Ethan lay on the cold metal floor of the facility, his breathing ragged. The adrenaline that had kept him going finally began to fade, leaving him acutely aware of the pain in his side. He carefully lifted his shirt, revealing a small burn where the poacher's blaster had grazed him. It wasn't life-threatening, but it hurt more than he'd expected.
The system chimed softly in his mind. "Minor injury detected. Initiating basic medical treatment."
A soothing warmth spread over his wound, dulling the pain. Ethan let out a relieved sigh as the burn began to heal, thanks to the system's intervention. Within moments, the pain was reduced to a dull ache, and he felt strong enough to sit up.
"Thanks," he muttered, though he wasn't entirely sure if the system could understand gratitude.
The facility's lights flickered on, illuminating the sterile environment around him. Ethan glanced toward the entrance, where the reinforced doors had kept the poachers out. They had already retreated into the darkness, but he knew they would be back. The world of Blue Star was full of people like them—desperate, hungry, and willing to do whatever it took to survive.
As Ethan pushed himself to his feet, the system's voice echoed in his mind once more. "Mission complete: Evade poachers and return to the facility safely. Reward: Enhanced Agility (Level 1)."
A small window popped up in front of him, displaying the details of his new ability. Enhanced agility would make him faster, more nimble, and better equipped to escape dangerous situations. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. He needed to focus on the bigger picture. The sparrow had been successfully released into the wild, and now it was time to prepare for his next mission. The system had already hinted at it: retrieving a Siberian Tiger from 20th-century Earth. A creature far more dangerous and difficult to handle than the sparrow, but it was crucial for the revival of Blue Star's ecosystem.
He approached the main console in the center of the room, its holographic interface springing to life as he neared. The screen displayed a map of the world, highlighting the locations of various wildlife reserves and protected areas. The sparrow's habitat was marked in green, indicating that the release had been successful.
"System," Ethan said aloud, "give me the details for the next mission."
The interface shifted, bringing up a new window with the mission parameters.
Next Mission: Retrieve a Siberian Tiger from 20th-century Earth.**
Location: Siberia, Russia, Earth.
Period: Late 20th century.
Objective: Successfully capture and transport the tiger to Blue Star.
Reward: Advanced Combat Skills (Firearm Proficiency).
Ethan stared at the screen, his mind racing. A tiger. One of the most fearsome predators Earth had ever known. He wasn't just bringing back a fragile bird this time—he was dealing with a massive, dangerous beast that could kill him in an instant if things went wrong. And in the harsh environment of Siberia, the challenges would be even greater.
But the reward was tempting. Firearm proficiency would give him the combat skills he needed to defend himself against the dangers of this world. He wouldn't be caught off guard by poachers or other threats if he had that ability. It was a necessary step if he wanted to continue his mission.
"Are you ready to proceed?" the system asked, its tone neutral but expectant.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I'm ready."
The system hummed in acknowledgment. "Initiating temporal and dimensional transport. Stand by."
The familiar sensation of being pulled through time and space washed over Ethan as the facility around him blurred and faded. He felt the air grow colder, the light dimmer, until finally, he was standing in the middle of a snow-covered forest. The air was biting, and the landscape was harsh, with towering trees and endless stretches of white.
Siberia.
Ethan shivered, pulling his coat tighter around him. The cold was intense, even for someone who had grown up in a place where winter was a regular occurrence. But this was different—this was a wild, unforgiving environment, where survival was a constant struggle.
"System, any signs of the tiger?" he asked, his breath visible in the frigid air.
The system responded almost immediately. "Scanning… Target is located approximately three kilometers northeast. Caution: Extreme danger. Approach with care."
Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. Three kilometers. It wasn't far, but in this environment, it might as well have been a world away. He began to trudge through the snow, each step crunching beneath his boots as he made his way toward the tiger's location.
As he walked, the reality of what he was doing began to sink in. He was about to face one of nature's most powerful predators. A creature that had once roamed the Earth freely, but had long since vanished from Blue Star. Bringing it back was essential, but the risks were immense.
"System," Ethan said, his voice quiet in the stillness of the forest, "give me any advice you have on handling the tiger."
"Advice: Maintain a safe distance. Use tranquilizers if necessary. Avoid provoking the animal. The Siberian Tiger is highly territorial and may become aggressive if threatened."
Ethan nodded. He had dealt with dangerous animals before—back on Earth, as a vet specializing in wildlife, he had worked with everything from wolves to bears. But a tiger… this was a whole new level of danger. And here, in this frozen wilderness, there would be no room for mistakes.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, Ethan finally spotted movement in the distance. He crouched low, using the cover of the trees to approach silently. His breath caught in his throat as he saw it—a massive Siberian Tiger, its orange and black stripes standing out starkly against the white snow. It moved with grace and power, its muscles rippling beneath its thick fur as it prowled through the forest.
Ethan's hands trembled slightly as he reached into his satchel, pulling out the tranquilizer gun the system had provided. It was a high-tech device, capable of delivering a powerful sedative that would put the tiger to sleep long enough for him to transport it back to Blue Star. But he only had one shot. If he missed, there wouldn't be a second chance.
He steadied his breathing, focusing on the tiger as it moved closer. He needed the perfect shot—one that would ensure the sedative took effect without causing unnecessary harm to the animal. His finger hovered over the trigger, waiting for the right moment.
The tiger paused, lifting its head as if sensing something was wrong. Its golden eyes scanned the forest, and for a brief moment, Ethan thought it had spotted him. His heart raced, but he stayed perfectly still, blending into the shadows of the trees.
Then, with a soft growl, the tiger lowered its head and continued walking. This was his chance. Ethan took a deep breath, aimed carefully, and squeezed the trigger.
The tranquilizer dart flew through the air, striking the tiger in the side. The animal let out a low roar, turning in confusion as the sedative began to take effect. It stumbled, trying to stay on its feet, but within moments, it collapsed into the snow, breathing heavily as it drifted into unconsciousness.
Ethan exhaled slowly, relief flooding through him. He had done it. The tiger was down, and now all he had to do was transport it back to Blue Star.
"Mission successful," the system announced. "Prepare for transport."
Ethan approached the unconscious tiger, carefully attaching the transport device to its fur. The system would handle the rest, bringing both of them back to the facility where the tiger could be safely contained and cared for.
As the familiar sensation of being pulled through time and space began to wash over him once more, Ethan couldn't help but smile. He had completed another mission, and with each step, he was bringing Blue Star closer to what it once was.
But as he returned to the facility, he knew that the challenges were only just beginning. There were still countless animals to bring back, and countless dangers to face. And the mystery of Blue Star's past—of what had caused the extinction of all life—still loomed over him, waiting to be solved.