707  Departure


    A week after the handover ceremony, the exploration fleet had begun the long process of packing for their return to Earth. With packing always taking longer than unpacking, it took an entire month for them toplete the task. Now, the entire fleet stood ready for their journey back home.


    {Sir, the packing isplete, and the time to move out is approaching. They are asking if they should extend the expected departure time.} Nova''s voice echoed in Aron''s mind as he stood inside the now-empty ster forge.


    "I''m about done here, so we’ll move out as scheduled," Aron replied calmly, finishing the etching of a massive rune around the wide opening of the forge.


    {Okay} she said as she sent the response back to the fleet admiral.


    "Boot it up and run a full systems check to ensure everything is working as intended," Aron ordered briefly, havingpleted his part of the work. The remaining modifications had been handled by the miniature atomic printer he’d brought to the forge.


    Nova didn’t respond verbally but immediately initiated the process, booting up the renovated forge and runningprehensive system diagnostics without dy.


    During the past month, while the fleet was packing for evacuation, Aron had been tirelessly modifying the ster forge into an advanced atomic printer. This printer would be crucial for producing arms and ships for the soon-to-graduate Proximian Ares trainees. With roughly 250 million Proximians currently undergoing training, the demand for weapons, military gear, and equipment would soon skyrocket.


    Not only would there be a need for personal arms and supplies, but the entire star system would require a newwork of sensors, military outposts, and defense structures.


    Fortunately, the tree folk on the had stepped in to assist with building temporary military bases, ensuring that the Proximian trainees had adequate facilities for their training.


    The real, permanent bases would be constructedter, once the more immediate priorities were addressed.


    Without their help, the enormous task of constructing these bases would have been ced on the newlypleted atomic printer, and it would have taken precedence over everything else.


    Despite the sheer scale of the tasks ahead, Aron remained unfazed. He had brought along a team of specialists—experts in military infrastructure and logistics—who would remain behind to oversee the construction and ensure that the Proximian side of the military was ready as quickly and efficiently as possible.


    These experts would make certain that everything proceeded smoothly, allowing the Proximians to transition into their military roles without dy.


    {Everything is up and running as expected,} Nova reported back afterpleting the diagnostics.


    "By when will the people assigned here be ready to take over?" Aron asked after hearing Nova''s positive report.


    {Tomorrow, this facility will be operating at full capacity,} Nova responded, disying thepletion percentage of the training program for the atomic printer workers. These individuals had been carefully selected and deemed worthy of handling the ssified knowledge involved in the forge''s operations.


    "Good," Aron said with a satisfied nod. "Let''s get back. I don’t want to be left behind and have to fly to Earth on my own." He started heading toward thending bay to return to his ship.


    {It would take you a few decades to elerate to the necessary speed to reach Earth in any reasonable timeline,} Nova teased with a chuckle, her tone lightening the moment.


    Aron smirked at her remark. "All the more reason not to bete then."


    …………………


    Having alreadypleted all the tasks required of him on the, including bidding farewell to the citizens, Aron was ready to leave. When the time finally arrived, the fleet wasted no time in departing.


    Due to its massive size, the start of the departure was slow, but not everything they had brought with them was going back.


    About half of the ships that had apanied the Emperor were left behind to ensure the security of the star system while they waited for the atomic printer to begin production of additional ships.


    As the fleet departed the star system, nearly all the awake Proximians gathered to bid them farewell. They waved from the''s surface and from ships in space, sending their well-wishes for a safe journey back to the capital of the empire


    …………………


    “I didn’t even have time to enjoying to another star system,” Felix said, reclining in the lounge of the imperial gship. Although he had managed to tour the in thest few weeks, the majority of his time had been spent ensuring the foundation of thepany’s new branch was solid.


    Thanks to the Proximians'' beliefs and personalities, the process had been surprisingly smooth and uplicated, but it left him with little time to fully experience the wonders of this new world.


    "You cane and visit anytime you want," Birch replied, smiling before shifting to a more curious tone, "But do you care to tell me how you know the emperor?"


    Knowing it would take them six months to reach the capital, Birch was eager to learn more about the people closest to Aron. She had noticed the bonds between them but wanted to understand their history.


    Meanwhile, the other tree folk, especially the traitors who had been given new bodies just a week ago, were still keeping their distance. They bore grudges and carried the weight of the humiliation they had faced. Crabapple was spending his time with Rina, while Cypress, sitting beside Birch in the lounge, observed Felix and Sarah with quiet interest.


    Felix, finding a weing audience, began recounting his story with enthusiasm. "You know, we first met Aron in a rather unexpected way..."


    He described their initial encounter, how he and Sarah had crossed paths with Aron, and the series of events that had led them to form a connection. The tale was filled with interesting anecdotes and light-hearted moments, reflecting the close bond they had developed over time. He spoke openly, aware that his story contained no sensitive information that couldpromise any security.


    As Felix spoke, the others listened intently, asionally interjecting with questions for more details. The atmosphere in the lounge was rxed and engaging, providing a wee distraction from the long journey ahead.


    Meanwhile, the fleet passed the heliosphere and seamlessly transitioned into faster-than-light travel. The vast expanse of space now stretched out before them as they journeyed back home, marking the end of an extensive and eventful Journey.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn