Chapter 9: I have a stupid plan

The night settled over Kreeloria, and Grayson, panting heavily, pleaded for a break. Leaning against a rock, he expressed his exhaustion. Lucas, leading the group, looked back, dismissing Grayson's request and urging them to push forward, promising rest once they reached the cargo site.

Amid rough breaths, Grayson muttered a frustrated remark, "Asshole." Danny, passing by, thudded him in the side with a grin. "Come on, wuss, you don't want to be left behind now, do you?" With a sly grin, she continued behind the rest while Grayson, silently raging, noticed a recording drone capturing every second of it, prompting a wider smile from Danny as she reveled in the unfolding drama.

Upon reaching the cargo, partially submerged in the ground and surrounded by dense vegetation, Lucas assessed the situation. With only half of it visible above the surface, the cargo seemed lodged among trees, high grass, and rocks, making it difficult to spot potential threats.

Lucas quickly organized the team. "Five minutes. Gather what we need, and we're out of here once I've radioed in. Mitchell, Louie, you're with me." Mitchell and Louie, both experienced cargo workers, understood the intricacies of cargo ships and Beetles, which functioned as space trains between BioSphere zones on different planets.

Typically, cargo ships had their own teams of four to six workers who could detach and fly to safety if needed. This time, however, the issue wasn't with the Beetle but the cargo itself. A malfunction had caused the cargo to detach and crash back onto the planet they had departed from. Fortunately, the escape pod within the cargo had deployed successfully, unlike the other pod that remained attached.

Inside the cargo, Lucas guided Mitchell toward the cockpit while Louie inspected the mechanical aspects of the ship to determine the cause of the malfunction. The mystery unfolded, raising questions about the failure of the other escape pod and the circumstances leading to the cargo's crash.

As Lucas led Mitchell toward the cargo's cockpit, the atmosphere inside the ship became tense. Lucas spoke first, keeping his voice low. "Mitchell, keep an eye out for any unusual readings on the control panel. We need to understand what caused the malfunction."

Mitchell, with a keen eye for details, nodded. "Roger that, Lucas. I'll be on the lookout."

Meanwhile, Louie delved into the mechanical intricacies, carefully examining each component. The low hum of the damaged cargo ship surrounded them. Suddenly, Louie froze, his eyes widening at an unsettling discovery. "Guys, you need to see this." He pointed at the broken escape pod, its door torn open.

Lucas and Mitchell rushed over, and the gruesome scene revealed itself. Mangled bodies lay strewn across the interior, blood splattered on the walls. The sight was enough to make Louie's stomach turn. He staggered back, hand over his mouth, unable to contain the nausea.

Lucas, maintaining his composure, ordered, "Louie, focus. We need to find out what happened here. Check the control systems, see if there's any indication of a failure."

While Louie struggled to overcome the shock, Mitchell stepped in. "I've got it, Lucas. Louie, take a moment. We'll handle this."

Lucas kept a watchful eye, knowing the importance of staying alert in the unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environment. "Stay sharp, both of you. We need answers, and we need them fast.

With determination, the trio pressed on through the corridors of the cargo ship, navigating the dimly lit interior. Lucas led the way, occasionally issuing quiet instructions. "Mitchell, keep an eye on the energy readings. Louie, check the communication systems for any signs of damage."

Mitchell focused on the control panel, analyzing the energy fluctuations. "Energy levels seem unstable, but nothing too drastic. It might have been a sudden surge that caused the malfunction."

Louie, overcoming the initial shock, started examining the communication console. "The comm systems are intact, but the signal seems weak. I'll do my best to boost it."

As they approached the cockpit, Lucas alerted them, "We're getting closer to the radio. Let's hope it's functional."

Meanwhile, back with the rest of the group, Danny organized the supplies. "Grab those ration packs and water bottles, and make sure to pack some of those medical supplies. We don't know what we might face out there."

Grayson, now more adapted to the situation, assisted with the preparations. "Got it, Danny. I'll make sure everyone has enough supplies for the journey."

The drone floated overhead as the group efficiently packed essentials, capturing the orchestrated chaos. Danny, with her camera drone capturing every moment, couldn't resist a sly comment. "Who would've thought this would be the story of the century?"

Back in the cockpit, Lucas reached the radio. "Let's try to send a signal. Louie, boost the transmission."

Louie worked on adjusting the settings while Mitchell monitored the energy levels. "Signal boosted. Lucas, give it a shot."

Lucas keyed in the distress signal, hoping it would reach someone. The crackling sound of the radio echoed in the cockpit, and then a faint voice responded. "This is Captain Hendricks of the Beetle. We received your distress signal. State your situation."

Lucas took a deep breath. "This is Lucas Modrics. Our cargo ship malfunctioned, and we crashed on Kreeloria. We have survivors, but we need immediate extraction."

