The stealth cruiser shot through Earth's atmosphere like a falling star, its hull glowing from the friction of entry. Commander Floss gripped the controls, her knuckles white beneath her gloves. The ship was barely holding together, the damage from the battle over Planet Gargle more extensive than she had anticipated. Alarms blared in the cockpit, warning her of imminent failure.Floss gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowed in fierce concentration. "Just a little further," she muttered to herself.Through the viewport, Earth's surface came into view. Green fields, blue oceans, sprawling cities—it was all so peaceful. So unaware. She didn't have the luxury to admire the beauty of it. Her mission was clear: find someone, anyone, capable of leading the defense of Earth. The Cavities were coming, and Earth wasn't ready.The cruiser shuddered violently as it descended, a trail of smoke and fire following in its wake. The damage from the attack on Planet Gargle had left the ship vulnerable, and its stealth capabilities were failing. Floss could feel the ship breaking apart around her, the metal groaning under the strain.Suddenly, a burst of fire erupted from one of the engines, sending the cruiser into a violent spin. Floss fought the controls, her muscles straining as she tried to steady the ship. She barely managed to pull it out of the dive, angling toward a stretch of forest below. It was the best landing site she could find in the seconds she had left.The trees loomed closer, their green canopy rushing up to meet her. She braced herself, hands gripping the console."Brace for impact!" she shouted to no one in particular, a grim smile on her lips.The cruiser crashed through the trees, the sound of splintering wood and tearing metal filling the air. The impact threw Floss against her harness, and for a moment, everything went black.----Floss awoke to the smell of smoke and the hiss of steam escaping from broken pipes. Her head throbbed, and her vision swam as she blinked away the haze. Slowly, she unbuckled her harness and pushed herself up from the pilot's seat, groaning as pain shot through her side.The cockpit was a wreck, the control panels sparking and the glass of the viewport cracked but intact. Beyond the shattered glass, she could see the dense forest surrounding the wreckage. Birds scattered from the trees, startled by the crash.Floss grimaced as she checked the ship's readouts. Most of the systems were down, and the stealth field was completely offline. She cursed under her breath. The Cavities would know she was here.With a groan, she pried open the emergency exit, kicking it free when it jammed halfway. As she climbed out of the ship and dropped to the forest floor, she winced at the sharp pain in her ribs. Probably bruised. Maybe cracked. But there was no time to worry about that now.Standing in the clearing created by the crash, Floss took a deep breath, scanning her surroundings. The air was different from Gargle, thicker and richer with oxygen. Birds called to one another in the distance, and the wind rustled through the leaves. It was serene, but she knew this peace wouldn't last.Not with what was coming.Floss reached back into the ship, retrieving her laser rifle and a small satchel containing her supplies. She slung the rifle over her shoulder, her mind already turning to her next move. She needed to find someone—a champion. Someone who could rally Earth's defenses before General Blaguda's fleet arrived."Earth," she muttered to herself as she started walking. "Let's see what you've got."-----As Floss pushed through the dense undergrowth, she heard the distant hum of engines approaching. Helicopters. She tensed, ducking low and peering through the trees. Sure enough, several military helicopters were circling above the crash site. They were fast—faster than she'd expected."Looks like Earth has its own defenses," she mused. "But are they ready for what's coming?"Her sharp eyes tracked the movements of the helicopters, watching as they hovered near the wreckage of her cruiser. It wouldn't take long for them to land and investigate. Floss hesitated for a moment—if she revealed herself too soon, she risked being captured, or worse, misunderstood. She had to be careful.But then, she spotted something that made her blood run cold. Among the helicopters, she could see a figure in black armor, stepping out from one of the aircraft. The figure was too far to see clearly, but there was no mistaking the jagged, tooth-like design of the armor.Cavities. They were already here.Floss's pulse quickened. She had to move quickly. If the Cavities had infiltrated Earth's military, then the planet was in more danger than she'd thought. She turned away from the crash site, moving deeper into the forest.She had to find help. Fast.