Cain stood on the observation deck, arms crossed, staring out at the looming mass of Exo-9 through the reinforced viewport. The planet spun slowly beneath them—gray, barren, and ominous. Jagged mountain ridges stretched across its surface like deep scars, and swirling violet storms flickered with bursts of distant lightning across the lower atmosphere. It looked dead, but Cain knew better.
Nothing was ever truly dead.
Behind him, the deck buzzed with the low murmur of voices and the rhythmic clicking of boots against metal grating as the crew moved through their pre-landing routines. Commander Ryker's voice echoed through the intercom, crisp and no-nonsense as always.
"All personnel, prepare for descent. Final checks are now in progress. Report to your designated stations."
Cain exhaled through his nose, feeling the tension build like a coiled spring in his chest. He had done planetfall operations before, but something about this one felt... heavier. Maybe it was the eerie silence that filled the halls, the flickering lights, or the whispers he swore he heard earlier. Whatever it was, it gnawed at him like a bad omen.
He turned away from the viewport, shaking off the unease. No time for nerves.
Across the room, Sasha Rourke was methodically checking her equipment. She worked with mechanical precision, her expression cool and distant as she loaded her sidearm and secured the straps of her harness. Her dark red hair was pulled back tightly, and her eyes flicked toward Cain as he approached.
"Enjoying the view?" she asked without looking up.
Cain smirked. "I've seen worse." He nodded toward the planet. "Doesn't exactly scream 'welcome to paradise,' does it?"
Sasha gave a dry chuckle, sliding a spare magazine into her belt. "Not unless your idea of paradise includes hypoxia and radiation poisoning."
Cain picked up a nearby helmet, running his fingers over the matte black surface. "You ready for this?"
She looked at him, one eyebrow arched. "You asking if I'm scared?"
Cain shrugged. "Just making conversation."
Sasha smirked, but there was something steely in her eyes. "I don't scare easy, Voss. And neither should you."
Before Cain could respond, the deck doors hissed open, and Dr. Elara Monroe strode in, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crew with clinical efficiency. Clad in her form-fitting utility suit, she looked every bit the cold, calculated scientist she was reputed to be.
"Commander Ryker needs all team leads for final briefing," she said, her voice precise and unwavering. Her eyes lingered on Cain for a fraction too long before moving on. "Move it."
Cain sighed, tossing the helmet onto the rack. "Guess we're doing this."
Sasha gave him a curt nod. "See you on the surface."
Cain followed Elara down the narrow corridor toward the briefing room. The tension thickened with each step. The hum of the ship felt louder here, almost like it was struggling to hold itself together.
As they entered, Ryker stood at the head of the table, his expression hard and impassive. The holographic display of Exo-9 rotated slowly, casting an eerie glow across his scarred face. Reyes lounged in a chair nearby, feet propped up on the table, twirling a stylus between his fingers. He offered Cain a lazy grin.
"Look who decided to show up," Reyes said. "We were worried you might've chickened out."
Cain ignored him, taking a seat and crossing his arms.
Ryker didn't waste time. "We land in four hours. The atmosphere on Exo-9 is unstable—high winds, ion storms, and gravity pockets that could make descent tricky. Reyes is monitoring conditions closely."
Reyes nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Yeah, and let's just say this planet's got a mean streak. We're looking at turbulence that could rip us apart if we don't hit the sweet spot."
Ryker continued. "Once we hit dirt, Phase One begins. We establish a perimeter, deploy drones, and secure the LZ. No one moves beyond the perimeter until we get a full environmental analysis. Understood?"
Cain exchanged glances with Sasha, who sat beside him, arms crossed, listening intently.
Elara cleared her throat, bringing up another section of the hologram—an underground layout. "Initial scans suggest that the energy signatures are concentrated beneath this ridge." She pointed to a jagged canyon that carved deep into the planet's surface. "We'll need to send a ground team to investigate potential access points."
Cain leaned forward. "And what are we expecting down there?"
Elara hesitated. "The data is... inconsistent. Some readings suggest empty tunnels. Others... anomalies."
Cain frowned. "Define 'anomalies'."
Ryker cut in. "Irrelevant. We handle whatever we find when we find it."
Cain didn't like the answer. He could tell Sasha didn't either, but she kept her mouth shut. Instead, she tapped the side of the table. "And security?"
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "We operate under standard threat response. You see something out of place, you report it. No heroics. No cowboy stunts."
Cain smirked. "That a warning just for me, Commander?"
Ryker didn't return the smile. "If the shoe fits."
The tension in the room crackled like a live wire.
Ryker turned off the hologram and leaned forward, his gaze sweeping over the team. "Make no mistake—this isn't some exploratory joyride. This mission is critical. We follow protocol, or people die. Understood?"
A murmur of agreement filled the room.
Cain clenched his fists under the table, feeling that gnawing unease creep back in. Something wasn't right, and they all knew it. But orders were orders.
"Dismissed," Ryker barked.
As the crew dispersed, Cain caught Elara's eye. She hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but instead just nodded and left without a word.
Reyes fell in beside Cain as they walked out. "So, what do you think, boss? We gonna make it past the first day?"
Cain sighed. "We'll see. Just keep your head down and don't touch anything you don't understand."
Reyes grinned. "You wound me, Voss. Curiosity's my best trait."
Cain shook his head and headed back toward the prep deck. In a few hours, they'd be touching down on Exo-9. Whether they'd all make it back in one piece was another question entirely.
He glanced out a nearby viewport one last time. The planet loomed closer now, its jagged surface bathed in the cold glow of the distant sun. The storm clouds churned angrily, and for a moment, Cain thought he saw something move beneath them.
Something massive.
He blinked. It was gone.
Shaking his head, he whispered under his breath.
"Yeah. This is gonna be a real fun trip."