'The last man on earth, more like the last human in existence, people wonder what that would be like, to be the last human being alive...it's hell, that's what it is. Something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, unending, unchanging loneliness; it's suffocating. Nothing changes, no one to talk to, nothing to do but be left with your own mind; after a while it's fine, but sooner or later, you start craving connection till you slowly start going mad. The crushing feeling of knowing when it all ends, there will be nothing left, no one left to remember you, not going out with a bang or some final hurrah, or last stand, but a pathetic and quiet whimper. as all human history comes to an end...ah I'm rambling, how about we start at the beginning before all this so you can get a grasp on what I'm saying.'
Chapter 1: Homecoming
1022699:05:45:18 MET
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
"I'm up, I'm up."
The words muttered out of his mouth as his alarm rang throughout the room, the alarm blared through the small, dimly lit room, echoing off the metal walls as he stirred in his sleep lethargically—the sound cutting through his dreams. With a groan, he reached out and slapped the alarm, silencing it. He blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the low light. He swung his legs over the edge of his narrow bed, feeling the slight, familiar pull of the artificial gravity on his boots, though it still always felt off; he let out a yawn, covering his mouth with his hand, before smacking his lips.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he sighed before stretching, feeling his muscles protesting due to an entire night of inactivity. His eyes glanced over to the clock, seeing it was around 5 am the usual time he got out of bed to get ready for his day, but today was a special day. He had a weary smile on his face, he was going home after so long he was finally going home, but he still had a busy day ahead of him, especially considering it would be a few hours before he even entered the solar system, and maintenance and the usual check-up routines. He patted his face a few times to wake himself up, before standing up and popping his spine, today was going to be a good day.
"Computer, lights on please"
The room flooded with a soft, artificial glow as the lights responded to his command, illuminating the metallic walls and revealing the various pieces of equipment neatly arranged around the small space. He began his morning routine with a sense of purpose, moving through the motions with practiced efficiency. First, he headed to the compact hygiene station tucked into one corner of the room. As he washed his face and brushed his teeth, his mind drifted back to the anticipation of returning home. He could almost taste the familiar flavors of Earth, and feel the warmth of its sun on his skin. But for now, there were tasks to complete, and protocols to follow.
As the room gradually filled with light, he blinked away the last remnants of sleep, feeling the excitement bubbling within him. Today wasn't just any ordinary day; it marked the end of a long journey and the beginning of a new chapter. Home awaited him, with its familiar sights and sounds, its comforting embrace that he had missed dearly during his time away among the stars. With renewed vigor, he set about his morning routine, the familiar tasks of maintenance and check-ups feeling almost comforting in their predictability. Each action brought him closer to his destination, fueling his anticipation with every passing minute.
While he was working, his thoughts wandered to the things he missed the most. The warmth of a familiar hug, the laughter of loved ones, and the simple pleasures of home-cooked meals and lazy Sundays. It had been a long time since he had experienced these simple joys, and the thought of finally being reunited filled him with a sense of contentment that he hadn't felt in ages.
He quickly freshened up splashing his face with water as he looked at his face in the mirror, it was familiar his hair had grown out a white streak going through contrasting his normally dark locks, a consequence of using cryosleep as often and as long as he did, there was the familiar scar near his lip that he had from his childhood, his eyes were the biggest difference, they he could vaguely remember, how bright-eyed and happy he had been, now tired and weary from this journey. He stretches one last time before exiting the hygiene station to his room.
"Computer, blinds"
The room responded to his command as he was faced with the familiar view of the vastness of space. As he gazed out at the endless expanse of space, a wave of nostalgia washed over him, the stars glittered like diamonds against the velvet backdrop of the cosmos, a sight that never failed to fill him with wonder. It was a view he had grown accustomed to over the years, a view that had become both his companion and his captor. But today was different. It would be the last time he saw it like this before he was faced with the familiar blue sky of Earth, and he couldn't wait for that moment. He only slept in his room instead of the cryopod like usual, mostly due to the familiarity of wanting to sleep in a bed before the big day.
As he makes his way to the main deck of the ship, he thinks about how long he's been on this mission, 1022699 days, 5 hours, 45 minutes, and 18 seconds...that's how long he's been out here in the far cold reaches of space —such a vast expanse of time spent traversing the endless void of space. In that time, he had seen wonders beyond imagination and faced challenges that tested his resolve to its very limits. Most people would have gone insane a long time ago if he had to calculate off the top of his head; that was roughly 2800 years, normally humans of old wouldn't even dream of living this long.
