"So, let me get this straight, you introduced yourself as Xue to Professor Kwan and then went ahead and named the space pod Xue as well." Zhang exits Xue, the space pod, with a thick sliver-wrapped cord.

"I didn't see any point in wasting a good name on someone fictional." The crown prince replies. He notices Zhang plug the cord into a machine labeled as an analytical translator.

Zhang had developed it the day before and was initially planning to use it to get readings on the pod he had thought he would have to build from scratch. He lets the code run; meanwhile, YiHuang goes over its central console. His brows knit. "You did a commendable job, brother. But..."

YiYang groans, frustrated, "I know. As I mentioned earlier, it needs at least a couple of weeks' worth of work."

The analytical translator beeps, and Zhang goes over the report. He gestures YiHuang to place the Intex manipulator on the workbench. "Xue is brilliant. I see that you were designing it to be unmanned, but if we stick to the plan, it will take at least a week to just get it ready for launch without testing."

"I did not have a choice. Though I can design it, I have no experience with handling it. I was more confident with letting the machine do the job."

Zhang beams, looking between the brothers, "But now we have someone who has experience. I can-"

"Absolutely not!" YiHuang interjects, "I can't let you do that. That's a wormhole we are dealing with; no one knows for sure how it works. Moreover, it's volatile. We need to launch the Intex manipulator into its vortex. It would require you to get close..." he shakes his head, "No. Just no. Find another way!"

"Ah-Huang..."

"Absolutely not!"

YiYang massages his temples. He had not signed up for this. Being the third wheel sucked. He didn't want any part of it. He witnesses the back and forth for a few moments before coming to stand between the lovers. "Enough!" He turns his eyes on his brother, "I know you are scared, but think of what you are asking of him. He is doing this so that we can save not only our race but the land dwellers as well."

"But brother..."

"I am not done yet." His eye blaze, "Even if you don't care about the land dwellers, are you willing to sacrifice the lives of five hundred thousand Yuanjians for the chance that you might lose one human?"

YiYang's harsh words are like daggers to the younger prince's heart. Yet, he can't deny the truth behind them. His brother was right, but...

"How about I fly it?" YiHuang offers hesitantly.

YiYang snorts. His anger is visible in the way the muscle at his jaw clenches, "Are you kidding me right now!? You know lesser than me when it comes to flight dynamics! We have to play to our strengths here!"

Unable to remain a spectator any longer, Zhang interrupts the brothers, "I agree with the crown prince, Ah-Huang. The truth is, we have a better chance at success if I am the one flying Xue. Don't forget, if we fail, there will be nothing to stop XudianJi from entering this dimension. Will you be able to save me then?"

YiHuang gulps thickly and turns away. Her fists clench, and his heart aches. "Do as you both see fit. I will comply with your orders, brother." His words put an end to the argument.

No more words are exchanged as Zhang and YiYang team up to make Xue ready for space travel, and YiHuang proceeds to integrate the Intex manipulator into the pod's console.

Just before dawn, with the three working together, they make the final modifications to the space pod.
Patting the top of the oval-shaped vehicle, YiYang announces, "Now all that is needed before she can make me proud is do is a test run."

The other two agree. YiYang starts packing up the equipment with the other two pitching in; he presses on, "We can't do it now. The sun will be up any moment, and the code will change. Then we will be stuck here. Even though GuHai indulges in morally questionable activities, it does keep its guest logs in perfect order. If they don't find us in our room, it will alert them. The last thing we need is to attract attention to ourselves."

Zhang and YiHuang nod.

"Brother, what do you suggest we do?" The second prince enquires; looking at Zhang, he asks, "Is there something on your mind?"

"There is, but it can wait." The human responds and gestures to the crown prince to go on.

"Let's cloak Xue. The Intex manipulator is fully integrated into its console. We can return to it tonight and do the test run. If all goes as planned, we will be able to launch it tonight."

