaris as she spoke. He nodded along, and it was only when she’d finished speaking that he began to answer. “Our Source Stones are unique to us. I think I’d need to be in closer proximity to the crystals to get a better reading. A sample would be best, but I won’t ask that of you. I suppose it would not be wrong to call the Source Stones we use like batteries, but they have a wide variety of functions. Storing and recycling energy is a broad summary. They are capable of a great deal more, but it boils down to that most.” The readings on his ComTech made it difficult to hone in on any specifics, but he remained interested. “I’d like to look into them. Perhaps we can arrange a trade of some sort, if you would be willing to part with a small assortment.” Perhaps to deal with the Calamitous Hollow. Perhaps for other projects, afterwards. “I hail from Velencya. It is a synthetic world. My homeworld of Velenia was destroyed long ago, so Velencya is all that remains.” For now. “It is predominantly self-sustaining, but the universe is always changing so we need to be prepared for the future. An unexpected failure could be catastrophic for my people. I won’t put them through any more suffering if I can help it, so I hope you’ll forgive my curiosity. I am always looking for ways to enhance our processes. Earth could benefit from some of our technology, they succeed in many ways but fall short in others. I don’t know how invested you are in their well-being, but perhaps we could arrange something some time. Maybe there’s something we could do to help you with Solaris, too.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 8:50 am
The storm above cast a purple hue on the clouds in their various layers, the bright flash of lightning jarring against the soft golden gleam of the setting sun. Cloud formations below the floating landmass' level cast shadows up into the air and across bits of the floating stones. Solaris was bitter to see the sight, and tried to keep her eyes on the Commodore for the moment.
Productivity was far more useful for her than rage and tears.
The description at least of the Source Stones made sense--batteries, but only as one of many functions and roles. The capabilities of the energy crystals from her world only met a small fraction of a Source Stone's. A fascinating concept to her, and certainly something she'd enjoy learning more of, if she got the chance in the future.
As she listened, though, it became harder for Solaris to not entirely focus on the man, even with the abnormal storm whipping up the crystals and weather into a frenzy. Synthetic world? His homeworld was destroyed? She could feel the color draining from her face at that, a hollow, cold weight in her limbs and chest at the mere thought of what he and his people had experienced. So, so many questions clambered on the tip of her tongue to leap out, to an extent that so many of them were backed up into her throat, constricting it.
What of your world's senshi? was among the chief, but she knew it was born of a selfish, self-preservation notion. But also a genuine curiosity--if a world is destroyed, what becomes of the starseed of its guardian? Aren't their powers locked to the world? Would they be rendered powerless from that? Probably depends on what he meant by destroyed, she realized dimly, but that just set off a whole other deluge of questions.
What would have happened if her people survived, and she had not? Would she have been reborn on Earth and just…. never know about her people still here..?
And all these questions hadn't even begun to touch the concept of a synthetic world and it being able to support his people…
Solaris actually gave a small laugh, a huff of a thing in her awe of that level of accomplishment. "My people prided themselves on their self-sustaining systems and vow to live alongside nature… clearly, they had a lot to yet learn on that front. I don't know if any of them could have even dreamed of a synthetic world." Maybe she was selling the scientists and engineers of Solaris short, maybe some would scoff at her from beyond the grave. But she was in awe of what the people of Velenia, Velencya, had accomplished. And could empathize all too well with the notion of needing to prepare for any potential future to protect his people.
Living over a thousand years, and giving all his focus to his people… while still allowing himself to aid others beyond them. Solaris watched the Commodore anew, struck with the notion that he didn't necessarily have to help Earth, never mind the offer he extended to her homeworld in the same breath. But he was.
In that moment, she was reminded of the Synādales of her past, and her respect for Commodore Lyndin grew immensely.
Looking to the energetic crystal clusters, she flicked her gaze down to the flashlight still in her hands. With a quick flick of the wrist, she undid the cap once more, carefully removing the small energy crystal within. The blue glinted with a purple sheen under the storm's lightning, but never lost the flickering blue-white glow of energy coursing through its lattices within. Without a proper conduit to channel the energy, the crystal glowed and emitted a soft warmth.
Solaris held it out to Lyndin with a smile. "You said a sample would help your examination? Please, take it. I can access others." It might take her a bit to check other caches for them in that size, but if she needed to break off part of the ones she was using in other capacities… eh. So be it. "I'm curious about your findings on it, when you get the chance. And l do care about Earth's wellbeing. I want to see them continue to flourish, improve. I also can empathize, I think, to wanting to protect your people and world. Strong and efficient as they can seem in the moment, it doesn't take much to show how fragile necessary systems can be." Be they natural, or artificial…
"When all this mess with the Calamitus Hollow is done, I'd like it if we could discuss this again? If there's anything I can offer--and trade from my world to help yours, I'd like to do so." She put the emphasis on trade after a slight pause and correction. It only occurred to her then that she wasn't sure on how gifts were perceived in his culture, and certainly the potential size of what she might be able to give, depending…
"Resources are best used by the living."
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2025 5:23 pm
Lyndin tilted his head at the offered crystal, but not one to be ungrateful, he accepted it without question. If Solaris offered it, it was because she could afford to–and wanted to. He did not need to inquire if she was sure because he could see it on her face. He dipped his head just slightly, in equal parts understanding and gratitude. “I’d like that, Solaris. When this mess is over, we’ll meet again. I think I would enjoy a conversation with you, under better circumstances.” Not that he wasn’t enjoying this one. He’d just rather be able to talk when there wasn’t a world-ending threat looming over their heads.
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