June 9 - Nusantara, Indonesia
The day began with pitching new ideas to Zara during a private meeting at the hotel. She was in a receptive mood, which made it easier to lay out some ambitious plans for Skyway Elite's future. The first concept was particularly daring: utilizing technomancy to create the ultimate live-streaming experience for off-world expeditions. The idea was to completely eliminate lag and quality loss, a hurdle even the most advanced simsense and satellite systems still struggle with. Neither of us has a concrete plan for how to achieve it yet, but with the right technomancers it doesn’t seem impossible.
The second pitch was more grounded: a VR-based reality show to discover and launch new stars. The buzz of the Halo tour was the perfect springboard for auditions and promotion. If done right, it could keep Skyway at the top of the entertainment pyramid well after this tour ended. I pushed for shares or options in the company rather than cash if these ventures succeed. Zara, ever the calculating businesswoman, agreed I would be “fairly compensated,” along with JJ and Evie.
The concert itself was a resounding success—or at least, that’s how the locals saw it. Halo performed to a crowd of 120,000 at Freedom Stadium, blending her usual ethereal sound with themes of strength, resilience, and unity. Critics back in the UCAS will probably accuse her of pandering to socialism and ignoring repression, much like the Melbourne debacle. But here in Indonesia, it was an absolute triumph. They adored her.
June 10 - Jakarta, Indonesia
A short morning flight brought us to the rebuilt Jakarta—now a shining example of what technology, magic, and determination can achieve. The sprawling metropolis shimmered like a jewel against the Java Sea. Dubbed the “Venice of the East,” it featured canals teeming with life. Parahumans designed for aquatic living roamed the streets, a sight that turned heads even in our group. They reminded me of Dr. Sera Velasquez from the Lost Continent, and later, we saw a magical reflection that deepened the connection: semi-aquatic lizards living in a brightly colored and magical—but no-technological—city beneath the waters of our reality, seemingly a callback to the Fourth World.
The private concert was held aboard a luxurious submarine with a forward section made entirely of see-through materials. As the submarine glided through Jakarta’s canals and out to sea, the guests—a lucky group of 200 randomly selected Indonesians—marveled at the aquatic scenery. Halo played to this wonder, crafting a setlist that resonated deeply with the crowd. It was easily one of her most magical performances, connecting both literally and figuratively to the waters surrounding us.
But magic seems to draw trouble as well. The serene atmosphere shattered when shadow cats—just like those from the Lost Continent—tore through the astral plane and attacked the guests and crew. The confined space made the fight chaotic and dangerous, but we’ve dealt with these creatures before. Vanya and I were particularly effective, thanks to our ability to perceive and counter them in both astral and physical forms.
When it was over, we were lucky to have escaped a mass casualty event. A few minor injuries, some panic, but no fatalities. Still, it left us with questions. The shadow cats and the Fourth World reflections in Jakarta can’t be a coincidence. Are we seeing ripple effects from the Lost Continent, or is there something deeper connecting these events?
I spent the rest of the night keeping watch, trying to make sense of it all. Whatever this is, it’s not over.
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