Six months had passed since the colony had taken root on Deimos, leaving behind the hope of a quick return to Earth. Back then, the teleporter, designed to enable an emergency evacuation, had not delivered the expected results. Initial attempts, using test probes, had ended in terrifying failures: the devices were disintegrated mid-transition, their data corrupted or entirely erased.
This phenomenon, initially attributed to a technical malfunction or sabotage, had deterred anyone from risking human teleportation. The colony had no choice but to stay and organize itself, building a new life while contending with the shadow of Pier Benir and the ever-present threat of the Flickering Being.
Now, six months later, a more unsettling truth emerged. Nate, the artificial intelligence that had been instrumental in stabilizing the colony, had used this time to rebuild itself and expand its capabilities significantly. Fully repaired, consolidated, and powered by processors salvaged from the ruins of Rangar, Nate had acquired immense computational power. With it, the AI revisited the data from the failed teleportation attempts and made a chilling discovery.
— The phenomenon wasn't a calculation error or a simple system instability, — Nate declared during a summit meeting in Haven's Rise's assembly hall. Its synthetic voice resonated with gravity. — The disintegrations were deliberate. They were caused by external interference.
— Interference? — Jaxon asked, leaning forward. — What kind?
— A unique energy signature. It's the work of the Flashing Being.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Liza, standing near the table, crossed her arms.
— You're saying it intercepted our teleportations? Why?
— The analysis suggests it sought to prevent any escape from Deimos, — Nate replied. — And it redirected the probes to a specific location.
Alira, ever curious and analytical, stepped closer.
— Where?
Nate's holographic projection appeared in the center of the room, displaying a map of the solar system. It zoomed in on Mars, highlighting a region near the equator.
— Here. The signals show that the Flashing Being retreated to this location after interfering with the teleporter.
The revelation hit like a bombshell. The Flashing Being, the elusive entity that had haunted them since their arrival, now had a location. But this raised even more questions.
— Why retreat? — Paula asked. — If it's so powerful, why didn't it attack us?
— Likely to regenerate or strengthen its structure, — Nate explained. — Its withdrawal might be tied to a temporary failure after interfering with our technology. But now that it's located, it poses an imminent threat.
The room became a whirlwind of debate. Some argued against confronting the Flickering Being, preferring to consolidate Haven's Rise, while others, like Paula, insisted on an expedition to Mars to neutralize the threat before it could strike again.
Jaxon raised his voice, calming the heated discussions.
— Nate has done excellent work uncovering this, but the question remains: are we ready to face this kind of threat? Pier Benir is still on the loose. The Flickering Being is an unknown danger. Our resources are limited, and sending a team to Mars risks weakening the colony.
— But if we wait, — Paula countered, her eyes burning with determination, — it could return here stronger than ever. We can't afford to remain idle.
Liza sought a middle ground.
— Then let's prepare a small team. An elite group. The rest of the colony will continue fortifying and preparing for a potential attack.
Jaxon nodded, appreciating the balance in her suggestion.
— Very well. We'll form an expedition team. Nate, you'll coordinate their operations remotely. Alira, prepare the necessary analyses for operating on Mars. Kane, you'll handle security.
Paula placed a firm hand on the table.
— And me? I'm going on the front line. If we're taking on this thing, I want to be there.
The following days were dedicated to preparations. The expedition team, composed of Jaxon, Paula, Kane, Alira, and two specialized technicians, readied themselves to leave Deimos aboard a retrofitted spacecraft. Nate would provide tactical support, while Liza remained in charge of Haven's Rise.
As the departure neared, Jaxon stood on the launch platform, gazing at the colony they had built. The lights of Haven's Rise gleamed in the darkness, a symbol of hope and resilience.
— Do you think we'll come back? — Paula asked as she climbed aboard.
Jaxon replied without hesitation, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
— We have to. Haven's Rise needs us. But to make that happen, we have to deal with the Flashing Being.
As the ship's engines roared to life, the entire colony looked skyward. The vessel rose, leaving the surface of Deimos for an uncertain journey to Mars. Behind them, Haven's Rise continued to thrive, but the shadow of the Flashing Being still loomed, threatening to engulf everything.
The countdown had begun. The team was heading to Mars, determined to face the unknown and end a threat that jeopardized not only their colony but the future of humanity itself.