Autho: I do not own anything.

Prologue 1.5 - Darkside of the Moon.

1970, the golden age of life and power.

Several decades had passed since the founding of new and out-of-time technologies that had brought about a monumental shift in history, leading humanity a step closer to achieving our long-held dream of reaching the stars that were once believed to be so far out of reach. This milestone had brought forth profound advancements in all spheres of life, from communication and transportation to healthcare and space exploration. The world was a different place now, teeming with possibilities and uncertainties, as we stood atop a precipice of opportunity and potentiality, gazing into the limitless expanse of the unknown, our hunger for progress and discovery never sated.

And yet, despite the advances made in technology and the advancement of human civilization, there remained an innate conflict within ourselves that seemed to resist resolution. From the records of history, it was clear that war and violence were an inevitable part of human existence. Despite the countless attempts at peace, there was always someone who sought power and control through the use of force. This was the nature of humanity, and it was a nature that was difficult to escape.

The end of the Second World War and the lingering tensions that remained in its aftermath fueled the competition for arms, leading to the creation of sophisticated weaponry ready to be employed in the event of any potential conflicts. The possibility of another global conflict loomed large in the 70s, as tensions continued to rise between nations, each seeking to secure their own interests and maintain their position on the world stage.

Arms manufacturers throughout the globe continued to develop and stimulate both small-scale handheld weapons and massive war machines, emphasizing their destructive power and efficiency, to capture the attention of military forces both domestically and abroad. In pursuit of profit and the pursuit of national interests, these manufacturers dedicated their expertise to creating weapons that were both effective and profitable, regardless of the potential damage or loss of life that they could cause.

But even so, even in the midst of the ever-changing world where nation-states and manufacturers engage in a perpetual race for power and weapons, the constant pursuit of technological advancements focusing on the improvement of human care services and other life-enhancing research remains an unparalleled act of collaboration between different cultures and minds on an epic scale.

The pursuit of human progress is a never-ending story of synergy between life-changing innovation and the pursuit of military strength. These advancements are a testament to mankind's boundless capacity for growth and evolution, constantly embracing new and transitional cultures as we strive toward a stronger, richer, and more harmonious future.

Humanity has undoubtedly come far, from surviving the bloody struggles of history to reaching the surface of our beautiful white moon. There are many avenues yet to explore on the path of knowledge and evolution, as we continue to create ever-stronger creations to accompany us on our journey. The future holds many wonders yet to be discovered, and humanities will always push towards it, seeking to uncover the mysteries of the universe and the nature of its existence.

Time goes by and here, as we stood upon the gleaming platinum surface of the white lunar, illuminated by the light of the night sky, we gazed out into the vast and wondrous expanse of the infinite void. The countless stars that awaited us seemed to shine brighter against the backdrop of darkness, offering a glimpse of the limitless potentials and wondrous possibilities that lay ahead of the Earth and its inhabitants.

The possibilities that lay beyond the stars were not only wondrous but truly endless, and they sparked the imagination of children and scholars alike. Even the most brilliant scientists were captivated by the question that lay at the heart of human existence - are we truly alone in this vast and expansive universe, this dark and cold yet beautiful ocean of stars?

Though the answer to the great mystery of the universe and the existence beyond remains unanswered to this day, the pursuit of knowledge and advancement continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. Only time will tell when the answers to these great unknowns will be unveiled to the eyes of mankind - until then, we will continue to explore the depths of the great unknown and uncover the secrets of the universe.

However…

10th November 1975...

In the darkest depths of the lunar surface, an ominous sound echoed through the silence, a sound that chilled the bones of those who witnessed it.

The hunger that lurked in the shadows had claimed yet another victim among many, and their final screams were lost in the void of space...

Apollo 18, the US 18 moon-exposing ship, and its crew never made it back to Earth. Their fate is uncertain, and the silence of their disappearance sent a chilling alarm of the unknown and otherworldly dangers that lie beyond our comprehension.

The US government promptly initiated a search and rescue mission, without involving the public and keeping the severity of the incident under wraps. Apollo 19 was dispatched to the moon, with its crew accompanied by specialist equipment to support the search for any potential survivors or evidence of what had transpired.