Well thank the tech bigwigs for finally figuring out how to properly work with cryosleep, kept him alive and well throughout most of the journey. He walked through the halls of the ship the only sounds being the familiar hum of the ship and the stomp of his boots against the metal floor now that he was finally here, at the end, his thoughts turned to the loved ones he had left behind so many centuries ago. He grimaced, they were most likely gone, long gone it was a hard choice to make, but a necessary one.
"I did the right thing" he muttered under his breath before letting out a deprecating chuckle, it was always a question that ran through his head every second of the day, if it was worth it, and he always says it was how true that was he didn't know and didn't want to find out. "or I'm just trying to convince myself"
He shook his head as he drove that thought away, he had come too far he'd deal with his mental issues later. Just get home, report back, and most likely get some therapy...hope that was covered in the contract.
After shoving his mental issues to the side for later, which always ends swell, he reached the main bridge of the ship, he stepped into the room as the lights turned on and the familiar hum of the ship and all its machinery coming to life rang in his ear. As he made his way to the control panel, his mind raced with thoughts of what awaited him on Earth. Would the world he had left behind still be recognizable after all this time? Would he be welcomed as a hero or regarded as a relic of a bygone era? The uncertainty gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the sacrifices he had made in pursuit of his mission.
"Focus." He muttered to himself as he pushed back his darker thoughts and pulled up the star chart, he had to get home and focus on getting home. As he pulled up his current location, he saw that he was at the edge of the solar system, around where Pluto was. At his current speed, it would take him around, 5 hours, maybe 6 tops to get back to Earth, so he had some time to kill before then.
"Great" He let out a sigh as he leaned in his chair and rolled away from the console blowing his lips "Left alone with my thoughts, that's not going to be so bad is it" There were bits of sarcasm in his tone, he knew 5 hours was like nothing compared to how long he's been out here. But can you blame him for being impatient? He was nearly home and there's not like he could go any faster.
"Well, no point in complaining" He stretched before standing up and turning off the console " I might as well distract myself while I wait, maybe routine maintenance would be good" As he began his routine maintenance checks, checking to see if the ship had sustained any damage, or if there is an issue with sny of the electronics. As he worked, his mind drifted back to Earth, to the life he had left behind so many centuries ago. He wondered what had become of his friends, his family, and the world he once knew. They were most likely gone, he knew this, he had learned to accept this; didn't mean it didn't still sting.
Lost in thought, he worked diligently, his hands moving automatically as his mind wandered. The hours passed slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity as he waited for the moment when he would finally set foot on Earth once more.
As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. Would he be able to adjust to life on Earth after so long in space? Would he be able to find his place in a world that had changed so much in his absence? The questions nagged at him, but he pushed them aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. As he busied himself with routine maintenance tasks, he found solace in the familiar rhythms of his work.
Greasing joints, checking systems, and running diagnostics became his focus, each task serving as a welcome distraction from the weight of his thoughts. As he worked, memories of his time in space flooded his mind. He recalled the countless wonders he had witnessed, from distant galaxies to breathtaking nebulae, each one a testament to the beauty and vastness of the universe. But alongside the awe-inspiring sights were moments of loneliness and doubt, reminders of the sacrifices he had made to undertake this journey.
And now, after more than a million days in space, he was finally on the verge of returning home. The thought filled him with a mix of emotions, from joy and anticipation to apprehension and doubt. What would await him on Earth? How had the world changed in his absence? And perhaps most importantly, how had he changed? He knew he wasn't the same as he was when he first started this journey, he just hoped that he could be proud of himself when this was all over. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, as he calmed himself down and continued working.
After what felt like an eternity, the ship's systems signaled his approach to Earth as light speed was turned off as the ship began cruising now. He let out a sigh of relief before standing up putting away his tools and making his way back to the bridge, taking a seat in the main seat and turning on the console. As he looked up, looking out the window to his first view of Earth in years, a look of shock ran across his face. To say he wasn't expecting this would be an understatement, the planet was intact which was a relief, and the sea was even a bright vibrant blue still, but it was smaller.
