13:30 IST, First day, Fourth month, 3079 PV | Lokava / Shesah-Human embassy / shuttle
So, we have arrived on the planet Lokava. The home of the Shesah-human embassy. By planetary standards, it is quite lush, only about 50% of the surface is water. There are a lot of luxury resorts, as is typical with the Shesah. We are in the innermost ring of the milky way, basically in the center (as close as you can get with the supermassive blackhole in the way).
We arrived only a few hours ago. Cutting our arrival a bit close to be honest, considering the cosmological scales of distance involved. But hey, we are here.
The strangest thing happened. Similar to the first trial, we were immediately surrounded by escort combat ships (We came here in the Sycos, as it's our most capable ship), which is fairly normal. But the moment we entered the system, all of our sensors were disabled and anything allowing us to sense anything outside the ship was blocked. Initae could still see out of course, but she refused to tell what was going on.
There must be something in the system related to the trial they are trying to hide from us. I can't wait to see what surprises they have in store for us this time.
Currently, I, along with the gang are riding in a shuttle down into the embassy. A luxury resort type structure on the planet. Too bad we likely won't get a chance to vacation.
Ray is just sitting in my lap, mindlessly twirling her hair, it's a very cute scene. Apparently, with Rigar taking up like half the shuttle, there isn't enough space. So, compromises were made. Honestly, I can't really complain, this is pretty beneficial to me as far as compromises go.
“Hey Ko, you seem to be enjoying this way too much.”
“Can you blame me?” I say with a giant smile as I look up into her sparkling blue eyes.
“Honestly, I'm probably enjoying it more than you. Just watching you squirm is so fascinating.”
“I thought you'd say something like that.” In retaliation, I make sure to move in such a way that is very interesting.
“Oi, lovebirds, no flirting and heck, beyond flirting, in the super cramped shuttle full of your comrades. It's very awkward. Shouldn't you two be discussing strategy for the gala and trial or something?” Says Initae, with a very annoyed tone.
“Aww, c'mon, we are strategizing. This is just our special way of doing so.”
“I don't think those actions can ever be classified as strategizing anything other than closed door activities. So do it behind closed doors!”
”I mean, can we even close doors? You can literally see entire solar systems.” I think I make a very good point. Can you even have privacy when your aunt is a god?
“Well, if I know you two are together, I can be sure to specifically ignore those areas.”
“Aww, is the little goddess lonely? Does she want to dote on her dear nephew Ko that I've stolen away.”
“Well.. maybe. You hog him all the time. I chose him for this game thing you know. It's not fair that you get him all the time.”
“Well, you can't have him. He is my darling Ko. Also, I've known him for like, way longer.”
“Hey, don't I..”
“Shut up jerkface!”, “Not your business, Kiddo.”
I sit back in defeat. I spend the rest of the journey admiring Ray’s cute face as they argue back and forth. I don't know how to feel about being argued over. It's both nice, but also frustrating that I don't get input. Ray never concedes and Initae looks quite disappointed when we finally land. I feel a bit sad for Initae, but I can't say I'm unhappy with the end result.
After all, Ray is really cute.
We land in the embassy, and are immediately surrounded by dozens of very scary looking soldiers in power suits. I guess with us being attacked in the last trial they decided to beef up security.
By the way, we made sure to wear our capes. Which compliments our uniforms quite nicely. Ray looks so cute with hers on, yet somehow also has that cool badass aura that is very enticing.
We are escorted into the antechamber. Exactly fifteen minutes before the event starts. As always, our timing is impeccable. All of the other contestants are gathered in the room and stare at us as we enter.
Luna (The Lone Snowflake) is wearing a different scowl today. It's far more menacing, though she keeps her distance. Probably not wanting to be absolutely annihilated by our combined act once again. It seems she has also had a uniform designed, it is pure white. With an emblem on her back, half a large snowflake. The other half of the circle is a pink half moon. Very interesting. I also noticed that she got a pair of earrings to match the design.
The Quartet Confederation is also in the room, also rocking a snazzy new uniform. It is checked with stripes of blue, red, brown and green. It doesn't sound like it works, but something about it just clicks. On their backs is their emblem, a circle with four different colors (the same as before) with a large golden star in the middle.
Ray (who is by far the cutest in the room), gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and then walks over April.
They then proceed to engage in some pretty feminine conversation. It's like the entire room suddenly fills with giggles and laughter. I will never understand how Ray can go from such a cute devil to just looking so cute.
