Nate and Yoli wandered through the bustling rows of booths, each one set up by companies, guilds, and vendors eager to welcome the newest planet to join The Union. It was like the wildest farmers market they had ever seen except instead of organic produce and homemade crafts, the stands were filled with holographic displays, shimmering artifacts, and creatures of different shapes, sizes and species.

  Directly across from the doors where they had exited from the Planetary Nexus, several prominent booths stood out among the chaos. Representatives from the Intelligence Consortium, the Merchant Authority, the local government, and various tour vendors had taken prime spots, ready to greet Earth’s newcomers.

  Yoli, her curiosity getting the better of her, made a beeline for the Intelligence Consortium’s booth. The representative there was a tall, slender alien with smooth, grayish-blue skin that had a reflective sheen under the Hub’s artificial light. Its head was elongated, and its eyes only slightly larger than a human’s were filled with a friendly warmth.

  "Hi! I'm Clive Stakapopolous!" the alien said cheerfully. "Are you interested in learning about the Intelligence Consortium?"

  "Yes!" Yoli said, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I want to learn everything I can about medicine and healthcare."

  Clive’s expression brightened, though he held up a cautionary hand. "Ah, well, I do have to warn you our approach to healthcare is quite different from what you're used to on Earth. Your planet will adapt soon enough as more of you migrate here, but medical treatment in The Union isn't exactly a formal field like you are used to."

  Yoli frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

  "Essentially, we have only one school dedicated to alchemical studies, which serves as a form of preventative medicine and for emergency purposes where a healer is unavailable. Serious injuries and ailments are handled exclusively by those who have attuned to a Life gem. Unlike Earth’s complex medical systems, healing here is... well, much simpler. The alchemical school focuses on creating remedies, tonics, enhancements, vaccines and other preventative care derived from the flora and fauna of the galaxy, but its main purpose is to serve as a stopgap until an attuned healer can be reached. The full program takes about a year to complete, six months if you work fast. There is also a general anatomy course for each species, but that’s usually for each species to learn about their bodies, how to prevent health issues and such from arising in the first place."

  Yoli’s shoulders slumped. She had been looking forward to exploring an entirely new shield of medicine, but from what Clive was saying, it seemed like healthcare wasn’t the prestigious, scientific discipline she had hoped for.

  Noticing her deflated expression, Clive offered an encouraging smile. "Don’t get me wrong though, healing is one of the most noble professions in the galaxy. It’s just… a lot easier than what you're used to back home."

  That seemed to reassure her. Yoli straightened up, nodding. "So, how do I get started?"

  Clive gestured toward one of the other booths. "It’s as simple as attuning to a Life gem. But first, I highly recommend taking our introductory course to the universe. It covers the foundations of magic, gems, and a lot more. Since Earth is currently in its transitional period, we’re offering the course every hour, on the hour, for the next year."

  Yoli nodded, considering it.

  "Before you dive into studies, though." Clive added, glancing up, "you really should take the Sky Tour first." He gestured toward the awe-inspiring landscape beyond the booths, the massive redwood tree at the heart of The Hub, and the impossibly large football-shaped mega structure looming in the distance.

  His voice softened with a sense of wonder. "I've lived here for decades." Clive said, shaking his head. "And this?” Gesturing openly to the surrounding scene “This never gets old."

  Yoli thanked Clive before turning to Nate. They stepped away from the booth, taking a moment to decide their next move.

  "I definitely want to take that class. I’m glad we don’t have to be there at a set time." She started walking toward the first sky tour booth she saw, but turned back when she noticed Nate wasn't by her side.

  Nate wasn’t following or listening as she suspected. His attention was locked onto another booth a short distance away, where a group of eccentric-looking individuals had gathered. The sign above them read: “The Fortunates."

  Taking a closer look at the people stationed there, Nate furrowed his brow. Their ragged-yet-stylized clothing, gold jewelry, and swaggering postures made them look like something out of a spacefaring pirate movie.

  Yoli followed his gaze and sighed. "Did you even hear a word I just said?"

  Nate looked back at her sheepishly. "Honestly? No. I got distracted by the... uh, pirates."

  Yoli glanced at the booth and rolled her eyes. "Boys." She shook her head.

  Nate smirked before shifting gears. "So, should we take the tour?"

  Yoli nodded, and they approached a booth labeled Sky Tours. Behind the counter stood two humanoid pig creatures, their round faces friendly and welcoming. Nate instinctively thought one of them looked more feminine than the other probably because of the makeup and breasts but he was trying to keep an open mind.

  "Hello, sweeties!" The female pig greeted them in a warm, Southern-style accent. "How y’all doin’ today?"

  Nate blinked. A literal pig-person just spoke perfect English to him.