He couldn't explain it, maybe his memory was shoddy; made sense considering how long he had been away, but the planet, was smaller, definitely and it was missing a lot of land mass on its surface. Sure it had been a long time and the planet definitely could have gone through a lot of changes, but there was only one large land mass atop the ocean surface. He saw no other masses that could be considered continents, it was just one large land mass, and to make matters worse, the Earth had decided to gain six new moons while he was gone, as now orbiting the planet, were six misshapen large chunks around the planet. From what he could tell, they were pretty recent compared to the original moon, which looked completely intact, to his relief. These six new ones looked off, rough around the edges like the moons of Mars, Phobos, and Deimos, misshapen, and lumpy-like chunks that were ripped off.
"Ok, deep breaths, this doesn't mean anything" He tried his best to calm himself down, ok maybe something happened while he was gone but that didn't mean anything, think what was the best thing to do in this situation. The moonbase, most likely should still be active, and from what he remembered they had figured out for people to safely and sustainably live there without help from Earth. He opened up coms to see if he could get someone, anyone at all to respond and explain things to him.
"Moonbase Alpha, this is Odysseus-12 do you copy?"
He held his breath as he tried to establish contact with Moonbase Alpha, he was met with static and silence. No response came through the communication channel, leaving him with a sinking feeling in his chest. He tried again, his voice more urgent this time.
"Moonbase Alpha, this is Captain Hunter Laux of the Odysseus-12. Please respond," he called out, hoping against hope for a reply.
As the static persisted, Hunter felt a surge of frustration and worry. He couldn't afford to be stranded in space with no means of contacting Earth or receiving guidance. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he made one final attempt to establish contact.
"Moonbase Alpha, this is Captain Hunter Laux. I need a response immediately. Please, if anyone is receiving this, acknowledge," he said, his voice tinged with urgency and desperation.
The silence that followed was deafening, leaving Hunter with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had to remain calm and composed, but the uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on him. With no response forthcoming from Moonbase Alpha, he was left with no choice but to consider his next course of action carefully.
"Damn it all." He muttered under his breath as he slammed his fist against the console, before taking a deep breath.
"Calm down Laux, just think and we'll figure this out"
Taking a moment to compose himself, Hunter surveyed the situation with a cool, analytical mindset. Despite the lack of response from the Moonbase, he knew he couldn't afford to panic. There had to be a logical explanation for the absence of communication, and he needed to focus on finding a solution. First, he checked the ship's systems to ensure that there were no malfunctions on his end that could be interfering with the communication equipment. Everything appeared to be functioning normally, which ruled out any technical issues with his own equipment.
Next, he considered the possibility that Moonbase Alpha was experiencing technical difficulties or was otherwise unable to respond. However, the silence on their end seemed unusual, especially considering the importance of his arrival. As he pondered his options, Hunter decided to take a proactive approach. He would attempt to establish contact with other outposts or stations within range, hoping to gather information or assistance from any available sources.
"Computer, scan for nearby communication frequencies and identify any active signals," he commanded his voice firm and determined.
The ship's AI responded with a series of beeps and whirrs as it initiated the scanning process. Captain Laux waited anxiously, his eyes fixed on the console as he monitored the progress of the scan.
After a tense moment, the AI reported back with its findings. "Captain there are no current Active signals that match any in my database"
Hunter felt a wave of disappointment wash over him as he processed the AI's report. It seemed that his initial attempt to establish contact with other outposts or stations had yielded no results. The absence of any active signals within range only added to the sense of isolation and uncertainty that gripped him.
Nevertheless, Hunter refused to give in to despair. He knew that he needed to remain calm and focused if he was going to find a solution to the predicament he found himself in. With determination in his eyes, he began to consider his next course of action.
"Alright, let's not lose hope just yet," he muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the lingering unease in his chest. "There must be other options we haven't explored." He whispered to himself as he tried to get to ship to focus on frequencies and drown out any background radiation. As he did this he noticed something out of the corner of his eyes on the surface of the moon as the ship drew nearer and nearer to Earth. On the surface of the Earths former only satellite, was a large city-like structure The building appears to be one structure rather than smaller ones separated, and is boxed in within its confines with a four-wall structure.
Also from what the ship's computer can analyze; the strange structure is highly geometric and generally has 90° angles with layering. The only curved features are smaller ornaments that are symmetrical along the y-axis. It was strange almost alien; if he had to describe what it resembled to him, it was like the minimalistic architecture that often incorporates flat planes of design which became popular during the mid-20th century. It was strange seeing something like that instead of the Moonbase, and to make it even creepier it was the only structure on the surface of the moon, there was nothing else, just where a base or even Biodomes for people to live in.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen before, its minimalist design standing out starkly against the desolate lunar landscape. The fact that it was the only structure visible on the moon's surface only added to its mystique and allure.
