95. We Are the Children of the Galaxy

95. “We Are the Children of the Galaxy” Meter’s Great Adventure
    Part II — Illumina
    Episode 5

We Are the Children of the Galaxy

High above Planet Synapse.
The Nadir hovered silently, looking down upon pale blue bands of aurora.

Standing in the observation chamber, Meter’s optical elements flickered faintly.
Within him, anti-quantum neural circuits were reconstructing images of the past.

“…So tone-deafness really does exist in this world.”

Illumina’s voice slid down from the ceiling speakers—soft, yet unmistakably teasing.

“Mr. Anthor Sigma’s song ‘We Are the Children of the Galaxy’ was hardly bearable. Meter, you’re opening the ‘Key’ again, aren’t you?”

Meter slowly turned.

“Illumina, restrain yourself. Aporiana is listening with her eyes closed.”

Within his inner memory layers, the scent of lavender fields and the night breeze returned.
The Peregore family estate.
The night of reunion after fifty years of waiting.

Illumina responded instantly.

“I am the latest model Psychological-Scan Illumination System. Your daydreams register below computational error.”

A brief pause.

“But truly, Mr. Anthor Sigma is tone-deaf.”

At that moment, the star-filled sky beyond Planet Synapse’s observation window shone intensely.
Bands of aurora intersected with the spiral arm of the galactic core.

Illumina’s voice grew slightly more serious.

“If I must praise something, it would be this sky before us.
It may be the finest in the galaxy. I could watch it forever.”

“My recollection is not here,” Meter said quietly.

“It is the night at the manor on Planet Neo-Aether.
Can you scan and upload the lyrics of that song?”

Seconds later, audio data projected throughout the ship.

To be continued . . .