The Secret Meeting

The past few days had been intense, as they navigated the maze of tunnels of Deimos with extreme caution to avoid encountering Xairum. Their efforts to find the remaining workers had finally paid off, and they now had a total of two hundred sixty workers in their care. The task of organizing and securing this newfound population was immense but necessary.

In the command center of their makeshift base, Nate was deeply engrossed in analyzing the data they had collected. The room was a hub of activity, filled with the hum of computers and the quiet murmurs of strategizing workers, while Nate, connected remotely from the ship, provided real-time support and updates.

— Nate, what's the status on the teleportation analysis? Jaxon asked.

— It's challenging, Nate replied. The data is incredibly complex, but I believe I've made some progress.

Paula, sitting across the table, looked up from her own work.

— Any luck with reproducing the teleportation on a smaller scale?

— I've managed to achieve a very limited teleportation—only a few meters. It's a start, but the power requirements and stability issues are significant hurdles.

Jaxon sighed, running a hand through his hair.

— Keep at it. Even a small success is a step forward.

Outside, the workers were busy fortifying their new home. Makeshift barriers and defenses were being erected, and scouts were sent out to monitor the surrounding areas. Paula took a moment to walk through the encampment.

— How are we holding up? she asked one of the workers, a young woman named Mayna.

— We're doing our best, Mayna replied, wiping sweat from her brow. — It's tough, but everyone is motivated. We want to be ready for whatever comes next.

Paula nodded, appreciating the resilience of these people. — Keep it up. We'll need all the strength we can muster.

Nate was deep into his data analysis when he detected something unusual. A faint signal, almost imperceptible, flickered on one of the monitors. His synthesized voice broke the quiet.

— Jaxon, Paula, you need to see this.

They hurried over. — What is it? Jaxon asked.

— It's a ship, Nate replied, his voice tense. — And not just any ship. It's the DARK ASTRAL.

Paula's heart skipped a beat. — Aria Shaw.

— Yes, Nate confirmed. — She's landed nearby.

Aria Shawis known for her skills; her presence on Deimos signifies that Pier from NHU is taking the situation very seriously.

Paula and Jaxon exchanged a look, their thoughts racing. They knew Aria was not an enemy, but they had serious doubts about Pier's objectives. Did he genuinely want to save the workers, or was his true interest in acquiring the advanced technologies of teleportation and weapons?

— We need to act cautiously, Jaxon said. — We can't let them know we're in this city.

— Agreed, Paula replied. — Let's stay hidden and observe for now. We need to contact Aria discreetly and speak with her privately.

They decided to monitor the movements of the DARK ASTRAL's crew from their hidden vantage points. The workers were instructed to stay out of sight and maintain silence. The goal was to understand the NHU's true intentions without revealing their own position.

Using the cover of night, Paula and Jaxon made their way to a vantage point overlooking the landing site of the DARK ASTRAL. The ship's crew was busy setting up a temporary base, their activities illuminated by portable lights.

— Aria Shaw is as efficient as ever, Paula whispered. — She's got her team working like clockwork.

— We need to find a way to contact her without alerting the rest of her team, Jaxon replied. — Any ideas?

Paula thought for a moment. — Nate, can you send a secure message to Aria's personal comms? Something only she would recognize and respond to.

— Sure, Nate replied. — What should it say?

— Keep it simple, Paula instructed. — Tell her we need to speak privately, just the three of us.

Nate's interface hummed as he composed the message. — Message sent. We'll have to wait and see if she responds.

Hours passed with tense anticipation. Paula and Jaxon watched the activity below, staying hidden and silent. Finally, Nate's voice broke the quiet.

— I have a response from Aria. She agrees to meet, but she's understandably cautious. She wants proof it's really us.

— That's fair, Jaxon said. — Nate, can you arrange a secure video link between us and Aria?

— Setting it up now, Nate replied.

Moments later, a holographic screen flickered to life, revealing Aria's face. She looked wary but curious.

— Paula, Jaxon, she greeted. — It's been a while.

— It has, Paula replied. — We need to talk about the situation on Deimos.

Aria's expression hardened. — Meet me at the old mining facility, the one near the central ridge. We'll talk there.

— Understood, Jaxon replied. — We'll be there.

The connection ended, and Paula and Jaxon exchanged a determined look.

— This is it, Paula said. — Let's get to the mining facility.

They moved swiftly and silently through the tunnels, their path illuminated by the faint glow of their headlamps. The mining facility was abandoned and desolate, a perfect place for a clandestine meeting.

