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Steph allowed Peter to lead her deep beneath the mountain, to where the transit tunnel was located. Along the way, she both despaired at how much of the technological infrastructure of her time had been lost, and marveled at how much had still managed to be preserved. It gave her a sliver of hope that, with enough effort, the world she knew might be restored.

[color=DarkGray]“Here we are, Miss Stephanie!”[/color] Peter announced excitedly. [color=DarkGray]“Master Minoc’s greatest achievement, the Sub-Surface Railway! It’s only one segment of a vast network, which it is believed once spanned the entire world, but it is hoped that one day we can reactivate the other segments as well!”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“That’s great to hear,”[/color] Steph told him with a smile. Despite being so primitive, at least when compared to what Steph was familiar with, it was actually rather amazing what these people had been able to accomplish. From what she had seen so far, the planet’s geography had been drastically altered. The fact that they had managed to get even a single segment of the transit network up and running was nothing short of miraculous. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“In fact, I’d be more than happy to help you with that project. At least, after all this is taken care of,”[/color] she added, while patting her backpack. She had a fair idea of what it contained, but she wasn’t about to open Minoc’s package until they had safely arrived at the Castle of Solace. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“Oh, and, uh, just call me Steph. I’ve never really been too big on formality.”[/color]

[color=DarkGray]“Oh! My apologies!”[/color] the apprentice stammered. [color=DarkGray]“It’s just that, well, you’re something of a living legend to us. I mean, to be part of the generation honored to see you awaken, to accompany you on this journey… I-It’s more than I could have ever imagined!”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Hey, relax,”[/color] Steph told him, becoming more than a little unnerved by all the hero-worship being directed towards her. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“I'm just a regular person, same as you. I’m certainly not some mystic ‘Oracle’ or whatever.”[/color]

[color=DarkGray]“B-But, your powers…!”[/color] Peter protested.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“I can only do that stuff because of technology,”[/color] she explained. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“Just like the technology you used to get this train up and running. It’s not magic,”[/color] she added as they boarded the train. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“Just science.”[/color]

[color=DarkGray]“Well, it’s still amazing,”[/color] Peter said as he sat down across from her. [color=DarkGray]“After all, it’s not like anyone around here can do stuff like that.”[/color]

A low hum filled the car, and neon lights glowed, as the train’s various systems came online. For a moment, Steph felt like she was back in her own time, the events of the past few hours little more than a dream. Unsurprisingly, Peter quickly brought her back to reality.

[color=DarkGray]“Looks like we’re on our way,”[/color] he observed as the lights outside the window began to pass by at an increasingly faster pace, before disappearing completely. [color=DarkGray]“It’s incredible how this train doesn’t even need a crew. A machine-mind takes care of everything!”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“It’s called a computer,”[/color] Steph pointed out. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“And that’s nothing compared to a full AI.”[/color]

[color=DarkGray]“AI?”[/color] Peter asked.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Artificial intelligence,”[/color] Steph clarified. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“A machine that can think and reason just like a human.”[/color]

Peter gasped. [color=DarkGray]“Such a thing existed in your time?!”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Yeah, a lot of them did.”[/color]

[color=DarkGray]“Incredible…”[/color]

[hr]

The journey was a remarkably swift one, thanks in no small part to the train’s inertialess propulsion system. Steph was very grateful for this, for a number of reasons. Bringing an end to Peter’s incessant barrage of questions foremost among them. The young apprentice was just about to ask for more information about pre-cataclysmic space travel, when a tone sounded, followed by an artificial voice informing them that they had reached their destination.

[color=DarkGray]“Ah!”[/color] Peter gasped, having been broken out of his awe-inspired fixation on Steph. [color=DarkGray]“It look’s like we’ve arrived! Welcome to the Castle of Solace!”[/color]