13

Six looks around the island, "This is like a resort planet. The sand is soft, and weather is just right." He runs around daydreaming, enjoying the cool air, and summer breeze.

Ghost rolls his eyes looking around seeing nothing of value to him, "Rider says their relaxing in the beach, why are we looking for wolverines? This is stupid." He stomps his foot on the ground and drops into a tunnel 2.5meters wide and 3 meters in height.

He looks around and sighs in relief when Six falls in behind him.

They walk straight ahead leaving a signal chip for their teammates to find them if they take too long.

"Hey, I see something." Ghost says pointing a finger at an odd shaped creature with wings wrapped around it's body like a blanket. 2 feet tall with a waving tail and a side comb over hair style. With friendly looking features.

"I think that's the wild bat, wolverines favourite food, I think we just found our bait." Six looks at the image of a cocoon they were told is a wild bat.

A Venus wolf stands behind the small creature and Six smiles very excited taking out his camera to take a picture, he makes a lot of money selling wallpapers like this.

Ghost turns his head in the direction they just come from than back at the wolf.

Venus wolves are known as hellhounds in South Africa, he is not interested in finding out why or where the name comes from.

Venus wolves are found near the Venus volcanoes. They are immune to hot temperatures and just like the people there have regenerative cells that allow them to breathe in any space.

The wolf howls and Ghost sprints in the opposite direction grabbing Six by the forearm and pulling him along until he runs away like any normal person should in their current predicament.

Six is naturally a thrill seeker and an adrenaline junkie. He's fearless and headstrong, but that doesn't work for Ghost. Real name, Mercy.

In South Africa it is now illegal to use an African name, I know right? What?

Yeah. Since the USA and UK became space traveling countries and discovered unique elements from other planets it quickly gave them the power they needed to take over the world. After world war 3 the earth was reduced to rubble, 88% of the world is water.

The entire North America was blown into tiny islands. Antarctica, Africa, and Asia are the only three continents in one peace. To most modern-day people Europe is myth.

Earth's population was more than halved during the war.

The two countries with the resources to get back on their feet quickly helped other countries as well, but later became a race to see who can take over as many countries as possible.

Once the US and UK held the rest of the world hostage, they had the bright idea to conquer the rest of the universe.

This all started after a Venus ship landed on Earth. The proof that we are not alone, and the confirmation Dr Davis Macklemore needed to form the first Beta trial program. That's why they have such a stupid name, he could've named them something better.

Originally Beta trials were actually a one-year training course, but as the interest dwindled down due to the number of casualties and expanses, the UK and US remained the only two countries that persisted and moved on to form a Beta force program which is stage two after passing the final mission of the Beta trial.

After passing Beta Trials, passing the Beta force program is easy, just pass one mission, and the country graduates, but it's not so easy.

The Beta force program is about exploring and mapping out planets, and that gives a country Beta Level status and a full support team and free sponsorship to explore further into space. Levels are associated with distance away from the planet.

Trial level is the beginner stage. Followed by Beta level. Beyond the Beta Level no one knows what happens. Alpha Level is the final rank, but before that there are more trials that no one talks about.

The Beta trials are broadcast and considered a sport by people not interested in space travel.

In the world, the number of people is multiplying, but not the land.

Trial level countries are responsible for finding planets safe for human existence and the US are yet to launch their planetary relocation idea. They surprised the entire world when they launched the first mother ship and relocated all citizens in the North American islands on board the ships now using the islands as research facilities.

Egypt was promised a similar thing but they failed the final mission so they are relying on South Africa to get their independence back and they can switch alliances.

South Africa can recommend them back into trials. Japan failed the first time, and switched alliances from US to the UK and were chosen for the trials again.

The entire world went crazy about it, but it's not against the rules.

A country can only be recommended once per Alpha level country. Japan is currently known as an Astro level country. A step before the Alpha trial level. Many countries settle while others just don't care about space traveling, but that's where power lies.

~

Ghost is from a very wealthy family. His brother is a BSA pilot which is where he gets his information from.

The one warning he was given was to never freeze up and wait for the alien to make a move. They are not like earth animals. Some planets have creatures with intelligence that far outweighs humans, hence why intelligence enhancing chips are the recent trend in the research and development industry.

"Where in this ratchet place is the exit?!!!" Ghost shouts looking around and the tunnel is going straight, no turns, no corners, just straight.

The sound of paws patting the ground only further amplifies Ghosts worry.

"I think I see it up ahead. Fly you slow poke, what are you doing?" Six turns around wondering why his partner is not catching up, Ghost keeps slowing down.

Ghost is running slow because he's lowkey looking for an exit from above. They fell in, why can't they just exit up.

~

"Oh No!!"

Volks and Night Jolt confused about the sudden outburst from the man by the monitor in the left right corner. Everyone turns to the male with a terrified look on his face and paralysed by fear, practically shaking and muttering under his brother something about a mistake.

"That isn't just any planet. It's a dark planet. Alpha level and considered the most dangerous. There's no way a team of rookies are making it out of there alive. Call them back in! hurry up!"