I’m excited to share Chapter 15 with you! This marks the beginning of Part Three, where the real adventure begins. I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting the crew, following their journey as they adapt and grow, and are ready to learn who they truly are—and join them in the adventures ahead.

  But the story is far from over. The Cosmic Sentinel will encounter new alien species, face formidable enemies, engage in intense battles, and unlock incredible new powers. There’s so much more to come, and you won’t want to miss it!

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  PART THREE

  The day had finally come. The Cosmic Sentinel was repaired as much as possible without first obtaining additional resources, mostly solid materials, which were found sparsely in this nebulaic area of space. The systems of the ship were nearly ninety-seven percent functional and charged enough for several months of light usage if needed.

  The major need of the crew was variety.

  At first, the Goblins had enjoyed the flavor and feeling of fullness from the nutritional bars provided by the replicators. But they were quickly growing tired of this being their only source of food and were eager to leave this biologically barren system behind to search for food resources—especially meat, which was the major source of the Goblin’s diet before arriving.

  From the stories he’d heard about their past, Cyrus hoped the Goblins would be skilled at mining and excavation, which would come in very handy once they found mineral rich planets. He especially hoped they would excel at locating and recovering said minerals and ores, which could aid in rebuilding certain structures on the ship and repairing several systems that were still not fully functional.

  The entire crew eagerly anticipated stepping foot on solid ground again, even if only for a short while. It wasn’t that they disliked life aboard the Cosmic Sentinel, but none of them had truly volunteered for this journey. While they had all agreed to explore the vast reaches of the universe before returning to their home worlds—each with their own reasons—there remained a deep-seated longing for something familiar. A place untouched by artificial construction, where the ground beneath their feet was shaped by nature rather than by hand. A reminder of home.

  They were all better off now, having benefited both mentally and physically from the introduction of the SCANT. Cyrus, in particular, had shed nearly all of his excess fat, though the loose skin remained, leaving him looking flabby.

  The process, however, had been far from pleasant. The nanites dissolved the fatty tissue and redirected it into his digestive system—which, according to Hoshi, was the most expedient method of removal. That left the actual expulsion of the dissolved fat, a process that was… less than enjoyable, to say the least.

  Still, Cyrus couldn’t deny the improvements to his health. The blubber that had once lined his muscles was gone, and now his physique was beginning to show real definition. Though the loose, hanging skin still remained, Hoshi assured him it would eventually tighten over time.

  It made Cyrus particularly self-conscious, though he wasn’t feeling attraction toward anyone aboard, nor did he believe anyone found him attractive. Fortunately, it didn’t hinder his physical activities, as he had incorporated a daily training regimen to build muscle and improve agility.

  As the tallest crew member, Cyrus was frequently assigned tasks that the Goblins would struggle with. His height was an asset, saving the Goblins time and effort they would have spent finding ways to climb up or using one of the available floating platforms to accomplish the task. Between the nanites, his work around the ship, and his new exercise routines, Cyrus was shaping up in record time.

  The Goblins had also undergone subtle but undeniable changes thanks to the SCANT. Their once uneven and rugged features had become more symmetrical, their skin clearer and less irritated due to improved hygiene awareness. Their bodies, once wiry and rough, were now leaner and more efficient, the SCANT enhancing their natural dexterity and sharpening their cognitive functions. Though still unmistakably Goblins, their refinement—both physically and mentally—set them apart from the burrow-dwelling kin they had once been.

  Additionally, as the ship became more fully functional, Cyrus had been allowed to steer the ship from its previous location, navigating it slowly through the system they found themselves in. This allowed him to verify, using the ship's sensors, that the larger objects within the star's gravity well contained nothing useful. For the most part, they were simple, non-atmosphere-holding balls of rock, gas, and ice—planets in their primordial state, lacking the rarer materials that would accumulate over millions of years through meteor strikes, geological activity, and the buildup of pressure.

  Theories about how time and space interact on a universal scale—how phenomena like graviton storms, black holes, and temporal anomalies might form or manifest within the darkness of space—were becoming clearer to Cyrus during this time as his brain and its connections became more dense.

  The Goblins, too, benefited by learning more about how the universe worked in general. Additionally, their mental acuity continued to grow along their specific paths, gaining knowledge in the areas where each had a natural aptitude.

  The actual movement of the ship around this system was primarily for Cyrus to practice fine motor control in his newly merged state with the Cosmic Sentinel, as well as to learn how to interpret the minute details from the ship's sensors. Full reconnaissance of the system was unnecessary, as Hoshi could quickly deduce all the relevant information from the information provided by the scanners.

