Ethan's point of view...The journey was long, but we kept ourselves occupied with our telepathic conversation. After a while, I felt a weird change in the atmosphere, and in addition to that suddenly Ava alerted us, "Hey guys, stop where you are"We were all surprised but as we all know that Ava is an expert in land analysis, we have to trust her. "What's wrong bro?" My teammates were impatient, why won't they be, the place we were in was nothing but suffocating, dark tunnels.If not for the system powers we would have already suffocated to death."Stay still and focus on anything you feel odd about that place," I said concentrating on the waves coming from within the tunnels.When the realization hit my core, I yelled a command for my team to retrieve it. The weird waves were nothing but a chemical gas coming out from the tunnel and if I am right, that is only the beginning. There must be some kind of chemical or liquid flowing behind."Guys get back to the land," I hissed, "Faste
Ethan's point of view...I was literally confused, I had been in that spacecraft for more than three days, but seriously, I never saw something like that.Reaching the vessel, I embarked on the task of locating that device, something that looks like a missile.Even after searching for it everywhere, I couldn't find it within the confines of my spacecraft, a sense of urgency and anticipation gripped me. The anticipation that this crucial component held the potential to alter the course of disturbing those shadow forces intensified my determination. With each passing moment, I meticulously combed through the various compartments and sections of the spacecraft, my fingers navigating the controls and panels with a mix of skill and anxiety. I tried to connect to Captain Ven again but I couldn't.The soft hum of the ship's systems seemed to echo my heartbeat as I ventured deeper into its interior, scanning every nook and cranny for the elusive device. The low lighting cast elongated sha
Ethan's point of view...To hide ourselves, we were commanded to hide our spacecraft inside a huge artificial asteroid that looks exactly like a real one. It was just a holographic illusion used to hide the spacecraft. It was prepared with advanced technology which can't be traced even using an efficient tracing system. We flew over to the planet with the help of our flying suite. We managed to go and come back unnoticed but at last, our trick did not stay hidden before those extremely observant shadow forces. As directed, the brilliant streak of light from the device's impact on Efrodo's planet faded into memory, and a new chapter of uncertainty began. The tranquility that had momentarily settled over the spacecraft was shattered by a sudden alert klaxon, its urgent wail cutting through the silence like a blade. The control panels lit up with warnings, indicators flashing red in a chaotic dance of danger. "Captain Ethan, incoming hostiles!" the AI danger-detecting system of the s
Ethan's point of view...The countdown was already tickling, and I tried all my strength to break the emergency exit open.The spacecraft was fully damaged and I even activated the self-destruction mode in it. I was ready to face whatever awaited me, both on the planet's surface and in the battle against the shadowy forces. But as that mysterious voice echoed, I felt his words penetrating deep within my mind.Swirling every corner of my world. His urge to save me had an unspoken intention behind it.I felt it that way though.As he told me that the emergency exit pod was repaired, I tried lifting off the front metallic frame and then try breaking the escape exit of the vessel, the gravity of the situation settled in. I was now entirely on my own, hurtling through the vessel which was about to explode in seconds. With my heart pounding in my chest, I threw myself into the emergency escape pod just as the countdown reached its final moments. The pod sealed shut around me, the sensatio
Ethan's point of view...I was standing at the entrance of the chamber room when an announcement was made, that jerked me but I still felt slight excitement. I am finally going to get my answers.{Ethan Conner, assemble in the main hall immediately}The tension in the air was tangible as I walked down the gleaming corridors of the starship toward the main hall. The echoes of the recent battle still reverberated in my mind, and the remnants of the explosion were etched vividly in my memory. It was so near, I almost lost my life but still, I won't have regretted it.As I approached the central gathering area, I felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The main hall was a grand chamber, but today it looked different as its walls were adorned with holographic displays depicting distant galaxies and star systems.I saw one of the displays, displaying the Efrodo. The ambient lighting created an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence. As I entered, I noticed the members of my team had alr
Ethan's point of view...The announcement of our impending physical training hit us like a meteor, and I could practically hear the collective groan from my fellow teammates. As we gathered in the training area, a series of robotic figures stood at attention, their metal frames gleaming in the harsh overhead lights.Captain Ven strode to the front, his demeanor undeniable. "Meet your training partners for the week," he said clearly which almost jerked our souls out. We have been training all these days among ourselves under the eyes of the small service crew who hardly notice any ditch we did in the training before.But now, these figures in front of us are more like sumo wrestlers, completely scanning even the slightest movement we made.I appreciated these Robots when they were not completely made, never did I think that one day I will be monitored by them."These robots are designed to simulate real combat scenarios, so don't hold back!" Captain Ven continued.The robots stared b