In the shadowed expanse of the old mining facility, Aria waited, her silhouette outlined by the dim ambient light. She glanced up as Paula and Jaxon approached, her expression guarded.

— I'm glad you came, she said.

— We need to be quick, Paula replied. — There's a lot to discuss, and we're not sure how long we have.

— Agreed, Aria said. — What do you need to tell me?

— We want the same thing, Paula began, glancing at Jaxon. — We want to save the workers. But the technology here—it's too advanced. We can't use it safely yet.

— We've tried to replicate the teleportation on a smaller scale, Jaxon added. — But it's unstable and requires immense power. We're stuck here unless we find another way to transport everyone.

Aria nodded thoughtfully. — NHU wants the technology as well. Pier sees it as a game-changer, something that can shift the balance of power. But our priority should be the workers.

Before they could continue, the sound of footsteps echoed through the facility. Emerging from the shadows, Xairum and his elite soldiers appeared, their presence immediately shifting the atmosphere to one of tension.

— I see you've all gathered, Xairum sneered. — How convenient.

Aria stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. — Who are you, and what do you want?

Paula and Jaxon exchanged worried glances. — He's Xairum, who attacked us a few days ago, Paula whispered.

Xairum's smile widened. — Well, it looks like your little gathering is over.

Without warning, Xairum lunged forward. His massive, two-meter frame moved with surprising agility, his indestructible skin making him nearly impervious to their attacks. He swung his fists with devastating power, each impact echoing through the facility.

Blaster fire filled the air as Paula, Jaxon, and Aria dove for cover. The clash was intense, the confined space amplifying every sound, every burst of light. Xairum's elite soldiers flanked him, adding to the chaos.

Paula aimed her blaster, firing at the approaching soldiers while Jaxon worked to outflank them. Aria provided cover, her shots precise and deadly. Despite their efforts, the situation quickly turned dire. Xairum's elite were well-trained and heavily armed, and Xairum himself seemed unstoppable.

— We're pinned down! Paula shouted, her voice barely audible over the cacophony.

Jaxon gritted his teeth, firing back. — We need to fall back! We can't hold this position!

Aria, her expression grim, nodded. — We have to retreat!

They began to withdraw, but Xairum was relentless, closing in with lethal intent. Paula, Jaxon, and Aria found themselves cornered, their options dwindling. The realization hit them all at once—they might not make it out.

As Xairum loomed over them, ready to deliver the final blow, a sudden explosion rocked the facility. The ceiling began to collapse, debris raining down. Xairum's expression twisted in shock and rage as he and his elite were caught under the falling rubble.

— Now! Jaxon yelled. — This way!

Paula, Jaxon, and Aria scrambled through a newly formed hole in the wall, narrowly escaping the collapsing structure. Dust and debris filled the air as they emerged into a narrow tunnel, the sound of the facility collapsing behind them.

Catching their breath, they paused to take stock of their situation. Paula looked at Jaxon, her eyes questioning.

— How did that happen? Paula's voice was filled with curiosity and astonishment.

Taking a deep breath, Jaxon began to explain. — A few days ago, I realized we might need an escape route if things went south. During one of our expeditions to locate and rescue the workers, I secretly planted explosives at strategic points around the facility. It was risky, but I knew it could be our only way out if Xairum cornered us.

He paused, glancing at Paula and Aria, who listened intently. — I also took the opportunity to manipulate the communication system. With the help of some of the more technically skilled workers, I managed to fake our security protocols without compromising our real location. We made it look like our communications were vulnerable, something Xairum wouldn't be able to resist intercepting.

Jaxon continued, his voice steady and confident. — Xairum thought he had us figured out, that he was one step ahead by tapping into our communications. But it was all part of the plan. I fed him false information, making him believe we were unprepared and unaware of his moves. He walked right into the trap, thinking he had the upper hand.

— So, what's the next move? Aria asked, her gaze shifting between Paula and Jaxon.

Paula stepped forward, her expression serious. — We need you to come with us to our cache, it's more prudent. I trust you.

Aria hesitated, considering the implications. — What about my crew? They'll need to know where I am.

Jaxon shook his head. — We need to cut all communications. For everyone's safety, your crew can't know where the camp is located.

Aria looked at them, weighing her options. She knew the risk, but also the importance of their mission. After a moment, she nodded.

— Alright. I'll go with you. I'll cut all communications and follow you.