Boyd's stern voice cut through the crackling radio connection, "This is Captain Hutterson of the Black Ravens. I intercepted your distress signal. Modric, give me a rundown of your situation."

Lucas quickly summarized the events, detailing the cargo ship malfunction, the crash on Kreeloria, and the surviving members awaiting extraction.

Boyd listened intently, his instincts alerting him to the unusual circumstances. "Modrics, this is a delicate situation. Stay put, but don't get too comfortable. I'm sending an extraction team your way. Keep your eyes peeled and stay on guard."

Lucas acknowledged the warning, "Understood, Captain Hutterson. We'll await further instructions."

Boyd's voice conveyed a sense of urgency, "One more thing, Modrics. Kreeloria is no walk in the park. Watch your surroundings. If things feel off, get ready to move. We'll guide you, but you've got to be ready to adapt."

With those final words of caution, Boyd Hutterson disconnected, leaving Lucas and the stranded group on edge. Lucas relayed the information to Mitchell and Louie, "Stay alert, everyone. The Black Ravens are sending an extraction team, but we must be cautious. Boyd wants us ready to move if things take a turn."

Adam gathered the Ferret unit around him, their expressions hidden behind the visors of their armored space suits. The soft glow of luminescent vegetation cast an otherworldly ambiance as they prepared for the mission.

"Listen up, Ferrets," Adam began, his voice steady and commanding. "We've got a delicate situation. Our comrades are out there, and we're the cavalry. Luminescent Grove is a unique place filled with both beauty and potential threats. Reina, you're on point. Keep an eye out for anything unusual."

Reina nodded, acknowledging her role as the lead in their formation. Her eyes focused, she waited for Adam to continue.

"Now, Boyd briefed us on the situation. We're dealing with crashed cargo, potential hostiles, and a terrain that could turn tricky. Our objective is clear – secure the area, assist the stranded group, and prepare them for extraction. But remember, we might encounter Kreëls. Do not engage if it's not necessary; we're not here for a wildlife showdown. We're here for a rescue.

The team absorbed Adam's words, the weight of their mission evident in the air. He looked at each member, gauging their readiness.

"We move in quietly, efficiently. Reina, keep us tight, and everyone, stay vigilant. We don't know what we'll face out there, but we're Ferrets. Adapt, overcome, and bring our people home. Let's do this." With a final nod, Adam led the Ferret unit into the Luminescent Grove.

Amidst the cargo wreckage, an unsettling mixture of quaking sounds and chirps filled the air. After feeling an unexpected shiver down her spine, Dr. Elara Novak turned to Dr. Lila Chen, asking, "Did you hear that?" Lila, seemingly unperturbed, reacted with a shake of her head, indicating she hadn't heard anything.

However, Elara's attention was drawn to a box within the cargo. "I found it," she declared, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension. "It's our research experiment, still intact. But it's too big for just the two of us. We need at least two more people."

Meanwhile, Grayson, a bit further away, caught a blurry movement in the high grass. Doubting himself for a moment, fear began to seep into his thoughts. Suddenly, explosive gunshots echoed from within the cargo, sending shockwaves through the already tense atmosphere.

"Get down!" Lucas shouted, pushing Grayson and Danny behind a large piece of wreckage. The cargo area erupted in chaos as gunshots echoed through the Luminescent Grove.

"What the hell is happening?" Mitchell exclaimed, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the attackers.

Lucas grabbed his radio, attempting to contact the rest of the group. "This is Lucas! We're under attack at the cargo site. We need immediate assistance!"

As the Ferret unit received the distress call, Adam's face tensed beneath his helmet. "Stay focused, team. We've got unexpected guests. Reina, move to flank. Let's assess the situation and neutralize the threat."

Reina swiftly adjusted her position, eyes scanning the dense vegetation for any signs of the attackers. The Luminescent Grove, once serene, now became a battleground.

Back at the cargo, Elara and Lila huddled together behind cover. "What do we do?" Lila whispered, fear evident in her eyes.

"We stay low and wait for an opportunity to escape," Elara replied, her mind racing to find a solution.

Amidst the chaos, Grayson's heart pounded in his chest. He clenched his fists, torn between the instinct to flee and the need to protect those around him.

The gunshots continued, punctuating the tension in the air as the cargo site became a battleground in the Luminescent Grove.

Amidst the chaos of giant Kreëls emerging from the wilderness, Lucas firing shots to fend them off, Grayson found himself on the verge of a panic attack. Observing his distress, Danny rushed to his side, shaking him back to reality.

"Grayson, get yourself together. This is not the time to freeze," she urged, her own panic subsiding slightly. Grayson, meeting her gaze could only muster one sentence, "I have a stupid plan."