Setting Off Again (1)

Kestrel hopped on the long-haul bus departing Imperial Nexus.

She was headed towards the Vedanta outpost, a far-off place where no blimp flew. Her only option was the sporadic bus service that started outside the city gates.

Lots of passengers waited with her at the city gates, most of them lugging bags, reluctantly parting ways with their loved ones who'd come to wish them well.

Nowadays, leaving the safety of the capital city felt like a do-or-die goodbye. There was a chance they might never see each other again, so everyone was holding onto their final moments, exchanging heartfelt goodbyes.

Kestrel was alone. She got on the bus early, chose a window seat, and found herself gazing absentmindedly at the towering structure of the Tower at the city center.