Lyra adjusts the controls of the ship as it slowly lifts off the ground. The secondary thruster, though limited, does its job, allowing for a low and steady movement, barely a few meters off the ground. The speed is little more than that of a walking man, but enough to reach the elevated hill she had identified earlier.
"Thruster stable at 70% capacity," Lugh reports, as the screens project environmental readings.
"Perfect. We just need to get to that hill without any surprises," Lyra replies, her eyes focused on the terrain passing slowly beneath them.
When they finally reach the summit, Lyra finds what she was looking for: a small natural cave, deep enough to hide the ship. With precise movements, she maneuvers the ship into the hiding spot. The place is narrow but ideal for protecting the ship from curious eyes and potential threats.
"Activating invisibility hologram," Lugh announces. Outside, a projection cloak wraps around the cave, blending it with the rocky landscape.
"Energy consumption?" Lyra asks, turning off non-essential systems.
"Minimal. This protocol is optimized for long-duration operations," Lugh responds.
With the ship secured, Lyra prepares for her next expedition. She checks her gear with precision: her laser rifle, a backpack full of tools, a portable water filter, and compact rations. Before leaving, she checks the new readings the ship has gathered from the height of the hill.
"Confirmed: there is a lake about four kilometers to the west," Lugh says. "I also detect the fort on the horizon, located to the southwest. The energy readings are weak, but constant."
"First the lake," Lyra decides, adjusting the strap of her backpack. "If that old man was right, it will be our first step toward securing stable supplies."
Descending the hillside, Lyra quickly makes her way to the lake. The air feels cooler as she approaches, and for the first time since arriving in this strange world, she perceives something different: life.
The lake stretches before her like an impossible mirage. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the cloudy sky on its surface. Around it, birds with iridescent feathers flutter among the twisted branches of trees, while small animals cautiously approach the water's edge.
"This is... beautiful," Lyra murmurs, pausing for a moment to absorb the landscape.
"Unusual for a world with these conditions," Lugh comments. "I suggest collecting samples of both the water and the surrounding fauna. This ecosystem could be key to understanding more about the planet."
Lyra nods, pulling a container from her backpack to take a water sample. She leans over the edge, watching as brightly colored fish move just beneath the surface. For a moment, the harshness of this world seems to fade away, replaced by a wild and primal beauty.
"For the first time, this place doesn't feel completely hostile," she says, putting the sample in her backpack.
"Don't be fooled by appearances, Lyra. Most predators are more dangerous when they seem harmless."
She smiles wryly.
"Thanks for the reminder, Lugh. Always so encouraging."
With the water secured, Lyra looks toward the horizon, toward the fort. It's not yet time to approach, but its presence is a reminder that this world holds secrets she needs to unravel. For now, she focuses on the lake, searching for more clues about how it could help her in her mission.
Lyra carefully unrolls the expandable net, a compact yet efficient design created to maximize resources in alien environments. She throws it into the lake with precision, watching it unfold in the water. The fish, strangely similar to those she knew on Earth but with more vibrant colors and a metallic sheen to their scales, dart about as they become trapped.
"Net in position. Capture secured," Lugh reports from his internal communicator, monitoring the readings of the captured organisms.
Lyra pulls the net in forcefully, dragging it to the shore. She examines the fish closely.
"They seem healthy... but we don't know if they're safe to eat," she says, placing the fish in an airtight container.
"Initial readings show no known toxic compounds. Still, I would recommend a deeper analysis aboard the ship before considering consumption," Lugh responds.
Back aboard the Lyra Nyx, Lyra processes the fish using the ship's food conversion module. This equipment, designed to transform organic matter into high-density caloric bars, analyzes every molecule before synthesizing it. The lights on the module flicker as the machine works, and minutes later, a series of packaged bars emerge from the dispenser.
"Positive results. High protein content, no traces of contamination. This resource may be sustainable for future missions," Lugh announces.
"That's a relief. One less problem," Lyra replies, storing the bars in her backpack.
That night, while the ship rests in its hiding spot and the invisibility hologram remains active, Lyra reviews her supplies. She meticulously organizes her tools, checks the status of her laser rifle, and ensures the rations are ready for the following day. However, her mind is restless.
"Lugh, any update on the message to base?" she asks, staring at the communications screen.
"Negative. No response has been received. Signal readings show significant interference. It could be a combination of the planet's atmosphere and the distance."
Lyra leans back in her seat, frowning.
"This doesn't make sense. Even with interference, there should be some kind of response, even if incomplete."
"It's possible the base didn't receive the message... or that something is preventing them from responding," Lugh says, his tone expressionless but laden with implications.
"That doesn't reassure me, Lugh. We're alone here, and every day that passes without news from the base..."
"...increases the likelihood that we'll need to consider other options," Lugh finishes for her.
Lyra sighs deeply.
"For now, we'll focus on what we can control. Tomorrow, we head to the fort. If anyone's there, they might have useful information."
"Understood. I'll prioritize the ship's defensive systems during your absence."
