Xertia's Tracks

Ewqre was feeling great. Even though his plan was intercepted, the new planet will be conquered. The captured natives will get thrown out into the forgotten galaxy. If any more spies come, those will be fed to the pets.

He looked around. His home was a mess. He was tired of it. The females won't stop rambling. This new planet will be resourceful, of good use for them...

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Xertia did not like this atmosphere. There was fine sand everywhere! She had to work quickly. Trip and Sady were apparently 102 miles away. Their geolocation from the map seemed to be in a cavern... It was a deep red color showing the downward placement of terrain...

Her camo blended well. She was able to move undetected so far. Dorcil had told her about this place before she left headquarters... Lots of space, not many travelers out in the open. I guess they live hidden underground.

I looked around. I saw something move in the distance. It was sliding back and forth on the ground towards me. I immediately aimed my weapon. A lot of dirt started spinning around and it was coming straight towards me!

I ducked as it flew over my head. I started running in a zigzag approach and shot my weapon. The target was hit and moved slower. I saw its tail whip up and its whole body with it... I held out my shield and switched for a sword and sliced it through the air. Its body cut in half midair and it fell down squirming. I looked to see if others were near me. I hurried and ran with 95 more miles to go.

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Ewqre was aware that the natives of the target planet were coming back for his captives. The one that escaped was lucky. He has a fierce opponent. He had sent someone out to capture this invader. He will succeed. They will bow down to him and realize his tribe will be the new leaders, and for better. We will come unafraid and teach them new ways... Our women will teach their women. Their resources will become ours for the trading...

He don't know how they figured out his plan. They must be great warriors. He must take caution and not treat them like simpletons. Sigh.

He was going to send more troops into space. His planet Bullion was desolate. There were a few areas he scoped out where they could blend in. Other areas were just going to have to accept them for who they is.

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Gwap viewed the computer screens on the wall. It seemed like Xertia was making progress. He remembered the team last mission and smiled determinedly. He turned to Eagil and said-

"It's time to move now."

Eagil said. "Drop me off by the caverns and then pick Xertia up."

"Okay."

Their ship moved steathly through the enemy planet Bullion. Trip and Sady were going to be rescued. The sand made visibility low but they were able to detect and dodge objects along the way.

"This is it." Said Gwap.

Gwap opened the ship doors and Eagil jumped out. He will never get used to this.

Eagil was a runner not a flier. He done this before so he shut his mind up and just dived. The parachute opened but he was attacked!

He glanced around quickly and then saw a hole in his parachute, then more. There were little birds pecking at him just as sandy as the atmosphere they were flying in. He swapped them away real fast like flies and then activated his shoes. They had jello pads for shock absorption. He landed and the gravel below him flew up and he made a dent where he stood.

He shook it off and started running, like lightening.

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Xertia went into the cavern. The trek was a long one and she had mapped the environment for future reference and sent it back to Gwap. She had encountered another smaller snake like creature but she evaded it instead of fighting. Her abilities allowed her to stay hidden.

From the details they collected from Dorcil she knew how to fight them. She didn't want to draw too much attention though. It was so dark as soon as she went inside the caves. She pressed a button on her goggles and did not move.

Her night vision allowed her to see. Xertia stayed close to the walls. She heard rumbling in the distance. She froze. She was barely inside.

She saw Eagil fly by full speed like he racing somebody or more like a car. So then, she went back out and was brought up into the ship after climbing the ladder. There her and Gwap waited.

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Eagil wasted no time. He knew what to dodge and skip over. Trip and Sady were by themselves in a small cave with a pool of water, water dripping from the ceiling. Their weapons and equipment were gone. Giant bugs were crawling around... The couple stood up when Eagil appeared. Trip nodded and he picked up his wife and they all left.

They tried not to look at the dazed creatures that were trying to take over their planet. The effect from Eagil would wear off so they hurried to the entrance, back from where they came. One of the Bullions grabbed at them. It was standing about 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide with an exoskeleton.

It slowly started chasing them as well with claws clicking. Trip picked up his speed but then stumbled.

"Let me run." Said Sady.

Eagil gave her a piece of gum and she instantly got her energy back. They ran so fast out of there. Before they could make it to the entrance the rumbling was now deafening and they fell through. A trap.

They emergency beaconed Gwap as they were being swallowed. He looked at their location and saw that they were at the entrance but, at deep levels. He looked at Xertia. Xertia looked back him.

"Oh no..." She said frowning. She was going back out there.

"Be safe." Said Gwap also frowning. He gave a thumbs up and looked at her.

Xertia nodded and was let down the pole. She slid onto the ground silently and Gwap and the ship was seen no more. The ship was in the air just as blended as the atmosphere...