Author's point of view...Ethan's heart raced as he stood there, holding the transmitter, his mind grappling with a whirlwind of emotions and questions. The voice on the other end was unmistakably the same one that had guided him through the spacecraft ordeal. But how could this person possibly know so much about him? "I know everything about you, how you breathe, Ethan," the voice continued, its eerie familiarity sending shivers down his spine. Ethan's brows furrowed, a mix of confusion and frustration coloring his expression. "How can you possibly know all that? Who are you, really? How do you know it was me?" The voice emitted a deep, enigmatic chuckle."We will meet soon, Ethan. I am someone who's been observing you throughout your life. Someone who's been keeping an eye on your journey, your strengths, and your weaknesses from the moment you were born." Ethan's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. His gaze flickered over to Captain Ven, who was still engaged i
Ethan's point of view...As we stood before that door, all our minds were in a mess. The room was dark and mysterious giving up an aura of something so dangerous that lay inside it. Captain Ven instructed that we must not make any sounds because even a pin-dropping sound can make a difference in this place.That was terrifying, isn't it?I experienced some sort of churning feeling inside my gutt as I stared at a slight fluorescent light emerging out of a huge tumbler inside the room.We moved in slowly and gathered around the transparent chemical tank, our focus was fixed on the genetically modified figure suspended within emitting a Persian blue fluorescent light. "A human being...!" I mumbled inside my mind.A tense silence enveloped the room, and our curiosity was matched only by the air of unease that lingered. As I moved slowly observing it carefully, A human body...!I was puzzled, it was indeed a human body but with many differences. A face with just two holes as the nose,
Author's point of view...After talking with Captain Van, Ethan's determination to face the ultimate mission alone had reached its peak. He knew the risk, the danger, the potential cost—and he was ready to pay it. Standing before Captain Van, he made his request, a plea for secrecy, for the burden to be his alone. Van hesitated, torn between his loyalty to Ethan and his duty to the rest of the team, but Ethan's conviction was undeniable. With a heavy heart, Van finally agreed. They shared a silent understanding: this was the last stand, and it could not be in vain. Together, they began to plan. Van used his vast knowledge of alien technology, remnants of the advancements that had rebuilt him, to craft a strategy that played to their strengths. Ethan, relentless in his preparations, perfected every detail, ensuring there was no room for error. They allied with the few good aliens who had rebelled against the Wicked, knowing that this would be the key to their success. These allies
Author's point of view... He was smiling...! I blinked several times as I felt that as my imagination. How could a robot smile? That smile wasn't something that come from happiness, of course. It was painful and I can easily feel it. "Then...? What happened?" I asked looking blankly at him. He continued but that strange thing, his smile, had faded. "I wanted to end it all. But I was incompetent." he hung his head and I hesitatingly patted his strong metallic shoulder. Though it only hurt me...! He continued. "I devised a plan and attacked every single thing that I could find and gathered every weapon they have, including their bodies. Every explosive I could rig. Though I was not any professional in making explosives, those things that I collected were already dangerous and explosive. With them in hand, I went into their territory, knowing it was a suicide mission. I didn’t care. All I wanted was to make them feel even a fraction of the pain I was drowning in. I want to de
Author's point of view... As I sat there, the room felt heavier, the air around me thick with the remnants of whatever I heard just now. My existence itself was already a mystery, and to add to that, I had just met my future self; I talked to him head-on through a virtual image. Everything was just so astonishing to take in. His words...I mean, the future Ethan's words were strangely heavy for my head to take in entirely. The pain he endured was something that I can only dread in my nightmares. I questioned my ability to survive if I had to go through those hardships. But when I gave it some thought, I did get it through, didn't I? At times, I would feel proud of myself, and then fear would take over. I hadn’t fully processed the enormity of what he’d said when the chamber door suddenly opened, jolting me back to the present. Captain Van entered his mechanical steps echoing softly through the chamber. Though I knew who entered, I was a bit startled. He had his unreadable r
