Ethan stumbled out of the vortex, landing in the Blue Star world. His breathing was heavy as the weight of what he had just done settled over him. He had traveled through time, retrieved a living creature, and returned to a world that had forgotten what life truly meant. The sparrow now rested in a small containment pod that had appeared before him—a glowing cube, transparent yet unbreakable, containing the fragile bird within.
He carefully placed the pod in his suitcase, the mechanical voice of the system breaking the silence once more.
"Mission complete. The sparrow will be released in the designated wildlife reserve once you have completed the necessary preparations."
Ethan looked around. He was in the heart of a modern facility, the edges of technology gleaming in every corner. This was his new home, a lab provided by Blue Star's government—a sterile, white environment filled with advanced equipment that seemed years ahead of anything he had known on Earth. Every inch of the space was dedicated to his mission.
A holographic screen blinked into view, displaying the details of his success. His first mission had earned him not just the retrieval of the sparrow but also the ability to understand basic animal communication. A small thrill ran through him as he realized how much this would help with future missions.
"Status update," Ethan muttered, and another screen appeared, showing his progress:
Name: Ethan
Level: 1
Skills Unlocked: Animal Language Proficiency (Basic)
Current Mission: Complete preparation for a wildlife reserve.
The screen flickered away as the door to his lab slid open. A tall man in a sleek uniform entered the room, his face lined with the experience of someone who had seen the world change drastically. His name was Captain Jeron, the government liaison assigned to work with Ethan. He was a man of few words but unwavering loyalty to Blue Star's cause.
"You've returned safely," Jeron said, his voice gruff but relieved. "How did it go?"
Ethan nodded, showing the containment pod. "I got the sparrow. It was… overwhelming, to be honest. Seeing the past, the life that used to thrive—it makes what we've lost feel even heavier."
Jeron's eyes softened for a moment before his usual stoic expression returned. "You're doing something extraordinary, Ethan. The government is behind you, but you need to understand the dangers involved. Some would kill for the secrets you hold."
Ethan looked up, meeting Jeron's gaze. "I've already felt that weight. This isn't just about bringing animals back; it's about reviving hope. But I can't do it alone."
"You won't have to," Jeron replied. "Blue Star's government will provide security and resources. But remember—no one can know about your system."
Ethan nodded. "I understand. I'll tell them it's genetic modification, like we planned."
As Jeron turned to leave, Ethan called after him, "Captain, what's happening out there? What's the state of the world?"
Jeron paused, his back to Ethan. "The world is desperate. They're clinging to any chance that you can bring back what we've lost. But there's also fear. Fear that something will go wrong, that we're tampering with forces beyond our control."
Ethan absorbed the words in silence. The responsibility weighed heavily on him, but he knew that every step he took was a step toward restoring life to Blue Star.
After Jeron left, Ethan moved to his workstation. The containment pod glowed softly, the sparrow inside fluttering its wings as it grew accustomed to its new surroundings. He couldn't help but smile. This tiny bird represented hope in a world that had almost forgotten what hope looked like.
But Ethan knew better than to relax. The system had already made it clear that this journey would be filled with challenges. He pulled up the system interface, scrolling through potential upgrades and skills he could earn in the future. There were many, but they all came at a cost. Each mission would require him to bring back increasingly difficult creatures from both the past and other dimensions. And with each mission, the dangers would grow.
As Ethan sat there, contemplating his next move, the system chimed again.
"Next mission available: Retrieve a Siberian Tiger from 20th-century Earth. Reward: Advanced Combat Skills (Firearm Proficiency)."
Ethan stared at the new mission prompt. A Siberian Tiger. It was a far cry from the sparrow he had just retrieved. The stakes were being raised, and he knew this would not be as simple as the first mission.
Before he could think further, the system chimed once more, this time with a more ominous tone. "Warning: Unauthorized entity detected near wildlife reserve. Possible poachers identified. Immediate action recommended."
Ethan's blood ran cold. He hadn't even released the sparrow yet, and already, the world was showing its teeth. Poachers. Of course, they would be here, waiting to strike at any opportunity. Blue Star had lost so much, and in its desperation, the darkest sides of humanity had surfaced.
He stood up, determination etched on his face. This wasn't just about retrieving animals anymore. It was about protecting them from a world that had forgotten how to care for them.
"I'm going to the reserve," Ethan said aloud, his voice filled with resolve. He grabbed his satchel, ensuring the containment pod was secure. As he made his way out of the lab, he knew that this was only the beginning of the challenges he would face. The world of Blue Star was a harsh place, and if he wanted to succeed, he would have to be prepared for anything.
With the sparrow safe in his possession and a new mission on the horizon, Ethan stepped out into the harsh light of Blue Star, ready to face the dangers ahead.