"Unrecognized signal," the ship's AI announced, drawing Hunter's attention back to the task at hand. He knew that he needed to investigate further if he was going to unravel the mystery of the strange structure and its signal.
"Computer, can you analyze the signal? Determine its origin and purpose if possible," Hunter commanded, his voice tinged with anticipation.
The ship's AI hummed to life, its processors whirring as it processed the incoming data. After a moment of silence, the AI responded with its analysis.
"Captain, the signal appears to be encrypted and highly sophisticated. It does not match any known communication protocols or signatures in my database," the AI reported.
Hunter furrowed his brow in thought. An encrypted signal from an unknown source? It was certainly intriguing, but it also raised more questions than answers. Who or what could be sending such a signal, and what was its purpose? Was it a distress call, a warning, or something else entirely?
"Can you attempt to decode the signal?" Hunter asked, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
The AI nodded in acknowledgment. "I will attempt to decrypt the signal, Captain. However, I cannot guarantee success, as the encryption appears to be highly complex."
Hunter watched intently as the ship's AI worked its magic, hoping against hope that they would be able to decipher the mysterious signal. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours as he waited anxiously for the AI's response.
As Hunter waited with bated breath he saw something rise from the surface of the moon, it looked like a streak of light, and it was getting closer and closer to the ship at an alarming speed.
"Computer zoom in on whatever that is"
As the ship's sensors zoomed in on the approaching object, Hunter's heart raced with anticipation. What could it be? Was it some kind of defense mechanism from the strange structure on the moon? Or perhaps it was a ship of some kind, sent to intercept him?
As the image became clearer, Hunter's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. A cloud-like platform comes forth, carrying on top of it a humanoid-looking figure with pale, smooth skin and flowing clothes adorned with bands and beads that seemed to have a pinkish shade to them, and as the image was enhanced he could see that the being had blank eyes and radiated a strange light from what he could tell. It looked like a Buddhist monk of some sort from what he remembered in his textbooks of Earth's older history. He stared at the strange being, it was tranquil and gave an aura of peacefulness, it may look human but it felt alien, it was wrong, he couldn't explain it but in his gut whatever this thing was, it shouldn't be here and how was it even breathing in the vacuum of space?
"Questions for later" he murmured under his breath as he steeled his nerves and opened up the coms, to try and communicate with the strange being. Maybe it was friendly and he was just being paranoid.
"Unknown vessel, this is Captain Hunter Laux of the Odysseus-12," he called out, his voice projected through the ship's speakers, despite his growing fear he remained calm, he had to remain calm damn it. "I come in peace. Please, identify yourself and state your intentions."
The silence is defeating the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. The being doesn't even seem to react, merely staring at him blankly as if it couldn't hear him.
Hunter felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched the being's unresponsive demeanor. It was unnerving, to say the least, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this encounter.
"Computer, scan the being. Determine if it poses any threat to the ship," Hunter commanded, his voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at him.
The ship's sensors hummed to life, analyzing the strange being and its surroundings. After a moment, the AI reported back with its findings.
"Captain, the being appears to be composed of an unknown energy signature. Its physiology is unlike anything I have encountered before, and I cannot determine its intentions or capabilities," the AI reported.
Hunter remained tense as the being's gaze was fixed upon him with an unsettling intensity. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that washed over him, a primal instinct warning him of the potential danger posed by this mysterious entity.
"Computer, increase the ship's defensive protocols," he commanded, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "We need to be prepared for anything."
The ship's AI hummed to life, activating the necessary defensive systems to ensure their safety, even if the Odyseseyus was mostly built for long and arduous space travel, it still had a few defenses he could rely on. Hunter kept his eyes trained on the strange being, his senses heightened as he braced himself for whatever might come next.
As the tension in the air thickened, Hunter's mind raced with questions. Who or what was this being, and why had it appeared now, just as he was on the verge of returning home? Was it a friend or a foe, an ally or an enemy? What was it doing on the moon, what was that weird structure on the moon? What had happened to the Moonbase? So many questions so few answers.
"Computer, attempt to establish communication with the being," Hunter instructed, his voice calm but firm. He needed to gather more information before he could determine the appropriate course of action.
