In the starship, Bharatas were peacefully in their room. Kuro was arranging things in that room even though that was not necessary as it was a one-day journey. Ilm was playing with Rov's ponytail. Rov's navy hair was always charmful. Ilm started to make braids with Rov's hair. Rov tried to take away his hair.
The room's door was knocked. Pema opened the door. It was a sentinary. He was identified as a sentinary, thanks to his blue-black uniform with golden detailing work, or else no one could tell whether he was even a human or not.
His face was greenish. He had gill slits-like things at each cheek and fin-like things under each jaw. Due to his shielding suit, people might not notice him before. Fillish Pocolish, his naming badge showed.
"Bharatas and mister Shakhai Amir?" Fillish said. All the room members nodded. Then Fillish continued, "Um, we will land on Titan in ten minutes. There we will rest for thirty, then continue our journey. As the main people of this journey, do you have issue with this schedule?"
"No, no, no… of course not."
Fillish was going to leave but stopped by Rov's question. "That man looked different… like a fish."
Fillish smiled and answered, "I am a half human and a half fishman. My mother was from Aquaris, but my father was a normal human who went to work there. I am trying hard so that one day I can do Gene Engineering and become a full human. Hope this information is enough." Poor Fillish must have been asked about himself before and so many times as he ended up telling most of the things. After seeing the silence, Fillish bowed to them and went away.
Rov asked Shakhai, "Has he said fisherman or fishman? And what is Gene Engineering?"
"Fishman of course. He actually meant his father was Homo Piscis, a species of human living in Aquaris. And Gene Engineering is a special type of medical operation by which people can modify their DNA," Shakhai answered.
"DNA? Uff, there are so many things in this world." Rov surprised.
Ilm started to inform his brother, "There are other species also, like Homo Gelus of icy planet Turkan, Homo Rufus from the remote area of Earth, Homo Genius, scientists of planet Ubuntu often are from these species. And last but not the least, Homo Lumos. It is the only artificial species, made with Gene Engineering. All Homo Lumos have formed a cult group named Light Acolytes and operate their work from Clagen."
"These are many! How do you know that?"
"I've read on the web. I guess Genius is the peak species, although Sapiens is the OG one."
"But if they are different species, doesn't that mean they are not human?"
"No. Even our ancestors, Erectus are considered human. I guess it is the humanity in our hearts that makes us human."
Pema and Shakhai felt proud. All parent feel proud when they see their kid know many things. But Ilm knew these because he was always interested in human evolution. He always wondered how a monkey-like animal ended up building the greatest civilization. It is a journey from a giant tree to across the Laniakea. Humanity is the most glorious creation of God if it truly exists.
Then something came to his mind. About his brother's appearance.
"Did Rov have Gene Engineering?" He whispered to Pema.
Pema was staring at him. He is figuring it out. "Yes, we thought blue hair was cool. So we've added a gene for navy-blue hair to him."
It was not indeed the whole reason. But Ilm believed his mother.
Titan Space Exploration Station was seen. From the window of their room, they could see the Large car-shed. The starship slowly entered that. Bharatas and many others came outside to visit the car-shed and the station. An enormous number of small and big shops were at the station. Many other people are there for their own work and travel. The children were very excited to visit a space exploration station for the first time.
Shakhai was walking with Ilm and Pema. But then he stopped as he saw a familiar face. It was Solis Mosifal, the younger son of the head of Mosifal & Sons, Collis Mosifal. Here is the thing to know, Mosifal & Sons was the company that built most of the spacecraft in the universe, and so they were the one who consumed most of the energy.
"Is it Shakhai?" Solis said. He made a big grin and was coming towards them. Solis's tone was so friendly that Shakhai could not decide whether to smile or be worried.
"Who is he, Baba?" Ilm whispered. "A friend of yours?"
"In my academic time, I've got zero friends and many bullies. And this man…" Shakhai looked at Solis. "was one of the worst of them."
Solis stood in front of him. He genuinely smiled. Adulthood always has an effect on life. Maybe, Solis was no exception.
"It's been a long time," Solis said. "Where are you going?"
"Boduin."
"Oh, so you finally left that shitty planet."
"No… well… it's not like that. We'll return as soon as our work there will be completed."
"Ahh, boring," Solis grimed. Then his sight fell on Ilm who was looking at him with hateful eyes. Solis smirked and whispered in Shakhai's ear, "Is this your half-bastard elder son?"
But why half-bastard? Cause Ilm was born before Pema and Shakhai's marriage.
"You know… elder son of Shakhai… you are quite famous in your father's friend circle," Solis said. Ilm frowned at him and then looked at his father.
Words from Solis made Shakhai uncomfortable. Shakhai wanted to throw a counterargument, but his voice faded, Solis started to play with Rov who was in Pema's arms.
Solis looked at all of them. He might find something interesting.
"His hair colour is different," he asked. "Is it natural or dyed?"
"Natural," Pema answered. One reason, Pema hated to go outside, was people's unwanted questions. But curiosity is the thing that brought humanity here.
Solis amused. He looked at Shakhai. If Shakhai understood him correctly, he knew what his face wanted to say. Don't tell me, your wife had cheated on you.
Pema felt Shakhai's unease. Pema knew Shakhai wouldn't do anything for his sake. She had known him since their childhood, he was a tolerant person. But she was his partner, his friend, and his other half, so she must stand with him.
"If I'm not wrong…" she said to Solis, "I accidentally broke your right fibula during our teenage. Didn't I?"
In an instant, Solis remembered the nightmare. Beaten by a girl, a broken leg the previous day of an academic sports event, and terrible days at the hospital.
"Yes." His face was pale.
Ilm realised the way to counter this man. He joined his mother and embarrassed the embarrasser.
"By the way… uncle" he touched Solis's arm, "I am taught martial arts by Maa. I know how to attack at qi point and paralyse the opponent."
"Don't!" Solis snatched away his arm from Ilm. He saw Ilm and Pema grinning. Rov, on the other hand, was looking at him with curious eyes.
"Oh, I actually came here to check our starships… you know business works… keep everything… umm… ah" Solis said with fear, "so I should go and check there."
He almost ran away. Shakhai smiled and felt at ease. Ilm totally burst out laughing.
It was all beautiful until a small arrived at the station. From that, a group of six people came out. They were in white cloaks and necklaces of five-pointed stars dangling from their necks. Their skins were all white. It took no time for Ilm to realised they were no one but Light Acolytes.