Ethan arrived at the wildlife reserve as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the desolate landscape. The reserve, one of the few remaining patches of natural land on Blue Star, was surrounded by advanced security systems, yet it still felt vulnerable. Tall, barren trees stretched toward the sky, and patches of dying grass hinted at a time when life had once flourished here. Now, the only sign of movement was the wind, whispering through the empty branches.
He tightened his grip on the containment pod as he made his way to the designated release area. The sparrow fluttered inside, still adjusting to this new world. It was fragile, like everything else on Blue Star.
"System, scan for unauthorized entities," Ethan muttered, his voice low.
The system responded instantly, a soft hum resonating in his mind. "Scanning… Two life forms were detected, approximately 200 meters southeast. Status: Armed and dangerous."
Ethan's heart rate quickened. Poachers. The very existence of this world had driven people to desperation, and now these hunters sought to exploit whatever remained of nature for their gain. He couldn't allow them to jeopardize everything he had worked for.
"Activate animal language proficiency," Ethan commanded.
"Skill activated: Basic Animal Language Proficiency. Communication with the sparrow is now possible."
Ethan approached the containment pod, his voice calm and soothing. "Hey, little one. I'm going to let you out soon. But I need you to trust me, okay?"
The sparrow chirped softly in response, its tiny voice filled with uncertainty, but there was a hint of trust in the sound. Ethan smiled, reassured by the small connection he had formed. This wasn't just about science or survival—it was about understanding the creatures he brought back and protecting them in ways the old world had failed to do.
Before he could continue, a rustling in the bushes caught his attention. Ethan crouched low, his instincts sharp. The poachers were getting closer, their footsteps heavy against the dry ground. He had to act fast.
"System, activate combat mode," he whispered.
"Combat mode is currently unavailable. Mission reward required to unlock advanced combat skills."
Ethan cursed under his breath. He wasn't equipped to deal with armed poachers yet. His mind raced as he considered his options. He needed to think strategically if he wanted to outsmart them.
He moved quickly but quietly, positioning himself behind a large boulder that offered a view of the approaching poachers. They were dressed in worn-out clothing, their faces hardened by years of living on the edge. They carried rudimentary weapons—modified blasters that had seen better days—but the desperation in their eyes made them dangerous.
"I told you, man," one of them whispered harshly to his companion. "I saw movement here. Something's happening at the reserve."
His partner grunted in response. "Probably just another failed experiment. These scientists think they can play god, but they've got no idea what they're doing."
Ethan's jaw tightened. He had heard those kinds of words before—skepticism, distrust. But this wasn't just science. This was survival, not only for the animals but for Blue Star itself.
The poachers moved closer, and Ethan knew he had to act before they found him—or worse, the sparrow. He couldn't risk the bird being caught in the crossfire. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. The containment pod. It wasn't just for keeping the animals safe; it could also be used as a distraction. Ethan carefully reached into his satchel, pulling out a small device that the system had provided—an emergency beacon. It was designed to attract attention in case of an emergency, and right now, that's exactly what he needed.
He activated the beacon and tossed it a few meters away, making sure it landed near enough to draw the poachers' attention but far enough to give him time to act. The device began to emit a low, pulsing sound that echoed through the reserve.
"What was that?" one of the poachers hissed, his head snapping toward the source of the noise.
"Let's check it out," his partner replied, moving cautiously toward the beacon.
As they edged closer to the sound, Ethan took his chance. He moved swiftly through the shadows, keeping low to the ground as he made his way to the release area. His heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his focus on the task at hand. The sparrow needed to be released before anything else could happen.
Finally, he reached the designated spot—a small clearing surrounded by what little vegetation remained. He placed the containment pod on the ground and activated the release mechanism. The pod glowed softly before fading away, leaving the sparrow free to take flight.
For a moment, the bird hesitated, its wings fluttering nervously. Ethan watched with bated breath, silently urging it to fly. Then, with a small chirp, the sparrow took to the air, its tiny body rising above the barren landscape, a symbol of hope against the backdrop of a dying world.
Ethan smiled, relief washing over him. But the moment was short-lived. The sound of footsteps behind him reminded him that the danger hadn't passed.
"There!" one of the poachers shouted, his voice cutting through the air. "He's over there!"
Ethan turned just in time to see the two men rushing toward him, weapons raised. He had no choice but to run. With no combat skills and no weapon, he knew he couldn't fight them head-on. His only option was to get back to the safety of the facility and call for backup.
He sprinted through the reserve, dodging between trees and boulders as the poachers gave chase. The sound of blaster fire echoed behind him, but he didn't stop. His mind raced, trying to calculate his next move. The facility was close, but so were the poachers. He needed to buy himself more time.
As he ran, the system chimed in his ear. "Emergency mission: Evade poachers and return to the facility safely. Reward: Enhanced Agility (Level 1)."
Ethan gritted his teeth. The system was offering him a way out, but he would have to earn it. With renewed determination, he pushed himself harder, his legs burning as he sprinted toward safety.
Just as the facility came into view, Ethan felt a searing pain in his side. He stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, but managed to keep his footing. Glancing down, he saw a scorch mark on his jacket—he had been grazed by a blaster shot. The pain was intense, but he couldn't afford to stop now.
With one final burst of speed, Ethan reached the facility's entrance. The doors slid open just in time, and he stumbled inside, collapsing against the wall as the security system activated, locking the doors behind him.
The poachers pounded on the reinforced glass, shouting in frustration, but they couldn't break through. Ethan watched them for a moment before closing his eyes, and letting out a shaky breath. He had made it.
"Mission complete. Reward: Enhanced Agility (Level 1) unlocked," the system announced.
Ethan didn't respond. He was too exhausted to care about the reward right now. All that mattered was that the sparrow was safe, and for now, so was he.
But he knew this was only the beginning. The world of Blue Star was full of dangers, and if he wanted to succeed in his mission, he would have to be ready for whatever came next.