Chereads / PROJECT: Alpha / Chapter 5 - The Earth

Chapter 5 - The Earth

May's heart raced as she piloted the small spacecraft through the vast expanse of space, her fingers gripping the controls tightly. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she navigated through the debris, her mind focused on one thing: saving Kei.

"Come on, May, you can do this," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with determination. The weight of the situation pressed upon her, knowing that Kei's life hung in the balance.

As May approached the location where Kei's capsule was adrift, she carefully maneuvered the spacecraft closer. Her eyes scanned the dark expanse, searching for any sign of Kei. The silence in the cockpit was suffocating, broken only by the hum of the engines and the sound of her own rapid heartbeat.

Finally, she spotted the capsule, a small and fragile-looking vessel floating amidst the vastness of space. May's breath caught in her throat as she aligned her spacecraft with the capsule, preparing to dock. The tension in the air was intense as she initiated the docking process, her hands moving with precision and skill.

With a gentle touch, May's small spacecraft securely latched onto the capsule's airlock. The doors hissed open, revealing the dimly lit interior. May's heart skipped a beat as she stepped inside and there, lying in the center, was Kei, unconscious and pale.

May knelt down, her hands trembling with concern. She carefully assessed Kei's condition, her fingers checking for any signs of life. The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon her, knowing that every passing moment was crucial.

"Kei," May called out softly, her voice filled with urgency. "Can you hear me? We're going to get you out of here."

There was no immediate response from Kei, her body limp and unresponsive. May's heart sank, but she refused to give in to despair. With a determined spirit, she gently cradled Kei's head, attempting to revive her.

"Please, Kei," May pleaded, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and hope. "Wake up. We've come so far. You can't give up now."

As if in response to May's words, Kei stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Confusion clouded her gaze as she slowly regained consciousness, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

"May?" Kei's voice was weak, barely a whisper. "You really came?"

A surge of relief washed over May, tears welling up in her eyes. She nodded, her voice filled with reassurance.

"Yes, Kei, ofc i had to come," May said, her voice quivering with emotion.

As May and Kei caught their breath, a brief moment of respite amidst the chaos, May's mind drifted back to the series of events that had led her to this point.

*FLASHBACK*

The moment Kei was taken into custody by the kapdan, she activated a small gadget she had ingeniously crafted—a pair of earrings that served as a communication device between her and May. Through the earrings, May received real-time updates and a detailed account of the dire circumstances unfolding.

With each piece of information, May's determination grew stronger. She knew she had to act swiftly to rescue Kei from the clutches of the kapdan. Gathering her resolve, May began preparing for the daring mission ahead.

Her first priority was to ensure that all crucial data and valuable information were safeguarded. She meticulously gathered and copied the necessary files, making sure not to leave any trace behind. With a careful hand, she erased every bit of evidence that could link Kei's work to the space station.

May's next move was to secure the half-completed alpha project. Recognizing its significance, she carefully packaged and stowed it away, ensuring its safekeeping during their escape.

With the ship prepared and the essential items secured, May embarked on her secret journey to rescue Kei. She expertly maneuvered through the labyrinthine passages of the space station, avoiding surveillance and detection. Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination, knowing that the stakes were incredibly high.

Finally, the moment arrived. In a secret and secluded area of the space station, May executed her plan. She activated the ejection system, propelling herself and the precious cargo—both the data and alpha— with a small spacecraft into the vast expanse of space-

*PRESENT TIME*

May's mind returned to the present as Kei questioned her about alpha. With a mixture of relief and anticipation, Kei reached for the bag that held the precious cargo. Carefully, she unzipped it, revealing the half completed alpha project inside. A wave of relief washed over Kei's face as she saw that it had remained intact.

"It's here, Kei," May said, a hint of pride in her voice. "I made sure to secure it during my escape. Alpha is safe."

Kei's eyes sparkled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. She knew the importance of the alpha and how its completion could bring about significant advancements to the humanity.

"You did it, May," Kei whispered, her voice filled with admiration. "Thank you for taking care of it. We've come so far, and now i have a chance to make my dreams a reality and undo what i had done before."

