Chapter 233: The Maiden Voyage of the God Vessel
Tessa stood before the transportation device, her gaze tracing its colossal form. The vessel loomed nearly forty feet high, its sleek, whale-like silhouette glistening as if dipped in liquid starlight. The glossy white surface reflected the soft lighting of the hangar, radiating an ethereal majesty that silenced the bustling workshop.
It was a marvel, a testament to innovation and collaboration—a god vessel. It stood complete and perfect, exuding an aura of promise and power.
"Shall we…?" Nzak Deri asked, his voice trembling with barely restrained excitement. His hands clenched at his sides, as if afraid this moment might vanish into the air like a fleeting dream.
Tessa descended slowly from her floating chair, her movements measured and graceful despite the obvious curve of her baby bump. The chair touched the ground gently, and she stepped out, her boots clicking softly on the hangar floor. All eyes followed her as she approached the vessel's side entrance, which opened with a low hiss, revealing a staircase that unfurled smoothly like the tongue of a majestic beast.
Her fingers brushed the cool metallic railing as she climbed the steps, each movement deliberate. The air around her seemed to hum with anticipation. As she ascended, she felt a familiar warmth emanating from within her womb. A faint smile played on her lips—her child was stirring again.
The baby within her was not just a passive passenger on this journey; it was her unseen partner, the quiet architect of perfection. No one but Tessa knew that her unborn child had already reached out, subtly correcting the vessel's hidden flaws. The adjustments, imperceptible to even the most trained eyes, were what would breathe life into the god vessel. Without them, this masterpiece of engineering would have remained a lifeless shell.
Tessa entered the vessel and paused for a moment, letting the weight of the moment settle. Her hand brushed the walls of the interior, feeling the pulse of potential running through it. The pilot's arch lay ahead, a gleaming chamber of controls and monitors that seemed to hum with readiness.
She stepped into the pilot's seat, her movements instinctive as if she had always belonged here. A faint smile touched her lips as her fingers grazed the controls. Time was pressing, she knew. The wormhole awaited her, and beyond it lay the universe tree—a mythical entity whose sap held the promise of life and unparalleled power.
But Tessa hesitated. She could leave immediately; nothing was stopping her. Yet, she turned back toward the gathered crowd of the Deri-Legu group of the Zubo planet who stood below, their faces alight with pride and wonder. They had poured their hearts and souls into building this god vessel. It wasn't just her creation—it was their legacy.
Her voice carried across the hangar, steady and warm. "Shall we ride... before I take my leave?"
The aboriginals froze, their emotions overwhelming them. Nods rippled through the crowd, vigorous and almost robotic in their enthusiasm. They couldn't speak, their throats tight with emotion. For them, this was the pinnacle of their existence—the moment they would feel the glory of what they had built.
Tessa's hands moved over the controls, her touch precise and confident. The vessel came alive with a low, resonant hum, the sound reverberating through the walls like a heartbeat. The lights flickered on, casting an otherworldly glow over the interior.
Outside, the aboriginals erupted into cheers as the vessel's engines roared to life. The ground beneath them trembled, a testament to the raw power contained within this creation. Tessa felt the vibrations coursing through her, a tangible reminder of what they had achieved together.
The god vessel lifted slightly, hovering above the ground, its movements smooth and commanding. For a moment, Tessa allowed herself to revel in the joy of their accomplishment, sharing in the exhilaration of the Deri-Legu and Zubo.
But her mind was already on the journey ahead. This ride was for them, a fleeting moment of shared triumph. Soon, she would guide the vessel through the wormhole, venturing into the unknown to claim the sap of the universe tree.
For now, however, she allowed herself this moment of connection. The aboriginals cheered wildly, their voices carrying the weight of generations who would remember this day. This was their story as much as it was hers. And though the stars called to her, she would honor the journey that had brought them to this point.
With a deep breath, Tessa steadied herself. The maiden voyage of the god vessel had begun.
The vessel descended gracefully, its engines emitting a low hum as it touched the ground once more. As soon as the ramp extended, the aboriginals rushed forward, filling the interior with excited chatter and awe-filled expressions. They took their places eagerly, their eyes darting around the intricate designs and advanced mechanisms that surrounded them.
Tessa remained seated in the pilot's arch, her hands hovering over the controls. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she watched the aboriginals settle in. Their excitement was infectious, a vivid reminder of the significance of this moment.
Nzak Deri entered the pilot's arch, settling into the co-pilot's seat beside her. He adjusted the headset hanging by his side, his movements reverent as though he were stepping into sacred territory. Tessa's fingers danced over the controls, activating systems with effortless precision.
The engines roared to life once more, the sound vibrating through the walls and igniting cheers from the passengers. As the vessel began to hum with power, Nzak Deri turned to Tessa, a question lingering on his lips.
"What name do we call this god vessel?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Tessa didn't hesitate. The name had been resting in her mind, waiting for this moment. "Call it The Whale," she said simply, her tone carrying a quiet finality. The name resonated with the vessel's massive, sleek form and the promise of vast, uncharted journeys ahead.
Before Nzak Deri could respond, Tessa shifted the gears, her hands moving with purpose. The vessel surged forward, lifting off the ground with a speed so swift it felt as if the air itself was being sliced apart. The aboriginals gasped, gripping their seats as the world below blurred into insignificance.
The Whale soared higher, breaking through the clouds and ascending into the vast expanse of the sky. The interiors buzzed with awe-struck whispers as the passengers gazed out of the panoramic windows, watching their world shrink beneath them.
In the pilot's arch, Tessa's eyes remained focused, her mind simultaneously on the present and the future. This flight was more than a test; it was a glimpse into what lay ahead—a future where barriers were meaningless, and possibilities were endless.
Nzak Deri glanced at Tessa, a grin spreading across his face. "The Whale... a fitting name for a vessel destined to conquer the skies and beyond."
Tessa allowed herself a small smile, her grip steady on the controls. "Ready for lift-off?" she asked, her voice laced with subtle excitement.
The Whale pierced the stratosphere, its engines humming with unrelenting power. For the aboriginals on board, it was a moment of triumph, of dreams realized. For Tessa, it was a step closer to the wormhole, to the universe tree, and to the destiny awaiting her and her unborn child.
The god vessel was no longer just an idea—it was alive, a roaring testament to ingenuity and unity, ready to chart the uncharted and carry its passengers to places they had only dared to imagine.