The journey to Mars aboard the retrofitted spacecraft, aptly named Resolute, was a blend of anxious anticipation and meticulous preparation. The ship itself was a testament to human ingenuity, a patchwork of salvaged parts from previous missions combined with the cutting-edge technology salvaged from Deimos. Its matte black hull, designed to minimize detection and absorb solar radiation, shimmered faintly in the dim light of the cabin.
Inside, the Resolute was a compact but efficient labyrinth of functionality. The cockpit, positioned at the very front, featured a curved panoramic viewport, reinforced with a titanium alloy capable of withstanding meteorite impacts. Rows of holographic displays floated mid-air, providing real-time updates on trajectory, fuel levels, and external conditions. Jaxon, the mission commander, occupied the central seat, his hands moving deftly over the control interface as he adjusted their course.
— Course stabilized. Estimated arrival in 42 hours,— he announced, his voice calm but laced with the tension of leadership.
Behind him, Paula leaned against the doorway, her gaze fixed on the Martian expanse visible through the viewport. Her usual fiery demeanor was subdued, replaced by a quiet resolve.
— This ship is holding together better than I expected,— she remarked, breaking the silence.
— It'll get us there,— Jaxon replied, not taking his eyes off the controls. — The question is what happens when we land.
Further back, the central cabin served as the operational hub for the mission. A multifunctional table occupied the center, its surface displaying a three-dimensional projection of Mars and their planned landing site. Alira was seated here, her fingers flying over the tablet in her hands as she ran simulations for deploying the drones. Around her, equipment was meticulously organized: oxygen canisters, communication relays, and a rack of modular drones equipped with cameras and sensors for reconnaissance.
Kane, the team's security lead, was at the weapons station, inspecting and calibrating the arsenal. His presence was solid and reassuring, his movements methodical as he checked the energy packs and adjusted the targeting systems on the pulse rifles. The faint hum of the ship's engines provided a steady background rhythm as he worked.
Nate was a constant presence, its holographic avatar shifting between locations as it monitored the ship's systems. Its voice echoed softly through the cabin.
— Solar wind activity detected. Adjusting trajectory to minimize exposure.— The holographic projection of Mars zoomed in, highlighting their landing zone. — The anomaly remains stable. No signs of interference.
Paula entered the cabin, her footsteps light but purposeful.
— What's the status on the drones?
Alira glanced up briefly, her sharp eyes flicking toward Paula.
— Almost ready. I've modified the signal emitters to withstand electromagnetic disruptions. If that thing's still out there, we'll at least be able to see it coming.
— Let's hope we don't have to,— Paula muttered, her voice low.
As Resolute approached Mars, the atmospheric turbulence began to rattle the ship. The landing thrusters roared to life, their vibrations reverberating through the cabin. The cockpit lights dimmed momentarily as the ship adjusted to the atmospheric entry.
— Brace yourselves,— Jaxon called out. — It's going to be a rough landing.
The Resolute touched down with a jarring thud, its landing struts sinking slightly into the Martian soil. The external cameras projected the landscape onto the main display: a barren expanse of red dust and jagged rock formations. The landing site, an ancient crater, stretched out like an open wound, its edges jagged and ominous.
Inside the ship, the crew wasted no time. Paula led the way to the airlock, her suit's internal systems humming as it pressurized. Behind her, Kane loaded his pulse rifle, his expression grim but determined. Alira carried a drone in each hand, their sleek designs gleaming under the cabin lights.
Jaxon's voice crackled through their comms.
— The anomaly is 300 meters northwest. Let's move out, but stay sharp.
The journey to the anomaly was uneventful but tense. Every shadow seemed to shift, every gust of wind carrying an eerie whisper. When they reached the coordinates, they found a cavern entrance partially hidden by jagged rocks. The opening yawned like a gateway to another world, its edges glowing faintly with an unnatural light.
— This is it,— Alira murmured, releasing the drones. They buzzed into the cavern, their lights cutting through the darkness. — Signal is stable. No interference so far.
The team descended into the cavern, the air growing colder with each step. The walls, lined with a bioluminescent material, pulsed faintly, casting eerie shadows. Nate's voice broke the silence.
— Energy levels increasing. The anomaly is directly below you.
The passageway opened into a massive chamber. At its center was a crystalline structure, pulsating with light. Around it lay the remains of the probes: twisted metal fragments embedded in the ground. The air was thick with static, a faint hum vibrating through their suits.
— That's the source,— Alira confirmed. — It's amplifying the interference.
Before they could approach, a shape began to coalesce near the crystal. The Flashing Being. Its form was an impossible blend of light and shadow, constantly shifting and rippling. Tendrils of energy lashed out, striking the ground with crackling intensity.
— Defensive positions!— Jaxon barked.
Kane fired first, his pulse rifle releasing a concentrated burst of energy. The projectile passed through the entity harmlessly, dissipating in the air. The Flashing Being let out a sound—a chaotic mix of shrieks and growls that echoed through the chamber.
— Weapons ineffective,— Nate reported. — Attempting to analyze its energy structure.
— We need answers, Nate,— Paula snapped, dodging a tendril. — Fast!