Chapter 99: The Desolate Ice Planet

The Ark remained in orbit above the desolate ice planet, its shadow cutting across the frozen expanse below. Despite the relative stillness outside, the ship was a hive of activity. The crew worked tirelessly to prepare for the next steps, their movements driven by a shared sense of urgency. The echoes of what they had discovered in the alien structure still reverberated through their thoughts, a grim reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.

In the war room, Rethia hunched over the holographic display, her webbed hands moving rapidly across the console. Lines of alien script scrolled across the screen, incomprehensible to anyone but her. Ethan entered, his steps quiet but purposeful.

"What have you found?" he asked, coming to stand beside her.

Rethia looked up, her large, amphibious eyes reflecting the glowing screen. "This structure wasn't the only one. The signal we triggered, this beacon, it's not just local. It's part of a network."