Mark's POV
I was quite enjoying my sleep when the alarm blared loudly in my ears, at the same time forcing the sleep to run away.
"Oh no!" I grunted. "Not yet; it's getting sweeter now."
I ignore the ringing, covering my head with my pillow, thinking that Will perhaps give me some ease. I hate disturbance. Yeah, I like to be on my own sometimes, which I don't really know Why. I blocked my thoughts because they are even disturbing me now.
My eyes try to close up when my wrist watch beeps. I took a look at the incoming message, and it was from Marcus. I wanted to tap an icon on the watch that will automatically switch into a video call but I I didn't. My eyes pop open immediately again as soon as it navigates into the video call automatically.
"What? " I shout at the watch. "I didn't ask for a video call, Geo you did this!."
"Apparently, X43 needs to see their team boss still in bed." Geo makes fun of me.
Geo is the name of my AI; well, let's just say my my Co in one body as a whole. It has its own impact on me; many times it is the one that always cheers me up and erases boredom but when it comes to disturbance, it is like the devil unleashed from hell.
Yeah, it was built by different components of software and higher-level cells, which makes it a rare asset I don't joke with. Its features are cool, and I love them.
It is powered by the electron stone on my chest, which I don't even really know how Dr. Henry even managed to fix it there without my knowledge; I presume it is probably for me not to miss place it but with a clear view that my sustainer I presume.
"Hey brother," Marcus called out, jotting me out of my thoughts. "You seem so engrossed in that thought of yours; tell me about it." Marcus said.
"No, dude, it's just some fairytale thought."
"Wow, I would like to hear about it, bro," Marcus exclaimed.
"I Know you will love to hear it, but not now." I said, riffling my hair.
A hologram popped out of my watch, displaying a big head emoji, looking at me suspiciously. I knew it was the work of Geo, so I ignored him.
"Okay, fine, brother, meet you at the base then." Marcus said.
" Base?" I asked shockley.
"Yeah, were you not informed?" He asked
"I..." Geo cut me off.
"Sleeping head,here is it." Geo began to display sets of messages on the hologram again.
My eyes snapped open. "When were all these?" I question Geo.
"Sleeping head, it was approximately 5 minutes ago." Geo scolded me again.
I spun out of bed instantly and into the bathroom. I could hear Marcus laughing out loudly on the other side; I don't blame him, but rather Geo, who didn't wake me up.
"Really? I heard him, so what about all those multiple alarm rings that blared through your ears this morning, huh? Did you respond? Instead you slammed it off." He scoffed.
I ignore him because he won't keep quiet if I keep talking with him. The bottom line is that he never gets tired of talking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I walk straight into the central part of Star Lab, and everywhere is abuzz with urgency and anticipation as the news of an incoming message from a distant civilization spreads like wildfire.
"Geo?" I called out.
The latter make some funny rumbling sounds, which always get me pissed off. Well, I don't blame him. I ignored his nose.
"Check for an update now and see what's going on here!" I said as I walked toward my team, "Team?"
Hell no, I can't call them my team mates anymore, they are my brothers and sisters now, because we have been through hell together.
"Literally," Geo starts. "An unknown Message was sent to the whole universe; it was an alien message encoded in alien language, and it requires a professional astrophysicist to decode the message for everyone to comprehend."
"So are there not any astrophysicists here to do that?" I asked.
"Sleeping head, I guess you can do that for us ." Geo retort
" Really! So who is now coming to do that?"
"Dr. Evelyn Grant." He labeled.
"Speaking of her, she's here!" I said as a female walked through the glass door of the elevator.
Dr. Evelyn Grant, a renowned astrophysicist known for her expertise in decoding complex interstellar messages, could feel the excitement vibrating through the lab as she walked in.
Around a large holographic display, I watched as a team of brilliant scientists and researchers awaited Dr. Grant's arrival. Their eyes sparkled with a mix of eagerness and apprehension, knowing that the fate of countless civilizations could hinge on their success or failure in deciphering the message.
Dr. Grant approached the group. Marcus Davies, the head of the Arithmetic and logic department in Star Lab and a mathematician known for his unwavering determination, stepped forward to greet her.
"Dr. Grant, we've been working tirelessly to gather as much data as possible!" he exclaimed. "But the message is unlike anything we've ever encountered before. It seems to be encoded in multiple layers, blending various alien languages and mathematical algorithms, but with you here, definitely there is hope."