The eerie quiet of the lunar surface hung heavy in the air as the crew of Apollo 19 spent a week searching for any sign of the missing Apollo or its crew. This was no simple rock-collecting mission - this was a crucial assignment, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. The looming threat of a 3rd great conflict between the East and the West added further pressure to the mission, as any misinterpretation or accident could incite a global catastrophe and tip the world into a devastating war. In the face of these immense stakes, the crew carried out their mission with the utmost professionalism and determination, their eyes and ears open for any signs of the missing astronauts or evidence of any unknown dangers lurking on the lunar surface…

…

[25/11/1975, 06:30 AM. Operation - Black Moon. Day 15.]

…

On this silent, lack of air and cold white empty wasteland, an astronaut's boots hit the lunar surface with an echoing thud, each step calculated to avoid the low-gravity bounce that would send him flying into the abyss. The cold and lack of oxygen weighed down his movements, the empty and desolate landscape stretching endlessly on all sides, with the only sounds to keep him company in this silence is the occasional rustling of the space suit's fabric and the faint crackle of radio transmission.

As he walked on the barren lunar surface, the astronaut's arms were draped with a loaded rifle. This was the first time that an astronaut had been sent to the moon not to place a flag or to gather the famous lunar rocks, which his nation had spent vast resources on simply for the sake of bringing them back. The astronaut regarded the rifle as a necessary precaution, given the uncertainty of the lunar environment and the potential for unknown hazards. Despite the weapon's presence, the astronaut's focus remained on the task at hand, the goal of finding out what had happened to the missing Apollo and its crew members, and the potential dangers that could be lurking just out of sight.

Captain John Rico's voice crackles through the radio, his words tinged with a touch of frustration.

"Alright, this is it, people. We've searched this barren wasteland for long enough. I don't like the idea of being stuck here any longer than we have to be. If we don't turn up any signs of the Apollo 18 crew this whole damn week, we can write this mission off as a failure. Again, keep your eyes and ears open, and let's get this over with."

As he speaks, the team of five men continues their tireless search for any traces of the missing crew, trudging through the moon's treacherous terrain, each step a reminder of their isolated and dangerous mission.

A minute or so later, chatter is spread around the team as they continue the search. It's for never nothing more than to keep their mind from being swallowed by the dead silence of the moon.

"I don't get it."

Lieutenant Jackson's words cut through the air, piercing the silence that had settled over the lunar surface.

"We've been here for a damn week, but all there is to this 'big white rock' is even more rock. I don't understand why the government and those Reds are so obsessed with this stupid place. You think it's enough to just collect the same crap over and over again. It became stupid after 14 launches, you know?" The other men nodded in agreement, the weight of their mission suddenly seeming all the more futile.

The radio crackles to life once more.

"Maybe it's not about the rocks, maybe it's about finding something else. Something we haven't discovered yet. Something that could change everything we know about space and the universe. Who knows what could be hidden beneath this cold and empty surface? We won't know unless we keep looking." Private Edward replies and the other men nod in agreement, their minds racing with anticipation of the unknown. The sound of their footsteps on the moon's surface echo in the silence as they continue their search.

"Like what? The moon rabbit?" Jackson says.

"Maybe." Edward rolls his eyes.

"Moon rabbits, space whales, little green men, who knows. All I know is that we're not getting any younger out here. If we don't find something soon, I'm ready to head back to Earth and let those Redheads deal with this rock." The other men chuckle in agreement, their spirits slightly lifted by the idea of leaving the moon. The sound of their laughter echoes across the empty landscape as they continue their search, determined to find something, anything, that could turn their mission around and make it worth the time spent away from home.

Despite the tension and uncertainty of the mission, Captain Rico manages to maintain his usual stoicism, focusing on the task at hand and leading the team with a calm and confident demeanor. But even he is not entirely immune to the isolation and loneliness of the lunar environment, and the occasional smile that breaks through his stoic expression reveals a small glimmer of hope and determination. The smile is not visible because of their helmet, but the men sense it somehow, and it gives them a slight boost of confidence as they continue their search, knowing that they are not alone in this mission to uncover the mysteries of the universe.

"Captain! We found something!"

The radio suddenly bursts to life, as the team holds their positions.

"What did you find?" Captain Rico asks as he puts himself on alert.

