The vastness of space unfolded before the Scorpion's crew, an infinity of stars shimmering like diamonds in a sea of darkness. Among them, the most imposing Aerospace Gate of the NoGheminis Empire stood like a silent giant, a gateway between galaxies, a bridge between distant worlds. Its name was the Conquerors' Empyrean, commonly also referred to as the Astral Threshold of the Pioneers.

 <<Never seen anything like it,>> whispered the younger officers of the Scorpion in awe, as the Starship's sensors outlined the cyclopean structures of the Gate on the console.

 <<Built by the Great Chaos NoGheminis in his initial endeavor, it played a role in many eras that followed. When I first sailed as a cadet at the Imperial Academy, I had the same reaction as you all, but today, I feel a sense of nostalgia,>> said Antares with emotion in his eyes.

Sylva nodded. <<It's a masterpiece, Captain. Not just for its size, but for what it represents. It's the pulsating heart of the empire in space.>>

Lyra responded, <<This will be our last mission. I don't know when we'll return here, so imprint this wonderful day in your minds!>>

The Gate was more than a mere structure; it was a crucial node, an access point to unexplored worlds, and a testament to the grandeur of the empire.

<<Look, Captain,>> said Sylva, pointing at the sculpture. <<It's as if our entire history is watching us, judging us.>>

 Antares nodded silently, aware of that historical weight.

 Guided by Captain Lyra, the Scorpion approached the Gate, preparing for landing. The gravitational field of the gigantic interstellar portal interfered with communications.

<<Scorpio... Star... Ship... Scorpion, this is Control Tower!>> the voice came distorted through the cockpit speakers.

 Lyra approached the radio officer. <<Establish a clearer connection,>> she calmly ordered.

 <<Control Tower, this is Scorpion. We receive you poorly. Repeat, we receive you poorly.>>

 After adjusting the frequency, <<Change frequency!>>

 Finally, communication became clear.

 <<Starship Scorpion, do you read me clearly? Repeat, Welcome to the Aerospace Gate. You are assigned to landing pad 72A. Prepare for approach.>>

 <<Received, Control Tower,>> the officer replied.

 Then Lyra gave the order, <<Heading 272 to pad 72A... Prepare for immediate refueling and provision, and transfer control to the main console!>>

 <<Yes, Captain!>>

 <<Continuing, we're approaching the landing sequence. Review the instruments and prepare for the approach.>>

 <<Confirmed. Gradually reducing speed and stabilizing altitude. Checking the automatic landing system.>>

 <<Automatic landing system verified and active. Altitude is stable. Prepare for the frequency change for air traffic control.>>

 <<Frequency change completed. Air Traffic Control, this is astronave Scorpion, preparing to begin descent for landing.>>

 <<Air Traffic Control here, Scorpion, received. Maintain assigned altitude and follow approach instructions.>>

 <<Captain, air traffic control has confirmed the approach. We maintain altitude and prepare for the final descent.>>

 <<Confirmed. Further reducing speed and lowering landing gear. Prepare electromagnetic anchors. Monitor the runway and approach parameters!>>

 <<Received. Gradually decreasing altitude, controlled speed. Approach parameters are normal. Preparing for manual control!>>

 <<Manual control activated. Gradually reducing descent and aligning the spacecraft with the runway. First Officer, maintain situational awareness and confirm landing data!>>

 <<Captain, I confirm landing data. Runway visible, landing conditions normal.>>

 <<Landing confirmed. Reducing speed and preparing the braking system. Ready for landing!>>

 <<Confirmed. Ready for landing!>>

 <<5...4...3...2...1!>>

 <<Activation of electromagnetic anchors and gravitational control to maintain the right distance from the ground!>>

 After a precise landing, Lyra led the crew in refueling operations.

 Once finished, they headed towards the sculpture. They descended from the Starship together, and Antares carried a bouquet of flowers. Passing by other spacecraft, they greeted with simplicity, while others bowed at the passage of the retired emperor. Then, after passing the check-in area, they entered the large dome where the grand waiting hall was located, and at its center, an imposing sculpture depicted the one hundred and twenty-six emperors and sovereigns who had led the NoGheminis Empire, including legendary figures like Titan, Dionysius, Keiji, Chaos, Diòrtane, Gemini II, and Antares himself—heroes and tyrants who had shaped the last universal wars.

 <<Lyra!>> said Antares, <<These heroes have shaped our destiny!>>

 Lyra nodded as they observed the effigies of Titan, Dionysius, Keiji, Chaos, Diòrtane, and Gemini II.

 Antares approached the statue of one of them, placing his hand on the cold metal surface. He felt a shiver down his spine, as if an invisible bond connected him to the past.

 “You, son of our sons, listen to us...”

 Simultaneously, in the Great Temple, Chronos was immersed in deep meditation. His exploration of the mysteries of the universe had led him to uncharted paths of knowledge, where time and space seemed to merge in an eternal dance.

 “Within the chaos of the universe, there exists a higher order” whispered Chronos to himself, as mystical scientific visions and symbols danced before his eyes. In that moment, Chronos had a sudden vision. He saw Antares, his Starship, the Gate, and felt a force pulling them towards a critical point, a revelation that bound them indissolubly.

 <<The roads of the universe intertwine in mysterious ways,>> murmured Chronos, his eyes shining with understanding.

 Antares, before the Gate, felt a similar connection, an invisible current linking him to Chronos and the empire's destiny itself. Looking at the sovereigns' sculpture, he felt the weight of history and the whisper of a greater mystery waiting to be unveiled.

 They had arrived at a place that was not only an engineering marvel but also a sanctuary of the history and power of the NoGheminis Empire.

 Antares opened his eyes, troubled. He had felt something, a message from the past, but the meaning eluded him.

 Was it an omen, a warning, or perhaps a revelation? He couldn't tell.

 <<Better get back to the Starship!>> said Antares, trying to hide his confusion. <<We're about to depart for the next leg of our journey!>>

 As the crew headed back to the ship, the mystery of the message remained unresolved, suspended in the folds of time and space. What was the meaning of those words? What was Antares supposed to do?

Continues...

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Preview of Chapter 5 - "The Astral Way, a Meeting of Destiny"

The Scorpion resumes its space journey, leaving the Aerospace Gate behind. Under Captain Lyra's guidance, the Starship navigates the Astral Way, while the crew, immersed in stories and hopes, watches the stars sliding beyond the hatches. An unexpected encounter with the Divine Freedom, led by Grand Admiral Eliana HearthSilver, marks a decisive moment. The Divine Freedom, a symbol of freedom and power, is the flagship of the Imperial Fleet. The members of the Scorpion, admiring and cautious, scrutinize the Divine.