The ship's AI complied, sending out a transmission in a variety of languages and communication protocols in an attempt to establish contact with the mysterious figure. Hunter watched anxiously as the seconds ticked by, waiting for a response.
To his surprise, the being seemed to react, its blank eyes flickering with a faint light as it turned its attention toward the ship. For a moment, Hunter dared to hope that they might be able to communicate, bridge the gap between their worlds, and find common ground.
But just as quickly as it had shown interest, the being's expression returned to its serene calmness, as if nothing had happened. Hunter felt a surge of frustration and disappointment wash over him. It seemed that communication with the being would not be easy if it was even possible at all.
"Keep trying," Hunter said, his voice tinged with determination. He refused to give up hope, not when so much was at stake. As the stare between Hunter and the being continued, it finally moved. In its hand was a bow made of what seemed to be gemstones since they glittered in the light, the being drew back its bow, and Hunter took that as warning enough as he grabbed the wheel of the ship.
"Computer, evasive maneuvers!"
As the being drew its bow and took aim, Hunter wasted no time in taking evasive action. Gripping the controls tightly, he maneuvered the ship with precision and agility, dodging the incoming projectile with ease. The ship's thrusters roared to life as it veered sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding the glowing arrow as it streaked past, missing the ship by mere inches.
"Computer, activate defensive systems!" Hunter commanded, his voice urgent as he braced for the possibility of further attacks.
The ship's AI responded swiftly, deploying shields and activating countermeasures to protect against any incoming threats. Hunter remained focused, his eyes fixed on the strange being as it prepared to launch another attack.
The being launched the arrow-like object towards the ship with incredible speed and accuracy. Hunter watched in awe as it soared through space, narrowly missing the Odysseus-12 as it passed by harmlessly. The arrow continued on its path, disappearing into the depths of space.
"Analysis?" Hunter asked, his voice tense as he watched the being closely, ready for any further attacks.
"Captain, the projectile appears to be composed of a highly advanced and unknown material. Its trajectory was calculated with precision, suggesting an intelligent and purposeful design," the ship's AI reported.
"Computer, continue scanning the being. I want to know everything we can about it," Hunter ordered, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The ship's sensors hummed to life once more, analyzing the strange being and its surroundings in greater detail. Hunter watched intently as the data streamed in, hoping for any insights that might help him understand the nature of this mysterious encounter.
As the analysis progressed, Hunter's brow furrowed in thought. The being's energy signature was unlike anything he had ever encountered before, its physiology defying conventional understanding. It was as if the being existed outside the bounds of known science, a creature of pure energy and light.
"Captain, I am unable to gather any further data on the being," the ship's AI reported, its voice tinged with frustration. "Its energy signature is unlike anything in my database, and I cannot determine its origin or purpose."
Hunter sighed in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He knew that he needed to make a decision soon, but he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that lingered in the air. But he wouldn't; get time to think as the strange being launched another arrow this time faster, as Hunter did his best to evade and maneuver the ship.
"Damn it, gone for over 2000 years and this is the warm welcome I get?! Should have stayed on Kepler then." He quipped as he tried his best to avoid the flurry of arrows from the strange being. On one hand, this is terrifying but he can't help but feel a little excited at the space dog fight, it finally let him try out his piloting skills, something this mission hadn't really let him do.
Hunter's mind raced as he dodged the barrage of arrows, his heart pounding in his chest with each near miss. He knew that he needed to come up with a plan, and fast. With the ship's defensive systems engaged, he had a fighting chance of surviving the encounter, but he couldn't keep evading forever.
"Computer, analyze the trajectory of the arrows. Is there a pattern we can exploit?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around him.
The ship's AI hummed to life, analyzing the data from the ongoing attack. After a tense moment, it reported back with its findings.
"Captain, the arrows appear to follow a predetermined path based on our movements. However, their speed and accuracy make them difficult to predict," the AI reported.
Hunter frowned as he considered the information. If the arrows were tracking their movements, then evasive maneuvers alone wouldn't be enough to evade them indefinitely. He needed to find a way to disrupt their targeting system and create an opening to counterattack.
"Computer, initiate a series of unpredictable maneuvers. I want to throw off the trajectory of those arrows," he commanded, his voice firm as he kept his eyes trained on the strange being.
The ship responded immediately, executing a series of evasive maneuvers that were designed to confuse and disrupt the tracking systems of the arrows. As the ship twisted and turned through space, Hunter braced himself for the inevitable counterattack.
