Chapter 104 - 102: A House on Tracks

Chapter 104: Chapter 102: A House on Tracks

The first thing Arin learned about traveling in a sixty-meter-long exploration vehicle was that everyone wanted to drive it.

The second was that nobody agreed on the music.

The third was that his little sisters had somehow opened a shop before they had even left Elysium’s outer territory.

"Big Brother, would you like to purchase a commemorative first-expedition biscuit?"

Arin slowly turned away from the forward observation window.

Lyra stood behind a small folding counter, wearing a white apron over her travel clothes. Luna stood beside her, carefully arranging biscuits in neat rows.

A handwritten sign read:

LITTLE ELYSIUM WORKSHOP — MOBILE BRANCH

FIRST EXPEDITION SPECIAL!

Arin stared at the sign.

Then at the biscuits.

Then at Lyra.

"Where did you get permission to open this?"

Lyra smiled. "EVE approved the counter."

Arin looked toward EVE.

She was sitting at the navigation station, reviewing terrain data.

"I approved the use of a folding counter in the designated family activity area," she explained. "I did not authorize commercial operations."

Lyra looked offended.

"But you said we could use it!"

"For supervised activities."

"This is a supervised activity."

Arin folded his arms. "Who’s supervising?"

Lyra pointed at Luna.

Luna nodded seriously.

"I’m supervising."

Lucan, who had been listening from the doorway, started laughing.

Arin sighed.

"How much?"

Lyra immediately brightened.

"Two copper!"

"For one biscuit?"

"Special expedition price."

Arin stared.

"Lyra."

She hesitated.

Then sighed.

"One copper."

"Better."

Lucan walked over and purchased three.

Arin looked at him.

"You’re encouraging this."

Lucan bit into a biscuit.

"Excellent quality. Five stars."

Lyra beamed.

Arin gave up.

They had been traveling for forty-seven minutes.

And already, he was losing control of his own expedition.

The Civic Exploration Platform moved steadily along the eastern trade road.

Its enormous tracks pressed into the reinforced surface with surprising smoothness. The suspension adjusted continuously, keeping the interior stable despite uneven ground.

The vehicle was massive.

Too large for ordinary village streets.

Too heavy for many existing bridges.

And far too expensive to operate carelessly.

Which meant the first day’s route had been carefully selected.

EVE had mapped every major crossing.

The engineering team had assessed road load limits.

And Arin had arranged alternate routes around settlements where the platform’s size would cause problems.

The vehicle was designed for wilderness exploration.

Not for crushing market stalls.

Although Lucan had suggested that its appearance alone might improve traffic discipline.

Arin had refused to test that theory.

By midmorning, they reached the first major river crossing.

The original trade bridge was a narrow stone structure built for carts and ordinary mana-assisted wagons.

The Civic Exploration Platform weighed considerably more.

Arin stood on the observation deck, studying the bridge.

"Absolutely not."

Lucan looked at him.

"Not even slowly?"

"No."

"What if we ask politely?"

"The bridge doesn’t care."

Lucan smiled.

"Rude bridge."

EVE projected the surrounding terrain.

"There is a shallow ford approximately six kilometers upstream."

Arin nodded.

"Use that."

Rian, seated at the engineering console, frowned.

"Can the platform cross a river that wide?"

"That’s what the amphibious sealing tests were for."

Lucan looked interested.

"Amphibious?"

Arin shook his head.

"Water-resistant. Not a boat."

"Disappointing."

"We are not sailing a sixty-meter tracked vehicle."

"Not with that attitude."

Arin sighed.

The ford was wider than expected.

The river spread across a broad bed of smooth stone, with several deeper channels cutting through the center.

EVE deployed scouting drones.

The current was manageable.

The riverbed stable.

The deepest section remained within the platform’s approved wading limit.

Arin authorized the crossing.

A-01 reduced speed.

The tracks entered the water.

Waves rolled outward.

The enormous hull moved slowly across the riverbed.

Lyra pressed her face against the observation window.

"WE’RE IN THE RIVER!"

Luna stared.

"Are there fish?"

"Probably," Arin answered.

"Can they see us?"

"Yes."

"Are they scared?"

Arin looked toward the water.

Several fish scattered away from the tracks.

"Probably."

Luna considered.

Then waved.

"Sorry, fish."

Lucan laughed.

The crossing went smoothly until the platform reached the deepest channel.

A warning appeared.

UNEXPECTED SUBSURFACE MOVEMENT.

Arin frowned.

"EVE?"

"Large aquatic creature approaching from downstream."

Lucan immediately stood.

"Finally."

Arin looked at him.

"Sit down."

"But—"

"Sit."

The creature emerged from the murky water.

A long, armored body.

