The Recognition Team

Pier Benir stood at the helm of the NHU's central command, the expansive control room filled with the soft hum of technology and the focused murmurs of officers. The room was bathed in the glow of holographic displays showing strategic maps, energy signatures, and the latest intelligence reports. Pier's eyes were fixed on the central display, a detailed map of the Moon and its surroundings. His usually composed face bore the weight of responsibility and unyielding determination.

— What's the status on the Silver Dome? Pier asked, his voice calm but firm.

An officer stepped forward, clutching a tablet.

— The dome is secure, sir. Our engineers have reactivated the main systems, and we've begun repopulating the mining facilities. We've also recovered several advanced weapons and teleportation devices.

Pier nodded, his mind already on the next task.

— Excellent. Begin a thorough analysis of the recovered technology. We need to understand how it works and how we can use it to our advantage.

General Opal, who had survived the devastating attacks on their garrisons, responded.

— Our scientists are already on it. We've also detected a unique energy signature from the teleportation devices. It matches the readings we've seen before.

Pier turned to Rivers, who had been pivotal in coordinating their defensive maneuvers.

— Rivers, any updates from our units?

Rivers' face was tense, but his voice remained steady.

— We've traced the energy signature to a location on Deimos. It seems to be an old outpost. We're preparing a team to investigate.

Pier's eyes narrowed as he studied the holographic map, pinpointing the location.

— Good. We need to know what they're planning and how they're managing to stay one step ahead of us. Dispatch a reconnaissance team immediately. We can't let them continue to exploit our resources and our people.

As the NHU forces mobilized, the team chosen for the reconnaissance mission prepared for their departure. Among them was Lieutenant Aria Shaw, a seasoned officer known for her sharp instincts and unwavering resolve. She suited up in the NHU's advanced combat armor, designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment and equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and communications gear.

Aria's team consisted of a mix of experienced soldiers and technical experts, each handpicked for their skills and reliability. They gathered in the briefing room of the ship, where a large holographic display showed their target: the mining facilities and the Silver Dome.

— Listen up, Aria began, her voice commanding attention. Our mission is to investigate the technology we've recovered, particularly the teleportation devices. We need to understand how they work and where they lead. Understood?

The NHU's reconnaissance ship, a sleek, black vessel named DARK ASTRAL, equipped with stealth technology, glided silently through space, approaching the mining facilities. Inside, Aria and her team checked their equipment one last time, the tension palpable.

— We're nearing the landing zone, the pilot announced. Prepare for deployment.

The team exited the ship through an airlock, using thrusters to control their descent onto the Moon's surface. They landed with practiced ease, their boots sinking slightly into the powdery regolith. The Silver Dome loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the starry backdrop of space.

Using hand signals, Aria directed her team to fan out and approach the facility cautiously. They moved with silent precision, their suits' sensors scanning for any signs of life or automated defenses.

Inside the dome, the NHU had set up a temporary command center. Engineers and scientists were busy analyzing the recovered technology. The air was filled with the hum of machinery and the low buzz of conversation.

Aria approached Dr. Arisa Oroni, the lead scientist on the project.

— Dr. Oroni, what have you found so far?

Dr. Oroni looked up from her work, her eyes bright with excitement.

— Lieutenant Shaw, we've made significant progress. The teleportation devices are far more advanced than anything we've seen before. We've identified a unique energy signature that matches one of the readings we found on Deimos.

Aria's interest was piqued.

— Can we trace it back to its origin?

Dr. Oroni nodded.

— Yes, we've triangulated the coordinates. It's an old outpost on Deimos. We believe it might be a hub for their operations.

Aria turned to her team.

— You heard her. We have our next mission. Prepare for immediate departure. We're heading to Deimos.

The DARK ASTRAL, with Aria and her team on board, embarked on a tense and focused four-month journey towards Deimos. The vessel cut through the vast emptiness of space, its sleek, black form almost invisible against the backdrop of stars. Inside, the ship buzzed with the soft hum of engines and the occasional murmur of the crew, each member lost in their thoughts, meticulously preparing for the mission ahead.

Days turned into weeks as the ship sailed through the inky blackness, the crew falling into a disciplined routine. Training exercises, equipment checks, and strategy meetings punctuated the long hours, keeping their minds sharp and their bodies ready. The ship's AI, a steady and reassuring presence, monitored their progress and maintained the vessel's systems with unerring precision.

Aria spent her days pouring over mission data, her eyes scanning holographic displays filled with intelligence reports and tactical maps. She knew that every detail could mean the difference between success and failure. The tension among the crew was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the high stakes that lay ahead.

In the ship's gym, soldiers pushed their physical limits, sweat pouring from their brows as they prepared for the rigors of the mission. Aria joined them regularly, her own regimen a mix of strength training and combat drills, ensuring she stayed at the peak of her abilities.

The journey also allowed for moments of quiet reflection. Aria often found herself gazing out of the observation window, the endless expanse of space a stark reminder of their isolation and the enormity of their task. 

