With time to spare before his departure, Ethan decides to take one last walk through Valeris City. A final chance to see how much had changed and how much had stayed the same.
The city, like the rest of the planet, is undergoing massive reconstruction efforts. Entire districts now stand tall with newly built structures, gleaming with promise. Cranes and automated construction drones hover above, reinforcing towering skyscrapers, while the hum of heavy machinery fills the streets. Despite the lingering signs of past destruction, the overwhelming energy in the air is one of hope and renewal.
Valeris is alive again.
The streets are bustling with movement. Civilians going about their day, merchants advertising their wares, engineers coordinating repairs. Neon signs flash, directing foot traffic to new businesses that had emerged in the wake of reconstruction. Transport shuttles zip through the sky, weaving between starships coming in and out of the spaceports, each arrival and departure a testament to the city's revival.
As he moves through the crowds, people begin to take notice of him.
He can feel their eyes on him, some filled with awe, others with respect. His name had long since been etched into the history of this planet, and though he had never sought out fame, it had come for him regardless.
A few approach him directly, their expressions a mix of admiration and gratitude.
"Captain Walker, it's an honor."
"Thank you for everything you've done for us."
"If it weren't for you, Valeris might not even be here anymore."
Some shake his hand, others simply give a respectful nod before moving on. He responds with a quiet smile and a few words of acknowledgment, still not entirely used to the weight of his reputation.
One young Lorskian boy, no older than ten, hesitantly steps forward, clutching what looks like a small model of a space ship toy. He looks up at Ethan with wide eyes, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Is it true that you took down an entire army of baddies by yourself?"
Ethan chuckles softly, crouching slightly to meet the boy's gaze. "Not by myself. Had some help from other strong people in this planet."
The boy beams, his fluffy tail wagging rapidly, as if he had just been given the greatest confirmation of all time, and scurries off to rejoin his parents.
Though the constant attention still makes him slightly uncomfortable, Ethan has long since learned to carry it with quiet acceptance.
He was no politician, no celebrity. Just someone who did what needed to be done when the time came.
And now, his time here was almost up.
As he continues his stroll through the city, he lets himself take it all in, one last time. The sights, the sounds, the feeling of a place rising from the ashes.
Before ending his walk, Ethan makes his way to one of Valeris City's newest additions. An ultra-mall, recently unveiled as the largest shopping hub in the entire Ashen sector.
It's a towering glass-and-steel colossus, stretching upwards with holo-billboards projecting advertisements for well-know brands, cutting-edge technology, and exotic goods from across the Federation. The entrance alone is a massive archway lined with kinetic lights, shifting colors as visitors walk through.
Stepping inside, Ethan is immediately greeted by a vast open atrium, its ceilings artificially sky-lit to simulate a perfect midday sun. Floating drones glide overhead, displaying holographic signs directing shoppers to different sections. A gentle, automated voice echoes throughout the space.
"Welcome to Nova Plaza. Your one-stop destination for all essential, and exotic goods."
The sheer size of the place is staggering. Multi-tiered shopping floors spiral upwards, connected by sleek, floating walkways. Every store is outfitted with transparent storefronts, allowing shoppers to see everything inside at a glance, while some displays are entirely holographic, shifting dynamically to highlight new arrivals and promotions.
Despite the futuristic design, the mall is packed with people. Merchants, travelers, and locals alike, all moving about, shopping, socializing, or simply marveling at the high-end architecture. Autonomous assistants, humanoid androids clad in sleek uniforms, are stationed at key points, ready to help guide customers or make recommendations.
Ethan doesn't waste time. He knows exactly what he needs.
His first stop is a specialized provisions store, catering to long-haul space travelers. The interior is minimalist but efficient, lined with towering shelves filled with vacuum-sealed rations, nutrient-dense meal pods, and self-preparing food cartridges designed for shipboard kitchens.
A holographic assistant materializes in front of him, an interactive AI projected by the store's system.
"Welcome, traveler. How long is your expected voyage?"
Ethan glances at the selection before responding. "Could be weeks. Maybe longer."
The AI's simulated expression shifts into a knowing smile. "Understood. May I recommend the premium long-duration food cartridges? They come with enhanced flavor profiles and additional vitamin fortification."
He nods and browses the selection, choosing a mix. Standard high-protein meals, a few luxury options that mimic gourmet dishes, and some simple, comforting ones for when he just needs something familiar. The total cost for the food alone? 60,000 credits.
With that handled, he moves to the water supply section, where pressurized storage tanks are displayed in neat rows. Each one is labeled with its purity level, filtration capacity, and radiation resistance rating. Knowing that water is just as critical as fuel in deep space, Ethan selects several high-grade purification tanks, ensuring a steady, self-replenishing supply. The price? 35,000 credits. A steep but necessary cost.
Next, he heads to the utility and comfort section, where he picks up fresh bedding, thermal blankets, and a few compact storage organizers for his sleeping quarters. For the bathroom, he grabs advanced hygiene kits, featuring self-sanitizing towels, water-efficient cleansing gels, and long-lasting deodorant capsules. A necessity when water conservation is a priority on a ship.
Finally, he stops by a clothing outlet, where displays project custom-fitted attire based on biometric scans. He picks out a few casual outfits, durable sleepwear, and a new jacket lined with adaptive temperature insulation.
As he finalizes his selections, the total cost racks up to 105,000 credits. Expensive, but every item is a critical investment for the long journey ahead. He also had more than twenty five million galactic credits in his account, so this amount was truly nothing to him at this point.
To avoid the hassle of carrying everything himself, Ethan selects the automated drone delivery option. Within seconds, a confirmation appears on his wrist holo-pad, notifying him that the items will be transported directly to his ship at the main hangar.
Satisfied, he takes one last look around the bustling ultra-mall, then makes his way toward the exit. His preparations are complete.