The next few days , Alex looked for volunteers to keep an eye on the journalists when they would get picked up .

  They also had to keep an eye on them while at the colony , so Alex sent them to John to get a crash course in security from the people responsible for it.

  They wouldn’t be a match for a trained professional , but they could guard the doors and stay close to the journalists while providing answers to their questions .

  The gate had to be covered up , and Alex was also considering a ban on filming the residents of the colony .

  He also received a list of names and compensations that had to be distributed.

  There were also a few requests to locate people with descriptions and clues on how to possible find them .

  Alex put Da’grass to work in locating these people and after some time , he found them .

  Messages where sent to all the victims with an explanation and choice of compensation in credits , local currency or a mix of both .

  There were many relieved people , but also those who got angry or burst into tears .

  Da’grass did his best to ease their grieve during the short time he was in contact with them and offered them to deliver letters to the perpetrators .

  Alex wasn’t so na?ve to believe that everything was resolved , and he knew there were probably those who wanted to see the perpetrators on trial .

  That’s why he had Da’grass explain to them the behavior problems the perpetrators had and that they were treated with alien technology , ensuring they wouldn’t cause any more problems .

  Alex felt sorry for them but couldn’t let the perpetrators go without endangering their colony and faction .

  At the last moment , Alex decided to gift them a VR pod and bracelet on top of the compensations received .

  He let Da’grass place the orders while informing the victims of the possibilities of the Nexus and that companies would pay premium for their credits if they chose to sell them .

  The choice was theirs to make .

  Somewhat relieved that this matter was over , Alex discussed with Da’grass when the next treatment of people would take place .

  They were arriving constantly according to the schedule made by Da’grass , and the portal was open daily .

  When the journalists would arrive on Mars , the schedule would be interrupted , and for the duration of the stay on the colony , the next group of colonists would be sheltered in various hotels on the mainland .

  Alex decided that the next treatment would happen after the journalists left and the colonists staying in the hotels had arrived in the colony .

  Shortly after making this decision , he received a message from John asking how soon the spacecraft could reach earth .

  Da’grass answered that with conventional propulsion , it would take a couple of days , but that if they used their advanced drive with safety margins , it would only take a few hours .

  Thinking about the miners and cargo ships responsible for the construction in Mars’ orbit Alex told John that it would take a few hours .

  If he wanted the construction completed within 20 years he couldn’t hide the ship’s velocity .

  The next question John asked was when he could send the ship at the earliest .

  The answer was the day after tomorrow , as he had to divert the next groups of colonists .

  After that , Alex received coordinates on Earth along with a timetable that was scheduled for three days later and a list of names belonging to the journalists .

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “Da’grass , notify the relevant persons and send the list with names and the timetable with the departure time at the docks” asked Alex .

  And start diverting the next groups of colonists for a week .

  It’s about time I joined Helena in the Nexus .

  We were about to explore Solara together ; she probably has already started though …

  Alex logged in and went to the nearest gate for access to Solara , where he waited at the New Capital building for Helena to show up after he sent a message that he had arrived .

  The building was more impressive than the one at New Eden , and the roads an buildings that he saw were beautiful , with hanging gardens and a skyline dotted with floating gardens .

  After 20 minutes of immersing himself in the surroundings , Helena showed up .

  “Hi sweetie” said Helena while she walked to him with a spring in her step .

  “You went exploring without me , didn’t you?” said Alex with a smile on his face.

  “Only for the last 2 days in Nexus time” answered Helena with a twinkle in her eyes and a radiant smile .

  “Well if your still up for it , I could use a guide” said Alex .

  “Sure , follow me , sweetie” said Helena , grabbing his arm .

  “The city is even more beautiful and bigger than New Eden .

  El’Anor and her team went all out on this one” she said .

  “Bigger huh ? I already thought the bill was on the heavy side” responded Alex .

  “You can’t blame him” said Helena , “We practically begged him to do so , and he saw an opportunity” .

  Even if you lost all your money and credits , he would still be a friend of yours .

  “Maybe , but I don’t like to find out” answered Alex while walking and enjoying the scenery .

  People tend to disappear when your down on your luck .

  “True , but don’t talk like that now , just enjoy the surroundings” said Helena .

  There is something I like you to see later on .

  They walked for hours , going through all the districts while Helena explained what he saw .

  John didn’t lie when he said that a little over half of all the buildings where dedicated to scientists and engineers .

  Every subject in science and engineering was covered ; there were even farms to experiment with engineered plants .

  It was a lot to take in , and Alex started to wonder if they even had that many scientists and engineers on earth .

  And to top it off , John , or better said , the government , had to pay them in credits for services rendered .

  Da’grass interjected , saying that they were paid for the knowledge they had while working per hour , and since Earth wasn’t that advanced , the bill wouldn’t be to big while revenue would increase while humanity found its way in the Nexus .

  Somewhat reassured , Alex continued the tour with Helena until they arrived at one of the residential districts .

  They walked to the biggest building and stood right before it when Helena said , “What I want to show you is in this building on the top floor” .

  You know we can’t get in , but you can access the layout through your bracelet .

  I want you to see how it looks to you and give me an honest answer .

  Alex asked Da’grass to show him the layout , and what he saw was a spacious penthouse with the rooftop as bonus .

  The penthouse itself had plenty of rooms with enough space , and a big party could be held in the main room if one wanted to do so .

  The rooftop had a pool with garden and looked out over the whole city with a good view of the floating gardens .

  The best part was that everything could be modified to meet the owner’s taste .

  “Well , what do you think ?” asked Helena .

  “I find it beautiful with a lot of potential” answered Alex , true to his feelings .

  “Great , because I want us to buy it together before anyone else does !” said an excited Helena .

  It would be our house , here inside the Nexus .

  We don’t have to sell our houses in New Eden , but I want us to own this one together .

  I checked how much half of it costs and it won’t be a problem for me to buy it .

  “If that’s what you want , I’ll be happy to buy it together with you” answered Alex sincerely .

  Da’grass , can you make the transaction for a co-owned residence on the top floor of this building .

  “It’s done Alex .

  You and Helena are the proud owners of a penthouse” replied Da’grass .

  You can enter the building now and decorate and modify it as you see fit .

  When Alex tried to enter the building with Helena , she stopped him and said , “Ill be doing the modifying and decorating of our house , sweetie”

  “Come back later when I send a message its done” and she left him standing .

  After that , Alex wandered the streets of Solara for hours , waiting for Helena to send a message while Da’grass gave a more in depth explanation of everything he saw in the city .

  Alex was convinced that the scientists and engineers would love it here , and he was glad that he and Helena were responsible for making it happen .

  Finally , Da’grass informed him that Helena had sent a message indicating that he could return to their home .

  He used the insta transport and startled Helena , who was standing in the room next to him .

  “Maybe we need some rules about the insta transport” muttered Helena .

  Well what do you think , Alex ?

  Alex observed the room and went to see the other rooms , after which he told Helena , “It’s modern yet warm and homey”.

  Helena hugged him and said , “aren’t you glad you let me do the decoration” and gave him a kiss .

  I also thought about our little gatherings .

  Wait until you see the roof top .

  There was a bar and lounge next to the pool with a table big enough to accommodate everyone in their group , plus some more .

  “In case we invite some people over , I didn’t want to mess with the garden to much” explained Helena .

  “You did a great job , Helena . I like it very much” said Alex .

  “I don’t think you’ve seen the master bedroom yet” she said , taking his hand and leading him back indoors .