Four powerful fins.

A broad head covered in overlapping plates.

Nearly twenty meters long.

EVE identified it.

"Riverplate Leviathan. Territorial aquatic predator."

Lucan smiled.

"That sounds promising."

Arin sighed.

The creature circled the platform.

Its tail struck the water.

Then it approached the forward tracks.

Arin examined its behavior.

"Defensive display."

EVE nodded.

"Likely reacting to the vehicle’s vibrations."

The Leviathan opened its jaws.

Rows of thick teeth appeared.

Then it struck the platform’s front armor.

A heavy impact echoed through the hull.

Lyra gasped.

Luna grabbed Arin’s hand.

Lucan reached for his sword.

Arin raised one hand.

"Everyone stay calm."

The creature struck again.

The armor barely registered the impact.

Arin looked toward EVE.

"Can we reduce the track vibration?"

"Yes."

"Do it."

The platform’s propulsion system adjusted.

The tracks slowed.

The vibration changed.

The Leviathan paused.

It circled once more.

Then drifted away.

Arin smiled.

"Good."

Lucan looked disappointed.

"That’s it?"

"Yes."

"No fight?"

"No."

"Terrible expedition."

Arin laughed.

They reached the opposite bank without further incident.

The platform climbed onto dry ground.

Water drained from the tracks.

EVE completed a systems check.

"No damage detected."

Arin nodded.

"Excellent."

Rian looked relieved.

"That was closer than I expected."

Lucan shrugged.

"I liked the fish."

Arin looked at him.

"That wasn’t a fish."

"Big fish."

"No."

"Very big fish."

Arin sighed.

The next several hours were peaceful.

The platform traveled through rolling countryside.

Fields stretched across the hills.

Small villages appeared in the distance.

Merchants stopped their wagons to stare.

Farmers abandoned their work to watch the enormous machine pass.

Children waved.

Some adults looked frightened.

Others curious.

A few simply stood with their mouths open.

Arin waved back.

Lyra waved enthusiastically.

Luna waved with both hands.

Lucan waved like a visiting noble.

Arin looked at him.

"Stop that."

"What?"

"You’re enjoying this too much."

Lucan smiled.

"Naturally."

At midday, the expedition stopped near a small roadside settlement.

Not inside it.

The platform remained outside the village boundary, where its weight would not damage local roads.

Arin and several crew members walked into the settlement to purchase fresh supplies.

The village was called Briarfield.

Its population was small.

Its market even smaller.

But the people were friendly.

Mostly.

The village administrator, an elderly man named Harlan, approached Arin with a deeply suspicious expression.

"Is that thing yours?"

Arin looked toward the enormous vehicle.

"Yes."

"Is it a weapon?"

"No."

"Then why does it have armor?"

"Because the wilderness is dangerous."

Harlan considered.

"Fair."

Then he asked:

"Does it eat?"

Arin blinked.

"What?"

"The machine."

"No."

"Good."

Harlan nodded.

"We don’t have enough grain to feed something that size."

Lucan burst out laughing.

The expedition purchased vegetables, fruit, bread, and several local specialties.

Arin insisted on paying normal market prices.

The villagers initially seemed surprised.

Then pleased.

A young baker offered Lyra a small pastry.

Lyra accepted it.

Then immediately examined the bakery’s prices.

Arin narrowed his eyes.

"Don’t."

Lyra looked innocent.

"What?"

"You’re calculating profit margins."

She hesitated.

Then sighed.

"Maybe."

The baker laughed.

"She’s a merchant?"

"Unfortunately," Arin answered.

Lyra looked offended.

"I’m a businesswoman!"

Luna nodded proudly.

"We have a company."

The baker smiled.

"Then perhaps you should sell your biscuits here someday."

Lyra’s eyes sparkled.

Arin closed his eyes.

Another market.

Another business opportunity.

He was never going to escape.

They departed Briarfield in the afternoon.

The terrain gradually changed.

Farmland gave way to wooded hills.

The road narrowed.

And the surrounding settlements became less frequent.

EVE displayed the route.

"Approaching the eastern frontier corridor."

Arin nodded.

"How far to the coast?"

"Approximately eleven hundred kilometers by the approved route."

Lucan whistled.

"Still a long way."

"Yes."

"How long?"

"Several days, depending on terrain and stops."

Lucan smiled.

"Good."

Arin looked at him.

"Good?"

"Means more adventure."

Arin laughed.

The first evening brought an unexpected challenge.

Not monsters.

Not bandits.

Not mechanical failure.

Cooking.

The platform’s galley was designed to prepare meals for the entire crew.

Its systems were advanced.

Its storage efficient.

Its ventilation excellent.

Unfortunately, the assigned cook had underestimated the appetites of the expedition team.

