Ethereal Life, Chapter 2: Prologue

"Can we even live to the day when we can ride such a ship?" For this gigantic and momentous project. The whole government and those in power started overworking their researchers, scientists, engineers, and programmers.

Year 2052, January 2, Monday 06:00 AM

Project Earth Wandering was initiated. All materials that can be excavated around the planet Be it underground, surface, or under the sea, they were mined by hook and by crook. "Damn old man, point the cooling fan at me too!"

Hot environment, bathing in sweat with every move. Even inside the underground mine, the miners were sweating bullets on their anti-heat uniforms. "Why did I have to become a miner?"

For the survival of the next generation of humans. They gritted their teeth and pushed over. No one can understand what it feels like to live under the apocalypse. "Even the ozone layer started to have some holes."

The world continued to revolve around the sun. But on its dark side, no more lights can be found. People were called over, coming outside their own nest. "So this is what's outside now, huh? So dark and hot. It's already a wasteland."

Construction vehicles spat out various machine sounds as they started coming out from underground. Workers wearing anti-heat suits walking or sitting on military cars passed through some roads before stopping on one of the marks on their map. "This is the place. Don't dilly-dally; we only have a few decades to survive. After that, it's all up to them."

Year 2058, May 25, Thursday, 03:00 AM

The project, Earth Wandering, was on full throttle towards the finish line. All construction resources and manpower available were used to speed up the construction of the various volcanoes and gigantic architecture in every part of the world. "T-This...how long will this be done?"

"In a decade or so, I think." Snow had already ceased to exist years ago. Icicle storms and hurricanes were more common. Everyone was on tenterhooks every day. Even the change in government positions didn't change what they were working on.

Instead, it was passed down precisely. Earthquakes and tsunamis that sent dead, disgusting fish to the coastal regions Even the Arctic and Antarctica were long gone. "Now, who says the earth is flat?"

Year 2069, March 28, Tuesday 08:00 PM

The project Earth Wandering has finally finished its construction. All workers and vehicles came back underground to finally rest and enjoy the result of their hard work. "I miss those greeneries back then. We might not be able to see this scene again after this."

All the people in the world stopped what they were doing and what they were working on. In their eyes, what was on the TV and large screens outside was the most important event of their lives. "Mom, are we leaving the solar system?"

Inside the underground research institute All the authorities and highest professionals in various fields gathered in a vast, wide hall. In front of them were various screens and digital statistics, surveying and controlling the whole world. "Main control, are we ready?.

Everyone looked at each other. Hope and expectations amidst their despair. A man of the highest standing walked in front of the sole switch button, which shows its importance in this place with solemnity. "May we succeed."

The whole group murmured as follows: In the next moment, he pressed the switch. And then....Boom.... With eyes of anticipation, every pyramid-like volcano structure on the side of the earth started releasing the noise of an engine starting. "It's starting. Let us pray."

Either the world's propulsion succeeded and it flew away from its orbit, or the whole world exploded into ruins. "Please work!" Everyone clenched their teeth subconsciously. It was as though they were waiting for their miracles to appear.

Seconds, minutes, the increasing noise of the engine sounds coming out from various large screens together with the vibrations they felt on the ground made them feel as though time had passed like a century. "Let me see a miracle."

Dang—the sounds of every engine suddenly stopping from starting made their hearts stop beating for a moment. Deep despair and hopelessness came crashing down in their hearts. "No, no way. How could this happen?"

"What had gone wrong? Tell ME!?!" Amidst the chaos and collapse of their hope and faith towards their only hope. Three men and a woman in lab coats pushed through the despairing crowds. "One more."

The man who hit the switch button was stunned, and then he regained the luster in his eyes. He took a deep breath and nodded. What was happening around him now is happening in every underground city. "How could I have shown such behavior? Start for me!"

Pah! And then the sounds of the engine started again. This time, everyone looked on with more hope. The researchers around them who saw the four researchers walk forward also followed them. "Follow the data here! Look, there's a power supply failure in this area."

Many smart people immediately saw the cause of their failure. Once again, the engine slows down. But everyone didn't waver or have a face of hopelessness. "I'll go with them."

The failure was outside, and a team composed of electrical engineers, construction workers, and programmers set off. In a car where they were protected from the sun's rays. They had a meeting. "We might not come back after this."

Everyone in the car didn't reply; instead, they started writing on their laptops about their will. This scene was also captured live on every large screen. They know it's their last duty. "Please be safe."

The whole populace felt as though their throats were being grabbed by someone, as they couldn't help but sniff in tears. The heroic sacrifice that they're going to make now will be forever remembered by everyone in the world. "We'll be coming back home as heroes, right?"

Time passed. In the next hour, the crew arrived at their destination. Their eyes were filled with resolve to finish their mission at the cost of their lives. "Hello? Can you see me on screen?"

That smiling face of one of the old programmers on screen somehow became the trigger for everyone to cry out in distress and hopelessness. "Enter the Dynamic Area. Room 56 in color orange, let's do this fast."

Following the researchers in the hot environment, even the camera had started to blur because of the heat. The cameraman had to clean it up every few seconds. "Don't forget to make my statue of the sole cameraman, okay?"

The team moved quickly and, in no time, they arrived at the place of the malfunctioning source. When they arrived, everyone was shocked a little bit! The whole room (56) was grounded with electricity! "What to do?"

One of them took a rubber suit and wore it. They were prepared. The team nodded and also wore their rubber suits. Then they stepped inside Room 56. It was a mess; the room was full of mess. "What happened here? Thankfully, there's no serious damage to the cable."

A long, cylinder-like pipeline appeared in their vision. However, there were some sparks on its various parts caused by falling debris from earthquakes. "It's earthquakes, right? Or the materials above the ceiling are nonstandard."

However, no one thought much of that as they started repairing the damage to the pipeline. It was so hot, but no one dared cause distractions around them. "Give me some electrical tape."

The population was silent; everyone was waiting. No one took a glimpse or closed their eyes for a bit. This is their sole hope. Even if they continued to live underground, there will come a day when the resources underground won't be enough for everyone to survive. "Done. Do it now."

Back at the main control, the man nodded at the screen as he slapped the button once again. Pah! This time, everyone who were almost tired from their constant high-tension mind woke up. "Will this be successful this time?" 

Bang! The sounds of the engine starting once again resound on every screen. The ground vibrated more and more. This time, everyone's faces started to move. "It's starting for real!"

Bang!  Bang!  Bang!

There's a rumble, then almost half of the engines around the globe pulse out a burst of fire like rockets. The ground shook and the earth rumbled in the accumulating pushing force at the side of the world. The people's eyes in the main control room lit up with joy. "It's a success! SUCCESS!" 

Amidst their joy and happiness. The population, who had confirmed that the whole thing was a success, was jumping with tears of joy and cries. However, someone noticed an issue. "W-wait, what about them?"

This sudden shout suddenly caused the whole crowd, which was loudly jumping just now, to quiet down as they followed her fingers. On the screen, the crew who repaired the malfunctioned pipelines walked out of the facility with their backs to the screen. "Wandering Earth, take off."