"Is it one of the missing crew members?" His heart races with anticipation, hoping against hope that they have finally found what they came for. The others hold their breath in anticipation, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

"Not yet, sir. We found their helmet, it broke and got blood on it…"

The radio is momentarily silent as the group processes the gravity of what the private has just said. The discovery of a broken helmet with blood on it is a sign that something happened to the missing Apollo 18 crew.

Captain Smith takes a deep breath as he tries to keep a calm and collected exterior, but the uncertainty that creeps into his voice is palpable. "Stay alert. We're coming," he tells the private as the team comes closer.

"There could be other signs nearby. Let's keep looking." The team nods in agreement, their nerves now on edge as they begin to realize the seriousness of the situation. The sound of their footsteps on the barren lunar surface echoes in the silence as they search for more clues, determined to solve the mystery of the missing crew.

"Tell the special unit pilot to be on standby, if there turns out to be a moon rabbit that eats you alive, blast it and get out of here,"

The men chuckle at the captain's attempt to lighten the mood, but the tension in the air is palpable. They search the surrounding area, scanning the horizon for any sign of the missing crew or the moon rabbit. It's only a matter of time before they find what they are looking for, but whether it will bring them answers or more questions is yet to be seen.

"You boys doing okay down there?"

The silence of the empty moon is interrupted by the sound of the female pilot's voice over the radio.

"Any signs of life or signs of anything at all?" Her voice is steady and calm, but there's a hint of worry in her tone.

"Affirmative. We're slowly but surely covering the ground and searching for any signs of the Apollo 18 crew. We've come across a broken helmet and some traces of blood," Captain Smith reports, his voice steady and professional, but the tension that has built up over the past week is still palpable.

He pauses for a moment before continuing, "We're currently in search of any signs of life or activity. How is the situation up there?"

"As boring as ever since I went with you guys to this goddamn space, but don't worry, I'll blow things up if you guys need it." The sound of the pilot's voice on the radio brings a small sense of comfort, like a reminder that they are not alone in this mission.

The team continues their search, determined to find out the fate of the missing Apollo 18 crew.

But suddenly…

"Captain, do you read? We have contact!" The radio suddenly bursts into life with the sound of gunshots and one of his men who scout ahead panicked shouts over the radio.

John's heart races as he listens to the chaos unfolding on the other end. The sound of gunfire and shouting is clearly audible in the background. He tries to remain calm and focused, knowing that he needs to be the one in charge, but it's difficult to ignore the growing anxiety in his men's voices.

"What's going on? Give me a status report!" he demands, desperate for information. The sound of heavy breathing and more gunfire fills the air, the radio static providing a backdrop for the chaos that's unfolding.

"Hands! They're all over the place! I don't know what they- Aaaahh!"

Their radio went deafeningly crackling after the last scream, they didn't make it…

The team continues to stand there, stunned, their hearts heavy with the weight of the unknown.

Hands…!? What could that mean…?

Whatever it was, Captain John's grip tightens on his weapon, his mind racing as he tries to make sense of the chaos unfolding to him. In the face of uncertainty, he takes a deep breath, gathering enough determination to lead his men. He realized how long they'd spent walking on the planet, the fate of Apollo 18 is for certain now, and whatever that attacked his scouts could be coming for them next.

They have to get out of here! From this godforsaken moon!

Captain John looks around frantically, he can sense whatever kind of moon monsters are coming for them. In a moment of desperation, he calls out to Lieutenant Sala, hoping against hope that she hears him and can provide backup.

"Lieutenant Sala, do you read?" he shouts into the radio, his voice shaking with nervousness. "We have contact, and we need to get out of here!"

"Got it, get your ass back to the ship. I'm coming." the Lieutenant immediately replies, as she quickly gets her machine online, ready to provide support and get them out of this mess.

The shrill cry of her machine's gears as it spools to life, filled the cabin with the sound of metal gear running, echoing with the familiar sound of technology and the reassuring hum of energy.

It once had a peaceful purpose, which was to aid in the exploring of the vast reaches of space, but in the end, sooner or later it will become used as another type of weapon, as the firearm in its hand is further proof of that fact. It was unfortunate but necessary, especially now that the team she was assigned to look after is in the face of the unexpected danger that now threatened the safety of her friends, nonetheless, she prepared herself to do her job.