-----Floss kept her pace steady as she made her way toward the nearest human settlement, using the data she had downloaded from Earth's satellite systems before her crash. It wasn't long before she emerged from the forest, the dense trees giving way to a sprawling field and, beyond that, a small town nestled in the valley.She observed the town for a moment, studying the way the people moved—unhurried, unaware of the threat looming just beyond the stars. She didn't have time to be subtle. The town wouldn't stand a chance if the Cavities attacked here.As she made her way toward the town, she spotted a figure sitting on a bench just outside a small diner. A young man, perhaps in his early twenties, with shaggy brown hair and a worn leather jacket. He was sipping from a coffee cup, watching the sunset with an air of casual indifference.Floss narrowed her eyes. Something about him seemed... off. His posture was too relaxed, his gaze too calculating. This was no ordinary civilian.She approached him cautiously, her rifle slung across her back but ready to be drawn in an instant."Hey," she called out, her voice low and firm.The young man looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Hey yourself," he replied, his voice casual but alert. His eyes flicked to the rifle on her back, and he set down his coffee cup slowly. "You lost or something?"Floss stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "You don't seem too surprised to see someone like me."He shrugged, leaning back against the bench. "I've seen weirder. This is a weird town. People talk."Floss crossed her arms, studying him closely. "I need information. Fast. Are there any military installations nearby? Defense forces? Something capable of stopping an interplanetary invasion?"The young man blinked at her, then let out a low whistle. "Interplanetary invasion, huh? You're either crazy or in the wrong place."Floss scowled. "I don't have time for games."He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Relax. You want to know about the military? You're not gonna find much here. This town's as far off the grid as it gets. But... if you're looking for a fight, you might want to talk to the sheriff. She's been gearing up for something lately. Not sure what, but she's serious about it."Floss frowned. "The sheriff?""Yeah, Sheriff Harper," he said, nodding toward the far end of the street. "She's tough as nails. Ex-military, I think. If anyone in this town knows how to fight, it's her."Floss glanced down the road, her eyes narrowing. "Where can I find her?"The young man smirked, standing up and dusting off his jacket. "She's probably at the town hall. You'll know her when you see her. Good luck."As Floss started to walk away, the young man called after her, his voice suddenly more serious. "Hey, if what you're saying is true—about the invasion—I'd watch your back. You're not the only one looking for help."Floss turned back, but the young man was already walking away, hands in his pockets, his coffee cup abandoned on the bench.Something about him didn't sit right with her, but there was no time to worry about that now. She needed to find this Sheriff Harper, and fast.-----The town hall was a modest building, its wooden exterior weathered by time but still standing strong. Floss could hear the murmur of voices inside as she approached, and when she pushed open the door, all eyes turned to her.The room fell silent as she stepped inside, her armored form standing out starkly against the simple townsfolk gathered there. At the front of the room stood a woman in her early forties, her short-cropped hair streaked with gray, and a hard look in her eyes. She was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a tactical vest over her civilian clothes. Her hand rested on the grip of a sidearm holstered at her hip.Sheriff Harper.Floss approached her, ignoring the wary looks from the people in the room. "Sheriff Harper?"Harper eyed her up and down, her expression unreadable. "Depends who's asking.""I'm Commander Floss," she said, keeping her voice low but firm. "I'm here to warn you. Earth is in danger. An alien force is on its way, and if we don't act now, this planet will fall."The sheriff stared at her for a long moment, then crossed her arms. "You expect me to believe that?"Floss didn't flinch. "Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant. The invasion is coming, and when it does, your town—your entire planet—will be the first to suffer."Harper raised an eyebrow. "You sound pretty sure of yourself. Got any proof to back up these claims?"Floss reached into her satchel and pulled out a small holographic projector. With a press of a button, a three-dimensional map appeared in the air, showing the movement of the Cavity fleet, the destruction of Planet Gargle, and the trajectory of the invasion fleet heading toward Earth.The room gasped in shock. Harper's eyes widened, but her expression quickly hardened again."You're serious," she muttered, her gaze locked on the map. She turned to her deputies, nodding toward the door. "Clear the room. Now."The townspeople filed out, murmuring in confusion, leaving only Floss and Harper in the room.When the door shut behind the last person, Harper turned back to Floss, her face grim. "If what you're saying is true, then we're not ready for this. We've got some ex-military folks in town, but nothing on the scale of what you're showing me."Floss nodded. "That's why I'm here. We need to find someone—someone who can unite Earth's defenses. Someone capable of leading a fight against the Cavities."Harper leaned against the table, her brow furrowed in thought. "And you think that someone is here? In this town?"Floss looked her straight in the eyes. "I don't know. But if there's anyone with the strength and the will to fight, we need to find them—fast."Harper's gaze hardened. "Alright, Commander. Let's find this champion. Time's running out."