*****

*TengFei: Observatory Tower*

The Emperor and General Teng are in deep discussion on the topmost floor of the observation deck. Next to them sits a glowing metal contraption.

"The beacon is ready. All we need now is the key." The General states, staring at the object intently. "The finder was pointing at Kynlun. I presumed that it would be in Hu Kwan's facility."

"Is that where you sent The Extractor?"
General Teng nods.

"And?"

The General shakes his head, he balls up his fists in frustration, "They didn't find it there. The Extractor did find traces of it there, though."

"Traces?"

The General nods, "The finder lit up. Whoever has it was at the facility." He strokes his chin as if contemplating, "I think they found it by chance and are carrying it without the knowledge of what it is."

The Emperor dismisses the idea, "I find that highly unlikely. No Yuanjian can hold it without getting burned. If any of our citizens have touched it, they would have reported it already."

"Your Majesty, you are forgetting that there are those who can hold it, just like The First did."

The Emperor's eyes widen. He calls the guard and whispers an order in his ears. Then, turning to the latter, he asks, "What about the other matter?"

The graying man nods, "Their memories have been rearranged. The false feed has been initiated. The master server has been destroyed." The General gazes out of the deck window where the glorious rising sun is bathing TengFei in golden hues. The city seems to glitter, "Your Majesty, are you sure this was the right thing to do?"

"Are you questioning my motives, Li Teng!?"

"You know I would never do that. We want the same things. I am just a little unsure if this is the right way to go about it." He glances at the Emperor, "To pin our hopes on the words of the first..." he leaves a breath.

"Ah-Teng, you are the only one who knows that I didn't lose my gifts. The proof of what I have seen coming true is irrevocable. The soil is losing life. Soon it will extinguish. We can't stay here much longer. I have seen the XudianJi arriving and us abandoning TengFei. We coexisted once before; we can do it again. Trust me, the only way to survive is to find the key and open the beacon. Once the beacon is opened, the First shall rise. We need the first to negotiate our return to our home planet. I believe the XudianJi will only agree to it if the first is by our side."

There is a knock on the door, and a Yuanjian dressed in grey with his face covered enters the deck area; a scabbard graces his back. It's long and slender. The Yuanjian carries himself with grace and bows to his seniors. "The Extractor at your service, Your Majesty."

The Emperor nods, "General Teng tells me that you did a commendable job. How are you feeling?"

"The lost energy has been replenished. I am ready for my next assignment, Your Majesty."

"Come closer, child, let me look at your hands." The Emperor commands; the Extractor obliges and holds out his hands. The Emperor dismisses the Extractor after having a look at them. He leans back on the seat, looking ten years older. "Guard." He yells, startling the General.

"Where is YiHuang?" He enquires, and the guard, shaking like a leaf in the storm, replies, "Your Majesty, his signal has been camouflaged by the crown prince."

"Oh, yes." The Emperor recalls his conversation with his firstborn days ago, "And where is he?"

"A moment, Your Majesty." The guard pulls out his ComD, and after a short conversation, glances at YiLei. He bows lower and informs in a voice barely over a whisper, "GuHai Temporary Residence, Your Majesty."

"Does he ever leave that place!?" The Emperor wonders aloud and barks another order, "Escort him back. Now!"

"Wait!" The General stops the guard before he scurries away.

"How dare you!?" The Emperor fixes the General with a cold gaze.

"Calm down, Your Majesty. Think about the consequences of this action. You have always dotted on YiYang more, never reprimanded him harshly even when you knew he was up to no good. If you do this, won't it make him think something is going on...something serious that he doesn't know about. What do you think he will do in that case? Now is not the time to lose your patience."

The Emperor nods, "What do you suggest?"

"Just talk to him and casually ask him about YiHuang. Right now, we need his cooperation without making him suspicious.

Calming down, the Emperor glances at the guard, "Get YiYang on ComD."

{Note :- Word Count 1621

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