Beyond The Glowing Whirlpool

Chapter 26: CLASH OF RIVALRY

In the following couple of weeks, Stacie Kylus and professor Torrent continued working on trying to find another source of the sunstone, and their efforts paid off. It was a remote and wild planet called Florah, and of course, Satterans knew of this planet as well. According to them, Florah was a wild planet with mostly tropical climate, covered in thick jungles, and rainforests. Life on that planet was most basic. Mostly wild animals, but it also was home to a certain race of beings, called the Flora, named after their planet. But also because they depended on soil and plants entirely. The Flora people were not perceived as individuals by all other civilized nations in that galaxy because they were very primitive, living in tribes and tents in thick parts of the jungles. They were considered to be more wildlife, explained Kylus to Stacie when she questioned with curiosity. It's been a while since they left Atlantis with everything that's happened, so she was excited to go on another exploration expedition, and wanted to get herself familiarized with the place. And Kylus, of course, was more than happy to oblige.

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"Whooo! Just one more day till our expedition!" Stacie stretched with excitement, getting out of her bed. 

She washed up and started getting ready for her usual morning routine- some workout in the gym, breakfast before preparations for the trip. She put on her sporty outfit, tied her hair into a messy bun and glanced into a mirror. Suddenly her eyes were drawn towards a little scar that was peeking out from under the strap of her tank top. She moved the strap off her shoulder and stroked the scar with her fingers. It was completely healed now since it's been almost two months. 

"Since you go on expeditions, why don't you ask Alice or Melinda to teach you to some self-defense?" Suddenly she remembered Janice's suggestion. "I dunno should I?..." Wondered Stacie, walking out of her quarters.

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She made it to the large room full of workout equipment and was about to walk in. Then for a second, she shifted her gaze to the room next door, which was a combat training room. No one was there, so she entered it and looked around. Though she passed by this room many times, she never really took a good look at it. All along the walls, there were all sorts of equipment, that were used for training in martial arts, boxing, and wrestling. All this seemed too overwhelming to her, as she walked around from one to another, studying them.

-Good morning sunshine.

Suddenly a voice came from the entrance making her turn with a start.

-Morning Frank. - She monotonously replies, getting tired of constantly being sneaked upon.

-I see you have decided to move up to the next level, huh? - He remarked, casually leaning against the frame of the doorway.

-Very funny Frank. I was just simply looking around.

-So, how do you like it? - He strode in as if he owned the place.

-It's... Nice...

-Nice? - Scoffed Frank. - That's one way to put it.

-Well, what do you expect me to say, when I have no idea what most of those things even are. - She laughed in reply.

-That's a boxing bag. - He pointed to a dummy stand next to her. - And those are boxing gloves. You put them on, like so, and you practice your punches, like this. - He started punching the dummy.

-Gee, thanks, captain obvious. - Retorted Stacie sarcastically. - I'm not that ignorant.

-I'm just messing with ya. - Laughed Frank. - But I bet you don't know what this is!