Ethan's point of view... As I sat there, the weight of the future pressing down on me, the chamber room seemed to grow colder. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the holographic figure before me—my future self, a shadow of the man I was now, but with a story that chilled me to the bone. “So, what happened next?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, but I had to. There was no turning back now. "You will get to know it soon, but you need to promise me that you won't startle" My head stirred, don't startle...! What on earth is he going to tell me about?? I leaned closer, nodding my head in agreement. Ethan’s... Uh damn...! It's so annoying to call him that. How about Future Ethan?? Yes. That's better. Future Ethan's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sorrow and pride. He began, “Ethan, the world beyond what you can imagine… it’s not just a place, it’s a crucible. It’s where I was reborn, in more ways than one.” He pau
Ethan's point of view... Reaching the starship, I was dying to get my answers but we were all held back by the chamber room to take a rest. Captain Ven had sent someone over with his orders that we needed to heal our bodies first. Three days completely in the chamber made me feel sick to hell. But I felt so energetic as I stepped out. My teammates were in the chambers for two days only as they were pretty much in good shape. As I stepped out, I saw I was alone in the chamber room. Everyone was already at the training hall. I missed everything here. Yeah...! Not the harsh training of course.As I was about to move on to the door, a beam of light flashed in the middle of the chamber room with a loud buzzing sound. And soon a colorful figure projected in the beam of light.I stood frozen, staring at the virtual projection but what astonished me most was the fact that it was my own self. It's me but a bit different.Agent C...!!******Author's point of view...The figure before h
Ethan's point of view... When I saw with my vision still blurry, my teammates's hesitant gazes revealed a mix of awe and apprehension. I still couldn't figure out what just happened to me. I knew I had to explain, to assure them that I was still the person they knew. With that confusion swirling in my mind, and a strange pain and dullness engulfing me, I closed my eyes uncontrollably.I found myself falling from a long height and with a sudden jolt, I opened my eyes again. "Freaking Hell," I gasped the atmosphere around me was freaking hot. The pain in my chest intensified and felt all-consuming, but vanished in the seconds it took for me to blink my eyes open. I was on my back and staring up at an unfamiliar afternoon sky with clouds the color of late autumn leaves.I couldn't comprehend where I was because my mind seemed to be numb for a few minutes. "It feels like I just died," I mumbled.Where am I? I couldn't see my teammates around me. As soon as I got my senses back, I
Ethan's point of view. It was all going on like a movie flashing in front of me. A movie that I never want to see though. Apocalypse...! It was just looking like the time which I experienced on earth. Destruction and destruction everywhere. My mind almost fused and I stood unable to move for a while. But suddenly my transmitter jolted into life. I heard that voice again. "You are special," the voice echoed multiple times in my consciousness. "A new kind of energy resides within you, Ethan, grab the red crystal in your bare hands and you will know what it is" I was puzzled for some time until I saw those huge creatures making their way to us. My team was shattered, though not defeated, they were all tired to their last breath. If not for me, for them I had to push myself. I removed the glove and shoved my trembling hand inside the hidden pocket of my suit to grab that red stone. That's it...! I did feel a spark in my body. It was just like a high-voltage current passing thro
Ethan's point of view... In that darkness, all my teammates were surrounded by huge spaceship lights. Though they were alert, not panicked. I was proud of them but a slight fear gripped my heart and I felt a bit insecure. The minutes passed in tense silence, broken only by the distant hum of alien ships approaching. Our hearts pounded in our chests as we waited for the inevitable confrontation. I moved forward hideously and Aron followed me. Then, the first sign of trouble came from the sensors. A faint blip on the screen indicated movement in the nearby foliage. Reaching my team, I connected with their minds. "Get ready, they're coming," I whispered to the team, my grip tightening on the weapon I took out, a makeshift plasma pistol we had salvaged from our earlier encounters. The tension in the air was noticeable as we braced ourselves for the battle ahead. We were outnumbered and outgunned, but we had the element of surprise on our side, and the determination to protect our ow
Ethan's point of view..."We have to move, now!" I declared, urgency coloring my voice. We don't even have any idea about them, what kind of enemy are we going to face, or what their powers might be. "The aliens are here, and they're not here for a friendly chat," I added."Are we going to fight against them?" Daniel asked still feeling a little bit dizzy.We knew we needed a defensible position, and fast. And this might be a foolish act to stand against those powerful aliens without proper preparation. My team is strong but not enough to face an entire army of those vicious aliens."We can find a way to escape, once our mission is completed" I mumbled, "but if we can't...!" I was uncertain myself, how could I assure them? Nathan patted his hand on my shoulders, "Don't worry Captain, nobody is a coward in our team." he assured, "We are willing to use our, even life is not an exception if needed" It felt like I had a strong Mountain of support behind my back, my team. With his word