|Exploration|

"Hmm."

In a intelligence room aboard the carrier, a crowd of officers could be seen huddled over the table.

On the table lies the 'world map' obtained from the scouts.

"How's the progress with our satellite mapping?"

"Slow, the sheer size of this planet is making things difficult, we've had to launch multiple relay satellites to keep connected with the mapping ones."

"Do we have enough data to construct a map of our surroundings? Including the villages and town?"

"Yes."

"Overlay what we have over this 'world map'."

Above the table, a digital map started constructing itself, adjusting its position and scaling to match the parchment one.

Comparing the two, the digital map seemed more detailed.

"Looks like their mapping techniques are similar to our old age techniques, there is a lot to be desired."

"Theres a few areas on our map that are absent. A high likelihood that something is interfering with the scans."

"Indeed, even on the local map there's nothing marked or it's just labeled as wilderness."

As the intelligence officers discussed amongst themselves, Admiral Vardan observed their discussion while deep in thought.

Last night he received a report that the FOB is now fully operational. It's surroundings being secured along with research teams exploring the flora and fauna. 

Additionally, the initial mining expeditions have return with a fruitful harvest. Familiar materials have been designated for use, while the unknown materials have been sent to remote sections for analysis.

The locals they took in said that it might be magical materials, but aren't sure of what they do exactly.

Most of the information they have come from rumors and stories from traveling bards.

"For now lets have the air force do some light recon into the absent zones, starting with near orbit… er high orbit observation." One of the officers voiced out.

"Approved." Vardan spoke out, "Have one of the ground recon teams on standby if we can't get any info from the air."

One of the officers saluted and left to deliver the order.

"Sir, isn't this a little too hasty?" One of the officers questioned. "Our FOB has just been established, shouldn't we be trying to solidify our foundations before exploring this world?"

"I understand your point, but this is a new world. And a new world requires different thinking." Vardan replied. "The customs, laws, and rules that we are used to only work back on earth. We are no longer on earth."

"All the more reason to take things slowly." The officer countered. "We need more information."

"Exactly." Vardan calmly stated. "We need more information. All these blanks on the map represent variables."

Vardan pointed towards the two maps. 

"Our satellites have given us plenty of initial data, but with all the blanks present, I don't feel confident enough to trust them without in person verification. Same goes to the map obtained from the locals."

Vardan pauses to take a sip of water.

"These maps may be enough for the locals, but for us, they are woefully inaccurate."

"I understand sir." The officer relented. "However, we can only spare one recon team for this expedition. The nearest blank area is way too far. By boat to the nearest feasible landing point is about two weeks by our fast battleships. If we want to send a ground force, it's going to take four to five weeks. Minimum."

"That's fine. It would have been far too taxing on us to support multiple additional expeditions anyways." Vardan spoke in agreement. "We still have to support our people in the city."

"Ah yes, the city." 

After being reminded about the giant city, the air in the room became grim. 

"It still baffles me that such a place is only regarded as a border city. Against another so called nation and the untamed wilderness." 

"Just what exactly are we dealing with here..."

—

UNKNOWN|1ST EXPEDITIONARY TEAM|IN TRANSIT

"I didn't expect to be back up in the air so fast..."

"What do you mean Tanker?" Striker asked. "The folks up top have no reason to ground you. The intel you brought us was of great importance. It has helped us learn their language, parts of their culture, and brought us evidence of human civilization."

"Well I did mess up the old girl quite a bit." Tanker replied, thinking back on his encounter that felt like a lifetime ago. "I'm surprised they were able to get her air worthy so fast."

"Haven't you heard?"

"Heard what? That I got yelled at by the flight captain?"

"Not that, but we haven't encountered any radar scans or pulses save for our own. So we don't need to bother about the stealth coating anymore."

"Really now? I was wondering why something felt different."

Two weeks have gone by and the deep recon team has joined up with a few ships from the FOB fleet under battalion commander Risperton. 

One of the fast battleships have been converted into a battle carrier, serving as the hub for all air operations for the expedition. 

Currently, Rage team were the only fast movers deployed with the team, the rest were VTOL craft to assist with cargo and transport. 

The two are currently conducting combat air patrol around the group. The 'black zone', as coined by high command, was still too far for them to investigate currently. 

They wouldn't be able to check it out till they make it to the landing point. 

"I'm surprised we found some oil deposits near the FOB." Tanker spoke up after a few minutes of silence. "Thought we would be forced to limit all activities in order to conserve fuel."

"It's not just fuel Tanker." Striker responded after checking her instruments. "We also found enough materials to keep us operational for years to come. In fact, the only thing that is holding us back is man power apparently."

"Really?"

"Yup, overheard it from the flight coordinator's office as he was doing inventory or whatever it is they do."

As the conversation died down, Striker indicated that she was returning to the carrier to refuel, leaving Tanker all alone up in the air. 

Watching her break off, Tanker then focused his attention on his surroundings. 

One side of endless green, another side of endless blue, and up above was the faint figures of several moons. 

As he was lost in thought, a transmission came through.

"Expedition control to Rage, control to Rage."

"Rage 2-1 copy, what's up?"

"You missed your routine check in. Just making sure you didn't crash the plane again."

"Sorry about that, just lost in thought, there is nothing to do up here." Tanker complained. "Do we really need to stay up here and patrol? Shouldn't the radar onboard be enough?"

"We need you up there to conduct visual identification in case our radar doesn't see anything. You should've been briefed about that."

"I know, just let a man complain alright. It gets taxing on the mind seeing the same sights for hours on end."

"Hang tight, we got about a week left before we make it to the landing point. This is the furthest we've been from the carrier. Caution take precedence over everything." Expedition control tried to give him some good news and warnings. "You will see some sort of action soon, stay in touch and don't miss the next check in alright. Control out."

After making sure the transmission was cut, Tanker started complaining even more in his plane as he made the nth orbit around the fleet. 

"Hup dup der, only one more week, nuh duh der." Tanker mimicked as he did another visual sweep around him. 

(Let this hell end already)