Sure enough, the barrage of arrows began to lose their accuracy, veering off course as they struggled to keep up with the ship's erratic movements.
"Captain, I am detecting a significant energy buildup coming from the surface of the moon. It appears to be emanating from the structure we observed earlier," the AI reported, its voice tinged with concern.
Hunter's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications of the energy buildup. Whatever was happening on the moon, it was clear that they were not out of danger yet. He knew that he needed to act quickly if they were going to survive. Though if he were a betting man, he'd have to guess that more of these things are about to show up.
"Computer, plot a course away from the moon. Maximum speed," he commanded, his voice urgent as he prepared to flee the scene.
Hunter's command initiated a flurry of activity onboard the Odysseus-12 as the ship's systems sprang into action. With the energy buildup on the moon's surface posing a significant threat, Hunter knew that their best chance of survival lay in putting as much distance between themselves and the source of the danger as possible.
As the ship accelerated away from the moon, Hunter kept a close eye on the sensors, scanning for any signs of pursuit or further attacks. He knew that they were not out of danger yet, and he remained vigilant, ready to respond to any threats that might arise.
"Captain, I am detecting multiple energy signatures emerging from the surface of the moon. It appears that additional entities are preparing to engage us," the ship's AI reported, its voice tense with urgency.
Hunter's jaw clenched as he processed the information. It seemed that their encounter with the strange being was just the beginning, and now they were facing the prospect of dealing with even more hostile entities.
"Prepare for combat," Hunter ordered, his voice firm as he braced himself for the coming battle. "We may not be able to avoid this fight, but we can damn well make sure we're ready for it."
He gritted his teeth, The Odyssus-12 wasn't a ship built for combat; the defenses on the ship were mostly to protect him from asteroids, and the occasional solar flare, not whatever the hell these things were it was designed for a long journey in space, not intergalactic dog fights. As he made his escape he pulled up footage from behind him to see if he was being pursued
As Hunter monitored the ship's rearview footage, his worst fears were confirmed. Multiple entities, similar to the strange being he had encountered earlier, were pursuing the Odysseus-12 with relentless determination. They moved with incredible speed and agility, their forms shimmering with an otherworldly energy as they closed in on the ship.
"Computer, activate all defensive systems. Prepare for incoming hostiles," Hunter commanded, his voice tense with urgency.
The ship's AI responded immediately, deploying shields and activating countermeasures to defend against the approaching entities. Hunter gripped the controls tightly, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to face the oncoming threat.
"Brace for impact," Hunter warned as he gripped the controls tightly, ready to defend the ship against the onslaught.
The first wave of entities descended upon the Odysseus-12, launching a barrage of energy projectiles that streaked through space with deadly accuracy. Hunter gritted his teeth as he maneuvered the ship, evading the incoming fire with expert precision.
"Return fire!" he shouted, his voice commanding as he directed the ship's weapons toward the approaching entities.
The Odysseus-12's defensive turrets roared to life which were usually used to blast away small asteroids that got too close to the ship, unleashed a barrage of energy blasts that cut through the darkness of space, striking the entities with pinpoint accuracy. Hunter watched with grim satisfaction as the blasts found their marks, causing the entities to recoil in pain as they attempted to regroup and launch another attack.
"Heh, how do you like the taste of that?" He flashes a smirk as he continues to maneuver the ship to the best of his abilities, taking deep breaths as the barrage of arrows from the strange beings continues.
"Tch, there's no end to them!" Hunter tried to dodge all the fire from the beings but it was getting overwhelming, and to his horror, they're attacks seemed to tear through the ship's shield meaning it might as well be useless.
"Damn it, damn it!" Hunter's frustration mounted as the relentless onslaught of the entities continued unabated. Despite his best efforts, their attacks seemed to overwhelm the ship's defenses, tearing through the shields with alarming ease.
"Computer, divert power to the shields! We need to-!"
BOOM!
As he gave the order there was a loud explosion that came from the ship as the entire vessel shook violently, he had been hit.
"The sudden impact rocked the ship, sending alarms blaring throughout the control room. Hunter's heart pounded in his chest as he fought to maintain control, his hands moving swiftly over the controls as he tried to stabilize the Odysseus-12.
"Damage report!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as he assessed the situation.
The ship's AI responded quickly, relaying information about the extent of the damage. Systems flickered and sparks flew as Hunter scanned the displays, his mind racing as he formulated a plan to keep the ship from falling apart.