I walk over to the three guys and we exchange greetings. They also give me congratulations on finally being less of a jerk. It appears my jerky-nature has spread universe wide. How amusing. Though, I just end up rolling with it and making a few jokes that get the group laughing.
We wrap up our diplomacy and it is almost time for the ceremony. The entire time, Luna just glares at me. Like, just me, very intently. I wonder what that could be about, perhaps she thinks I am less of a threat due to my lacking political nature. Or maybe it's the opposite and she thinks Ray is a joke cause im a super space wizard (not that Luna knows that, of course).
Also, I think I forgot to mention it. But Ray looks very cute today.
Without further ado, the doors to the ceremony chamber open up. Luna exits, then the Quartet and finally, we bring up the rear. As has become our tradition of sorts.
We enter into a grand biodome. Everything is covered in lush forests and rivers. I cannot even see the walls. It is almost as though we have been teleported out into the middle of the wilderness. If it wasn't for the dome above our heads projecting a fake sky, I would have believed the illusion.
We make sure to wave off towards the viewers as we exit. We just end up waving at empty air, trusting whatever fancy camera tech these guys have to get the perfect angle. The cinematography on the broadcast is quite stellar. While we cannot watch other contestants, we were provided the full footage of our first trial for review purposes.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
A few meters to our front, there is a quite familiar stage. This time, though, there are three large couches with our emblems and faction colors on them. I can't imagine why they would have us sit down, perhaps this means we will be here for quite a while.
Ray and I take a seat on our couch. She insists on sitting really close to me. So close that I can hear her heartbeat thanks to my augmented hearing. It's very calming, almost like feeling that I can withstand anything, just so long as it's still beating. Though, even if our hearts were to stop beating, our augmentation kits could keep us alive barring any other severe damage.
So maybe I just ruined my own wonderful statement about how much I love Ray (who is very cute), but who really cares.
Anyways, after all of us sit down, the lights dim and the dome starts to project a night sky.
In the night sky are three massive ships. Like, super huge. Like, they must be on the higher end of colossus, perhaps around 4000 meters long. Each one has one of our faction colors and emblem on them.
They are absolutely breathtaking. This isn't my first time glimpsing such large ships – we saw some at the start of the first trial. But man, they sure are absolutely breathtaking. To think, we will probably be each given one.
But strangely enough, at one end of them it appears to have a bunch of prong-like things. On the other end it looks like massive hangar space for ship docking. I wonder what the heck they could be for. I guess we now know why our vision was blacked out when we entered the system.
Ray gives me a nice elbow to the side. I look over at her cute face and she is smiling. I can only imagine that she is super excited. She is an otaku after all, and gigantic space ships are one of her areas of speciality. Along with mechs of course. Not to mention affectionate physical abuse. Oh boy, I've got myself a real handful of a girlfriend don't I? She is also very cute, so I can't find any issues with her.
As if responding to my writing, the floor opens up and none other than the illustrious Gamekeeper appears. This time they are wearing a fancy black suit. As usual, their appearance proceeds a quite long speech.
“Greetings, ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between and without. I welcome you all to the start of the second trial in Humanity’s Game.
Our contestants sure have been busy during their intermission. I hear we've got some sparks of love flying between not just one faction, but two! How sweet indeed. I'm sure we will all be looking forward to watching these relationships develop in time.”
Wait, sparks of love in factions other than ours?
I glance over at the other contestants, it's obviously not Luna. But I do notice something about the Quartet. They are all sitting quite close to each other, though not quite as close as Ray and I of course. Quite an interesting development. I guess Ray and I aren't the only ones that have the romance card to play.
As I look over, April notices and gives me a bright smile. Confirming my suspicions very clearly. I return her smile and Ray gives me a look like she is going to punish me greatly for smiling at another girl. I can't wait to see what that punishment might entail. I then focus back on The Gamekeeper’s speech.
“Now now, I'm sure you are all wondering what those ships are for and how they pertain to the second trial.
Well, I think the easiest way to sum it up is with the title of the second trial.
So, without further ado, I pronounce that the second trial of Humanity’s Game is known as the Lordship Exam.
For those who cannot guess based on the title alone, let me explain some brief details about the trial.
Firstly, this trial will continue until the end of the fourth trial. It will seamlessly overlap, but not interfere, with the next two trials.