Dr. Grant nodded; I could tell her mind was already racing with possibilities and a bit of pride roam within her head. She knew that they could not afford to overlook any detail in their quest to decode the message. With a calm and gentle demeanor, she addressed her team.
"We will need all our resources and expertise to unlock this message. Let's collaborate and ensure we consider every angle."
The team huddled closer around the holographic display, their gazes fixed on the intricate patterns and symbols that seemed to intertwine in a complex dance. Conversations, at times heated but always respectful, filled the lab as the researchers delved deeper into the codes.
"I believe these symbols represent a binary system," suggested Dr. Sofia Ramirez, a linguistics expert known for her analytical mind. "But they appear to be connected to a series of mathematical equations that are changing at irregular intervals."
Dr. Oliver West, a computer scientist renowned for his keen eye for pattern recognition, chimed in. "I agree with Dr. Ramirez. There seems to be an overarching pattern hidden within these equations. If we can crack it, we might uncover the deeper layers of the code."
Seconds turned into minutes and into hours as the teams tirelessly dissected the message, each bringing their unique expertise to the table. The conversations grew more intense, with theories clashing and evolving as they worked towards their common goal.
It was now getting towards evening, and as weariness began to settle over the lab, Dr. Grant's eyes lit up with a sudden realization.
"What if this code isn't just a warning? What if it's also a plea for help? Because this decoding of a thing shouldn't be taking this long."
A hushed silence fell upon the room as her words echoed through the air. It was a radical idea, but one that resonated with everyone present. The message had come from a civilization on the brink of destruction, desperately reaching out to anyone who would listen.
"We must continue pushing forward," Dr. Grant continued, her voice filled with determination. "We owe it to them, to every planet facing annihilation. Let's focus on deciphering the plea hidden within the code."
With renewed purpose, the team returned to their work, their conversations now infused with an urgency born of empathy. They poured over the intricate codes, delving deep into the unknown, driven by the belief that their efforts could make a difference. The lab became a hive of frenzied activity. Exhaustion weighed heavy on their shoulders, yet their dedication remained unyielding.
My team and I wait eagerly for the update; we also want to know what the message says. Before then, I went up to Dr. Henry's office to check on him, but it seems he is also deeply engrossed with his own work up there. I left him and joined my team back to wait for the decoding stuff
Finally, after tireless perseverance, a breakthrough emerged.
Dr. Ramirez, fueled by her passion for languages, unearthed a hidden layer embedded within the code. The holographic display was illuminated with a new set of symbols, sparking a wave of excitement throughout the lab.
Dr. Grant stepped forward, her fingers trembling with anticipation. The message spoke of a united front against the destroyer, an alliance capable of resisting its merciless advances. It shared crucial information about weaknesses and strategies that could potentially turn the tide.
"It is a call for action, for unity, and for the preservation of life as we know it. Together, we possess the power to resist this destroyer and protect our planet." The room erupted in applause as Dr. Grant's read, the words resonated with everyone present.
"We can determine our future by standing up against this being." Joy encouraged me, and the rest of my team, we all nodded our heads in approval.
"Let the being get what he or she deserves," Kaleb said triumphantly.
"No, it doesn't go that way," I said, flagging him down.
"What the hell!!!" Marcus chuckled.
They all divert their gaze from me, and their eyes are so strong on me, as if they want to see through my soul.
"Yeah," I continued. "Since being on board isn't just any other that we have fought and won, this is a destroyer, a stronger entity that has destroyed planets, not one, two, or three. We can't pinpoint the number of planets he has raided and destroyed."
They all remain silent, probably in deep thought about what I just said.
Marcus was the first to question me. So what are you suggesting, brother?" He asked
"Prepare, enhance our technology, create defense, and stay alert, I guess." Kate said ruffling is her.
"Yeah!" I snapped. "Correctly spoken."
"I guess the team is having a great meeting," Dr. Henry chipped in,along with Dr. Grant beside him.
My team and I bow our heads in respect. He introduced Dr. Grant to us, and we all shook hands together.
You really did a great job decoding the message." Marcus hailed her. I watch as a smile chimes in on her cheeks. I must admit it—she is indeed beautiful.
It seems Geo felt that too, cause he sent a loud noise Into my head. "Focus idiot!" He taunt.Yeah, we could talk using telepathy.
"Not what you think, buddy." I smirked inwardly.
"Hey sleeping head," he finally called out."And also protect the electron stone from this unknown being; they must not know about it!" Geo warned.
" Why?" I demanded.
"A mystery for another day!" Geo exclaimed."am off, see you around."
"Frustrating!" I mumble.
T B C....