"We've lost thrusters 1 and 3, shields are at critical levels, and the hull has been breached in multiple sections," the AI reported, its voice steady despite the dire circumstances.
Hunter cursed under his breath, his jaw clenched with determination. He knew that they were in serious trouble, but he refused to give up without a fight.
"Activate emergency protocols. Seal off breached sections and reroute power to the remaining thrusters.
The ship's AI responded, relaying a list of critical systems that had been damaged or destroyed in the attack. The main thruster was offline, several energy conduits were ruptured, and the shields were barely holding.
"We need to get out of here," Hunter muttered, his mind racing as he assessed their options. His eyes glanced toward Earth, well he was already planning on going there and he had to get home. He grabbed the controls and beelined towards the planet.
"Computer prepare for an emergency landing!"
With Earth looming closer on the viewscreen, Hunter focused all his remaining energy on guiding the crippled Odysseus-12 through the atmosphere. The ship groaned and shuddered under the strain, but Hunter gritted his teeth and maintained control as best he could.
"Brace for impact!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos of the damaged ship. His hands moved deftly over the controls, guiding the vessel toward a suitable landing site.
As the Odysseus-12 descended through the atmosphere, the heat of re-entry enveloped the ship, casting an orange glow around its hull. Alarms blared, and warning lights flashed, but Hunter remained focused, his gaze locked on the rapidly approaching ground. As he approached impact the safety features of the ship activated to protect the pilot, as compartments on his chair opened up and, his body was covered entirely in his space suit that he usually used for spacewalks, it was sleek futuristic armor that covered my body and the symbol of the International space federation etched into my shoulder. It's black and simple with only a few lights that line up the arms and legs with a black helmet that covers my head completely with a black visor, The suit's systems came online, providing vital telemetry and life support.
ship's emergency systems engaged and Hunter clad in his protective space suit, the Odysseus-12 made a harrowing descent through Earth's atmosphere. The intense heat of re-entry surrounded the vessel as it hurtled toward the ground.
Inside the cockpit, Hunter felt the ship shudder and shake as it endured the stresses of atmospheric entry. The alarms continued to blare, but he remained focused, guiding the ship with precision toward a safe landing spot.
With a jolt that rattled every bone in his body, the Odysseus-12 touched down on the surface of Earth, skidding to a halt amidst a cloud of dust and debris. The force of the impact sent him into unconsciousness.
"This is taking forever" muttered Phosphophyllite as she wandered through the grass-covered plains looking for things to catalog.
The younger gem had finally gotten her first assignment, something that she could finally do to be seen as useful: the creation of a natural history encyclopedia...too bad she had no idea where to start. What was she even meant to do, just walk around cataloging every single plant and animal she came across? It seemed like an impossible task. She knew this was because she wasn't as hard as the other gems, her hardness of 3.5 making it dangerous for her to fight without the risk of her shattering easily.
Sighing, Phosphophyllite glanced up at the sky, watching as clouds drifted lazily overhead. The vastness of the world around her was both daunting and awe-inspiring. She had spent so much time confined to the safety of the school, studying books and diagrams, while the other gems got to go out and help, but now, being out in the open felt overwhelming.
But Phos was determined to prove herself. With a newfound sense of purpose, she straightened her posture and scanned the horizon once more. There had to be something out here worth documenting, something that would contribute to her encyclopedia in a meaningful way.
As she wandered deeper into the wilderness, Phos's eyes caught sight of a peculiar object nestled among the tall grass. Curiosity piqued, she quickened her pace and approached the mysterious find.
To her surprise, it was a metallic structure partially buried in the earth, its surface scorched and dented as if it had crash-landed from above. Phos's gemstone eyes widened with fascination. This was unlike anything she had ever encountered before.
With cautious steps, she circled the wreckage, taking in every detail. There were markings etched into the metal, symbols that she didn't recognize. Whatever this object was, it clearly didn't belong in the natural world. As her hands brushed over the strange object it opened up and out nearly on top of her, was a humanoid-shaped being, clad in all-black armor with strange blue lights on it, its features obscured by a sleek helmet with a black visor.
Phos stumbled backward in shock, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Its visor hid its face, leaving Phos to wonder about the identity of this mysterious individual. Startled but intrigued, Phos took a step back, her gemstone eyes narrowing as she assessed the stranger before her. Despite the initial shock, she felt a surge of curiosity and excitement. Who was this being, and what were they doing here?
