The ship's cockpit was dimly lit, panels flickering in and out as Ren's knuckles tightened around the edge of the console. His teeth ground audibly against each other as he muttered, "Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why do these things always happen when I'm on a deadline?"
[Ren] Aria the onboard AI system chimed, [Impact detected. Hull breach contained, but the warp engine has sustained critical damage.]
"Yeah, I noticed," he snapped, slamming his fist onto the navigation display. The holographic map flickered in protest. "First a busted fuel relay, and now this. All because of a rock! What are the odds?"
[Mathematically speaking, 1 in—]
"Rhetorical, Aria. Rhetorical," Ren cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand. "I don't need a lecture on cosmic probabilities when I've got a hole in my ship."
[Understood. Calculating alternative destinations for repair and resupply.] A moment passed before Aria's holographic form flickered into view beside him. [There is a habitable planet within 2.4 hours at sublight speed. Shall I plot a course?]
Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Do it. Not like I've got better options."
The ship lurched slightly as it adjusted course, weaving through the asteroid belt with a precision Ren grudgingly admired. He paced the cockpit, muttering under his breath and periodically glancing at the damage report.
[Ren, we have a new problem...] Aria announced after the longest two hours of Ren's life.
"Oh, for crying out loud, what now?" He strode to the observation bay, only to freeze at the sight unfolding before him. A faint, shimmering glow illuminated the star system ahead, and his eyes widened as the realization hit him. "No way… That's a gamma-ray burst!"
[Confirmed. The beam will impact this system's inhabited planet in approximately 18 minutes.]
Ren's jaw clenched. "Of course it will. Because the universe clearly has a grudge against me. Guess we're saving a planet today."
[Do you have a plan?]
"Do I ever?" Ren shot back. He activated the main console, summoning a detailed 3D map of the system. His fingers danced across the interface, tracing possible trajectories for the gamma-ray burst. "Aria, confirm: 73 degrees to starboard, no life-bearing planets for the next few hundred lightyears?"
["Confirmed. That trajectory is optimal for minimal collateral damage."]
Ren exhaled, steadying himself. He extended his right hand toward the burst, his fingers splayed as though grasping the very fabric of space. "Time to put my unreasonably specific skill set to use."
Crimson energy crackled faintly in the cockpit, an almost imperceptible hum resonating through the ship as Ren focused on the deadly beam. His hand trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth. "Move, you stubborn stream of doom."
The gamma-ray burst seemed to shudder, its trajectory shifting with agonizing slowness. Ren's vision blurred as the strain mounted, but he pushed through, guiding the beam until it veered sharply to the right. Within moments, it vanished into the void.
Ren stumbled back, chest heaving. "There. Crisis averted. No big deal." He gave a shaky laugh, collapsing into the pilot's seat.
[Gamma-ray burst successfully redirected. Excellent work, Ren.]
"Yeah, yeah. Just another day in the life." He closed his eyes for a moment before cracking one open. "Now, can we please get to that planet before something else decides to kill me?"
[Course already set]
"Good.Because the next thing that tries is getting punched into another galaxy."
The descent to Tadmor had been smoother than Ren expected, which was saying something considering the state of his ship. As the planet loomed larger in the viewport, he leaned forward, eyebrows quirking in surprise. "Would you look at that. It's like Earth got a cosmic twin. Except, you know, not swarming with satellites and junk."
[Correct. No artificial satellites detected in orbit,] Aria confirmed. [This may indicate a species with limited technological development.]
Ren smirked. "Guess they're still playing with fire and sticks. Makes this place slightly less likely to blast me out of the sky."
He guided the ship down to a massive jungle covering one of the larger continents. Thick clouds blanketed the atmosphere, parting just enough for him to catch glimpses of verdant green and winding rivers. "Touchdown in the forest sounds good. Nice and secluded. Let's not spook the locals—assuming there are locals."
The ship landed with a gentle hiss, its thrusters kicking up a cloud of dirt and leaves. Ren stretched as the engines powered down, his joints popping audibly. "Alright, Aria. While I'm out, scan the area for Silica and Tungsten. I'm running low, and we both know this beauty of a ship won't fix herself."
[Scanning initiated. Exercise caution, Ren.]
He waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine. If anything tries to kill me, I'll make it regret its life choices."
Stepping out of the ship, he inhaled deeply, letting the humid, oxygen-rich air fill his lungs. "Now that's more like it. Real air. Not recycled nonsense." His boots crunched against the forest floor as he picked a direction at random, hands stuffed casually into his jacket pockets.
The jungle was eerily Earth-like at first glance—towering trees, dense undergrowth, vibrant flowers. But a closer look revealed subtle differences. The leaves were thicker, their veins glowing faintly in dim light. Some of the plants seemed to pulse rhythmically, almost like they were breathing. "Definitely not Kansas—or Earth. Note to self: Don't eat anything."
A low, guttural growl broke the serenity, freezing him mid-step. Slowly, he turned toward the sound. Glowing purple eyes glared at him from the shadows, attached to a sleek, jet-black creature that looked like a wolf pulled straight out of someone's nightmares.
"Well, you're definitely not a good old Earth pupper," Ren quipped, eyeing the jagged crystalline spikes running along its back and the mace-like tail swishing menacingly.
The beast lunged, its speed belying its massive size. Ren moved on instinct, sidestepping and grabbing its paw mid-leap before using its momentum to slam it into a nearby tree. The creature yelped in surprise, shaking its head as it scrambled to its feet.
"Yeesh, someone woke up on the wrong side of the jungle today," Ren muttered, cracking his knuckles.
The creature's growl deepened, and its tail bristled before firing a volley of razor-sharp spikes directly at him. Ren's eyes widened briefly before a grin spread across his face. "Oh, now that's just fascinating."
Raising his hand, he stopped the spikes midair, the projectiles hovering just inches from his body. "These yours?" With a flick of his wrist, the spikes reversed course, tearing into the creature. It crumpled with a final whine, twitching once before going still.
"Well, that was something," Ren said, stepping closer to examine the body. "Looks like nature got a bit too creative with this one. Crystals and fur? Pick a lane, buddy."
He crouched to inspect the crystalline spikes when a sharp whistle cut through the air. Pain exploded in his neck, and his vision blurred as he stumbled back, clawing at the small dart embedded in his skin.
"Great. Just great," he slurred, the world tilting wildly. Shadowy figures emerged from the undergrowth, their features indistinct but unmistakably humanoid.
Ren's knees buckled, and the last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was a figure stepping closer, holding something that glowed faintly in the dim light.