  Still, Cyrus was thrilled when he was finally able to fly the ship himself, feeling the activation of the thrusters and the way the ship moved, almost like swimming, or perhaps more like what he imagined Superman must feel when flying through the air, as it glided through the particle-rich environment of space.

  Finally, after weeks of repairs, learning, and communicating—not only with his fellow Goblins but also with Cyrus about humans and how they functioned on his former planet—Daegnon, now a more refined version of himself like the other Goblins who had been trapped aboard the Cosmic Sentinel, assembled in the command center for their morning pre-work scheduling meeting. However, today he planned to give entirely different assignments than usual.

  The command center of the Cosmic Sentinel mirrored the pyramid-like structure of the ship itself. It was triangular in shape, with a large viewscreen dominating the far end, displaying the vast expanse of space outside.

  The floor directly in front of the viewscreen was slightly sunken, which not only created a subtle separation from the elevated main area but also enhanced the viewable area of the screen itself, making it seem even larger than it already was. This design gave the crew an unobstructed, panoramic view, making the screen feel as though it stretched beyond the confines of the room.

  The captain’s chair sat centrally on the elevated section, flanked by several workstations positioned at forty-five-degree angles, allowing the crew stationed there to easily view the screen while remaining close to Daegnon. Below, in the lower, trapezoidal area, several squat, rectangular structures (power relays and workstation processors) were spread across the floor. Though not intended as seating, the Goblins had taken to using these as benches during meetings, sitting on them as they listened to Daegnon address the crew.

  “The ship is finally ready. You’ve all done an excellent job repairing her,” Daegnon said, having recently started referring to the ship as female. “After speaking with Hoshi, we believe we’ve identified a nearby system that should provide everything we need. There are multiple planets within what Cyrus calls the ‘Goldilocks zone,’ orbiting a single yellow star. Just like Dranor’s sun, this one should support food production, making it an ideal place to resupply—and to find creatures fit for consumption.”

  The rest of the Goblins had already been discussing this, having overheard snippets from Daegnon, but they still paid close attention as he spoke. Early on, before the introduction of the SCANT and the extraordinary enhancements they had received, they had struggled with short attention spans and difficulty focusing. Now, those limitations were a thing of the past, and the Goblins listened attentively rather than trying to find ways to distract themselves from the newly minted captain’s usual droning about daily tasks.

  Cyrus was also aware of the new system, since it was essentially his sensors that Hoshi used to gather the information. His bond with the ship deepened with every interaction in the Exo-pilot terminal. Together, Hoshi, Daegnon, and Cyrus had determined that it would be best to find a system without civilizations capable of spaceflight, allowing them to remain unseen while they completed repairs and gathered resources.

  It wasn’t that they didn’t want to meet others and gain additional information, crew, and hopefully allies, but until the ship reached peak performance, they couldn’t be certain of what kinds of interactions they might encounter, so they wanted to be as prepared as possible before venturing into a situation that might put them in danger.

  The entire crew was still untested. Their positions were new to them, and while their teamwork was improving, it was still in its infancy. They were gradually learning how to work together, but the kind of trust, routines, and understanding necessary to operate as an efficient crew could only be developed over time and through experience.

  None of them wanted to rush into a situation where they would be forced to prove themselves as a crew before they had the opportunity to truly understand their capabilities—or identify the areas where they still needed improvement.

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  Cyrus, in particular, had spent countless hours in simulations learning how to pilot the Cosmic Sentinel. The simulations were incredibly advanced, offering a realistic experience that had taught him the intricacies of piloting the massive ship. However, no matter how detailed or immersive they were, simulations were still just that—simulations.

  Real-world scenarios were different. The more Cyrus interfaced with the ship in real time, the more his consciousness merged with it, the ship becoming an extension of his own body and mind.

  He was now to the point where he constantly felt the sensor data streaming in from the ship's exterior. It was akin to how he could sense the air in the room or the fabric of his uniform. The information was always present, a constant flow of data that he could tap into, but it rarely demanded his attention unless he actively focused on it. This, Hoshi had explained, was a big step in fully integrating his consciousness with the Cosmic Sentinel.

  While Cyrus understood his role as pilot and the progress he had made, he also knew the Goblins were in the midst of their own journeys, training and developing their minds as well as honing and enhancing their natural abilities and inclinations.

  But the reality of using the knowledge and skills in actual, real-time scenarios was something none of them had yet experienced. They had studied, trained, and improved, but real experience; using what they knew while under pressure and in unknown environments was still a challenge they had to undergo.

  Therefore, the crew's readiness remained a question. They all knew they had the potential, but none of them had been pushed to their limits. The anticipation of what awaited them was both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

  “I want to go over our roles and responsibilities once more to make sure we’re all clear before we leave. The last thing we need is to step into a new system unprepared,” Daegnon continued. “There’s always the possibility we’ll encounter other beings—or challenges—once we JUMP.”