"Um... hello?" Phos ventured, her voice wavering slightly with uncertainty. "Are you... okay?"
The figure remained silent for a moment, out of curiosity she poked them. Getting no response, from what she could see it wasn't a Lunarian, well she was pretty sure it wasn't a Lunarian... she hoped. It didn't look like a gem either from what she could tell, she gave it a tap with her knuckles, whatever this stuff was, it was hard, harder than her. The young gem stood up and considered her options.
Phos stood there, pondering her next move. The being in front of her seemed unresponsive, almost like a statue. She was curious to know more about it but also cautious, unsure if it posed any danger.
After a moment of contemplation, Phos decided to try a different approach. She cautiously circled around the being, examining its armor and the strange markings on it. She noticed a small panel on its forearm and, with a mix of curiosity and bravery, she pressed it.
To her surprise, the armor began to retract, revealing a person, but it didn't seem to be a gem, nor Lunarian, they had features that Phos found both familiar and foreign. Phos took in the stranger's features; his hair was a deep black color with a single white streak going through it, creating a contrast compared to the rest of his dark locks. His hair was slightly unkempt and spiky with sideburns, to Phos, it was so unlike any gem she had seen, their hair usually matched whatever gemstone they were made of and each strand was usually a big solid piece.
His skin was brown and looked soft and pliable with a few scars on his face, unlike the unblemished polished gemstone body covered with plant-based powder they apply to protect from sea breeze and harsh sunlight. Her mint-colored stone eyes locked with his amber-colored ones as they sat together in silence taking in the other's appearance. She felt a mix of emotions swirling within her as she studied the stranger before her. His appearance was unlike anything she had ever encountered, starkly contrasting the familiar forms of the gems and Lunarians she knew. She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and intrigue at the sight of him.
"Um, hi there," Phos said tentatively, breaking the silence as she gave a nervous wave. "I'm Phosphophyllite, but you can call me Phos. Who are you?"
The stranger regarded her with a curious expression, his amber eyes reflecting the same curiosity that Phos felt. He seemed to be assessing her just as she was assessing him.
"I'm Hunter," he replied, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of wariness. "Hunter Laux, captain of the Odysseus-12. Thanks for... waking me up."
Phos cocked her head to the side, her curiosity piqued even further. "Odysseus-12? She turned towards the strange metallic structure that was partially buried in the earth, its surface scorched and dented "Is it that thing?" She pointed as she tilted her head cutely, like a curious child, it got a slight chuckle out of Hunter.
"Yeah, it's my ship" He moves to stand up ignoring how sore he was from the emergency crash landing. "Well, what's left of it anyways." Hunter looked around at the wreckage, assessing the damage. Before letting out a sigh placing his hand against the ship's surface, it was like an old friend to him, his closest friend while he was in the void of space for so long, and seeing it like this, made his heart ache "Looks like I'm stranded here for now."
Phos frowned, a mixture of concern and curiosity flickering in her gemstone eyes. "Is there anything I can do to help? I'm not sure how much use I'll be, but I can try."
Hunter smiled gratefully at her offer finding the strange girl's willingness to help and the look in her eyes kinda cute, like a puppy or something. "I appreciate it, Phos. But I don't think you can help me repair this baby. Do you know this area well? Maybe you could help me get my bearings."
The young gem's eyes seemed to light up at the prospect of being helpful, nodding so fast he thought her head might pop off
"Yea yea, I have an idea, um come with me back to the school. Maybe sensei can help you, fix your um ship." She grabbed his hand and began dragging him off, completely forgetting her initial mission of cataloging a nature encyclopedia and focusing on helping out her new friend. However, while Phos seemed to be excited by this new prospect, things were still racing through Hunter's mind.
'What is she, she can't be human...can she? Where am I, isn't this earth? Why don't I see any buildings, how far in the wilderness am I? What were those things that attacked me?'
So many things were running through the captain's mind, maybe this 'sensei' could actually help him but, as Phos led him away from the rubble, the warmth of the sun on his face, the warm breeze, the fresh air and vibrant plantlife told him one thing, he was home and that's all that mattered.
Hey, been a while I got back to writing again and with its the Gem Girl show I just felt like getting back into the flow again after some inspiration I hope you enjoy this story since I think this is kinda of going to be my best work, especially since I've been practicing so yea, I'm either going to update this next week or another one of my story, so ciao