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. 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... 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... 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... 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
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
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...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