Chaos' Heir

Fabian Bizelli couldn't help but gasp when he read the message that had just reached his phone. He had poured his everything into the theoretical and practical tests during the previous weeks, but all his efforts and anxiety had been rewarded.

An excited smile inevitably appeared on the young scientist's face. Fabian reread the message multiple times, worried his hopes might have tricked his eyes. Yet, there was no mistaking it. His application for Coravis' labs had been approved.

The news was life-changing for someone in Fabian's position. The Bizelli family had no shortage of promising scientists, but its main branch always outshone them all. Mister Robert Bizelli and his genius son couldn't help but seize all the glory, and for good reason.

Fabian had no delusions of grandeur. He had occasionally interacted with Garret Bizelli, but those rare instances had set his inferiority in stone. The Bizelli's prodigy was superior in every aspect, deserving every praise the network and his relatives chanted.

Still, Fabian wasn't a jealous or bitter man. He had done his best with his inferior talent, seizing any opportunity to improve his knowledge and bring relevance to his family's branch. Following the Bizelli team to Baoway had already been a crucial step in his career, and Coravis promised to build upon it.

It was basic math, really. Miracles seemed to follow the infamous Prince Khan, and he was on Coravis now. Garret Bizelli was there, too, so the terraforming project had to require the highest scientific expertise available.

Fabian had already witnessed similar practices on Baoway. Everything on that planet was experimental and innovative, providing an experience that ordinary labs never could. Even the specialized ones were behind the subjects Prince Khan had initiated.

Working on those projects was a priceless experience, and Fabian didn't want to be left behind. Baoway had already expanded his perspective in ways he didn't think possible, and Coravis' transfer had required a test, so the latter was bound to be even more innovative.

The message came with a series of classified instructions, which Fabian followed in a hurry. He packed a series of spare military uniforms and underwear before exiting his habitation. His quarters were outside Baoway's main city, closer to one of the underground labs, and a ride was already waiting for him.

Fabian nodded at the driver and entered the jeep without saying a word, tensely sitting on his seat with his bag between his arms. The man silently drove forward, and the two avoided any kind of conversation while rushing through the quadrant.

Baoway's main quadrant was quite messy. The Nognes forces' planning had improved, but the tournament remained too big to prevent chaos. Most guests were in the giant arena, but rides ran everywhere anyway, whether on the ground or in the sky.

Nevertheless, Fabian's jeep went unnoticed in that mess. No one suspected anything, especially since the ride entered the massive encampment to head toward one of its central buildings.

The jeep stopped before the building, and a different soldier greeted Fabian and escorted him inside. The two navigated a series of corridors before reaching a relatively hidden elevator, which surprisingly headed for underground floors.

Fabian knew he wasn't at Garret's level but was by no means a stupid man. He suspected what was happening as soon as the elevator started to descend, and the opening of its doors confirmed his hunch.

The elevator opened into a secret but familiar room. The Nognes forces had a public teleport outside the city, but it seemed they had added another under the main buildings. The secrecy of the event increased Fabian's hopes for Coravis, especially since he recognized the scientist in that classified area.

"Mister Abraham, sir," Fabian called, dropping his bag to the floor to perform a military salute. "It's an honor to meet you again."

"At ease," Abraham said, nodding while inspecting the young scientist from head to toe. "Do you know why you are here?"

"Yes, sir," Fabian confirmed. "I'm here to join Mister Bizelli's team on Coravis and serve directly under Prince Khan."

"That's correct," Abraham stated. "However, I should warn you. Turn back now if you have a secret agenda."

"I have no secret agenda, sir," Fabian promised. "I wouldn't bring such shame to the Bizelli name."

"I'm saying this for your own good," Abraham explained. "The last spy that reached Coravis now has no bones left to bury."

Abraham's threat made Fabian gulp, but the young scientist steeled his resolve and reiterated his promises. "I'm willing to undergo tests and restrictions, sir. I swear on my family name. I won't betray the Prince's trust."

"Restrictions are too barbaric," Abraham declared, turning toward the oval platform, "And the Prince says they smell bad. Still, if you are sure, enter the teleport."

Fabian couldn't help but frown. After all, mana restrictions had no smell. However, he didn't dare to hesitate, so he crossed the room and jumped on the oval platform, his bag on his shoulders.

Fabian half expected additional warnings, but Abraham simply nodded at the scientists behind the room's consoles, and the teleport activated. A slight discomfort crept inside Fabian before the artificial environment in his vision changed, replaced by a clear blue sky.

Fabian was a third-level warrior, so his body quickly adapted to the new atmosphere. He found himself on a sea station littered with consoles, heavy weaponry, and soldiers, but only one familiar figure waited for him, standing before the oval platform.

"Welcome to Coravis, Cousin," Garret announced. "I hope the news wasn't too sudden."

"Not at all, Mister Bizelli, sir," Fabian responded, hopping off the oval platform to perform a military salute. "Getting the chance to work under you and Prince Khan again is my greatest honor."

Garret nodded, and Fabian relaxed, allowing himself to study his surroundings. The sea station he was standing on was only one of many. He could see at least seven more of them stretching into the distance, seemingly encircling a vast, open, and empty chunk of not-waters.

The scene inevitably put a frown on Fabian's face. Sea stations could have many uses, but they weren't the best for terraforming projects. He was no expert in the topic, but he had researched it before and during the admission tests for Coravis but couldn't see anything suitable.

Fabian inspected the sky, expecting to spot huge cargo ships with soil or other suitable materials for the project. Still, nothing caught his eye. Coravis' atmosphere was as clear as they came, with no cloud hiding its natural illumination.

"Something wrong, Cousin?" Garret asked, his expression still stiff while secretly pleased by that reaction.

"Oh, I apologize, sir," Fabian gasped, promptly lowering his gaze. "I was only curious about the available equipment. It's my fault for wanting to get ahead before the official briefing."

"Curiosity is mandatory in our field," Garret declared. "I selected you because you showed promise and loyalty. Prove to me I wasn't wrong."

Fabian didn't expect that sudden interrogation but didn't shy away from it. He inspected the environment again, paying close attention to the sea stations and their arrangement. He also briefly studied the equipment on the platform before voicing his honest opinion.

"These outdated sea stations aren't suitable for a terraforming project, sir," Fabian announced. "They might have extractors, but their arrangement excludes that purpose."

"What purpose do you think they have?" Garret questioned.

"I can only guess, sir," Fabian responded.

"Guess," Garret ordered.

"Much about the project was classified and shrouded in secrecy," Fabian exclaimed. "Terraforming projects shouldn't need such precautions unless the planet was found to have precious resources, which Coravis' data doesn't show."

"So?" Garret asked.

"If I had to guess, sir," Fabian said, "Due to the stations' arrangement and secrecy, Coravis' project has to do with containment, localized extraction, specialized research, or something the scientific field hasn't seen yet."

"Do you realize that claiming all this will take away your freedom to leave as you please?" Garret wondered, and Fabian faced him, performing a solemn nod.

"Very well," Garret exclaimed. "Follow me."

Fabian didn't hesitate to chase after Garret, and the two made their way through the platform to reach its edge. Various consoles stood there, dealing with multiple functions, and Garret gestured at the scientists behind them before approaching his destination.

"To answer your guess, Cousin," Garret uttered, peeking past the sea station's edge as the air before him started to flicker. "All the above and more."

Fabian frowned again, reaching Garret's side. He watched the flickering air until a window opened in that invisible fabric, revealing a scene that widened his eyes and made his mouth hang open in disbelief.