May nodded, her own pride evident in her expression. "Not only that, Kei," she added, her voice brimming with satisfaction, "I managed to gather all the important data and information from the space station. Every piece of evidence linking you to the project has been deleted. We can move forward without any hindrances."

Kei's eyes widened in surprise and relief. She knew the risks involved in leaving any trace behind, and May's diligence had ensured their clean break.

"May, you're amazing," Kei said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for going above and beyond to protect me and my work. We wouldn't be here without you."

May smiled, her heart warmed by Kei's appreciation. "We're a team, Kei," she replied softly. "I'll always do whatever it takes to support you and your- no our shared vision. Now, let's focus on the future and what lies ahead…

*Few moments later*

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

May's hands trembled as she gripped the spacecraft's controls, trying to regain control after a sudden jolt sent them spiraling out of control. The once calm and vast expanse of space now gave way to a chaotic descent towards Earth. The atmosphere outside the spacecraft shook violently, as if nature itself was resisting their return.

"May, what's happening?" Kei's voice trembled with concern as she clung onto her seat, her eyes wide with fear.

"I don't know, Kei!" May replied, her voice strained. "Something's gone wrong with the navigation system. We're going down too fast."

With every passing second, the ground drew closer, the once-distant horizon now looming large. May desperately scanned the area for a safe landing spot, her mind racing to find a solution amidst the chaos.

"Brace yourself, Kei!" May shouted, her voice filled with urgency. "We're crash-landing!"

The spacecraft plummeted towards the Earth's surface, hurtling through the atmosphere with alarming speed. The turbulence rattled their bodies, and fear gripped their hearts as they prepared for impact.

A deafening roar filled the air as the spacecraft collided with the ground, sending shockwaves through their bodies. The impact jarred their senses, and for a brief moment, everything went black.

As May slowly regained consciousness, the world around her came into focus. Smoke billowed from the wreckage of the spacecraft, and the scent of burning metal lingered in the air. Pain coursed through her body, but she pushed through, driven by her determination to protect Kei.

"Kei!" May called out, her voice filled with concern. She quickly assessed her own injuries and, with sheer determination, made her way towards Kei's side.

Kei groaned in pain as she struggled to free herself from the wreckage. May carefully helped her, taking care not to aggravate any injuries.

As May and Kei stumbled away from the wreckage of their spacecraft, they found themselves standing on unfamiliar ground. The once-familiar sight of Earth stretched out before them, bearing the marks of humanity's absence.

The landscape was a paradox of devastation and resilience. Broken buildings stood like silent sentinels, their shattered windows reflecting the sunlight that struggled to break through the thick clouds of dust. Nature, in its relentless pursuit, had begun to reclaim the deserted cityscape. Vines and ivy snaked their way up cracked concrete walls, and wildflowers defiantly bloomed amidst the rubble.

The air was heavy with the scent of decay and burnt remnants, a haunting reminder of the cataclysmic events that had unfolded during humanity's absence. The sounds of silence were occasionally interrupted by the creaking of abandoned structures and the rustling of leaves, creating an eerie symphony.

Gazing towards the horizon, May and Kei saw a vast expanse of emptiness, where once bustling cities had thrived. Skyscrapers, now mere skeletons of their former glory, reached towards the sky like ancient giants frozen in time. Crumbling roads and overturned vehicles hinted at the chaos that had happened when proto and her army went wild

Yet, amid the desolation, there were signs of hope. Nature had begun to reclaim its territory, painting the landscape with vibrant hues of green and splashes of colorful flowers that sprouted through the cracks. A sense of resilience emanated from the very soil they stood upon, reminding May and Kei that life, in its tenacious spirit, could endure even the harshest of trials.

As they surveyed the scene, the weight of their mission became all the more apparent. The Earth, wounded and scarred, awaited their efforts to restore it to its former glory. It was a daunting task, but the spark of hope in their hearts burned brighter than ever before.

With determination in their eyes, May and Kei took their first steps into this brave new world. They knew that their journey had just begun, and the challenges ahead would test their resolve. But together and alpha on their side, they were ready to face whatever lay in store and breathe life back into the Earth they called home.

"Finally," Kei whispered, her voice filled with awe and determination. "We are back on Earth…"