Chapter 290: Skypiea Lab

Kaya, Alvida, Mikita, Honey, Nojiko, Vivi, Marianne, Zala, Robin, Saphir, Conis, Raki and Ben were waiting around for HQ to arrive. They look around the sky. After 20 minutes, they heard a buzzing noise. 

All of a sudden they saw a large statue break out of the clouds. They all saw the Miss Love Maxima flying towards them. 

"It can fly," Saphir remarked in awe.

"It's beautiful," Marianne commented, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Majestic," Honey added, her voice filled with wonder.

The Miss Love Maxima got closer to the Golden Bell and parked next to it. HQ extended the drawbridge. They all boarded the ship. "It's amazing that we now have a flying ship," Vivi commented, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"It's a life filled with adventures," Nojiko added with a smile.

"It sounds like it's always like this," Conis remarked.

"It certainly is," Kaya responded, nodding in agreement.

"Captain, I will go assist HQ with the Miss Love Maxima," Nojiko said. Ben nodded. 

"I will come with you," Saphir added. 

"I want to see the Second Floor," Kaya remarked. 

"Let me come as well," Vivi interjected. 

The girls started to explore the Miss Love Maxima by themselves. Alvida, Mikita and Zala also went to the Second Floor. Honey and Marianne headed to the Bridge. Conis and Raki went to the Third Floor again. 

Ben stood there on the stern of the ship looking forward. The Miss Love Maxima took off and started to fly. Ben could hear the engine roaring. It was loud. He thought this used to be Enel`s ship, but now it's his. 

As they were sailing in the sky, Ben saw an island on the clouds. It wasn't large, however larger than anything nearby. The centerpiece of the island was a striking, modern building with sleek, reflective glass walls and a metallic finish. Atop this building, a large radar dish. The dish gleamed in the sunlight. Surrounding the building were several large landing pads. The landscape of the island was dotted with overgrown patches of vibrant flowers and sturdy trees. 

"I think we are here," Ben shouted. He thought no one heard him because of the loud engines. As he was about to walk inside, Nojiko came running down. "Ben, we have all gathered on the Bridge," Nojiko reported. 

"Perfect timing," Ben replied. They both walked up the stairs to the Bridge. Ben saw everyone had gathered. They all looked happy.

"Everyone had fun exploring?" Ben asked. 

"Yes, my love, there is a large bathtub in this ship as well," Alvida winked. 

"Pervert," Kaya remarked. 

Nojiko giggled. "It's nice to shower with someone you love," Nojiko commented. 

Conis blushed. "We should have a joint bath," Zala stated. 

"That would be nice," Mikita said. 

"Master, we have arrived at the lab," HQ reported.

"Thank you," Ben replied. He added, "Who wants to explore the lab?" 

All their hands shot up. "We all want to my love with you," Alvida emphasized. 

"Okay, let go," Ben replied.

[Lab Reward has been redeemed and unlocked.]

(Thank you Sweetie.)

Ben thought she had been amazing recently. She has been proactive as of late. 

They all exited the Miss Love Maxima and walked towards the large building with a dish. They could see the exterior covered in vines and leaves. There were overgrown tree branches. The grass was high. 

"The building looks abandoned," Kaya commented. 

"It certainly has seen better days," Saphir added.

Marianne looked into the dense overgrowth and heard a hiss. Marianne jumped and grabbed Ben. "Something," Marianne remarked. 

Ben smiled and held her waist. "I got you," Ben replied. 

Alvida leaned towards Ben. "I saw something scary as well as my love," she said. 

Ben held her waist as well. "I am sure you have," Ben remarked. 

The other girls glanced back, feeling a pang of regret for the missed opportunity. As they approached the large doors of the facility, they suddenly swung open.

"It's open," Conis said, her voice filled with surprise.

"It knows we're here," HQ replied, her tone steady and confident.

"I wonder what we will see this time," Zala remarked. 

They stepped inside the lab and were greeted by a spacious, open-concept area bathed in a soft, ambient glow from LED panels. The floors were made of polished, reflective material.

"Wow," Marianne exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Amazing," Honey remarked, her voice filled with awe.

"It's an impressive lab," Saphir said, taking in the high-tech surroundings.

"Especially compared to the outside," Mikita added, nodding in agreement.

They walked down a few steps and got to the center of the lab. There was a massive, state-of-the-art control center in the middle. It featured a large, curved holographic display stuck to the wall. It showcased orbital trajectories, and 3D models of various satellites. Surrounding the control center were numerous workstations, each equipped with multi-screen setups, advanced computing systems, and ergonomic chairs. Throughout the lab, a network of transparent pneumatic tubes zipped along the ceilings, transporting small parts and documents. The walls had many digital screens.

"What is this?" Zala asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

"I don't know," Nojiko replied, shaking her head.

"It looks advanced," Robin observed, her eyes scanning the sophisticated equipment. She thought back to the Ancient people from Nanatsu Islands. She thought, is there some connection between them, this and Ben?

"All the labs have been very advanced," Alvida added. 

"This one feels like it will be connected to something bigger," Vivi said. She had a gut feeling. 

"I get that feeling too," Kaya agreed.

"That object on the screen looks like a satellite," Ben pointed out. 

"Like the blueprint we saw?" Honey asked.

"Yes, this must be the place for it," Ben confirmed, nodding. He thought she was right. The blueprint was not accepted anywhere else, this must be the place for it. 

"Yes Master, this is the lab for it," HQ responded as she walked towards the computers. She sat in the centre one. There was a machine which looked like a scanner. IT looked like the one in Clockwork Island. 

HQ took the blueprint out from the inside of her pants. "Master, can I insert this in?" HQ asked. 

Ben thought it was a strange place to keep the blueprint. "Sure," he replied. HQ inserted the blueprint in the machine. The machine swallowed the paper. A green light can be seen on the top of the machine.