  "I’m Peggy, and this here's my husband, Hal." she continued. "Can we interest y’all in a Sky Tour?"

  "Yes, please!" Yoli answered eagerly.

  Meanwhile, Nate was still dumbfounded. His brain struggled to process the pig couple running a tour booth, speaking casually, and acting like this was all perfectly normal. They had all the normal features of a human, except that their face resembled those of pigs. Round snouts that were slightly extended from their face with two visible nostrils, and pointed ears that sat higher on their heads.

  "Oh, wonderful!" Peggy beamed.

  "I’ll go pull the car around." Hal immediately got up and stretched and then disappeared behind the booth.

  Nate, still playing catch-up, finally snapped out of it. "Wait... car?"

  Peggy chuckled. "Oh, yes, uhm, it's like a big metal box that moves. Do y'all have those on your planet?"

  "Well yea, I just, wasn't expecting to see cars when you have portals?" Nate tilted his head.

  “Oh well gateways are very handy obviously, but we can't move large shipments of things through them so we have cars and trucks and such to do that.” Peggy replied.

  Yoli, ever the curious one, leaned in. "So how does this work, and how do we pay you?"

  "Oh, it’s free for y’all, sugar! The Union pays us a wage for every day we give tours." Peggy explained with a grin.

  "You do this full-time?"

  Peggy shook her head. "Oh no, honey, we also run a bar and inn over in the Market District with all our babies." Her smile widened with pride. "It’s a lil’ family enterprise. But we always make time to run Sky Tours cause we love meetin’ new people! Seein’ all the fresh faces from different worlds it’s just so excitin’!"

  Yoli tilted her head thoughtfully. "Can I ask you something, Peggy?"

  "Of course, sugar!"

  "Everyone we’ve met so far has been so nice." Yoli said, crossing her arms. "That can’t be how everyone is, right?"

  Peggy chuckled knowingly. "Oh, darlin’ of course not. Most of us workin’ these booths remember what it was like when we first arrived though. It’s a lot to take in, and we know how daunting it can feel." She smirked. "Now, if y’all came to our bar, you’d meet a few rough regulars who’d be happy to tell ya off if ya gave ‘em a reason to."

  Before Yoli could respond, the deep hum of an engine filled the air. Hal had returned except that now he was driving the most futuristic, stylized station wagon Nate had ever seen. It looked like someone had crossbred a Lamborghini with a luxury SUV and then gave it anti-gravity capabilities.

  The blue vehicle with a yellow racing stripe swooped down from the sky, executed a sharp mid-air turn, and gently lowered itself beside the booth. With a couple of quick honks, Hal leaned out the window and grinned. "Alright, folks! Hop in!"

  Nate whistled as he approached. "That thing is sweet."

  "Thanks, son. We like to ride in style."

  The vehicle had four doors, two large doors on the sides, one for the pilot and co-pilot seat, and two on the back that opened like French doors. Peggy reached for the doors on the back and swung them open, gesturing for Nate and Yoli to step inside.

  The interior was nothing short of luxurious. Plush light-brown leather seats wrapped around three sides of the cabin, giving it the feel of an upscale limousine. A mini-bar was stocked with sandwiches and an assortment of drinks.

  Peggy climbed in last, then reached over to place a soft hand on Hal’s shoulder. "We’re ready, dear."

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  With a smooth lift-off, the station wagon from the future ascended into the sky. The flying vehicle lifted off smoothly, gliding effortlessly above the park at the base of the Hub. Hal focused on flying while Peggy took on the role of narrator, her voice warm and practiced.

  "Sweeties, The Union likes to make sure we follow a rough script when it comes to history." she explained. "I’ve got it memorized, of course, but they let us sprinkle in our own personal touch. Feel free to ask questions any time."

  Then, as if flipping a switch, her tone shifted into a well-rehearsed presentation mode:

  "The Union has existed for just over a thousand years. Before its formation, the galaxy was a fragmented collection of alliances, empires, and economic coalitions. There were powerful civilizations, but nothing as expansive or comprehensive as The Union."

  Hal guided the vehicle slowly around the park colloquially known as Memorial Park, offering his passengers a stunning view of the towering ancient tree at the center.

  "The Union was formed out of dire necessity during what is now called the Great Vortani Conflict. A species of immense and strange power emerged seemingly from nowhere attacking countless planets across the galaxy. The devastation was catastrophic; nearly all worlds bearing sentient life were devoured by the Vortani Swarm."

  Yoli gasped softly, while Nate leaned forward, intrigued.

  "The mighty Leonid Empire was one of the few forces able to hold them off but even they were on the verge of collapse. Realizing they couldn’t win alone, they sought an alliance with the other surviving civilizations, forging a desperate galactic coalition to face the threat together."

