Evening.
In the vast asteroid belt, nurous small mining ships buzzed about like bees.
These vessels ticulously scanned and analyzed targets before using mining lasers to cut through asteroids, extracting valuable materials to store in their cargo holds.
Once fully loaded, the mining ships leisurely returned to the large mining transport vessel.
Onboard the Transport Ship.
Beep—
The mining ships began docking.
Uniford miners sprang into action, maneuvering cargo loaders to transport the mined materials into the storage bays. Others perford basic cleaning and maintenance on the mining ships, including high-temperature cleansing to remove stubborn residues.
This routine maintenance was a necessity. Mining ships, constantly exposed to the vacuum of space without the protection of shields like larger ships or spaceports, were prone to corrosion. If neglected, they could easily beco derelict vessels covered in grotesque organic growths.
"Hurry it up, lads! The next batch of mining ships will be docking soon!"
Mining crew leader ka barked orders at his team.
A burly man with a chest adorned by the badge of a third-class citizen, ka took pride in his work. As a workers' representative in the revitalized mining industry, he poured passion into every task.
Since Urth's recovery, miners had seen their status and pay skyrocket, transforming their profession into one of envy.
Despite several waves of expansion, countless individuals still vied for positions in the mining teams.
Even their equipnt had seen significant upgrades. ka, as a team leader, now commanded an entire transport vessel and thousands of miners.
One by one, mining ships returned, and the transport ship's storage bay quickly filled.
"Mr. Will, the transport ship is fully loaded. All equipnt is operating normally, and we are preparing to return."
ka reported to Will, the mining overseer.
Will's booming voice ca through with cheer:
"Hurry back! You're the last ship, and if you're late, you'll miss the gathering!"
Laughter erupted from the other team leaders near Will:
"We're all waiting for you, ka!"
"Will's got the booze ready. If you don't hurry, we'll drink it all!"
ka cursed under his breath:
"Damn it, save so!"
Transport Ship Returns to Urth
Night had fallen by the ti the transport ship reached the surface.
ka rushed off the ship and hopped into a hovercar, heading toward Black Coal Street.
Tonight was a rare celebration—missing it would be regrettable for an entire year.
Black Coal Street was now a lively, well-lit district teeming with celebrants.
Years of developnt had transford the once impoverished slum into a thriving community. The old shanties were replaced with modern housing complexes.
ka's family of six now lived in a cozy two-bedroom apartnt—an unimaginable luxury compared to the past.
He returned ho to gather his wife and four children.
Together, they made their way to Will's residence, greeting neighbors along the way.
"Dad, why are you so late? I'm starving!"
ka's eldest son, a towering 17-year-old, complained. Scarred by childhood hunger, he held an acute fear of going without food.
Having passed the mining team's rigorous entrance exams, the young man would soon join his father at work.
Will's Residence
Tables laden with food and drink filled the open yard, surrounded by miners and their families celebrating.
Will himself greeted ka warmly. As a workers' representative and third-class citizen, ka was highly respected within the mining community.
Will, having risen to prominence with the mining industry's growth, now held second-class citizenship—a rare privilege on Urth.
"Co, let's drink!"
Colleagues hugged ka, urging him to sit and celebrate.
The alcohol ca from specialty stores accessible only to third-class citizens and above, purchased with expensive credit points.
ka, ever frugal, would never indulge in such luxuries. But Will, known for his generosity, had spared no expense for this gathering.
"Never forget your brothers when you've got sothing good!"
This motto had propelled Will to his current standing.
As the night unfolded, ka and his colleagues drank and laughed, cherishing the mont. Tonight was especially significant—it was the eve of the Emperor's Ascension Day.
At the Spire Estate.
Eden, having approved several pending requests, stepped onto the balcony to overlook his planet.
The view was dazzling—lights illuminated the cities below as people celebrated.
The tradition of rejoicing on the night before the Emperor's Ascension Day had beco deeply ingrained in Urth's culture.
In the Holy Plaza, craftsn from the royal district worked tirelessly to finalize preparations for the grand ceremony. Once finished, they too would join the celebrations.
"This will be the eighth Ascension Day..."
Eden murmured, reflecting on Urth's transformation under his leadership.
When he first arrived, the upper hive was in ruins, ravaged by conflict.
Electricity was scarce, leaving areas outside the royal district shrouded in darkness. The only light ca from the fires of battle and burning neighborhoods.
Now, power supplied every hive, and the economy flourished. Jobs were abundant, and famine was a thing of the past.
Urth's population had grown to 2 billion, with birth rates climbing steadily. In a century, it could return to its peak population, comprising well-educated and skilled citizens.
Unlike other worlds, Urth didn't treat its people as expendable resources. Here, they were nurtured and valued.
Eden's gaze shifted to the red moon above—a massive natural satellite far larger than Earth's moon, reflecting the scale of Urth itself.
The moon bore scars from the past, with a colossal crater that left Eden awestruck when he first saw it.
Now, it had an even larger crater—a result of Eden's own miscalculation.
When the Dream's Nova Cannon was installed, Eden, eager to test its power, had ordered a shot at the moon.
The cannon, not yet fully calibrated, fired an overcharged blast that left a massive new wound.
Thankfully, this accident revealed rich mineral deposits, accelerating the Dream's restoration.
The ship's repairs were nearing completion, with only a year left before it beca fully operational.
With the Dream, Urth could expand outward, clearing dangerous uninhabited worlds for colonization.
Satisfied, Eden returned to his chambers to rest, preparing for tomorrow's grand ceremony.
Dawn: Holy Plaza
Crowds filled the plaza—citizens from all walks of life, honored to attend the event.
"Mom, did the Governor really praise you?"
"Of course! You'll see the great Governor soon."
Arila, visibly pregnant, stood with her husband Paddy and their daughter, radiating excitent.
The Governor's reforms had transford her life, and her faith in him was unwavering.
The choir's hymns filled the air as Seraphim angels, adorned with white wings, showered the crowd with flower petals and holy water.
"Praise the Emperor! Faithful of Urth, join in prayer...
May the Emperor's blessings protect us all!"
Bishop Doni presided over the ceremony from a pulpit suspended in the air. His serene deanor and calming aura soothed the crowd, lting away the year's fatigue.
As the prayers concluded, it was ti for Eden's speech.
However, his brow furrowed—a sign of trouble.
Monts earlier, he had received an urgent ssage from the spaceport: an Imperial fleet was approaching Urth.
The fleet had sent a terse ssage demanding the planet's ruler prepare for their arrival.
Eden couldn't discern their intentions, but their presence was unlikely to bode well, given Urth's many secrets.
Maintaining composure, Eden issued a series of commands to prepare for the fleet.
He then ascended the stage, delivering his speech swiftly before directing the crowd to disperse.
Before the dispersal could begin, an enormous shadow darkened the plaza.
The sky dimd as a massive object lood overhead, casting the plaza into darkness.
The fleet had bypassed the spaceport, descending directly over the hive city—an act in blatant violation of Imperial protocols.
Hum—
The hive's defensive shields activated, glowing faintly as they enveloped the city.
Eden gazed up at the colossal cruiser and narrowed his eyes.
"They aren't here as friends..."
(End of Chapter)
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