  The next part was mostly a repeat for the Goblins, as the SCANT had practically morphed them into the best versions of themselves for their assigned roles. Still, Daegnon made a point of reinforcing their duties daily.

  “Glix is the ship’s chief engineer. So if she tells you to fix something, you fix it—fast!” Daegnon pointed in an arc at the rest of the Goblins to ensure they were all paying attention. “Raknak is head of security. That might not seem important now, since it’s just us, but if we run into hostiles, his role becomes critical. When that happens, listen to him.”

  The Goblins nodded dutifully as Daegnon spoke, each understanding that, for now, they were the only crew the ship had. They also realized that following the command structure was key to operating such a large and intricate vessel efficiently.

  “Prayda is the best at talking, so he’ll be our communications officer,” Daegnon continued, having picked up the term from Cyrus, who had explained it using old Earth TV shows. “He’ll handle negotiations, trade, and first contact.”

  “Gooniz has been training in the medical center. He doesn’t know everything yet, but he’s our ship’s doctor. If you’re hurt, go to him.” Daegnon glanced toward Gooniz, who nodded dourly and grunted in acknowledgment. “He’ll also be in charge of growing food once we find some good seeds. Hoshi’s been training him to make the best of whatever we pick up.”

  Growing plants was something entirely new to the Goblins. Having spent their lives in underground caverns, farming had never been a necessary skill—fungus and small subterranean creatures had always been enough to sustain them. So, putting Gooniz in charge of preparing for a future onboard food supply was an unusual choice, though the SCANT had determined he was the best suited for it.

  He acted disinterested in most things, grumbling about every new task thrown his way, but everyone knew he was as invested in their survival as any of them. He studied every scrap of information available, muttering complaints about soil conditions and nutrient balances—despite not having a single seed to work with yet. He had no idea what he’d be growing, or even how, but that didn’t stop him from griping about the inefficiencies of a nonexistent system like it was already a disaster waiting to happen.

  Despite all his grumbling, his priority was, and always would be, their well-being. Until there were crops to manage, he focused on his medical knowledge in order to keep them all healthy.

  Cyrus had interacted with all of the Goblins by now and had learned that each of them was as different and individualistic as any human he had met—or at least seen on TV shows, since he hadn’t really talked to many people in real life during his time on Earth.

  He looked back on his life on Earth with an almost surreal detachment. So much had changed since his abduction and the introduction of the SCANT. The dueling voices in his mind had quieted, and his fears and anxieties had nearly faded. While he wouldn’t call himself overly confident or a decisive leader, his sense of self was emerging—a slow metamorphosis as he adapted to what he had become.

  After all, he was no longer just human. He was something else. A hybrid—part man, part ship.

  There were still quirks and oddities that made him who he was, things that Hoshi assured him would always remain, despite his enhanced mind and body. Overall, though, his attitude had shifted, and he was much less anxious and far more outgoing.

  “And Khibi… well, just don’t get in the way and do what you’re asked, alright?” Daegnon said, giving the smallest Goblin a pat on the head.

  The SCANT had undoubtedly enhanced all the Goblins, as evidenced by how proficiently Daegnon now spoke, but Khibi had remained the quiet type. His demeanor was more outgoing than before, but not by much. He rarely spoke, preferring to stay in the background—seen, but not heard. For the most part, he simply kept to himself, though he was always willing to help where needed.

  He was still most often found in Raknak’s shadow, but unlike before, he seemed content rather than overlooked.

  “So, are we ready, Cyrus?” Daegnon asked, turning his attention to the only human on board. The rest of the Goblins followed his gaze.

  “Yeah, you guys buckle up and I’ll get us moving,” Cyrus said with a large smile and a small chuckle. He wasn’t sure how the phrase “buckle up” would come off since the ship didn’t have any form of securing system in place. He got a few raised eyebrows at the remark, but he ignored the looks and exited the room. He walked across the hall to the exo-pilot chamber in anticipation of this big moment.

  Before he could sit down in the large comfy chair from where he integrated with the ship, Hoshi appeared in his vision, wearing a huge smile and giving him two thumbs up. ‘Isn’t this exciting?’ they said into Cyrus’s mind as he sat down. The throne-like seat still reminded him of the gaming chair he had back on Earth. He settled in and the seat began to recline.

  ‘It is. My first real JUMP, at least the first one where I kinda know what I’m doing,’ Cyrus mentally replied.