As they neared Deimos, the DARK ASTRAL sensors began to pick up faint energy readings, the first tangible sign of their destination. The crew gathered in the control room, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. The pilot's voice broke the silence, a calm and steady announcement that sent a ripple of excitement through the team.

— We're approaching the coordinates, the pilot announced. Prepare for landing.

Aria's heart quickened as she donned her helmet, the familiar weight a comforting reminder of the mission ahead. She glanced at her team, their faces set with determination, and felt a surge of pride. 

The ship approached Deimos with careful precision, its thrusters gradually reducing speed as it neared the small moon. The ship's engines hummed steadily, adjusting power to maintain a smooth descent. As the ship got closer, Aria and her team could see the fine, gray dust that blanketed the surface, undisturbed for eons.

With a gentle hiss, the landing gear extended, and the DARK ASTRAL made contact with Deimos's surface. The landing was soft but firm, causing a small cloud of fine dust to rise and settle slowly in the low gravity. The dust particles sparkled faintly in the sunlight, creating an almost ethereal halo around the landing site. The thrusters powered down, leaving the ship nestled securely on the barren, alien terrain.

Inside the DARK ASTRAL, Aria and her team went through their final preparations. They donned their suits with practiced efficiency, the material fitting snugly to ensure maximum mobility and protection. The helmets clicked into place, their visors displaying vital statistics and environmental data provided by the ship's AI.

They made their way to the airlock, the door sliding open with a pneumatic hiss. The transition chamber adjusted pressure, and the outer door opened to reveal the stark, rugged landscape of Deimos. Aria stepped out first, her boots sinking slightly into the soft, powdery regolith. The surface felt strange underfoot, a mix of fine dust and loose rock, shifting with each step.

Her team followed, their gazes sweeping across the horizon. Deimos was a world of contrasts – sharp, angular shadows cast by the low sun highlighted the rugged terrain, while patches of dust glowed softly in the light. The air was still, and the silence was profound, broken only by the sound of their breathing inside their helmets.

They took a moment to take in the surroundings. The horizon was marked by jagged ridges and deep craters, some filled with shadows so dark they seemed to absorb all light. The surface was pocked with small meteorite impacts, telling a story of countless collisions over millennia. In the distance, a larger crater loomed, its edges sharp and distinct against the backdrop of space.

Aria activated her handheld scanner, the device emitting a soft beep as it calibrated to the environment.

— There should be an entrance to a subterranean complex nearby, she said, consulting the display.

They moved cautiously across the uneven ground, each step sending small puffs of dust into the thin, almost nonexistent atmosphere. The low gravity made their movements feel weightless, adding an otherworldly grace to their steps.

They reached a small outcropping of rock, where Aria's scanner indicated the entrance was located. The rock face was unremarkable at first glance, blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. But a closer inspection revealed a barely visible seam in the rock.

— Here, Aria said, pointing to the hidden panel.

With the help of their AI, they managed to open the entrance, revealing a dark passageway descending into the depths of Deimos. They exchanged a final glance, then switched on their helmet lights and stepped into the unknown.

The passageway was narrow, with walls that seemed to close in on them. The floor was uneven, and the low gravity made their movements feel ethereal, like walking through a dream. Dust particles floated in the air, twinkling in the beams of their lights like tiny stars. The silence was absolute, broken only by the soft crunch of their boots on the ground and the faint hum of their life support systems.

As they continued, the passageway began to widen, the air growing colder and the darkness more profound. Finally, they reached the entrance to a vast chamber. Aria raised her hand, signaling her team to stop. They both stood at the threshold, their lights unable to penetrate the room's entirety.

Aria stepped forward cautiously, her light revealing a massive, domed ceiling above. The walls of the chamber were covered in more of the ancient symbols, now interspersed with what looked like control panels and screens, long dead but still ominous. The floor was littered with debris, fragments of what once might have been equipment or tools.

— This must have been some sort of control room, Aria mused, moving her light over the various structures. But what were they controlling?

One of her team members scanned the room, their eyes narrowing as they spotted something in the far corner.

— Lieutenant, look over there, they said, pointing with their blaster.

Aria swung her light in the direction indicated, revealing a large, circular platform surrounded by what appeared to be teleportation devices similar to the ones they had encountered before. The devices were dormant, but the sight of them sent a chill down her spine.

As they approached, Aria noticed a faint blue glow emanating from the base of the platform. She knelt down, inspecting the source of the light. It was a power conduit, still faintly active.

— This thing still has power, Aria said, her voice tinged with excitement. Let's see if we can interface with it. HQ, can you assist us with this?

— Of course, Lieutenant, the AI replied through their comms. Initiating remote interface protocols.

Aria connected her scanner to the conduit, and the AI began running diagnostics. The platform hummed softly as it started to awaken from its long slumber. Lights flickered on the control panels, and the symbols on the walls seemed to pulse with renewed energy.

— I can't activate the devices, Lieutenant, replied the AI after a few minutes, but I detect that someone else attempted to access the teleport devices like me, two weeks ago.

— Who? said Aria, intrigued.

— The log traces seem to correspond to Nate, the AI of Captain Jaxon Rhylis.