Secondly, This trial will be split into three stages. The first stage will consist of recruitment, exploration, surveying and establishment of territory control. The second stage will involve colonization of a chosen planet, within the milky way galaxy. This includes things like setting up governmental and financial systems, as well as ensuring resources are produced on the planet. Lastly, the third stage will be a long term test, to ensure stability and ability to manage such projects on a long term basis.
Thirdly, after the trial is over, the contestants will be judged. Based upon how well they do, they will be assigned different points values. The categories that will be examined are displayed here.”
Behind The Gamekeeper appears a board with the categories for our judging, I shall transcribe it here;
Development (-2 - 2 points): How fast does the colony develop and start to provide resources and manpower to the lord’s faction. Points may be lost for any major developmental failures, such as economic recessions.
Sustainability (-3 - 1 point): Can the colony stand the test of time/are the lords able to maintain it until the end of the period. Success will result in one point, failure of the colony will result in a loss of three points.
Productivity (-1 - 2 points): How productive is the colony, in terms of material, manpower and information (research). Failure to meet certain productivity targets will result in lost points.
Self-sufficiency (0 -1 point): Is the colony self-sufficient? Meaning that it is not heavily reliant on imports of things like food, materials and general consumer goods.
Ending population (1 - 3 points): Points will be assigned based on the ending population of the colony. First place gets three points, second two points and third one point.
Average Morale/Happiness (-3 - 1 point): By using predetermined metrics, the overall wellbeing and morale of the population will be assessed. Failure to provide decently for the people will result in negative points. A revolt will result in -3 points, as well as disqualify you from gaining points in any other category, negatives will still be assigned.
Security (-1 -1): The colonies should be secure from external threats as well as internal police forces established. Lawless havens or major security vulnerabilities will result in loss of points.
Wowee, that's quite a list of requirements. I guess this is going to be a kinda rough trial. It will be super fun though. I focus back on the Gamekeeper, somehow they aren't quite done with their speech.
“This is a highly complicated trial. With either massive points able to be gained or lost. So do be sure to do your best in this one, contestants.
Fourthly, these colonies will be established as human outposts. Limited amounts of other species will be allowed, because humanity is not quite educated enough to fully operate such a complicated endeavor.
Now, that is about all I have to say about the trial's details. Now let's address the massive ships in the orbit of this planet. These are galactic freighter class ships that contain systems essential to colonization of a planet. As well as containing quarters for colonists that you will need to bring, they house many other important facilities.
Namely is a pre-built command center that should provide you some early stability on the planet. There are also various blueprints and some materials to assist in development.
The ships also can function as space elevators, and will turn themselves into orbital stations that anchor onto the planet once you have established a location for your first city. This will be a vital structure to your economy.
Now, one more detail about this trial that I forgot to mention earlier. In each chosen system, the IEC will maintain a warehouse of sorts. Containing all sorts of blueprints and materials for importing onto the planet. This can be anything from antimatter powerplants to emergency supplies. You can also find additional human colonists available, if you have the ability to support more than your required amounts. By using profits from your colony, you will be able to purchase from this warehouse. This is because this trial will not last long enough for full scale supply lines to be established.
Lastly, I would like to announce that after this ceremony, we will be holding a grand ball. One to commemorate our dear contestants' appointment as future owners of an entire planet!
On a final note, I shall announce that we will be holding a smaller launch event, tomorrow, at 17:00 IST where the contestants will kick off their trial. So do be sure to not miss that!
May the stars be ever in your favor, contestants.”
Woah, that was indeed a long speech. Filled with lots of information. Allow me to quickly summarize. We will be establishing a human colony somewhere in the milky way galaxy. We have been provided with a super fancy ship to assist in this process. At the end of this trial, which shall be after the fourth trial concludes, we will be rated on how well we manage to run our colonies and be given/deducted points.
“Oh. My. Gosh. This is going to be so much fun, darling Ko!”
“It sure is, I can't wait to call you queen, darling Ray.”
“Oh silly, you can do that anytime you want, just let me know, [words that you do not need to know].” She teases, oh boy, what have I gotten myself into with this girl. I thought I knew how devilish she was, but I think I made a grave miscalculation. It's like I'm in my own version of heaven, personally designed just for me.
I can't wait to see what the future in this heaven brings. No matter what it is, I'm sure Ray and I shall overcome it together. So, bring it on.
End of Chapter 54
A/N; Hiya dear reader, I'm too lazy to write notes anymore. I might do them on Fridays only. Do be sure to interact and all that, it's much appreciated!
- Cathrix
Humanity’s Game has a discord! Come chat about the story, or other things.