– Kashion –
The next morning, Oren had good news.
"The team in Laboratory 1 has made progress in density and concentration research. They're conducting additional tests today, and it would be good if someone from the Council took a look."
Kashion smiled. "Perfect. I'll gladly take a look."
"But Your Highness, you probably won't understand much."
That was, admittedly, a small problem. Kashion had never seriously involved himself in scientific matters. That was what others were for.
"I'll take someone from the Council with me. Pil would be best. I'll write to him right away."
Oren nodded. "Also, the lab is asking whether they may release small findings to the Saturians. Not the complete results yet, but they say it would be important for the agreement."
Kashion thought for a moment, then nodded. "Grant approval for the new findings, but without going into too much detail."
Oren nodded.
"Also, get me something appropriate to wear in the lab. I can't recall owning anything suitable," Kashion added.
"How would you?" Oren blurted out.
Kashion gave him a questioning look.
"Of course, Your Highness," Oren corrected himself. "We don't know how often you'll be going to the lab in the future. I'll take care of everything." And with that, he left.
Kashion thought to himself that going to the lab shouldn't be anything extraordinary. Granted, it was his first time. But it was about an important agreement, after all.
– Prior –
Prior was in the lab and felt at ease. She was glad she could quietly focus on her work—and that she had successfully avoided seeing Prince Kashion over the past few days.
The lab, as so often, was a small refuge for her.
When she had arrived, Tin had excitedly explained that there were new findings. But even better—there was a limited release. Prior was allowed to take part in the new discoveries.
Tin led her to a table where something stood that looked like a small cylindrical tube.
"This is our small demonstration pressure chamber. The real one is much larger, of course, but still sealed," Tin explained.
Prior nodded.
"It's filled with Aethereleum, isn't it?" she asked.
"Exactly."
"We're investigating with sound. Depending on the density of the Aethereleum, the resonance frequency and the structure of the pressure nodes change. You'll see—if we adjust the concentration, the patterns will change as well."
"I'm excited," Prior said.
"I'm about to set the Aethereleum into vibration using sound. The vibration creates areas of higher and lower density," Tin continued.
"And with the attached lasers, I'll be able to see it through light refraction?" Prior asked.
"Precisely."
Tin pressed a few buttons. At first, nothing happened—but gradually the gas inside the tube began to shift. Rings and geometric patterns suddenly appeared, seeming to dance.
"Wow!" Prior said enthusiastically.
Aethereleum now almost looked like a living being, dancing to music inside the tube.
"Now comes the best part. Wait," Tin added with a wink.
He pressed more buttons and entered a few commands.
Suddenly, silvery lines formed within some of the shapes.
"What is that?" Prior asked. "Is that what I think it is?"
Tin nodded with a smile.
"Metallic hydrogen," Prior answered herself.
"We discovered that at a certain vibration, Aethereleum condenses into metallic hydrogen," another voice said behind her.
Prior turned. "Good morning, Professor Nara!"
"Morning, Prior," she replied with a smile before returning to her workstation.
"I knew there was metallic hydrogen in Saturn's gas reservoir, but we didn't know it was so closely connected to Aethereleum."
Tin nodded. "On Earth, we research this far more intensively, since metallic hydrogen doesn't occur naturally here."
Prior was truly amazed and thrilled. "We absolutely need to continue this research. It could be significant for our magnetic fields and gravitational regulators."
"I'll show you more," Tin said.
Prior felt like a little girl with excitement.
– Kashion –
By then, Kashion had arrived at Laboratory 1 with Council member Pil. The lab was large, consisting of several smaller and larger rooms.
Oren had told him to seek out Scientist Tin.
As Kashion walked through the rooms, murmurs spread. The scientists widened their eyes and bowed.
Kashion kept gesturing dismissively—they should continue working undisturbed.
His gaze wandered over everyone. He hadn't spotted Prior yet. Was she even there?
He was told Tin was at the end of the room.
When Pil noticed Professor Nara, he excused himself. "Your Highness, go ahead. I have a few preliminary questions for Professor Nara regarding the condensation into metallic hydrogen."
Kashion nodded and continued—until he saw Tin.
And standing beside him was none other than Prior.
They were so absorbed that they didn't notice Kashion's arrival. And they were standing very close together—which irritated him.