  Hal made a slow pass around the tree’s massive roots, while Peggy continued:

  "Once we started working together, we started winning. The key turned out to be that the Vortani couldn’t adapt to fighting multiple species at once, especially when each one brought unique tactics, magic, and technology to the battlefield. When the last of the swarm was finally destroyed, the galaxy entered a period of profound mourning and reflection. The loss of trillions of lives led our ancestors to make a pact, one that would ensure no such catastrophe would ever happen again.”

  "And so, The Union was born with a promise of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity. As a symbol of unity, one of the great trees from the Cattan Coalition was planted here in Memorial Park." She gestured toward the immense tree standing proudly in the park’s center. "Back then, The Hub was much smaller, but as the sapling grew, so did The Union. Expanding, adapting, and flourishing over the centuries."

  Nate, absorbing all of this, finally asked, "So… you’re telling me there’s been a hundred years of peace? And these Vortani… they’ve never been seen again?"

  Peggy chuckled. "Well, not exactly. There have been squabbles, wars over trade disputes, religious conflicts, and species tensions but nothing on the scale of what created The Union or what life was like before it."

  "And the Vortani?" Yoli pressed.

  Peggy’s expression shifted slightly. "They haven’t been seen since." she admitted. "Some speculate they could still be out there, but… we don’t know for sure."

  She paused before adding, "Every ten years, The Union conducts something called the Galactic Census. Every known planet is scanned, giving us an updated population count, a list of newly discovered sentient species, and planets that might be ready to receive an invitation to The Union."

  "And if the Vortani were ever found?" Nate asked.

  Peggy sighed. "Well… if that ever happened, I doubt we’d be the first to hear about it. The panic alone would be incredibly destructive."

  A chill ran down Nate’s spine at the thought.

  Hal, sensing the mood, gave a hearty chuckle. "Well, let’s not dwell on scary bedtime stories y’all are here to see The Hub! Next stop: a bird’s-eye view of the districts!"

  The vehicle accelerated, soaring toward the heart of the galactic metropolis.

  The tour continued as Hal piloted the flying stylized station wagon higher, sailing past the great tree. "So, there are two ends of the Hub." Peggy explained, gesturing ahead. "One end is Memorial Park, where we just were. The other is The Dome, where The Union meets as a united governing body. The tour ends at The Dome, but after that, we’ll take you wherever you need to go."

  She turned her attention back to the vast cityscape stretching out beneath them. "You’ll notice there are five massive sections, almost like a flower about to bloom. The original intent of the Hub was to have each section serve a specific purpose, and we’ve mostly stayed true to that. The only real exceptions are a few residential towers popping up where they weren’t originally planned, plus some bars and restaurants appearing in unexpected places just for convenience, really."

  As Hal tilted the vehicle slightly, Peggy pointed out each district, directing Nate and Yoli’s attention through the various windows and the massive sunroof.

  "Alright, so first, we have the Administration District home to the embassies, governing offices, the military and the humanitarian aid division."

  Then she motioned toward a neon-lit expanse. "Next is Entertainment Row, that long, wide central avenue with massive, bright lights."

  Nate looked back at Yoli. "Ah, so galactic Vegas?"

  Yoli chuckled. "Looks like it."

  Peggy then gestured toward a sprawling sector filled with vastly different architectural styles, some towering like crystalline spires, others resembling colossal biomes.

  "That’s the Residential District. Just like the Administration District has embassies designed to reflect different cultures, the housing here varies widely because different species need different environments to be truly comfortable. Some planets even have strict architectural laws, so their embassies and residences mirror their homeworld aesthetics. Humans, being one of the most adaptable species in the galaxy, could theoretically live in almost any of these."

  Next, Peggy pointed toward an immense complex of stacked, interconnected towers.

  "And this is the Market District." Her voice took on a note of pride. "It’s one of the most unique places in the Hub. Almost every floor is a storefront, and most have curbside parking right up to their level."

  "Wait what?" Nate asked, sitting up.

  "Here, let me show you." Hal banked the car towards the district in question. As they approached, Nate and Yoli got a closer look; dozens of floating vehicles circled around various floors docking at storefronts hundreds of feet above the ground.

  Hal chimed in, "Our bar and inn combo actually takes up three floors right now and we’re working on buying a fourth!"

  Peggy continued, "The Market District isn’t just about shops. You’ll find corporate offices, manufacturers, and contractor bases."

  "Contractors?" Yoli asked.

  Peggy nodded. "Yep. They recruit Attuners, people who want to do something a little more unconventional with their skills. Treasure hunters, arena fighters, mercenary work and so on.

  Nate frowned. "Attuner? What’s that?"

  Peggy turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, that’s someone who has attuned to a specific Arcane Gem."

  Nate glanced at Yoli, who shrugged. "And… what does that mean?"

