– So you won’t turn away?
– In terms of? Ah, I get it. Do not worry, soon you will understand that we have not been shy about the beauty and perfection of our bodies for a long time. Our Body is the creation of the Almighty, so why should we be ashamed of what is given to us by the Universe?
The girl nevertheless turned away and, wrapping herself in a bathrobe given to her by a man, decided to translate the conversation.
– Still, I’m embarrassed that I’m like this, without permission…
– Well, what are you. I didn’t mean to disturb you, but you are indeed a great swimmer.
– Thank you… And you? How do you feel about this kind of sport?
– Actually, I really like to swim, but there is not always enough time.
Anna nodded. After drying off, she threw off her robe and, still turning pink, dressed quickly.
– Mikkel, I’ve wanted to ask for a long time… Art never explained to me why his name sounds different in this world?
The captain shrugged.
– The Commander is not the first time incarnated on Midgard, so he decided to move into the category of mentors. And the name… It is not forgotten if the memory does not go out, right? He has been preparing for this for a long time, because the Commander is half Lanthean, half Alvian… Their civilization belongs to the constellation Cygnus, like yours, by the way.
The girl looked at the young man in astonishment.
– My? I thought my home was Earth. Even though I know that our meeting with Art was preordained. I saw him in one of the memories of a past life. But my family…
– So it was, – Mikkel nodded in agreement. – But now you’re back to who you really are. And soon meet your real family.
The girl lowered her head.
– It’s hard to forget the past.
The young man took the girl by the hand.
– No one is forcing you to forget them. They will always be in your soul, as a part of you. But you cannot deny your true nature. You are a purebred swan, Aria. Princess…
– I? – the girl looked at Mikkel in amazement, he smiled.
– Yes, and your people, like your family, are waiting for your return. Soon your memory will return to you… By the way, – the young man handed the girl a pendant made of a strange-looking stone, with unusual runes carved on it. – That stone did not just find you. Now you can rightfully wear it as a Guardian.
– I don’t understand.
– Everything has its time. You will understand soon…
The girl shrugged. A pleasant warmth spread from the stone through the body. Smiling, Ann… Aria looked at the astronaut.
– And you, Mikkel… also a swan?
– No, I’m an Orion, though not a pureblood. My mother is an Orion and my father is a Lyrian.
– I have so many questions … – the girl tousled her still slightly wet hair, collecting her thoughts. – I’ll start with the main thing. My transformation… is it complete?
– Completely. It remains to be trained.
– I’m ready…
The alien nodded.
– We have contacted the Council. They allowed you and Arthur (when he wakes up) to be trained on Orion. In the end, we have one of the best schools… In the meantime, the flight lasts, they offered to bring you up to date.
– And who will be my mentor?
Mikkel smiled slyly.
– And what do you think? He is in front of you.
– Well, – the girl held out her hand to the man. – We are glad to cooperate. When do we start?
– Tomorrow. True, here, in space, eternal night reigns… But time is the same for everyone.
– I have always loved the night…
– Then it’s decided. By the way, we have already entered the dimensional tunnel. A few more tens of parsecs and we will jump into hyperspace. If everything continues to go well, then in two or three days we will be ready to jump into zero-space. By the way, would you like to take a look at the tunnel itself? It’s pretty interesting.
– Why not?
Moving forward along the corridor, they entered a small round room, in the center of which stood a pair of chairs. The whole wall of the room was occupied by a huge screen. The young people sat in comfortable chairs that instantly took on the shape of their bodies, and Mikkel turned on the surveillance screen. Immediately, the whole room was plunged into darkness, and a spatial window appeared on the screen. The ship moved in such an incredible overflow of colors that the girl could not even imagine. The stars turned into white streaks that instantly swept past, and the tunnel itself shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow…
– Mikkel… It’s so beautiful…
– I knew you’d like…
***
Suddenly, an alarm sounded through the ship. The screen flickered and went out, and a bright light came on all around.
– What’s the matter?
– I don’t know yet, – Mikkel jumped up, but then the ship shook so that he was forced to grab onto the back of his chair. – Hurry, follow me.
They ran out into the corridor and hurried to the control room.
– What happened? – Mikkel went up to his assistant, peering into the instrument readings.
– I have no idea. Fuel is good, but the ship has exited the dimensional tunnel.
– What? – Mikkel pressed the button, causing the shields blocking the view moved aside, and their eyes had an incredible sight. The stars disappeared, and the ship itself moved as if in a light purple mist. Entered at that moment, the Commander froze. – Can’t be!
Approaching the captain, Art took from his hands a tablet with constellation diagrams.
– I’m afraid the testimony is correct, Mikkel…
– What’s the matter? – Aria walked over to the captain, who was staring intently at the purple clouds. Every now and then they seemed to flare up from the inside with bright flashes. – Where are we?
– I’m afraid that the most unforeseen happened – we got into one of the very dangerous nebulae. There’s a strong gravitational field here, which means…
The captain’s mate interrupted him.
– Mikkel, look.
The captain bent over the indicators, but, peering into the play of signals, he abruptly straightened up and, going to the dashboard, pressed several buttons. Immediately, a voice was heard throughout the ship:
– Everyone, take your seats! I repeat, all crew immediately take their seats and buckle up, in case of turbulence!
Mikkel switched off the loudspeaker and, after exchanging glances with Art, sank into a chair next to him. Aria followed suit. Soon, through the fog, the outlines of a huge planet began to be seen.
– Mikkel, what is it?
– A planet of spectral type F. In other words, a supergiant with an incredible power