  The chair moved silently, placing Cyrus in an almost flat position. He knew he could adjust the seat himself now, but he found the default position comfortable, so he kept it as it was. He reached up, took hold of the headset, and calmly slid it over his face, just as he had done each day for over five weeks.

  A moment of darkness greeted him before his perspective shifted, and his human form was relegated to a distant echo. A myriad of sensations washed over him as he perceived his position in space, now in the form of the Cosmic Sentinel. Hoshi was there with him, their presence welcome in the cold void of space, appearing as a holographic icon in the corner of his view.

  ‘Can you signal the crew? Is there a warning or something before we activate the JUMP drive?’ Cyrus asked, double-checking his systems and energy reserves.

  Hoshi didn’t respond immediately, but soon Cyrus heard a faint alarm. It wasn’t the ominous blare of trouble, but a chime followed by a quick announcement in Hoshi’s metallic voice: “Prepare for JUMP.”

  Cyrus let the alarm sound twice before pressing the stored radiation circulating through the Dark-matter Fusion Conduits into the quantum processors of the JUMP matrix. He felt the anti-gravity field generators activate, instantly removing the mass from him, the ship, the crew, and everything else held within the bubble the generators projected.

  A familiar coldness swept through him. He now understood this to be the sensation of mass being removed. Then only milliseconds later, the ship felt as though it melted into a liquid, slipping through the porous openings of the universe itself.

  The abundance of colors, textures, and sensations was still beyond what Cyrus could fully comprehend, yet he marveled as his sensors confirmed that they had moved outside the boundaries of time, space, and physical reality. They had entered the "Aether"—a term Hoshi had taught him. It had taken several attempts for the SCANT to properly translate and convey the concept, yet even now, the word didn’t fully capture the strangeness of where he found himself.

  The true nature of this place was beyond what Cyrus could fully grasp, and no amount of enhancement from the nanites could change that. According to Hoshi, human minds simply weren’t wired to process such higher-order physics—not the way the species who built this ship once had. But understanding wasn’t necessary—all that mattered was navigating it.

  Now that he knew what to expect, Cyrus could sense the space around him, using the coordinates provided by Hoshi as a guide. JUMP navigation wasn’t as simple as longitude and latitude; it required complex quantum equations. Fortunately, the JUMP matrix handled the calculations, while Cyrus’s mental attunement allowed him to "feel" the correct location within the Aether.

  Certain elements—stars, water content, dark matter, gravity—manifested as distinct sensations while he was integrated with the Cosmic Sentinel. These served as his waypoints, guiding him to the correct JUMP point.

  In the Aether, distance wasn’t measured conventionally. Similarly to how quantum entanglement worked, each atom in the universe existed both in reality and in a parallel "sub-space"—another term Hoshi struggled to translate accurately.

  Sub-space was both a part of the Aether and distinct from it, much like how the Aether itself was tethered to yet separate from the universe. The words weren’t entirely accurate, but they were the closest approximation the SCANT could provide.

  Luckily, Cyrus didn’t need to fully understand it—he just had to know how to use it.

  The theories behind these unusual areas between universes sent Cyrus’s mind spiraling whenever Hoshi attempted to explain them, often leaving him with a dull headache. Still, he was able to gain a basic understanding of how each worked, enough to navigate when performing a JUMP.

  Once Cyrus stopped marveling at his surroundings long enough to sense the correct solar system, he directed the JUMP drive to deposit them there. Due to the time dilation—or the basic removal of time itself while within the Aether—the entire process took only milliseconds from the perspective of the Goblins. However, Cyrus allowed himself to enjoy the spectacle for several long moments before finally focusing on returning to actual space-time.

  If someone were to witness the Cosmic Sentinel arriving at its destination, it would be an unusual and unmistakable sight. There would be nothing noticeable at first—just a small black pinprick in reality, easily overlooked in the darkness of space. But from this tiny hole, the ship would rapidly expand, like a small balloon inflating to the full size and shape of the Cosmic Sentinel. The outside of the ship would appear as though it were a mere picture stretched across the rapidly expanding bubble. Then, once fully restored to its proper size, the bubble would pop, and the ship, in all its glory, would be rendered fully in view and back into three dimensions.

  So it was that, with a ‘pop,’ the Cosmic Sentinel materialized and immediately became noticeable on the sensors of nearby ships.

  One of these ships was abruptly pushed aside as the anti-gravity bubble expanded, creating a small but brief gravimetric wave that radiated from the Cosmic Sentinel’s location, giving other ships within several hundred kilometers a noticeable jolt.

  The closest ship was unharmed, but the sudden movement startled its crew, as well as those aboard the other ships surrounding the large metal cylinder floating in space near the Cosmic Sentinel’s arrival point.