This story follows the young prodigy Grant Alan, a scholar turned telekinetic, surviving in a strange new world after the colossal science vessel, the Halfpace, passes into a future very foreign to him, populated by anthropomorphic creatures that ha...
I've been grinding this summer and actually WILL end up making it through another semester! Phew. It only cost me my whole summer + new debt, but I guess that's just life.
Anyway, I took the photo of my Calliope sketch into Krita and made a digital finished version! (Couldn't draw the hands or feet; too difficult) I might open the file later and try finish it at some point, but that's entirely chance. Also, I just couldn't resist using the "Satisfactory" font. I just like it too much.
Let me know what you think if it. I'm not really an artist. It just took a really, really long time to do. Like, pretty much the entire time between this chapter and the last chapter.
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Warmth enveloped me, something soft and comforting brushing against my scales. As I inhaled, the air carried a clinical scent, sterilized and spotless, like a laboratory. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself in a dimly lit room, lying on my back.
I sat up, confusion washing over me. A heated blanket had been draped over me, warding off the cold, and an intravenous drip was attached to my forearm. I carefully pulled out the needle and glanced around, trying to piece together how I'd ended up here. There were more cots surrounding mine, each occupied by my friends. A wave of relief washed over me, knowing they were safe.
Slowly, I stood, shivering as my bare feet touched the cold, sterile floor. I wrapped the blanket around myself and began to quietly explore the room. As my eyes adjusted to the low light, I did a quick headcount. I found Izabella, Aria, Katherine, Jess, and Winthrop, all asleep with IV drips attached to them. However, Lilith, Grant, and Elizabeth were conspicuously absent, and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach. Had they been caught in the chaos? Were they hurt, or worse?
A sudden buzzing noise interrupted my thoughts. It was faint, like a phone set to vibrate, but louder. I traced the sound to an intercom on the wall, which hadn't been active before. A soft green light indicated it was waiting for input. Hesitant, I pressed the button and spoke into the intercom. "H—Hello?" I whispered.
A moment later, an unnervingly monotone, robotic voice responded. "Oh... You're awake now, aren't you..." it said. "I anticipate you have questions." The voice was quiet enough not to wake the others but sent a chill down my spine.
"Am I speaking to Shinrarta?" I asked cautiously.
Another pause. "No. Shinrarta is in her quarters," the voice replied. The mechanical tone and lack of breathing made it clear I was speaking to a machine. "I've been ordered to hold you here for the time being, but rest assured, you are in no danger... yet."
