Outside a human controlled planet in a small solar system, a ship came to a stop from among the underlating waves of the fabric of space.
The planet was largely water, with small islands dotted about the blue sphere.
Numerous ships broke from the large mass and flew into the atmosphere. Many humans wanted to reunite with loved ones or see the sun after so long in space, to feel the warm on their skin. This planet was the current main base of the human population in this sector of space.
The ships moved towards the large city floating on the surface of the sea, anchored in place by the islands near by.
"Why is the city on the water?" asked Mongrel, sitting next to Seth and Maria on a transport ship.
"The land here is precious. If we want any food that is remotely close to human food" replied Seth
"I thought our transport ships would bring them from agricultural worlds" said Maria
"The transport cost is high and to ensure double redundancy in our food supply" replied Seth as he looked out on the world below him.
"Double redundancy?" questioned a soldier on the transport to the left of Seth.
"As the cost of shipping all that food throughout all of the sectors is expensive, not to mention risky. Without supply lines being targeted by the Druin at every chance they can get. If there was no food grown on important worlds, or any worlds that food can be grown for that matter, what do you think would happen on a year with bad harvest, supply chain attacks or anything like that that would stop the supply of food to a planet?"
"A lot of people would die"
"Exactly. So a double redundancy is a copy of a major important component, in this case food, incase the primary is jeopardies" replied Seth
"Is that not more effort?"
"Yes, but do you see that large floating city with millions of people in it"
"Yes, of course"
"That is a desert. Which consumes over 2 million kilos of food a day"
"Holy shit. Really that much"
"Yes, so that is how important land is on a planet like this"
"Can we not use methods that the Harenae use to grow food under water?"
"We could, but those supplies spoil quickly in the air as they are used to far more moisture. Not to mention they are weird and taste different to anything I am used to" replied Seth
The man on the other side of the transport looked out down onto the aqua planet, just realizing how complex the thought that went into making a word productive for the massive amount of humans and the massive amount of resources human consumed each and everyday.
Seth thought about how hard the Harenae have it to transport themselves and supplies over vast distances of space.
Lost in thought, the transport ship arrived at the dock on the outskirts of the bustling city.
Seth bid farewell to Maria and Mongrel.
"Maria could you do me a massive favour? It is important. I need you to go to the main base and start the process of a new, more powerful mutation acquisition"
"Why do you need a more powerful mutation Seth? You are not planning something dangerous?"
"No, I am just preparing incase the next outpost has similarly increased its defenses and we are unable to convince command to send another scout team"
"Okay I will get it started but you will need to complete the process"
"I know but I cannot stand all the paperwork they want in the beginning. You are the fastest at it. It should only take you two hours, where for me or Mongrel it would take more like six"
"Okay, okay I get it, you already convinced me. No need to flatter me or guilt me"
"Thank you Maria, I'll see you soon"
"Goodbye Mongrel. Make sure Seth doesn't do something stupid"
"Yes Ma'am, but stupid is as stupid does. I am unsure I can stop it"
"hahaha' Maria giggled. Seth stared at Mongrel from behind.
As Maria left Mongrel turned to Seth "So what stupid thing are ya going to do?"
"The faith you have in me Mongrel could move mountains" Seth scoffed
"Whatever. If ya do something stupid just don't die"
"I won't, I promise"
"I'll see ya later then"
"What are you going to do Mongrel?"
"Hit up a proper bar, what else" he said with a smile that consumed his whole face.
Seth boarded a taxi after Mongrel left in his own.
"To the space committees building please"
"Sure thing sir. That will be 2 silver"
The taxi took off with Seth absently looking out the window wondering if his idea would work or if he would be doomed to see Maria working for the Harenae faction.
Seth arrived at the headquarters of the Harenae faction in the bustling military city.
All around him as he got off the taxi were people moving fast, rushing to their meeting, posts or homes.
All the people who lived here were military personal in one way or another. They had to be affiliated to be on this installation. No civilian was permitted this close to enemy lines and neutral zones.
Any personal who screwed up or broke the Military rules of this city was removed quickly and quietly.
The glass building in front of Seth stretched up into the clouds, scraping the sky. Walking in, Seth's nose was accosted by the overly clean chemical smell inside the lobby.
"Can I help you?" asked the receptionist
"Yes, I am here for a meeting with the faction leaders"
"Do you have an appointment with a specific leader?"
"No, but I am sure they know why I am here" Seth replied
As the receptionist looked at Seth with doubt on his face a light flashed across the screen in front of him. He then placed his hand on his ear and nodded continually before saying to the voice in his ear "Yes sir, I will send him up to you"
Looking back to Seth he said "They are indeed waiting for you. Take the elevator to the 100th floor and go to conference room C" said the receptionist with a smile.
"Thank you" Seth said and left for the elevator. He knew what they where like. They did not move if it did not benefit them. Since they moved for Maria they must want something specific.
"I just hope they will be satisfied with me instead" he muttered to himself as he pressed the 100th floor button. The elevator smoothly moved up each floor, moving faster and faster.
The ground grew distant as Seth looked out the glass panel wall of the elevator at the city below, a metropolis of military might.
His heart was racing in his chest. He held his hand over his heart slowing it down with each breath.
"This is nothing but a new battlefield" he said to calm himself.