Liam walked along the platform for a few seconds until something different appeared before him. A low set of stairs led up the platform.
Nothing about it was special but Liam stared at it as a realization came to him. The image of the platform formed in his head. He had seen similar structures on the web before.
If his guess wasn't wrong, then what was before him was a starting and landing spot for spaceships!
Liam was amazed. The first time he saw something like this was actually in an ancient ruin instead of outside. However, not much could be done about it as all of Falva Star's starting spots were centralized in one place instead of keeping them in the cities.
Liam would've loved to inspect the platform closer. Who wasn't attracted by the mysteries of space? Unfortunately, the clock kept ticking.
Pressured by time Liam didn't linger around and continued his exploration. After only a few seconds Liam came to another warehouse. He was just about to ignore it and continue when he noticed through the thich fog that the wall made a corner, blocking his way.
Going around it, he realized there was an extension attached to the warehouse. Liam didn't pay it much attention. But as he noticed its door from the corner of his eyes he suddenly froze.
On the door was the same image as before. But now he could see it in its entirety. It was a red dragon, its head proudly roaring to the sky. Four majestic wings spread from its back, giving the dragon a very distinct appearance.
Liam's thoughts were in disarray as the familiar feeling returned. The dragon reminded him of a certain figure.
Why does it look so much like the Red Dragon Ancestor of War?!
The Red Dragon Ancestor of War was a mighty being in Crunaboul. It was not something the current players could come into contact with.
However, if Liam only spotted the dragon he could still come up with some explanations. Maybe it was only a coincidence that the image looked similar. Or someone here admired the Red Dragon Ancestor of War enough to take him as their symbol.
However, apart from the dragon Liam spotted something else. A sign hung next to the door, its text barely readable. Liam could only make out a few words.
Caution... Volatile... inside... authorization...
Liam stared at the text for a few seconds. Its content wasn't shocking. Only the language in which it was written was. It closely resembled Ancient Draconic as it could be found in Crunaboul!
Recreating your favourite figure from a game was still reasonable but surely no one would adapt an entire language. Especially if it was used to write a warning sign!
Liam was shocked to the core not yet certain about the possible implications of his findings.
I need to know more...
With a shaking hand Liam reached out for the door and tried pushing it open. Unfortunately, it didn't budge even a bit. Unsurprisingly the door next to a warning sign was secured tightly.
Liam decided not to waste his time on the door. Even if he managed to open it somehow, there was still a potential danger of uncertain severity behind it.
Thus, Liam continued his search elsewhere, keeping his eyes open for any more pieces of text.
Over the next few minutes, he indeed found more bits and pieces but nothing which would answer his questions. Soon, he found himself in front of another building. The heavy fortifications in its surroundings spoke volumes of the building's importance. Liam spotted everything from what appeared to be mine depots to power generators.
Curious, Liam came to the front of the building. Signs of explosions could be seen on the ground here, most likely caused by the mines.
On one hand this was fortunate as the explosions seemingly destabilized the wall, which gave in over time. On the other hand, the possibility was there that those explosions destroyed some valuable items.
No matter what, Liam was eager to explore what the building had to offer. He entered through the damaged wall and found himself in what seemed to be a large meeting room. The surroundings were very sterile, unable to raise Liam's interest.
The young man continued his search without much success until he found a room labelled 'command centre', causing Laim's eyes to light up.
The command centre was clearly the heart of the building. It featured a long console spanning two of the room's walls with multiple black screens.
And to Liam's delight a red light was blinking in the middle of the console. It might still be working!
At that moment Liam suddenly turned around, hearing footsteps coming from behind him. A man stepped out of the void. The two looked at each other for a moment before Liam spoke with a smile:
"Kieran, you are here too!"
"So it's you, Liam. I was already wondering who came to repeat my futile attempts."
"What do you mean?"
"You wanted to check out the console, didn't you?"
Liam nodded, this wasn't difficult to guess.
"I already arrived here earlier. At first the console didn't show any signs of life, but I managed to get the power generator outside to run. Haha, you can imagine I was quite proud when I came in and saw the console powering up. But unfortunately, it didn't help much. Look."
After saying this Kieran passed Liam and approached the console. Immediately one of the screens came to life. But it remained black, only showing a few symbols and a blank line below it.
Kieran stared at the screen, speaking in annoyance:
"Those ancients with their military language... at least this one isn't difficult to guess. It should be asking for a password. Watch."
Kieran tapped on the screen once before saying loudly:
"Password!"
Instantly new symbols filled the formerly blank line. Next, a few words flashed through the screen and its previous state was restored.
"See this, Liam? Can't get in.
Eh, Liam?"
Kieran turned around while speaking and suddenly saw Liam in a daze.
And how could he not be? While Kieran fought with the console, Liam could clearly understand everything the screen showed. It read 'Red Dragon Division. Unit 252. Senodin. Internal Network.'
Liam was only confused by the word Senodin but he guessed it should be the name of the planet or region or something similar.
But after Kieran entered the wrong password, the screen stated 'Password not accepted, 3 attempts remaining'.
"Liam?"
As Kieran called out again, Liam finally reacted:
"Sorry, I was just... surprised."
"Ah..."
Kieran clearly found Liam's behaviour somewhat strange, but he didn't question further. He watched as Liam come closer, inspecting the console carefully.
Liam couldn't help but ask probingly:
"You mentioned a military language earlier. Is it this one? Can you read it?"
"Yes, the ancient civilization's military used their own language for whatever reason. I wish I could read it! But from what I know it is even more difficult to decipher than the common language. Last time I heard about it someone told me that the progress hasn't even passed ten percent."
Liam glanced at Kieran in surprise. This was clearly not common knowledge. Maybe someone like Liam's parents knew about it, but before they went missing, they obviously didn't have the leisure to teach their child some ancient language.
Kieran noticed Liam's surprise, but he clearly didn't want to explain more, changing the topic:
"What now? Should we continue to try randomly?"
"No!"
Kieran was startled as Liam exclaimed so abruptly. He looked at Liam, furrowing his brows. Liam smiled awkwardly, coming up with an explanation close to the truth:
"This building is clearly highly important. How can there be no security measures in place? We shouldn't guess randomly, lest we cause irreparable damage. Let's just tell the army about what we have seen. Perhaps their specialists will find a way to crack the console."
"Hmm, sure. You have a point. We shouldn't waste our time here with an uncertain outcome."
"Exactly."
"Whatever, guess I'll explore elsewhere. Do you want to come?"
"It's more efficient to go separate ways. I'll look around the building once before leaving as well."
"Sure. See you later..."
Liam watched as Kieran shrugged his shoulders and disappeared into the violet fog. Waiting a few seconds he finally let out a sigh of relief.
The situation was quite stressful for Liam. He didn't enjoy lying all the time. But what should he do? He can't just say:
"Oh, a language all researchers in the federation are working hard to decipher. Yes, by the way, I can speak it perfectly..."
Liam shook his head, not willing to think about the issue any longer. He turned back towards the screen, staring for a moment.
He had a hunch about the password. But with only three attempts left he hesitated to try. Quickly though his curiosity got the better of him.
Copying Liam's earlier actions Liam tapped on the screen before loudly speaking a certain name:
"Xrantrey'perhkazc!"