Chapter 65: Chapter 65
The tube began to slow, its once-invisible hum becoming more noticeable as it prepared for arrival. The attendant’s voice cut through the air, calm and professional:
"Attention, passengers. We have reached our destination. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark. Thank you for traveling with us."
Watts placed his novel back on the table and leaned forward, looking out of the transparent window.
What he saw brought a flicker of surprise, a rare break in his usually composed demeanor.
Beyond the tube was an immense force field unlike anything he had ever encountered. It stood as a colossal barrier against the ocean’s relentless pressure, curving in every direction as far as his enhanced vision could see.
The water didn’t penetrate the field; instead, it flowed around it, deflecting like a river around a boulder.
The effect was mesmerizing—an endless cascade of ocean currents parting seamlessly at the boundary.
Watts narrowed his eyes and activated his Eyes of the Universe. The serene image before him shifted dramatically, peeling back layers of deception and revealing the intricacies of the dome.
The field wasn’t just an advanced force barrier; it was leagues ahead of any technology he had ever encountered.
Waves of energy intertwined with near-impossible precision, creating a seamless blend of invisibility, electromagnetic disruption, and illusion.
The dome projected the appearance of an uninterrupted ocean, masking the city’s presence even from the most advanced sensors or scanning devices.
"It’s perfect," Watts muttered under his breath, analyzing its design.
With normal eyes, or even cameras, one would see nothing but endless blue.
Only through the calibrated power of his Eyes of the Universe could he glimpse the truth—a shimmering, multidimensional structure that seemed alive in its complexity.
The field did more than merely conceal; it manipulated perception itself, warping reality in ways that made it utterly undetectable.
Anyone without the right access—or the right vision—would pass by without a single clue.
Watts allowed himself a moment of admiration. "Wonder how long it took them to do something like this," he thought.
As the tube moved closer to the field, it aligned with a series of interconnected tunnels—other tubes from various parts of the ocean converging toward the same destination.
Like arteries leading to the heart of a vast organism, the network pulsed with coordinated precision.
The tube slowed further, the once-dazzling speed reduced to a smooth glide. Watts observed as they passed through layers of checkpoints embedded in the mesh of tubes, each glowing faintly with a soft blue light.
The technology here was equally remarkable; even with his advanced sight, he could only grasp fragments of its function.
Eventually, the tube came to a gentle stop.
Outside, the passengers were greeted by the sight of a polished station encased in sleek metal and glass, with soft lighting illuminating the way forward.
The dome’s boundary remained visible to Watts’ enhanced vision, an ever-present reminder of the technological marvel shielding the city.
The attendant’s voice came through again, clear and composed.
"We have arrived at the checkpoint. All passengers must disembark and proceed through individual clearance protocols. Please ensure you have all personal items with you before leaving the tube."
Watts stood, brushing a hand along his suit to smooth the fabric.
He glanced out one last time at the field, then at the bustling station ahead, where travelers began to gather their belongings and move toward the exit.
The moment had come to move forward.
With deliberate steps, he prepared to leave the tube, his mind already calculating the next move in his mission.
Watts slowly stood from the plush seat, his movements measured and deliberate.
He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, his expression calm as his sharp gaze flicked briefly to the window one last time.
The enormous field outside loomed like a quiet, omnipresent sentinel, its secrets hidden from most yet laid bare to his Eyes of the Universe.
As he turned, the door to his pod slid open soundlessly. Standing there was an attendant dressed in a sharp, neatly pressed uniform.
The man, youthful yet carrying an air of professional efficiency, inclined his head respectfully.
"Mr. Watts," the attendant said, his tone crisp. "If you would please follow me, I will escort you to the checkpoint."
Watts offered a slight nod, neither surprised nor particularly concerned.
He allowed the attendant to step aside before following him down the narrow corridor, his silent footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors.
The attendant led the way with practiced precision, guiding Watts past the opposite pod.
For the briefest moment, as they passed, Watts glanced toward the door. It remained closed, though movement inside suggested the occupants were gathering their belongings.
He felt a subtle shift in the air—a sense of proximity to something significant—but dismissed it as he moved on, the corridor expanding toward the bustling checkpoint.
