In the desert lands of Omnat laid Dan McRaven. He awoke to a loud noise coming from outside his makeshift house. He rose from his bed with his gear still on from the previous day. His gear consisted of a closed red and white helmet that covered his jaw and head. Shoulder pads, a padded vest, a green shirt, camouflaged pants, leather gloves, Aviator sunglasses, a double holster, a back holster, and boots also made up his gear. He walked to a counter in his room and opened a small door where his weapons rested. He took out two plasma pistols and a plasma rifle and placed them in his holsters. He then walked out of the house and to where the noise was coming from. As be stepped outside the sun shone bright on him as he raised his hand to block the unforgiving light. The desert was vast and hard to travel in due to the intense heat. The noise came from around the back of the house, so Dan headed there. He turned a corner to see his friend, Dar, working on one of their dune runners. Dar was from the planet Stronam, a planet in the Andromeda system. He was about the same size as Dan but had rougher skin and a short tail. He had spikes coming from his forearms that were as sharp as an eagle's talons. His skin had a grayish tint to it as his eyes glowed yellow. Dan approached him and said, "Dar, what's up?"
"Good morning, Dan. I was working on the sand runner's undercarriage. I took the liberty and checked the Star Map and noticed that an Ark had fallen not far away. I was wondering if we would go out to search of it." Dar explained.
"You're certain that an Ark has fallen?"
"Yes."
"Then lets go! Grab your gear." Dan exclaimed. Dar jumped up and rushed into the house and returned wearing his gear. Dan sat in the drivers seat as Dar got in the passenger's seat and typed in the coordinates for the fallen Ark. Dan sped off in that direction.
The sand runner sped over the vast sandy wasteland as it came across small debris of wreckage from the Ark.
"Do you know which Ark it is?" Dan asked.
"I believe it is the Ark of Safety."
"An offensive Ark. Should have some nice weapons in there." Dan said as they went over a large dune and came across more wreckage before seeing the Ark itself. The Ark wasn't large as it was a reserve Ark. Nevertheless, the Ark contained valuable prizes within if it hadn't been raided yet. Dan parked the sand runner near the Ark and got out. He looked at Dar and said rhetorically, "Shall we see what's inside?" Dar nodded as he grabbed his plasma staff. Dan proceeded inward, followed by Dar. Inside the Ark was hot, dark, and uncomfortable to breathe. Dar coughed and said, "What is it we're looking for?"
"The central core. That's where the power is stored. But, look for some weapons along the way." Dan said. They continued to the depths where wires sparked and blue plasma fires burned. The air got more thick as Dar found a plasma blaster. The blaster was a large caliber pistol. The plasma intake was much more. Dan himself found a steel folding sword. The sword folded to a compact state for easy storage and would fully extend at the operator's wish.
They rounded a corner, as a wire sparked, where they found a large bluish white glow. Dan looked at Dar before continuing forward. The glow gave off a strong heat. As they got closer, Dan said, "Do not touch the blue itself. That'll burn you right here. Search for a stabilizing button somewhere, should be white." Dar looked around for a few minutes before finding it and pushing it. He returned and said to Dan, "I have found the button."
"Good. Now lets see..." Dan said as he reached inward to the blue, feeling around for the central core. The blue felt like water lapping at his hands but yet the outside was so hot. After a few minutes of searching Dan said, "Ah ha! Here it is!" before pulling his arm out to reveal a small bottle. Dan's face went still. Dar said, "That is the core?"
"No... its a fuckin' bottle! Damn it! Someone got here before us!" Dan yelled in disappointment.
"Dan, my friend, there are other Arks out there. This is not the last that will fall. Thousands have yet to."
"I know. I just want the core. Then maybe we can start something with this power cause I know for sure that this life is a mess! No order, no law. That damned war screwed everything up! And now those assholes pirates have a structure to work off of! Damn it!"
"You plan to form a government?"
"You can call it that, or a liberation. These small cities scattered across the galaxies have their own laws but they keep getting smacked by bandits, pirates, raiders, everyone really."
"How do you plan to start this liberation you speak of?"
"Well first get a ship with a power source. Find some people with my views for a council. Then raise others. And preach my view to others." Dan said sarcastically.
"I will be with you. But first we must have an idea of what our government should be?"
"Well, I was joking at first but a democracy type while everyone has the right to say. The government will be loose and enforce on things that are a threat to its cities and planets."
"Much like Earth had? That would be fair. But to start all this, like you said, we need a ship and I know where to get one." Dar said. Dan looked at him and nodded as voices were heard from down the hall. Dan whispered, "Raiders! We gotta move."
"I am right behind you." They each got behind a wall and waited until the raiders were close enough. When they were, Dan and Dar fired their weapons. Dan stood firing both his pistols while Dar shot large bolts of plasma from his staff. The Raiders were caught off guard and tried desperately to defend themselves but were overtaken. When the small firefight was over, Dan ordered, "Search 'em for supplies." Dar did before catching up to Dan. More Raiders laid down the hallway and were rushing to where the skirmish took place. Dar tapped Dan's shoulder and held up a plasma grenade. Dan nodded before Dar launched the grenade to the oncoming Raider party. The grenade was so small that the Raiders didn't see it until too late. The grenade exploded as the Raiders flew against the walls. Dan tapped Dar for him to follow. The outside could be seen as they emerged. Five more Raiders were around their vehicles as they saw the two. Dan and Dar froze as did the Raiders from shock. They stood for a few seconds before Dan pulled and shot one Raider and another. Dar aimed for the Raiders' vehicles and shot. The plasma exploded one of the Raider's sand sprinter, a four wheeled ATV like vehicle, and sent the two Raiders flying backwards. The last Raider stood shocked and tried to run away but Dan aimed and shot, dropping the Raider in the sand. Dan turned to Dar and said, "Now, where's that ship you were talking about?"
"Get in the runner." Dar said.