The pot holding the special unit on the space shuttle bursts open with a sharp gasp of oxygen and the machine is released into the zero-gravity, as she skillfully steadies the human-like machine to the none-gravity atmosphere, its gun is loaded and ready for whatever dangers lay ahead, as it makes its way to assist the team.

Back to Captain John, as he watches and waits, his grip on his firearm tightening as he looks for any signs of what attacked them. The low gravity of the lunar environment makes it difficult to move, but they managed to make it back to the landing site of the lunar module.

Yet the question of what had killed their scout remains. The anxiety in his men's eyes gives him just a glimpse of the horror that could be out there, and he knows that they must stay vigilant. The sound of their breathing and the rustling of their suits echo in the silence as they prepare to board the module.

John braces himself, determined that they will not become another casualty of this mysterious force on this isolated moon. Whatever it is that lies in wait, it has already claimed the lives of too many. He won't let it claim anymore, he will lead his team back to Earth. He will not rest until they are back on solid ground and safe, and this nightmare is finally over.

But suddenly…

*Rumbling!!!*

"Ugh!? What the…!?"

Captain John's eyes widen in shock as the ground beneath him suddenly trembles terrifyingly, causing him and his men to lose their footing. The sound of their startled gasps and the rumbling of the lunar surface echo in the silence as they struggle to regain their balance. In the back of his mind, John knows that their only way out of this situation is the lunar module, but it could be damaged if they don't get out of there quickly.

"We have to move now!"

John yells, signaling for his men to follow him to the module. The thought of being stranded on this barren moon fills him with dread, but he knows they have to act fast. The sound of their breathing and the rumbling of the moon echoed across the empty space, as they struggled to make their way to the module. Every step feels like an eternity as they try to outrun whatever force is causing the trembles. But they must keep going, for their survival and for those that're waiting for them back home.

But suddenly, it all stops when they are so close to the module.

Silence once again falls over the lunar surface, the only noise being the sound of their heavy breathing. Captain John feels his heart pounding in his chest, the stress and anxiety of the situation taking its toll. His mind races as he tries to make sense of what just happened. The sudden silence is almost worse than the tremors, leaving him on edge and filled with an overwhelming sense of dread, as he tries not to start shooting at the unseen.

"Captain Rico, do you read me!? What's the situation down there!? I see a lot of dust coming from your position!"

Lieutenant Sala's voice came through his helmet.

John stops in his tracks and answers the coms with a sense of urgency in his voice. "This is Rico, Lieutenant. We're almost at the module, but we had a close call. The ground beneath us shook and caused a lot of dust, worse, two of my men were killed, something got them…"

John pauses for a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. "We're going to need some time to reassess the situation and get the rest to the module safely. We're okay for now, but we need to get the hell out of here as soon as possible." John ends the message with a sense of determination in his voice, his training kicking in to keep his remaining men safe and get them back to Earth. He waits for Lieutenant Sala's reply, knowing that the lives of his crew are counting on him to make the right decisions.

"Crap… I'm close by now, and the shuttle is following. Get in the module, I'm coming, and watch your back."

Captain John's heart races as he hears Lieutenant Sala's message, relief washing over him that they are close by.

"Understood," he replies, his voice steady and determined. He knows they have to act fast, and every second counts. With renewed urgency, he signals for his men to move to the module, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The sound of their heavy breathing echoes in the silence as they move toward the module, ready to take on whatever comes their way.

As they make their way to the module, John can't shake the feeling that they are being watched, and he urges his men to stay alert. The thought of the unknown force out there, and what could be waiting for them, makes him feel sick to his stomach. But they have to keep going…

However…

"Aaah!"

…!?

John is shocked and turns his attention back to the team, just to see a pair of red arms erupt from the ground.

"Aah! Cap-Captain! Help!"

John feels like he just skipped a beat as he witnesses one of his men struggling in the grasp of a mysterious pair of red arms. He quickly takes action, ordering his team to cover the man and get him free.