Prior wore a dark blue pantsuit with a white lab coat over it. Her shoulder-length hair was tied back into a braid again. There was a striking glow in her eyes, and the lights from the tube reflected across her face. She looked focused, almost serious, and yet joyful at the same time.
He thought of how she had looked while eating strawberries and winning at Cheqi—almost like a child. But here in the lab, she was entirely different.
How many facets does she have? he wondered.
She looked at Tin with such admiration that Kashion's breath nearly caught. Unnoticed, he had clenched his right hand into a fist.
She said something, but he couldn't hear it.
Then he heard Tin say to her, "You grasp this incredibly quickly, even though it's not your field."
Kashion cleared his throat, stepped closer, and said loudly, "Tin!"
Tin and Prior turned toward him. The admiration had vanished from Prior's gaze. She looked almost shocked.
– Prior –
When Prior saw that it was none other than Prince Kashion standing in the lab, her breath caught. She felt almost dazed.
"What an extraordinary honor to see Your Highness in the laboratory," she heard Tin say.
She merely nodded.
Prince Kashion looked at her almost suspiciously.
She wondered whether he came to the lab often. Tin's reaction suggested otherwise.
She briefly studied him. Even in a lab coat, Prince Kashion looked stylish—she had to admit that. He wore black trousers and a black shirt beneath the white coat.
Kashion stepped closer and positioned himself between Tin and Prior. She had to move slightly aside.
– Kashion –
"I've heard there are new findings in concentration research?" he began.
Tin nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I'd be happy to explain. In this resonance chamber, we generate a vibrational field and apply piezoelectric impulses—"
Suddenly, Prior's hand reached past Kashion and touched Tin's arm. It lasted only a few seconds, but to Kashion it felt too long.
"Not so complicated," she interrupted.
And truthfully, Kashion had understood almost nothing of Tin's explanation.
He looked at Prior. She was gazing at the tube.
"Here we can expose Aethereleum to different frequencies and observe how the density changes. That means we can use it more efficiently. Tin just told me that, based on current tests, the correct frequency could save around twelve percent of fuel."
Kashion looked at her and suddenly felt something warm. Not entirely tangible. A bit like gratitude.
She had explained it in a way he could actually understand.
"One can save fuel simply because the density of Aethereleum changes through frequency?" he asked.
Prior looked at him and nodded. "Exactly."
"That means we could reduce consumption significantly. We could generate the same thrust for spacecraft with less gas," Tin added.
"That is truly good news," Kashion said.
However, Tin added, "If the resonance becomes too strong, it could become unstable. We don't yet know whether it would merely affect thrust—or even become explosive. It depends on the condensate. Professor Nara is working on that."
"I see," Kashion said, even if he only partly understood. "Could you send me the data?"
"Of course, Your Highness. I'll send it right away. I just need to discuss something with Professor Nara. Excuse me."
Tin left.
Kashion and Prior were alone.
She still stared at the tube.
– Prior –
Prior would have loved to excuse herself as well and leave. But she didn't know what excuse to give—or where to go. She was acutely aware of Prince Kashion's presence.
A few seconds of silence passed.
She didn't know whether she should say something when he suddenly spoke.
"Please come tonight and play a round with me," he said in that gentle voice.
She hadn't expected that. She turned away from the tube and looked at him.
He watched her expectantly.
"Um…" was all she managed.
He smiled faintly. "Give me the chance for a rematch. That's only fair to any opponent. Besides, I didn't know all the rules."
Prior searched for excuses—but then Evlina's words came to mind. How she behaved would directly affect the Saturians and the agreement. She should be cooperative. And a Cheqi game was harmless. Besides, he was right—a rematch was fair.
"Alright," she said. "I'll come tonight, once I'm finished here in the lab."
Kashion's smile widened. "I can hardly wait."
The thought of sitting alone with him again at his Cheqi table made her nervous. She barely dared to look at him, because she always saw so much in his gaze that she couldn't interpret. She felt as though she had only just regained her balance.
And yet—there was a small flicker inside her now, looking forward to the game.
Was she allowed to look forward to it? Should she?
– Kashion –
Once they had agreed to play that evening, Tin returned with Council member Pil and Professor Nara. Kashion had to listen to more technical terms and explanations he barely understood.
But he kept glancing at Prior.
He was relieved she had accepted.
He no longer had to wait.
His first move had been made.
Now the rest just had to work out.