Especially Lucan.

And Victor.

Who had somehow convinced Cassian to release him from Greyhaven training duties early and joined the expedition at a planned rendezvous point.

Arin had not been pleased.

Victor had been delighted.

Now both men were sitting at the dining table, staring at their empty plates.

Lucan raised his hand.

"More?"

The cook looked exhausted.

Victor nodded.

"Yes. Much more."

Arin stared.

"How much have you eaten?"

Lucan considered.

"Not enough."

Victor smiled.

"Same."

Lyra looked toward Luna.

Then slowly smiled.

Arin immediately became suspicious.

"No."

Lyra blinked.

"What?"

"Don’t."

She sighed.

"But we have biscuits."

Arin closed his eyes.

Of course.

Dinner eventually ended.

The crew settled into their quarters.

The platform stopped in a designated overnight position beside a broad meadow.

Security drones established a perimeter.

A-01 completed patrol checks.

EVE monitored the surrounding terrain.

And Arin stood on the observation deck, looking toward the darkening horizon.

Lucan joined him.

"Not a bad first day."

Arin smiled.

"No."

"We crossed a river."

"Yes."

"Met a giant fish."

"Leviathan."

"Big fish."

Arin sighed.

"Fine."

"Visited a village."

"Yes."

"And your sisters opened another business."

Arin groaned.

Lucan laughed.

For a while, they stood quietly.

The evening wind moved through the grass.

Distant birds called.

The sky slowly darkened.

Lucan looked toward Arin.

"You know, I never imagined this."

Arin glanced at him.

"What?"

"Us."

Arin said nothing.

Lucan continued.

"After you were exiled, I thought I’d lost you."

The words were quiet.

Different from his usual teasing.

Arin looked toward the horizon.

"I know."

Lucan smiled faintly.

"And now we’re traveling across the world in a giant moving house."

Arin laughed softly.

"Strange, isn’t it?"

"Very."

Lucan looked toward the platform.

Then smiled.

"But good."

Arin nodded.

"Very good."

Later that night, Luna appeared on the observation deck carrying her stuffed rabbit.

Arin turned.

"Why aren’t you sleeping?"

She rubbed her eyes.

"Couldn’t."

"Why?"

She looked toward the dark countryside.

"It’s different."

Arin crouched beside her.

"Different how?"

"Home doesn’t move."

He smiled.

"No."

"And the trees are different."

"Yes."

"And the sky feels bigger."

Arin looked upward.

Thousands of stars stretched across the darkness.

He smiled.

"It is a big world."

Luna leaned against him.

"Are we far from home?"

"A little."

"Will we get lost?"

Arin considered.

Then smiled.

"Not if I can help it."

She nodded.

Then looked toward the horizon.

"Big Brother?"

"Yes?"

"Can we see the ocean tomorrow?"

He laughed softly.

"Not tomorrow."

She sighed.

"Okay."

Then she looked up.

"Can we see something else?"

Arin smiled.

"Probably."

Luna nodded.

"Good."

The following morning, the expedition resumed.

The platform moved deeper into the eastern frontier.

The road became rougher.

The forests denser.

And the mountains ahead grew taller.

EVE monitored the navigation matrix.

Everything remained stable.

Until shortly before noon.

A new warning appeared.

UNREGISTERED SETTLEMENT DETECTED.

Arin looked up.

"Where?"

EVE highlighted a valley approximately twenty kilometers northeast of their route.

"Population estimate: three hundred to five hundred."

Lucan leaned forward.

"Unregistered?"

"Not present on current regional maps."

Arin studied the terrain.

The valley was surrounded by steep hills.

A narrow river passed through its center.

Several buildings were visible through the trees.

Smoke rose from chimneys.

Fields surrounded the settlement.

It did not look abandoned.

Arin frowned.

"Why isn’t it on the map?"

EVE examined historical records.

"Unknown. The nearest official survey is more than twenty years old."

Lucan smiled.

"Interesting."

Arin nodded.

"Very."

Then EVE added:

"One additional observation."

Arin sighed.

"What?"

"The settlement appears to have constructed defensive walls."

Lucan looked delighted.

"Finally."

Arin ignored him.

EVE continued.

"Additionally, several structures show signs of recent damage."

Arin studied the images.

Broken rooftops.

Scorched ground.

A damaged watchtower.

Something had happened there.

Recently.

He looked toward the crew.

"Change course."

Lucan smiled.

"Adventure?"

Arin looked toward the valley.

"Maybe."

Then he added:

"But first, let’s find out if they need help."

The Civic Exploration Platform slowly turned toward the unmarked settlement.

And the first true surprise of their journey waited beyond the hills.

Chapter End