Chapter 30: Descent into Andromeda

The command deck hummed with quiet tension as the team gathered around the holotable, where a rotating image of the icy planet flickered in blue light. The aftermath of the last mission still weighed heavy on everyone's minds, but the sight of the mysterious structure on the surface—along with the nearby Corpus space station—demanded attention.

"I'm going down there," you declared firmly, scanning the faces of your crew.

Tessa, the ever-cautious navigator, immediately crossed her arms. "Captain, with all due respect, we don't know what's waiting for us. This could be another trap."

Orlan, the ship's weapons expert, let out a low chuckle. "Trap or not, I say we go. No risk, no reward, right?"

Dr. Izel, the team's xenobiologist, frowned. "That's not how science works, Orlan. But I admit, I'm curious. The energy readings from that station are unlike anything we've encountered before. If there's a chance to gather intel, we should take it."

Ren, the engineer, sighed. "I just fixed the ship after the last mess. You sure we wanna test fate again?"

You met their gazes one by one before replying, "We didn't come all this way to sit back and watch from orbit. If there's something valuable down there, we need to see it firsthand."

A tense silence followed before Tessa sighed in defeat. "Fine. But I'm flying the drop ship."

With the plan settled, you and your chosen team boarded the smaller starship, leaving the main vessel in high orbit. As the engines roared to life, the icy surface loomed closer, reflecting the eerie glow of the nearby Corpus space station. The station was vast, metallic, and eerily pristine, connected above the frigid world like a guardian.

Upon docking, the landing bay's automated systems guided your ship into place with cold precision. The moment the airlock hissed open, a holographic projection flickered to life—a Corpus AI, its glowing blue eyes scanning each of you before speaking in a sterile yet oddly welcoming tone.

"Welcome to Trade Nexus-47, a neutral commerce hub for all sentient life. Please adhere to station regulations and refrain from hostile activities. Currency exchange services are available in the central plaza. May the Market be ever in your favor."

Orlan muttered under his breath, "These Corpus types always have a way of making 'welcome' sound like 'give us all your money.'"

The AI's head tilted, as if processing his statement. "Market transactions are encouraged but not mandatory. However, fines for loitering and unauthorized surveillance begin at 500 credits."

Ren smirked. "See? They even charge you for standing around too long."

Ignoring the banter, you led the team out of the docking bay and into the grand plaza.

The sight before you was breathtaking. Unlike the sterile corridors of most space stations, the plaza was a marvel of design, blending sleek Corpus architecture with the rich cultural elements of various species. Towering golden spires gleamed under artificial skylights, casting long shadows over the bustling trade hubs.

But it wasn't just the architecture—it was the people.

You had expected humans and Corpus merchants, but instead, you were met with an astonishing variety of life forms, all speaking one common language. A thought nagged at you: logically, each race should have its own tongue, but here, the barriers of communication seemed nonexistent.

A Gek merchant (short, reptilian, and dressed in ornate robes) was haggling over relics with a towering, blue-skinned Protoss warrior, whose glowing eyes flickered with interest. Nearby, sleek android constructs—likely autonomous traders—drifted through the crowd, their metallic limbs designed for precision handling of exotic goods. Another race, tall and insectoid with iridescent carapaces, clicked their mandibles as they exchanged data slates with a human trader.

Tessa turned to you, wide-eyed. "Am I going crazy, or is everyone speaking the same language?"

Dr. Izel tapped at her scanner. "It's real. Some kind of universal translation field? No implants, no earpieces. Just… seamless understanding."

Orlan whistled. "Now that's tech I wouldn't mind stealing."

Before you could contemplate further, a soft mechanical voice chimed in. "First time at Nexus-47?"

Turning, you found yourself face-to-face with an elegant, humanoid robot with a sleek silver frame. It inclined its head politely. "I am V-2R, a diplomatic liaison for the station. I can provide assistance should you require guidance."