---Sheriff Harper's words hung in the air, a silent agreement between two hardened warriors. Both knew what was at stake, and though the town might not be the battlefield they envisioned, it could very well become the spark that ignited Earth's resistance."Follow me," Harper said briskly, pushing through the door at the back of the hall. Floss trailed close behind, her eyes scanning every corner of the hallway they entered. Despite the sheriff's confidence, Floss couldn't shake the feeling that the enemy might already be closer than anyone suspected.The hallway was dimly lit, and the soft hum of machinery from somewhere in the distance set Floss on edge. They reached a small office, and Harper pushed the door open with the same directness she carried in her stance. Inside was a basic command center—a far cry from the advanced technology Floss was used to, but impressive given the town's size. Radios, computers, and maps covered the walls, and a few deputies sat at the makeshift stations, monitoring different feeds."This is where we coordinate emergency responses," Harper explained, waving a hand toward the setup. "Not much, but it's kept us on top of things around here."Floss nodded, her gaze moving to the large tactical map on the wall. It was focused on the town and the surrounding area, with key locations marked in red. She noticed several areas labeled as "former military sites," and a larger region on the outskirts tagged as "restricted.""What's in the restricted zone?" Floss asked, pointing to the map.Harper's eyes followed her finger, and she let out a slow breath. "That's the old Raven Rock facility. Decommissioned after the war. Word is, it's still got a few surprises left in it, though. Rumor has it some higher-ups in Washington still keep an eye on the place, but no one's set foot inside in years."Floss's brow furrowed. "Could be worth investigating. We might find something useful there."Before Harper could respond, one of the deputies stood up, his face pale. "Sheriff, we've got movement near the crash site—military choppers inbound, but there's something else. We've detected strange energy signatures in the area."Floss and Harper exchanged a glance. "Cavities," Floss muttered.Harper straightened. "I thought you said they were on their way. You didn't mention they were already here.""I didn't know they were this far along," Floss admitted, her voice tight with urgency. "We need to move."Harper nodded, her expression hardening with determination. "Alright. We'll split up. I'll get my people ready, and we'll hit Raven Rock. If there's anything left in that facility that can help us, I want it in our hands before those things find it.""What about the crash site?" Floss asked."We'll send a small team to scout it out," Harper said. "But I'm not risking a full-on confrontation until we know what we're up against."Floss frowned, but she knew Harper was right. The Cavities were methodical, ruthless, and far more advanced than Earth's current defenses. They couldn't afford to charge in blindly."Fine," Floss said. "I'll go with you to Raven Rock. But we need to move fast."Harper smirked. "You sure you can keep up, Commander?"Floss allowed herself a small smile. "You just worry about yourself, Sheriff."The trek to Raven Rock was grueling, the terrain rugged and the path overgrown with years of neglect. Harper had gathered a small team of her most trusted deputies, all of them former military, just as the young man from the diner had said. Floss moved with them, her eyes constantly scanning the perimeter for signs of trouble.As they moved deeper into the restricted zone, Floss's senses prickled with unease. Something was wrong. The air felt heavier, almost oppressive, and the forest was unnaturally quiet."We're getting close," Harper said, her voice low. She pointed ahead, where a crumbling chain-link fence was barely visible through the foliage. Beyond it, the dark silhouette of Raven Rock loomed like a sleeping giant, its once-imposing structure now overgrown with vines and rust.Floss stepped up to the fence, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like no one's been here in a long time," she murmured. But even as she said it, she couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.Harper motioned to one of her deputies, a stocky man with a grizzled beard. "Cut the fence, but keep it quiet."The man nodded, pulling out a pair of bolt cutters and making quick work of the rusted metal. They slipped through the opening one by one, keeping low and moving silently toward the facility's entrance. The door was heavy and rusted, but a few hard kicks from Harper sent it crashing inward.Inside, the air was musty and thick with dust. The facility was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of emergency lanterns they had brought with them. Floss's helmet sensors adjusted to the dim light, highlighting the structural weaknesses in the walls and ceiling. The place was falling apart."We should head to the command center," Harper said, leading the way down a narrow corridor. "If there's anything left worth salvaging, it'll be there."Floss nodded, but her attention was divided. Something was nagging at her—a feeling she couldn't quite place. It was almost as if—A low, metallic clank echoed through the hall.Everyone froze."What was that?" one of the deputies whispered, his hand hovering over his sidearm.Floss's grip tightened on her rifle. "Stay sharp. We're not alone."Harper motioned for silence, her eyes scanning the shadows. The group moved forward cautiously, their footsteps muffled on the cracked tiles. As they approached the next corner, the faint sound of movement grew louder—a rhythmic, mechanical sound that sent a chill down Floss's spine.Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, its silhouette humanoid but wrong—too tall, too angular. Floss's heart raced as the figure stepped into the light, revealing a Cavity drone. Its body was sleek and metallic, its head devoid of eyes but equipped with a row of jagged, sharp protrusions that resembled teeth."Contact!" Floss shouted, raising her rifle.The team reacted instantly, their weapons trained on the drone, but it moved with unnatural speed, ducking out of sight before they could fire. The corridor erupted in chaos as more drones appeared, their metallic limbs clattering as they swarmed from hidden alcoves."Fall back!" Harper barked, firing her pistol at the nearest drone. The shot struck the drone's chest, but it barely slowed, its reinforced armor shrugging off the impact.Floss fired a burst from her rifle, taking down one of the drones, but there were too many. They were closing in fast, and the narrow corridor left little room for maneuvering."We can't hold this position!" one of the deputies shouted, his voice panicked."Move! Get to the command center!" Harper ordered, pushing the team forward.Floss fired another shot, her pulse racing as she saw the sheer number of drones converging on them. They had to move—now.They burst into the command center, slamming the door shut behind them. The room was large, filled with outdated computers and consoles, most of them covered in a thick layer of dust. But the real prize was the central terminal, a massive console that dominated the far wall.Harper and her team moved to secure the room, while Floss made a beeline for the terminal. Her fingers flew over the controls, searching for anything that could give them an edge."I'm accessing the facility's mainframe," Floss said, her eyes scanning the data. "There's a weapons cache here—high-tech stuff, experimental. It's buried deep in the lower levels."Harper's face lit up with a grim smile. "That's what we're here for.""But there's a problem," Floss continued. "The facility's security system is still active. The drones—they're programmed to eliminate any intruders."Harper cursed under her breath. "So that's why they're here."Floss nodded. "We need to deactivate the system, or we'll be fighting these things all the way down.""Can you do it?" Harper asked.Floss hesitated. "I can try, but it'll take time. And we don't have much of that."A loud crash echoed from the corridor outside, followed by the unmistakable clatter of metal on tile."They're coming," Harper said, her voice tight with urgency. She turned to her deputies. "Hold the door. Buy her some time."The deputies nodded, positioning themselves near the entrance with their weapons drawn.Floss worked quickly, her hands moving with practiced precision over the controls. She could hear the drones outside, their relentless pursuit sending shivers down her spine. She blocked it out, focusing on the task at hand.Just a little more...The door shook violently as the drones began to ram against it, their sharp limbs piercing through the metal. Floss's heart raced. One mistake, and they were dead."Come on, come on," she muttered, her fingers flying over the console.With a final keystroke, the screen blinked to life, and the facility's security system deactivated. The drones froze in place, their limbs going slack as the power drained from their systems.Floss let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding."It's done," she said, turning to Harper. "The way to the weapons cache is clear."Harper nodded, a determined look on her face. "Let's gear up. We've got a planet to save."--Harper's team let out a collective sigh of relief as the tension in the room finally broke, but Floss knew better than to relax completely. The silence after the chaos felt unnerving, like the calm before a storm. The drones might have been disabled for now, but they had no idea what else the facility might throw at them.Harper holstered her pistol and walked over to Floss, her face a mix of gratitude and steel determination. "You just bought us a chance, Commander," she said, her voice low but steady. "Let's make sure we use it wisely."Floss nodded, stepping away from the terminal and taking stock of the room. Her eyes lingered on the inactive drones that lay scattered in the corridor outside, their twisted forms a reminder of just how close they'd come to disaster. "We need to move fast. Those Cavities might be smarter than we think. They could find a way to reactivate these things."Harper turned to her deputies. "Grab anything useful. Weapons, supplies, whatever you can carry. We're heading for that weapons cache. I want everyone armed to the teeth before we face whatever comes next."The deputies moved quickly, rifling through old lockers and equipment scattered across the command center. One of them, a lanky woman with a scar running down her left cheek, came over to Harper and handed her a sleek, unfamiliar weapon."Found this in one of the crates. No idea what it does, but it looks like it could pack a punch."Harper took the weapon and inspected it with a raised eyebrow. "Good find. Everyone, grab something like this. We're going to need all the firepower we can get."Floss was already ahead of them, scanning the terminal for more information on the cache below. The data showed a network of tunnels and storage rooms, many of them sealed off since the facility's