Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1856 - 570: Response (Part 2)
Previously on Shadows of the Deep Space...
"I understand."
Celeste then proceeded to circle the mechanical tower.
"Celeste, didn’t you mention there was a method?" Su Ming inquired, looking toward her.
"Absolutely, just observe!" With a confident declaration, Celeste floated towards the towering structure. She positioned herself within a hollow space at its base and then unleashed her power.
Instantly, the entire mechanical tower erupted in brilliant light, its mechanisms whirring into full operation at maximum capacity.
Witnessing this spectacle, Su Ming’s eyes gleamed with renewed hope; he had not anticipated Celeste possessing such a capability, and perhaps, just perhaps, there was a sliver of optimism.
Celeste then separated herself from the tower and addressed Su Ming, stating, "I have successfully amplified the signal transmission; now, we must await a response."
"Excellent!" Su Ming affirmed with a nod.
The pair maintained a quiet vigil in the plaza.
Time crept by slowly.
Seven hours elapsed in what felt like mere moments, yet the mechanical tower remained silent, and the desolate world showed no signs of life.
Unable to contain his concern, Su Ming turned to Celeste.
"Um..." Celeste’s voice trailed off, her head lowering slightly in embarrassment, recalling her earlier confident assertion.
"It appears our mechanical acquaintance will not be arriving," Su Ming mused. He held no blame for Celeste, as one could not force a response from an unwilling party.
"What Course of Action Now?"
"We must devise another approach. Let’s depart!" Su Ming declared with a sigh of resignation.
"Understood!" Celeste nodded in agreement.
Just as Su Ming and Celeste prepared to leave, a colossal vortex materialized in the otherwise tranquil sky, followed swiftly by a bolt of lightning that struck the mechanical tower directly.
Boom~
A shower of white sparks, imbued with mechanical energy, slowly ignited.
Immediately, the entire fractured realm began to convail, and the scattered, floating islands coalesced like pieces of a shattered mosaic, forming an expansive, unbroken landmass.
The ruined City of Prophets seemed to revert through time itself.
Countless fragments of stone and debris were drawn towards the dilapidated houses and structures, rejoining them.
In an instant, damaged dwellings and buildings were visibly restored to their former glory, and desiccated trees sprang back to life, adorned with vibrant green foliage.
The leaning, abandoned Prophet Tower in the distance straightened itself, its inner shelves returned to their positions, and all scattered books were inexplicably reassembled.
The entire city experienced a breathtaking revival in the blink of an eye.
Su Ming and Celeste watched, astounded by this sudden and dramatic transformation.
At this juncture, the space directly before the mechanical tower's core warped violently, and then a massive, cross-shaped spatial rift tore open.
From this rift emerged a young woman. She possessed long white hair, a slender physique, fair skin, and was clad in a purple gown, her expression one of icy detachment. Her exquisite feet touched the void as she glided towards Su Ming and Celeste, her voice cutting through the air with a cold query:"Who are you? Why do you persist in summoning me?"
"Esteemed Senior, I am Admiral Su Ming of the Federation Government. Are you the mechanic being we sought?" Su Ming quickly composed himself, posing the question with utmost respect.
Celeste, brimming with excitement, exclaimed, "Sister, you are exceptionally beautiful!"
Ignoring Celeste, the girl responded frigidly, "Indeed! Where is Long Xian? He dares to activate the machine yet lacks the fortitude to face me? Make him appear!"
"Senior, the President of the Dragon String Council is presently indisposed," Su Ming hastily explained, privately noting his unease at the palpable animosity.
"Hmph, then why did you seek me out?" The girl’s tone remained icily sharp.
"Senior, we require your assistance. The Federation is currently under assault by the Mechanical Clan and is struggling to repel the invasion from Pamie; our situation is dire," Su Ming elaborated, detailing the predicament to the enigmatic figure.
"Humans, you are deceitful, and yet you possess the audacity to request my aid?" The girl erupted in a furious, incredulous laugh. The very heavens seemed to mirror her rage, unleashing flashes of lightning and booming thunder, as if heralding an impending cataclysm.
"Senior, I implore you, calm yourself. We are unaware of the specifics of the past events; could there be a misunderstanding?" Su Ming hastily interjected, observing the escalating fury in her demeanor.
"Yes, elder sister, please do not be wroth," Celeste added quickly, attempting to placate the agitated woman.
Her words seemed to temper the girl’s anger somewhat, and she finally spoke, albeit with lingering frost: "Misunderstanding? There is no misunderstanding whatsoever."
"Senior, if you are willing, might you divulge the sequence of events?" Su Ming persisted, clinging to a thread of hope. The fact that this mechanical entity had responded indicated, logically, that some vestige of connection to the Federation remained, suggesting the situation might not be entirely irreconcilable.
"Do you truly wish to know?"
"Yes."
"Very well, I shall enlighten you." As she spoke, the girl began walking away from the plaza.
Su Ming and Celeste hastened their steps, following closely behind her.
"When I first set foot on the Third Planet, humanity was merely a nascent Level 1 civilization, just embarking on its cosmic journey. Back then, the Third Planet had already been irrevocably scarred by human actions! Pervasive issues like resource depletion, widespread famine, and rampant disease hung like nooses around your necks," the young woman conveyed to both Su Ming and Celeste. Upon hearing her account, Su Ming and Celeste felt a stir of emotion. It was undeniable that the Federation's leap into the Interstellar Era owed its very existence to the mechanical companion standing before them. "Subsequently, during an expedition into ancient ruins, I crossed paths with a youthful Long Xian! Our exchange was most enlightening, delving into profound philosophical discussions about life. Long Xian passionately shared his aspirations and visions! Ultimately, a pact was forged: I aided him in ascending to the leadership of humankind, established this very City of Prophets, and launched the ambitious Genesis project! Do you notice those numerous school structures in the distance?"