The sound of gunfire echoes in the quiet and dark landscape, the team's weapons firing at the creature as it tries to pull the man down into the ground. John's mind races as he tries to think of how to save his man and get everyone out of this nightmare alive. He watches the commotion in horror, his heart racing with adrenaline and fear. They keep firing at the creature, trying to get the man free, but the red arms refuse to let go. John tries to keep his

composure, but the fear is getting to him. They have to get out of here now before it's too late!

"Keep firing! Don't let it take him!" he yells as he tries to think of a plan while shooting.

Despite John's best efforts, the long, skeleton-like red arms swing the man around, using him as a shield against the gunfire. With each passing moment, their situation grows more and more dire as the red arms seem determined to take the man back into the ground with them. The team is forced to hold off on their firing, knowing that they could hit the man with their bullets. John feels the adrenaline rushing through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest.

What should he do!? What could he do!?

*Shunk!*

"Ugh…! Cap-Captain…!"

…!

John watches in horror as the red arms suddenly extend a long spike from its palm and stab the man in its grip through his torso. Before the man can even scream, the red arms pull him into the ground and disappear underneath…

John and the rest stand in stunned silence, their weapons still drawn as they try to process what they just witnessed. The sudden, violent death of their teammate has left them all in shock, as John can only imagine the terror and pain that man must have felt in his final moments…

"F*ing s*..."

Jackson's words echoed the rest of the team's thoughts as they witnessed one of them being brutally killed and dragged under the ground. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed, and the realization that they were up against an unknown force of unimaginable power set in. It was clear that they were in way over their heads and their already failed mission had just taken a wicked turn. They were no longer on a rescue mission, they were on a monster food plate, fighting for their lives against an unknown entity. It was a terrifying realization and one that they were not prepared for.

"Look out!!"

...!

*Plorkk!*

John, Jackson, and Edward's collective blood run cold as they see a stringer-like tentacle shooting straight at them and impaling another member of their team. They are all frozen in shock, watching as the string goes straight through his body as if he were made of nothing but paper. Their fallen comrade doesn't even have the chance to let out even a scream of pain before he's pulled towards the direction where the tentacle is coming from, disappearing into the darkness.

Only Captain John Rico, Lieutenant Jackson, and Private Edward are the remaining. They cannot move, they just stare in horror and disbelief as their team members continue to be snatched one by one, seemingly by some sort of unknown entity. For 15 days they got to know each other since they began this mission… Now, the fear and anxiety are palpable as they realize that they're on their own, alone and helpless against this monstrous force.

With a deafening roar, the ground beneath the team's feet begins to tremble as the nightmarish beings rise out of the darkness and reveal themselves.

Small, medium, and large, of different shapes and sizes, those creatures all carry with them the primal instinct of a hungry beast. It's as if they were born of the very crater of hell, emerging to feed on anything in their sight, with no regard for life or safety.

The three survivors are frozen in terror and awe as these inhuman creatures rise from the depths, the owners of those hands, their eyes fixed on them as if they were just pieces of meat waiting to be eaten raw. They cannot believe what they are witnessing, and it becomes all too clear that they- no, the whole of humanity are in grave danger, against something unimaginable and seemingly unstoppable…

"Holy mother of god…"

Even Lieutenant Sala, who had finally arrived at their aid. She is a seasoned military officer, and even she cannot help but whisper a prayer under her breath as she watches the massive horde of otherworldly entities spring from the lunar surface and present themselves to the moonlight.

The sheer scale and magnitude of the unknown power before her eyes, coupled with the sheer number of these beings, is enough to make her question if she's even in her right mind. She's never seen anything like this in all her years in the military, and the mere thought of facing off against this many adversaries, with each one seemingly stronger than the next, is enough to make any sane person's knees shake.

And yet, she knows she has a duty to fulfill, to protect and defend the remaining members of her team, no matter what the cost may be. She takes a deep breath and steadies her nerves, preparing herself for what is sure to be an all-out death battle for survival…

She grips the lever and the machine responds, by aiming its weapons in the exact direction she wants. Its hand is her hand, and with a swift motion, the unit presses the trigger and -

*BANG!*

…

The question that lay at the heart of human existence - are we truly alone in this vast and expansive universe, this dark and cold yet beautiful ocean of stars?

We found our answer, but it was one that was answered by the primal horror of darkness…

To be continued…?

Author: Feel free to ask me anything you like about the fic.