Behind him, Nina, Rina, and Bontu stirred. Inside their pod, Nina stretched her legs and grabbed her bag, her sharp eyes darting toward the door.
"Finally, we’re here," she muttered, brushing her dark braid off her shoulder.
Rina, more methodical in her approach, checked their belongings once more. "Make sure we have everything. I don’t want to backtrack."
Bontu, who leaned casually against the wall, exhaled a heavy sigh. "Relax, Rina. It’sh not like we can lose anyshing in here. Let’s just go."
As they opened their pod door and stepped into the corridor, they missed seeing Watts by mere seconds.
His figure disappeared into the vibrant activity of the checkpoint ahead, while the trio blended seamlessly into the crowd moving out of the tube.
The checkpoint was a marvel of precision engineering.
Though they were far beneath the ocean, the vast space was bathed in a light so natural it could have been mistaken for sunlight filtering through an open sky. Watts knew better.
Subtle technological threads in the dome above simulated daylight, providing a level of comfort and familiarity to those passing through.
The checkpoint itself was a hive of activity. Travelers moved between sleek kiosks and manned counters, each station equipped with advanced biometric scanners and verification systems.
The floors gleamed, and the walls were lined with panels displaying scrolling data and instructions in multiple languages.
The entire area hummed with quiet efficiency, a testament to the sophisticated systems underpinning the city’s operations.
Watts scanned the room, taking in every detail.
It was impossible to ignore the layered security—the discreet surveillance drones hovering near the ceiling, the armed guards positioned at key points, and the constant yet unobtrusive scrutiny of the checkpoint personnel.
As his eyes swept the space, a voice drew his attention.
"Good afternoon, sir."
He turned to see a woman approaching. She wore the uniform of the station staff—pristine white shirt, short red skirt, and polished black boots.
Her blonde hair was neatly tied back, and her smile was professional yet warm. She extended a hand.
"My name is Tessa," she said, her British accent crisp and inviting. "I’ll be assisting you with the remaining protocols to enter the city. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
Watts regarded her for a moment before shaking her hand politely. "Thank you," he replied, his tone calm. "Lead the way."
Tessa gestured toward a nearby station, but before she could take another step, a quiet chirp sounded in Watts’ mind.
Nova had been napping in Watts’ mindscape all this time. Apparently, since she is just a new born, she has to rest to grow.
Not to mention she had exerted herself in the fight with the members of the Order council.
After all she was still one day old no matter how powerful her bloodline is.
It had actually come as a surprise to Watts to say the least, that she could disappear into his mind for rest.
Only to find out that he had at some point unknowingly contracted her as his soul pet, a pet for life.
But at this time, a worst of times, she decided to wake up. Watts wasn’t even paying her attention, so by the time he realized it, it was already late.
He had hurried to tell her not to come out, but well, here she was.
With an audible hum of energy, the tiny figure emerged, materializing beside Watts in a flash of light.
Nova, a being of radiant energy and intricate design, hovered at his side, her form both delicate and awe-inspiring.
She chirped again, stretching her wings as she blinked up at him with a sense of curiosity and contentment.
The room seemed to shift as Nova appeared.
Conversations faltered, and heads turned subtly yet unmistakably toward her.
Among those present, particularly the more perceptive or powerful individuals, an unspoken recognition sparked.
They didn’t need words to understand what Nova represented—her presence was an undeniable symbol of immense value, a being whose potential could reshape entire realities.
Tessa froze for a moment, her professional demeanor slipping slightly as she stared at Nova in astonishment.
Quickly recovering, she offered a slightly strained smile. "Well," she said, her voice soft but tinged with awe, "I see you have... an extraordinary companion."
Watts glanced at Nova, whose presence beside him radiated a quiet confidence.
"She has her moments," he replied evenly, his calm tone masking the subtle edge of tension.
All around them, the unspoken ripple of interest continued.
Eyes lingered too long, whispers passed between groups, and the air seemed to thrum with unspoken intent.
But Watts, acting unbothered by the attention, followed Tessa’s lead, his focus steady as the checkpoint loomed ahead.
Nova, unfazed by the scrutiny, chirped once more, pushing her chest up proudly.
Looking around with a look that seemed to say, ’You can have a look, but you cant touch.’
And deep down, Watts knew this..... was trouble.
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