The hall was not busy during the day, and when the four of them entered the ticketing lobby, they could see huge screens scrolling through posters.
Approaching the automatic ticket machine, several people lined up to pay, then they brought their wrists close to the reading area to register, and finally, the completion was signified by a 'beep' from the machine.
Residents of the Federation now all have microchips implanted in their wrist bones, which conveniently allows them to register and conduct various transactions.
["Please hold my fingertip"; ticket price 325 Federation Coins; please make payment]
[Payment completed]
[Logging in information...]
[Access granted, welcome]
With a 'beep' from the machine, Hexia looked up towards the front and jogged a few steps to catch up.
After passing through the dimly lit tunnel, the four came to a small room housing 12 pods in which people could lie down, each emitting a pale blue halo from within, especially conspicuous in the dark surroundings.
Approaching one of the pods, they placed their wrists on the detection platform, data swiftly flashed past, and then the pod's door slowly rose, releasing a faint chill.
"I'll go in first." One of the companions said and lay down inside.
Hexia stepped on the footrest beside her and also carefully lay down, then the transparent metal glass slowly closed over her, and countless tiny points of light swam in her field of vision.
[Time: 2:42 PM, "Please hold my fingertip"]
[Preparing the film, please relax as much as possible, if you feel uncomfortable press the emergency button on your right]
[Releasing illusion smoke, neural connection starting] Only on m v|le|mp|yr
Amidst the clinking of glasses, a woman in a turquoise blue dress leaned against the window, propping her cheek with her hand and slowly swirling her glass of wine.
Her eyes were on the sea outside the window, but her expression seemed lost in memories and thought, her attention not present.
"Tearsa, my dear sister, what are you thinking?" The blond man who had previously raised his glass came to sit beside her.
"Nothing much, it just seems like these negotiations are somewhat abrupt," the likewise blonde woman turned to him.
"Haha, indeed, it's a surprise to many, however—" He changed the subject abruptly.
"Based on the information we've received, it all makes sense."
...
Ever since the Federation began reforms fifty years ago, internal conflicts have continually erupted, shaking the interests of many, making it unbearable for some conservative parties, yet without reform, the accumulated problems of the Federation remained unsolvable, creating a difficult situation.
As the two sides were deadlocked, a civil war finally broke out and has continued to this day.
As the two discussed the potential outcome of the war, the blonde woman suddenly looked out the window.
"Are they coming?"
"What's coming?" The man turned his gaze outside as well.
Huge sea creatures leaped from the water in the distance, splashing up waves tens of meters high, with more and more appearing, emanating a special energy fluctuation, seemingly above Sequence 5 ferocious beasts.
Suddenly an announcement was heard overhead.
"Sea creatures approaching the train, sea creatures approaching the train, please passengers return to your seats and prepare for the impact."