Soon they were no longer flying above the land, they had reached the ocean. When looking down on the blue ocean, Tomas could sometimes forget that he was on another planet. The oceans looked exactly like those on Earth did. At least on the surface, below it was another story. As the land evolved almost void of any predators, the oceans were completely opposite. The water was filled with predators, so much that they have yet to find a species that didn’t evolve to kill something. The ‘fish’ were all large, on the scale of dinosaurs on Earth that lived in the waters. They had large snouts and great jaws. They were fast and merciless, they fed on anything moving. One of the deaths early on, was from an attack by these fish. A man tried swimming in the ocean, when a fish the size of a great white shark jumped out and swallowed him whole. Since then it was forbidden for anyone to swim in the Ocean. Though there was no need for them to forbid it, no one sane would go into those waters. They made pools for those wanting to swim, but the Oceans of Sanctuary were not a hospitable place. The animals even attacked their submarines, so Tomas was forced to abandon the explorations of the Oceans, not willing to endanger anyone else. If the animals that lived close to land were that savage, he didn’t want to imagine what those deeper and further away would be like.
So, they focused their exploration on land, they had already mapped most of the Northern continent, the one where they settled, and were in the process of mapping the Southern. The two continents covered one third of their respective hemispheres, and were separated by one big Ocean, and islands in between. They have yet to settle anyone on the islands or the Southern continent. They have however made a few settlements on the Northern continent beside the Capitol, they were small, a few families at the most. Those that wanted to live in the wilderness. They usually contributed by growing food, since everyone had a place in Olympus, their population too small to have people without a purpose. Though if they wanted to come back and do something else in the city, they were allowed to. Anyone could do anything they wanted in Olympus. With Olympus providing what they needed if it was possible. If not, then they worked on something else until what they needed was available.
An hour later he noticed them lowering down in a clearing surrounded by tall trees. When the shuttle landed, he and Seo-yun exited and were met by three men in army uniforms, they were providing security for the exploration teams. Much of Sanctuary was still unknown, and Tomas didn’t want to risk his people going out without protection.
“Mister Klein, Minister Hyeon, welcome to the Southern continent.” The man in the lead said, no one called him Emperor in his presence, they all knew his unease with the title. He addressed Seo-yun by her title of Minister of Science. Tomas’s implant immediately supplied the man’s name and rank, Commander Johan Riggs, the name and rank appeared above his head, and after reading it, Tomas cleared his HUD with a mental command.
“Thank you.” Tomas said. And nodded to the other two soldiers, their names also coming up.
“Lead the way Commander.” Seo-yun said.
Commander nodded and gestured for them to follow him to the hover car nearby, it was a model designed for use in tough terrain, and was a bit bulkier than the models used for transportation in the city. Seo-yun and Tomas sat in the back of the vehicle, it had an open top, so they could look around freely. The forest was thick all around them, with barely any sunlight coming through, but from time to time Tomas could catch a glimpse of the yellow sunrays shining through, like on Earth the entrance of the light into the atmosphere made the sun look yellow, though its light was in fact white, just like the Sun back home.
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the entrance of a cave. There was equipment placed in front of the cave, with a few people working on it. Three more army members stood guard over the perimeter. Seo-yun led him inside the cave, as they passed everyone who noticed them stopped what they were doing and stared at them, whispering amongst themselves. Inside the cave they were met with the man in charge of the exploration team.
“Minister Hyeon, Emp— ah, Mister Klein, it’s an honor to meet you, sir.” The man said, shaking Tomas’s hand enthusiastically. Tomas glanced at the name that his implant provided.
“Likewise Chief Morrison. Minister Hyeon tells me that you found something interesting.”
“Yes, yes sir. We found, well, for the lack of a better word a forest made of crystals, deeper inside the cave, and the crystals are generating light, though they have no contact with sunlight, and if we take the sample outside it stops glowing, only starting again when the sun sets, it’s remarkable really.” Chief Morrison said eagerly.
“Is the cave secured?” Tomas asked.
“Yes sir.” Chief Morrison said.
“Good, I’d like to see this forest, is anyone else down there?” Tomas asked, nodding towards the cave tunnel leading down.
“Ah, no, not at the moment.”
“Good, Minister Hyeon and I will go take a look” Tomas said, the Chief tried to say something but Tomas interrupted him. “No, there is no need for an escort, you said that the cave is secured.”
“Of course sir.” Chief Morrison said, and bowed his head shallowly.
Tomas and Seo-yun made their way down in silence, they walked for about 4 minutes until they made a sharp turn and were greeted with an amazing sight.
The cavern inside was vast, and dome like, the crystals reached upwards from the floor, and then split into many branches, looking like a leafless tree. They shined brightly, and illuminated the entire cavern.
“It’s beautiful.” Seo-yun said, and stepped forward. The light caught her face in a way that made Tomas take notice. Her brown hair was now cut to her jawline, rather than the pony tail she used to wear on Earth.
“Yes.” Tomas said, looking at her.
“Can you imagine how many years it took for this to form?” She asked, approaching the crystal tree.
“I assume a lot.” Tomas said.
Seo-yun turned and gave him an incredulous look.
“A lot? It took much more than a lot. Millions and millions of years.” She said, turning and placing her palm against the crystal.
“Hmm… It’s warm.” She said frowning.
“I know why you brought me here.” Tomas said.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She said, with her back still towards him.
“I have eyes Seo-yun. I saw how those people looked at me, and how Chief Morrison talked to me. I have no doubt that by the end of the day everyone will know that I was here.”
Seo-yun sighed and turned around.
“Yes, you are right. They will find out, and they will know that you took an interest in what your people do, that you care. You have been locked up in that office of yours for years, your people hadn’t seen you for four years. I know that it is not easy for you to accept this, but you are the Emperor, our leader, and you need to start acting like it.” She said.