As Lyra adjusts the strap on her backpack, her eyes wander to the dim lights of the ship's systems. The question she's been avoiding for days finally finds a voice.
"Hey, Lugh... what are the chances we get out of this?" she asks, her tone grave, almost a whisper.
There's a brief silence. Lugh, as if carefully processing his response, takes longer than usual to reply.
"Defining 'getting out of this' is crucial for calculating probabilities. If you're referring to surviving in this hostile environment, adapting and finding resources, the chances increase progressively with each advancement. For example, the discovery of the lake and the ability to process local food increases our sustainability by 43%."
Lyra raises an eyebrow.
—And if I mean getting off this planet, going home...
Lugh pauses for a moment, as if weighing the impact of his words.
—The current odds are low, approximately 12.7%. This is due to the severe condition of the ship, the lack of a stable energy source, and the uncertainties about our ability to communicate with the base.
Lyra takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of the number.
—Great. Barely two digits.
—That percentage is not final —Lugh adds quickly, his tone more nuanced—. Every repair effort, every discovery of resources, increases our chances. However, it's important to note that we're facing unknown variables.
Lyra sits in front of one of the screens, letting her backpack fall to the floor.
—What about the... human factors? You know, luck, instinct, the decisions we make on the fly.
—Human factors are unpredictable and, therefore, difficult to quantify. However, your history indicates a high capacity for adaptation under pressure. That slightly tilts the odds in our favor —Lugh responds, as if trying to offer her a glimmer of hope.
Lyra falls silent for a moment, staring at the progress bars on the ship's systems.
—12.7%, huh? Well, I've had worse numbers in simulations.
—And you overcame them —Lugh replies without hesitation, almost as a reminder of her own potential.
Lyra smiles faintly, but there's a renewed determination in her eyes.
—Then let's keep working, Lugh. We're not staying here forever. If the universe wants to make it tough for us, it'll have to try harder.
—I accept the challenge —Lugh responds, his tone firmer.
With that response, the air inside the ship feels a little less heavy. For now, there are no certainties, but Lyra knows that each step she takes, each small victory, is building something much bigger: an opportunity.
Lyra lies back on the narrow bunk of the ship, the ceiling lights dimmed to create a twilight inviting rest. Despite the exhaustion, her mind continues to replay the static image of the message sent to the base, an unanswered question that echoes like a ghost in her head.
—Lugh, tell me the story of our era again —she says, her voice barely a whisper—. It might help me sleep... and stop thinking about how they're not responding.
—Of course, Lyra. Activating historical file: Age of Interstellar Expansion.
Lugh's voice adopts a more narrative tone, almost warm, as if seeking to envelop her in the words.
—At the end of the 23rd century, humanity reached its technological peak, successfully merging advancements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. It was an era marked by the rise of planetary colonies and the formation of the United Worlds Alliance, a conglomerate of nations working together to explore and terraform planets beyond our solar system.
Lyra closes her eyes, letting Lugh's words transport her to a past that feels as distant as a myth.
—The first steps toward the stars were hesitant, but with the creation of curvature engines and advanced cryogenics systems, humanity broke free from the chains of Earth's gravity. Within decades, the first self-sustaining colonies were born in nearby systems. It was a time of hope and discovery. But also... of conflicts.
—Always the conflicts, huh? —Lyra interrupts, offering a tired smile.
—Human nature has a propensity for conflict, yes —Lugh admits—. The struggle for resources, territories, and control of new technologies led to the Colonies Wars. For nearly a century, the balance of power swung between rival factions, threatening to destroy everything that had been built.
Lyra opens one eye, gazing at the ceiling.
—And here's where the great renaissance comes in, right?
—Exactly. The foundation of the Alliance marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation. Interstellar laws were established, and a knowledge exchange system was created that enabled unprecedented advancements. Humans stopped seeing each other as enemies and began to view the universe as a vast field to explore together.
Lugh pauses, as if wanting to give her time to absorb the words before continuing.
—It was during that time that independent exploration ships were born, like the Astra Nova. Designed to be self-sufficient, with trained crews and advanced artificial intelligence systems. They were the symbol of the human spirit: resilient, curious, and determined to unravel the secrets of the cosmos.
Lyra sighs, turning onto her side.
—And now look at us... a lost explorer on an unknown planet with a bunch of problems. How ironic.
—The spirit of exploration is not defined by the absence of problems, Lyra, but by the ability to face them. If you hadn't volunteered for this mission, who would be here now?
She smiles faintly, the fatigue beginning to take over.
—You know, you're a better motivator than I thought, Lugh. Maybe you should consider that when we get home.
—I'll be sure to add it to my list of skills, right after keeping you alive —Lugh responds with a hint of subtle humor.
Sleep begins to overtake her as Lugh's voice fades into a comforting murmur. For a moment, the weight of uncertainty feels a little lighter. While the answers are still absent, the story of their era and the calm of her companion manage to give her a moment of peace in the midst of the darkness.