After floating for a while in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, Valkery decided to fly higher, attempting to escape the massive swirling storm. The plasma wings on her back glowed brightly, emitting enough energy to counter the fierce winds and relentless lightning strikes.
With great caution, she increased the thrust of her wings, piercing through the rapidly moving hydrogen gas clouds. Flashes of lightning occasionally illuminated her figure, but the plasma wings' energy shield managed to absorb most of the electrical impacts.
As she reached a certain altitude, Valkery could feel the atmospheric pressure decreasing. The clouds began to thin out, and her vision became clearer. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of Jupiter's majestic panorama, with the Great Red Spot spinning slowly.
Upon reaching the higher layers, she felt slightly relieved as the wind wasn't as strong as before. However, the immense gravity was still trying to pull her back down. With the power of her wings, Valkery continued pushing herself upward until she finally broke through the topmost layer of the atmosphere.
Once outside Jupiter's atmosphere, she could see the giant gas planet in all its glory. The swirling orange and red clouds looked as if they were depicting the rage of an eternal storm.
In the vastness of space, the environment felt calm and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos below. Valkery looked around, marveling at the stars shining more brightly without the atmospheric barrier. Jupiter's moons, like Io and Europa, could also be seen drifting in their respective orbits.
After successfully exiting the atmosphere, Valkery paused for a moment to catch her breath and calm herself. She knew that exploring outer space would require better preparation.
With her courage growing stronger, Valkery floated in space, ready to decide where her next adventure would take her.
Looking back at Jupiter, with its deadly atmosphere for ordinary humans, Valkery couldn't help but think how much more hospitable Jupiter's four largest moons were in comparison. Even the harshest of those moons seemed far more welcoming than the planet itself.
If she ever needed a place to rest or explore, those moons could be suitable destinations.
Unlike humans, khodams do not require oxygen to breathe. Humans rely on the presence of oxygen because it is essential for cellular respiration, where oxygen combines with glucose to produce energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water. This process is crucial for sustaining human life, especially in environments like Earth.
Khodams, however, function differently. Their existence is not bound by the biological processes of living beings. Instead of relying on oxygen and nutrients, khodams derive their sustenance from pure energy, which can come from various sources, such as spiritual power, ambient energy, or even planetary energy fields.
In space, where oxygen is virtually nonexistent and temperatures can plummet to extreme lows, a khodam can survive as long as it has access to energy. Space itself is not a complete void; cosmic radiation, solar winds, and electromagnetic waves permeate it. A khodam can harness these ambient energies, allowing it to sustain itself without needing oxygen or food.
Additionally, the plasma wings that Valkery possesses are not only a means of flight but also an energy-conversion device. They can absorb stray cosmic energy and convert it into a form that her khodam body can use, further enhancing her ability to survive and maneuver in space.
This unique ability makes khodams inherently suited for space travel, unlike humans who require oxygen tanks, pressure suits, and protective gear to endure the vacuum and radiation of outer space.
Valkery then flew back toward Jupiter, but this time she aimed for a spot outside the massive storm. Even so, it seemed like it would take a while—the storm itself was wider than Earth. Eventually, she managed to reach the edge of the storm to check in. She figured she could continue her exploration from here later and decided to return to the monitoring room on Earth.
"Can you see me? I'm near the Great Red Spot on Jupiter," Valkery reported.
"Sorry, Rai. We still can't spot you this time. We'll try to develop a more advanced monitoring device later," one of the technicians replied.
"By the way, I didn't encounter any aliens inside that massive storm on Jupiter," Valkery mentioned.
"Well, even though we couldn't find you, we did detect many aliens outside the Great Red Spot. No aliens seem to want to stay inside the storm. Besides, some of them are on the four major moons of Jupiter," the technician explained.
"The four major moons?"
"Yes, the four moons are Callisto, Europa, Ganymede, and Io. We managed to spot some alien activity there. There are also aliens on Jupiter itself, but the atmosphere makes it difficult to see them clearly. From what we can observe, the ones in the atmosphere are gigantic in size," the technician reported.
"Alright, I'm going to take a break," Valkery said before flying back home. The plasma wings on her back propelled her swiftly through the air—much faster than Angel's wings—and could be deactivated as needed.
Once she arrived home, Valkery gently landed on the balcony and let out a long sigh of relief. The plasma wings faded away, and she stretched her body to ease the tension from the long journey.
Feeling slightly fatigued, she decided it was time to relax and recover. Heading inside, she took a refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of Jupiter's harsh winds. The sensation helped soothe her muscles, and she couldn't help but smile at the comfort of being back in a familiar space.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, Valkery prepared a light snack and a cup of herbal tea. She sat by the window, sipping slowly while watching the city lights below. The contrast between Jupiter's chaotic storms and the calm of her home made her appreciate the peaceful moments even more.
As she rested on the soft couch, Valkery picked up her tablet to browse through the data she managed to gather on Jupiter. Reviewing the storm patterns and the alien sightings, she made notes on what to investigate next.
Feeling her energy slowly returning, she allowed herself a few more moments of quiet, enjoying the gentle ambiance of the room. Eventually, Valkery closed her eyes, deciding to take a short nap to fully recharge before planning her next move.