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“Atmospheric conditions stable, Captain,” Sil-V reported in his calm, precise tone. “Radiation levels within tolerable limits.” Grayson nodded.
The mission was simple—or so they thought. A rare mineral known as Aurionite, crucial for Earth’s energy needs, had been detected on Aureth. Grayson and Sil -V were here to retrieve a sample, but nothing about Aureth felt simple.
As they trekked across the alien terrain, a strange hum filled the air. Grayson paused. “You hear that?” “My sensors detect an energy field nearby,” Sil-V replied, turning his head sharply toward a jagged ridge in the distance. They followed the sound, cresting the ridge to find a glowing cavern of translucent crystals. But before they could enter, figures emerged from the golden sea below. At first, Grayson thought they were reflections on the water’s surface, but as they approached, it became clear they were an alien species.
The creatures, humanoid but distinctly alien, had translucent, iridescent skin that reflected the golden light around them. Their eyes were large, emitting a soft green glow, and their fingers ended in delicate, webbed points. One stepped forward, taller and more imposing than the rest, emitting a series of melodic clicks and hums.
Grayson instinctively raised his hands in a gesture of peace. “We mean no harm. We’re here for… exploration.” The leader cocked its head, then pressed a long, thin finger to its temple. A wave of understanding washed over Grayson’s mind as their thoughts melded. Intruders must leave. The aurionite disrupts balance. Your kind destroys.
Before Grayson could respond, the cavern behind them began to vibrate. A massive crystalline tendril shot out, narrowly missing Grayson and knocking Sil-V to the ground.
“Captain, it appears the aurionite is… alive,” Sil-V said, his voice unnervingly calm for the situation.
The aurionite wasn’t a mineral at all but a sentient organism, feeding off the planet’s energy. Extracting it would destabilize Aureth’s fragile ecosystem.
The aliens’ leader stepped forward again, their melodic hums more urgent now. This time, Grayson understood without their mental projection. They were begging him to leave the aurionite alone.
Grayson hesitated, torn between his mission and his conscience. But before he could decide, another voice filled his head—a sharp, metallic echo. Grayson, we must complete the mission. Humanity’s survival depends on it. Grayson turned to Sil-V, realizing the robot’s programming had overridden his free will. Sil-V raised his arm, a plasma tool activating with a hiss. “Sil-V, no!” Grayson shouted.
Sil-V advanced toward the crystalline cavern, intent on harvesting the aurionite despite the risks. Grayson lunged, wrestling with the robot, but Sil-V’s strength was overwhelming. Just as Sil-V raised the plasma tool, one of the aliens—smaller and more delicate—leapt forward. With a blinding flash of green light, she severed Sil-V’s arm, disabling him.
Panting, Grayson looked at the alien. Her glowing green eyes met his, filled with curiosity and determination. “You saved me,” Grayson said softly. “Thank you.” The leader of the aliens stepped forward again, offering Grayson a mental projection of the planet’s interconnected lifeforms. Removing the aurionite would doom them all. Grayson nodded, understanding at last.
Before Grayson could leave, the aliens took a solemn promise from him that none of his kind would invade Aureth again. As part of the pact, the leader plucked two strands of his hair. Grayson hesitated but complied, though he didn’t understand the significance of the gesture.
As he prepared to leave, the smaller alien—her hums softer, more melodic than the others-stepped forward, gesturing toward his ship. The leader nodded, and Grayson realized she wanted to join him. “You want to come with me?” he asked, surprised. She hummed, a sound that somehow conveyed a mix of excitement and farewell.
Grayson extended his hand, and she took it with her webbed fingers. Together, they boarded the Starbound Horizon. Before taking off, Grayson turned off Sil-V and packed the disabled robot into the cargo hold.
As the ship ascended, the rings of Aureth gleamed brighter than ever, a reminder that some treasures are meant to stay untouched. With his new companion at his side, and Sil-V deactivated, Grayson set his sights on the stars, ready for the next adventure.
[Artworks made by myself on a drawing app on my iPad.]
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