CHAPTER 14 DESCENT TO THE YELLOW WORLD

Preparations for departure had taken two intense months, during which Terry had dedicated himself not only to teaching a select group of men and women how to operate the ship, but also to the creation of rudimentary laser beam weapons. Despite limited resources, his ingenuity allowed for the manufacture of these essential tools for their protection. Determined not to leave his family behind, Terry had planned to take them with him, while Aiden, Nova's brother, would remain in charge of the village, serving as second in command.

As Marcus emerged from the ship, his voice echoed with a mix of excitement and solemnity. —Everything is in and ready to go, — he announced to Terry.

—Excellent. Now, gather everyone together; it's time to board so we can depart without delay, — Terry instructed, his tone of voice combining determination with a hint of anticipatory anxiety.

Marcus moved quickly, calling out to those selected for the expedition. Goodbyes filled with hope and promises of reunion rang out in the air as Terry's family boarded the ship. Once on board, everyone took their assigned places; Terry's children, Kyran and Elana, settled into their seats and fastened their seat belts, following the instructions of his father. Nova and other crew members positioned themselves at the command panel, ready for takeoff.

With a nod from Terry, a crew member pressed the launch button. The ship came to life, pulsing with an energy that heralded the beginning of their interdimensional adventure, and in the blink of an eye, it vanished from the face of Zalara , as if it had never been there.

—¿Where are we headed, boss?— Marcus asked, his gaze fixed on the control panel, his voice reflecting the magnitude of the journey they were embarking on.

—Give me a moment, — Terry replied, feeling unknown numbers flood into his consciousness. Not knowing exactly what they meant, he entered them into the command center. The ship responded by opening a dimensional portal that led them to a yellow planet. As they came to a stop, a feeling of disorientation briefly overwhelmed the crew, forcing them to regain their composure with slow nods.

From a window, Terry's children looked out at the planet with eyes filled with wonder. —Look, Kyran,— Elana whispered , her voice filled with wonder. —Isn't it beautiful?

—It's beautiful, — Kyran replied, his face illuminated by the light of a new and unknown world.

This moment, suspended between curiosity and wonder, marked the beginning of his journey through the universe. A journey driven by the search for knowledge, the protection of the unknown and the eternal human desire to explore beyond known limits.

On this threshold into the unknown, Terry's family faced a cosmos filled with mysteries to uncover, challenges to overcome, and possibly new homes to find.

— We're going down to explore — Terry announced to the crew with a firmness that resonated through the expectant silence of the ship. — Take only the essentials. We don't know what we'll find down there — His voice, imbued with authority and decision, surprised some of those present. They had never heard Terry address his people with such determination before. It was clear that circumstances had awakened in him an innate leadership, an ability to guide and make critical decisions in times of uncertainty.

The crew, made up of brave men and women from Zalara , moved efficiently, collecting tools, communication devices and rudimentary laser weapons, the fruit of Terry's ingenuity and skill. The atmosphere inside the ship was charged with a cautious tension, mixed with the excitement of treading into uncharted territory.

Nova approached Terry, her gaze reflecting a mix of pride and concern. —Be careful, — she whispered, placing her hand on top of his in a gesture of support and trust. —And remember, we're in this together, no matter what we find out there.

With a comforting smile, Terry nodded, grateful for their presence and their strength. —Together, — he stated, before turning to his children. Kyran and Elara, already

Prepared for the descent, they looked at their father with eyes full of admiration and a touch of concern.

Kyran, twenty years old, and Elara, sixteen. Both tall and determined, they reflected the strength and courage they had inherited from Terry and Nova.

—Listen carefully, — Terry instructed, his voice heavy with seriousness. —This trip is important, but your safety is even more important. I want you to stay close to me at all times, no matter what happens. Okay?

—Understood, Dad, — they responded in unison, their determination reflecting the upbringing and values their parents had instilled in them.

The ship's door swung open, revealing the landscape of the yellow world that awaited them. The air was fresh, with a light breeze welcoming them to this new world. The crew, led by Terry, cautiously descended, their steps marking the beginning of an exploration that promised discoveries and, possibly, unknown dangers.

As they moved forward, the terrain revealed itself before them, displaying a diversity of flora and fauna that challenged their understanding of life. Brightly hued plants and creatures that moved with a alien grace populated the landscape, each step offered them a new wonder, a new enigma to decipher.

Terry's leadership, now more evident than ever, guided his team through this alien environment with a mix of caution and wonder. It was clear that, on this journey into the unknown, his role as protector and

 explorer had been cemented, ushering in a new era for himself and the brave Zalarans who accompanied him on this intergalactic adventure.

As they made their way through the exotic landscape of the yellow planet, Marcus, following closely behind Terry, cautiously observed the surroundings. —It seems there are no inhabitants on this planet, boss, — he commented, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

—Let's not let our guard down— Terry replied, with an alert look. —We still don't know what we might encounter— They had barely taken a few steps when the sudden movement of some plants to their right caught their attention. With a quick gesture, Terry pointed towards the movement, and everyone, as one, prepared their weapons.

From the vegetation emerged a furred creature with large eyes and pointed ears, the size of a large dog, and let out a roar at the sight of them. After a brief moment that seemed like an eternity, the creature shook its head, as if trying to get rid of something invisible, looked at them curiously, and then simply walked away. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief.

They continued their exploration until, after a good distance, they came across a vibrant village. This place was inhabited by beings and characters of an astonishing diversity, who moved around as naturally as they did. They tried to go unnoticed, without straying far from the group. The locals seemed accustomed to the presence of outsiders, barely paying attention to them.

The hustle and bustle led them to a market filled with fascinating objects. It was there that Elian found a communication device and, with eyes full of wonder, he showed it to Terry. —It seems that one can communicate with this, — he commented, amazed.

—Let's see how much it costs. Maybe we'll have enough to take him, — Terry said, assessing the situation.

—Let me ask— Elian offered, heading towards the cosmic seller. However, the exchange did not go as he expected. The seller answered him in an unknown language, and Elian, with a waiting gesture, returned to Terry.

— Jaxon, I couldn't understand the merchant— he admitted, shrugging with a puzzled expression.

—Let me try, — Terry suggested, and together they approached the stall. When they asked over the intercom, the merchant informed them, —There are two Ætheris.— Crystals —

Terry, to everyone's surprise, understood and replied in the same foreign language. —¿What are the Ætheris?— ¿Crystaros?— he asked, intrigued.

The merchant, with a mocking smile, exclaimed, —Don't you know? — At Terry's affirmative response, who admitted not being from that planet, the merchant explained, —The Ætheris. — Crystars are the universal currency used on all known planets. They are formed from a rare mineral alloy found in the cores of ancient planets. Their value lies in their scarcity and their ability to store energy, making them a valuable resource for intergalactic trade.