decommissioning. But the deeper levels—the ones they were heading toward—held more than just weapons. There were experimental devices, prototypes for defense systems, and even remnants of old technology scavenged from long-forgotten wars.Her fingers hovered over the keys for a moment, a sense of foreboding creeping into her thoughts. "There's something else down there," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.Harper, who had been barking orders to her team, turned to face her. "What do you mean?""I don't know exactly," Floss replied, her eyes locked on the screen. "But the logs mention something called 'Project Vanguard.' It was classified under the highest clearance, even before the facility was shut down.""Vanguard?" Harper's brow furrowed. "I've heard that name before. Old military project, right? Something to do with advanced defense systems?""More than that," Floss said, tapping a few keys to bring up more details. "It looks like it was some kind of contingency plan. They were preparing for a worst-case scenario—something they thought might wipe out everything."Harper took a step closer, her expression darkening. "And you think that's what we're dealing with now?"Floss shrugged. "I don't know. But if they thought Earth was in danger back then, it's probably worse now. If we can access Vanguard, it might give us the edge we need against the Cavities."Harper didn't hesitate. "Then we go for it. Whatever it is, we'll take our chances."The team was ready within minutes, each deputy armed with whatever advanced weapons they could find. Floss led the way, Harper close behind, as they descended deeper into the facility. The corridors became narrower, the air heavier with the scent of dust and decay. It was clear that no one had been down here in a long time.As they approached the lower levels, the atmosphere grew more oppressive. Floss's pulse quickened, her instincts on high alert. Something was wrong. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as they neared a massive steel door that sealed off the deeper sections of the facility."This is it," Floss said, gesturing toward the door. "The weapons cache is on the other side."Harper moved forward, eyeing the door's security panel. "Can you get us in?"Floss approached the panel, her fingers flying over the keys. It took a few moments, but with a soft click and a low rumble, the door slid open, revealing a darkened chamber beyond.The room was massive, lined with towering shelves and crates that stretched into the darkness. Floss's heart skipped a beat as she stepped inside, her rifle raised. There, in the center of the room, sat rows of advanced weaponry—gleaming, alien in design, and far more sophisticated than anything Earth had ever produced.But something else caught her eye. At the far end of the chamber, hidden beneath a large tarp, was a hulking figure—a machine, massive and ominous, with a sleek, angular frame. It stood silently, its surface reflecting the dim light from their lanterns."That must be Vanguard," Harper said quietly, her voice tinged with awe.Floss approached the machine cautiously, her eyes scanning its form. It looked like a combat unit of some kind, but unlike anything she had ever seen. Its design was too advanced, too alien, and the energy it radiated sent a shiver down her spine."This thing," Floss said, running a hand over its cold surface, "could change everything."Harper stepped up beside her, staring at the machine with a mix of awe and determination. "If it works."Floss turned to face her. "It has to."Suddenly, a distant rumble echoed through the facility. Floss's eyes widened as she turned toward the entrance. The noise grew louder, reverberating through the walls."The Cavities," Harper said grimly. "They've found us."Floss gripped her rifle tighter, her gaze darting between the weapons cache and the massive machine. They didn't have much time."Get the weapons distributed!" Harper ordered her team. "We hold them off as long as we can."As the deputies scrambled to arm themselves, Floss worked frantically at the console near Vanguard, trying to activate the machine. Her hands trembled as she entered commands, her mind racing. If she could get it online, they might stand a chance.The rumbling grew louder. Floss could hear the metallic clatter of Cavity drones approaching, their relentless march echoing through the corridors."Come on," she whispered, her fingers flying over the controls. "Come on!"A soft hum filled the air as Vanguard's systems came to life. The machine's eyes glowed faintly, and a deep, mechanical voice rumbled from within."Vanguard unit online. Awaiting command."Floss's heart raced as she stepped back, staring up at the massive machine. "Defend Earth," she said, her voice firm.The machine's eyes flared brighter, and with a sudden, powerful movement, it stepped forward, its massive frame casting a shadow over the room.Harper's team stared in awe as Vanguard moved into position, its weapon systems activating with a low, menacing hum. The Cavities were coming—but now, they had a fighting chance.Floss looked at Harper, her eyes filled with determination. "Let's give them hell."And as the first wave of drones poured into the room, Vanguard unleashed a barrage of firepower that shook the very walls of the facility. Floss and Harper stood side by side, ready to face the onslaught, knowing that this battle was only the beginning.Earth's survival depended on what they did next.--Chapter End--