You nodded. "Actually, we're looking for information about the planet below. What can you tell us?"

The android's luminous eyes flickered for a moment before responding, "Ah, the frozen jewel. Access to the surface is unrestricted, though survival conditions are extreme. Limited settlements exist, primarily research outposts and mining facilities. Some travelers descend for the sights. I assume you seek more than tourism?"

You exchanged a glance with your crew. "You could say that."

V-2R's head tilted slightly. "Then I suggest caution. The planet has secrets even the Market cannot price."

Your team's shuttle broke through the dense cloud cover, revealing a landscape of jagged ice formations and towering spires of frozen rock. In the distance, an ancient ruin jutted from the ice like the bones of some long-dead colossus.

Tessa, piloting with expert precision, brought the ship down near a plateau overlooking the ruins. Snow whipped around the hull as the engines cooled.

Stepping onto the surface, the biting cold seeped through even the best thermal suits. But the sight before you made it all worth it—

An enormous black obelisk, humming with faint energy, stood at the heart of the ruins. Strange glyphs glowed along its surface, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Dr. Izel's breath fogged up her visor. "That's not natural… That's a beacon."

Orlan tightened his grip on his rifle. "Beacon for what, exactly?"

You took a deep breath, the icy air burning your lungs, before saying, "Let's find out."

As you approached the obelisk, the ground beneath you trembled.

Something massive stirred in the distance. A towering, alien lifeform, its elongated limbs moving with a grace that defied its sheer size, emerged from the mist. It resembled a Va'ruun Strider, an enormous creature with four powerful legs, two long tendrils extending from its back, and a face obscured by chitinous armor. It let out a deep, echoing sound—almost a song, resonating through the ice.

Alec instinctively reached for his weapon, but I raised a hand to stop him.

"Look around."

The other alien citizens didn't react in fear. They were used to this.

Mira exhaled in awe. "It's part of the ecosystem. No one sees it as a threat."

A squat, reptilian alien approached us—one of the Gek.

"New here?" it croaked, its beady eyes gleaming.

"Yes," I admitted. "And that thing… what is it?"

The Gek chuckled. "That, friend, is a Va'ruun Strider. One of the great beasts of this world. Harmless, unless provoked. They migrate with the shifting ice."

Ren, now more curious than alarmed, asked, "How big do they get?"

"Largest recorded? Nearly a kilometer from head to tail."

The crew's jaws nearly hit the ground.

Mira was practically bouncing. "That's… that's incredible! How do they survive? What do they eat?"

The Gek chuckled again. "Questions, questions! Always so curious, you travelers."

I gestured toward the looming obelisk in the distance, its dark form standing in contrast against the icy expanse. "That structure over there. What is it?"

The Gek turned its gaze to where I pointed, then let out a satisfied hum. "Ahh, that is the Obelisk, or as some call it, the Monolith."

"Monolith?" I echoed, the word carrying a weight I couldn't quite place.

"Yes," the Gek confirmed, shifting slightly. "It holds fragments of the ancient history of the civilizations that once resided here, and perhaps even those who still do."

Alec crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Like a galactic archive?"

The Gek let out a raspy chuckle. "More than that. It remembers. It speaks to those who listen."

I furrowed my brow. "Speaks? How? Do you know what kind of history it holds?"

The Gek's small eyes gleamed with something between amusement and secrecy. "That, my friend, is for you to discover. Some knowledge is not given freely—it is earned. If you truly wish to know, then step forward and ask the Monolith yourself."

Mira turned to me, her expression practically glowing with excitement. "Supreme Commander, we have to. This could be the key to understanding this world and its past."

Ren, ever the skeptic, muttered, "Or a wild goose chase."

Alec smirked. "Come on, Ren. You know you're just as curious as the rest of us."

The ground trembled once more, a distant reminder that we were still in the presence of something greater than ourselves. I took a deep breath, my decision already made.

"Alright," I said, stepping forward. "Let's see what secrets the Monolith holds."