  "Well, there's Reaction, Connection, Life, and Void. Most people go with Connection because it’s the most versatile and you can make more money without as much effort as the other affinities."

  Nate’s curiosity deepened. "Have you guys attuned?"

  "Oh, yeah." Peggy said casually. "Hal and I are both Connectors, like most people. But I've never resonated past the initial attunement. The base level is more than enough for my needs. Hal used to do contract work though so he's got quite a few abilities."

  "Resonating?" Nate asked, eyes narrowing.

  Peggy hesitated, then waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, that’s a whole can of worms better left to the university professors. But… yeah, you can get stronger as an Attuner. To do that, you have to go through a resonating process with your affinity."

  Nate fell silent, his mind racing. Then Yoli’s voice pulled him back to the present.

  "Could you… show us something?" she asked.

  Peggy grinned. "Oh, of course, sweetie!"

  She reached into the mini-bar, pulling out a glass water bottle. She drank the last of the contents, then wrapped the bottle in a towel and placed it on the floor.

  With a swift stomp, she shattered it.

  Carefully, she unwrapped the towel, revealing the scattered shards of glass. As she spread her hands over them, a faint yellow glow radiated from her fingertips not even bright enough to be a nightlight. The glass fragments began to float. Every last shard, even the tiniest slivers, rose into the air before their eyes. The shattered bottle then reassembled itself, each piece sliding seamlessly back into place.

  Nate and Yoli’s jaws dropped.

  Peggy and Hal laughed at their stunned expressions.

  "This is just minor stuff." Peggy said. "You should see what a Master Contractor can do."

  Nate blinked, still in awe. "Master…?"

  Peggy shrugged. "You’ll learn about the categories in class later." She then clapped her hands. "Now, let’s wrap up this tour!"

  She gestured toward the final sector, a sprawling landscape filled with universities, research centers, and training academies.

  "The last district is the Education Sector home to some of the greatest minds in the galaxy. This is where you’ll learn everything there is to know about magic, science, and history."

  Nate heard her words, but his mind was still spinning. That "small" trick Peggy just did? It was the wildest thing he’d ever seen up close. And yet… he felt something unexpected: a familiar hunger. The same hunger he had felt as a kid, sitting in front of his first video game, desperate to explore every inch of the world. He had to know more. He had to see more. He had to do more. His heart pounded as his thoughts raced. The past few weeks had already changed everything, and now… now he had only scratched the surface.

  Yoli sensed her brother’s excitement. "Could you drop us off at one of those classes later?"

  "Of course, sweetie. That’s a great choice." Peggy said before turning back and explaining something about some building that Nate cared nothing about.

  Nate clenched his fists, staring out at the endless city. He could feel his new life was just beginning.

  The last stretch of the tour felt less like an official briefing and more like hanging out with new friends. Peggy and Hal flew Nate and Yoli by some of their favorite places, including their bar and inn, where they insisted the first meal was on the house.

  Eventually, they reached The Dome, the heart of The Union’s government. Much like Tree Park, it was surrounded by a sprawling circular park, but the structure at its center was far more imposing. The Dome’s massive framework was topped with glass panels allowing natural light and visibility to flood into the main government chamber..

  Peggy gestured toward it. "Inside, there's a seat for every planet that’s joined The Union. And there," she pointed to a section at the top of the amphitheater-style seating, roped off and permanently empty, are the seats for the worlds and species lost to the Vortani. Those will always stay empty, a reminder of why The Union came together in the first place.”

  Nate and Yoli looked at the silent, vacant seats. A somber energy clung to them, starkly contrasting with the rest of the bustling, vibrant Hub.

  "The center platform is where laws are introduced, debated, and voted on." Peggy continued. "Beyond the park, you've got the diplomatic campus. Offices for planetary delegations to discuss intergalactic policies, trade, and whatever other business needs handling.” She then clapped her hands together, signaling the tour’s end. "Well, sweeties, that’s everything! Any questions?"

  Yoli exhaled sharply. "Too many to count."

  Peggy chuckled. "Oh! Don’t forget the Dex!"

  Nate and Yoli exchanged confused looks. "The what?"

  "The Dex." Peggy repeated, pulling out her own link. "Every link has access to the Galactic Codex. The Intelligence Consortium keeps it updated with everything known, everything proven to be fact, and every major theory out there."

  Yoli perked up. "Wait so you're saying academics get to decide what's fact, fiction, or theory?"

  Peggy raised an eyebrow. "Well, yeah. It’s not like I can just walk up to a scientist and tell them how vaccines work, right? Some things are best left to the experts."

  Yoli let out a loud laugh, then sighed dramatically. "Man, I'm gonna like it here."

  Peggy grinned. "Alright, let’s get you two to your class. Time to break your brains some more!"