Chapter 10

Taryn’s heart raced as she approached the med bay of the mother ship—as she called it. The time had come for her to leave Earth behind, and a mix of excitement and sadness churned within her. Technically, she already had.

She had been given a brief moment to say goodbye to her world, to take in the sights and sounds one last time. The beauty of the sunrise over the horizon and the gentle rustling of the wind had brought her a moment of solace. Now, she was ready to embark on the journey that awaited her.

She hadn’t realized the Synthari had downplayed their strength until the large spaceship she’d been on rose into space and docked on an even larger one. But she hadn’t been able to marvel for too long because, instead, she’d been distracted by a view of space that she’d only dreamed of. Only she was seeing it up close and personal.

As she entered the med bay, she was greeted by a group of women from all corners of the world. Taryn marveled at their diverse appearances, each one a representation of the different countries they came from. Despite their differences, they were united by a common purpose.

A portable translator hung around Taryn’s neck, a small but essential device that would allow her to communicate with ease. She had been surprised to learn that the Synthari had done their research and learned the languages of the territories where their teams would be sent.

Taryn also made sure to get a birth control implant when it had been offered. While she hoped to reproduce as part of the program, she wanted it to be intentional when it happened.

As she made her way through the med bay, Taryn could sense the tension and anticipation among the women. They were all about to go on an unknown journey, and the gravity of the moment weighed heavily on them.

The healers calmly guided each woman towards a medical pod, their sleek and futuristic design reflecting the advanced technology of the Synthari. Taryn admired her assigned pod’s spacious and comfortable interior, knowing it would carry her safely through space toward her new home. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Taryn took a deep breath as she entered the sleek, futuristic medical pod. The cool interior was a welcome contrast to the warmth of her emotions. She settled into the pod, her mind buzzing about the journey ahead.

One by one, the women crawled into their assigned pods, and the healers began to seal them shut. Taryn watched as the transparent cover closed over her, the sound of the seal echoing softly in her ears. Despite feeling excitement and trepidation, she followed the physicians’ instructions and took a deep breath as they explained that a calming agent would be released to help them rest during the journey.

A sweet aroma filled Taryn’s nose—reminiscent of oranges and fresh flowers. It brought back memories of simpler times before Earth’s downfall, a time when fresh fruit was plentiful. As she drifted off into unconsciousness, she held onto hope for a new beginning on this alien planet.

* * *

When Taryn woke up, she was still in the medical pod but now surrounded by calm voices and soothing lights. The healers checked her vital signs and made sure she had no adverse reactions to space travel.

In no time, Taryn was allowed to gather her belongings and join the other women. Her body felt refreshed from the smooth journey. The faint scent of oranges and flowers lingered in her senses, filling her with warmth.

She walked through the sleek corridors of the ship with her fellow passengers. Each was lost in their thoughts as they prepared to disembark on an alien planet for the first time. As Taryn stepped onto the ramp, she was immediately struck by the beauty and strangeness of this new world.

The sky above was a vibrant violet hue streaked with wispy clouds that seemed to dance under the light of three moons. Each moon emitted a different color, casting an otherworldly glow over everything.

Taryn marveled at the stunning sight as she descended the ramp. The terrain around her was a mix of natural and futuristic elements, with lush vegetation unlike any she had seen on Earth. The plants shimmered in the moons’ light, almost as if they were welcoming her to their world.

As she walked further into this new landscape, Taryn noticed the subtle movement of the plants in response to her presence. It was almost magical, adding to the otherworldly charm of this alien planet.

Her eyes widened as she gazed upon the futuristic city of Naar. The buildings, with their elegant and fluid architecture, seemed to rise gracefully from the earth. Each one was adorned with panels that absorbed the light of the moons, giving them a mesmerizing luminescent quality.

She took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air, grateful for the change from the polluted environment of Earth. The guides led them through the city, and Taryn gaped at the perfect harmony between nature and advanced technology.

As they walked, she noticed how the ground shifted subtly beneath her feet, as if in response to her presence. The vegetation around her seemed alive, reaching out to touch her. The air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the pollution of Earth.

Glancing at the other women in her group, Taryn felt a sense of camaraderie and excitement. They were all about to embark on a life-changing adventure on this alien world.

Her senses were overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of Naar. Exotic flowers filled the air with their fragrance, while the hum of advanced technology blended seamlessly with the natural sounds of the planet.

Their path took them through a lush garden filled with vibrant alien flora, each one more unique and beautiful than the last. Taryn’s heart swelled with wonder as she took in the breathtaking scenery.

For a moment, her mind drifted back to Earth, but she quickly pushed those thoughts aside. This was a chance for a fresh start, an opportunity to build a new life on a world full of promise.

As they neared their destination, Taryn’s thoughts turned to the challenges that lay ahead. She couldn’t wait to immerse herself in this new society and see what opportunities awaited her.

Despite her nerves, a sense of resolve grew within her. She was ready to face whatever challenges came her way in this new world, knowing that she had the strength and resilience to thrive in her new home.

As they continued on their path, Taryn admired the beauty of this alien world and all its possibilities. She wondered what challenges she would face in this alien society. The Synthari welcomed them with open arms, offering them the chance to become part of their civilization. She wondered how she would adapt to their culture and what lay ahead.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Jorim, who called attention to a towering building amongst the cityscape. Its sleek design spoke of the advanced civilization that inhabited this planet.

“This is your destination,” Jorim said, stepping forward to address the group. “Once you are settled, there will be orientation and preparation for integration into our society.”

Taryn listened intently, her mind racing with questions about her future. Despite nervousness, she felt a strong determination within herself. She had made the journey to this alien world and now she was ready to embrace whatever came next.

As they continued on their path, Taryn allowed herself to fully take in the beauty of this new world. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she also knew she had the strength and resilience to face them head-on. And surrounded by the unknown wonders and possibilities of this alien land, she felt confident that she could thrive in her new home.