Shadows Beneath the Surface

Chapter 23: Shadows Beneath the Surface

Ethan Cole stood in the command center, staring at the holo-display projecting the subterranean map of Mars. The seismic disturbances had increased in frequency, and whatever was lurking beneath the surface was getting bolder.

Laura crossed her arms. "We have to assume they know we're here."

Michael frowned. "Or they've always known, and they're just toying with us now."

Ethan exhaled, rubbing his temples. Sleep had been a luxury lately, but there was no time for rest when an unknown threat was lurking beneath them.

A Surprise from Below

The alert blared through the base. "Warning: Unidentified Movement Detected – Sector D-7."

Ethan's heart pounded as he pulled up the surveillance feed. The camera view was dark, illuminated only by the base's dim external floodlights. The red dust swirled violently. Something was emerging.

"Switch to infrared," Ethan ordered.

The image adjusted, revealing elongated shapes moving with unsettling precision. They were digging through the rock like it was sand, and now, they were at the base's doorstep.

Michael swallowed. "That's a lot more than last time."

Laura grabbed her tablet and ran a quick scan. "These things aren't just moving randomly anymore. They're forming a pattern—a formation."

"A military formation?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Laura hesitated, then nodded. "It sure looks like one."

First Contact—Again

The speakers crackled.

Static filled the room, but within the noise, something else was there.

A voice.

Garbled. Distorted. Alien.

Ethan's blood ran cold.

"Can you isolate the frequency?" he asked Michael.

"Trying..." Michael's fingers flew across the console. "There! Enhancing."

A second later, the voice became clearer. The words were still unintelligible, but the tone was unmistakable—

It was a warning.

Ethan's hands curled into fists. "They're not just creatures. They're intelligent. And they know we're listening."

An Unconventional Approach

"Okay, so let's summarize," Laura said, pacing. "We've got unknown alien life forms, probably hostile, definitely smart, and currently at our doorstep. Our options?"

Michael raised a hand. "I vote we don't die."

"Helpful," Laura muttered.

Ethan smirked despite the tension. "We need to communicate. Find a way to make them understand we're not here to threaten them."

Michael arched an eyebrow. "You sure about that? What if they think we're the trespassers?"

Ethan shrugged. "Technically, we are."

Silence fell over the room.

Laura sighed. "Alright. Let's assume they're willing to listen. How do we talk to something that doesn't speak English?"

Ethan turned to the EPS system. "EPS, analyze the alien transmission. Compare it to known linguistic patterns. Find any commonalities."

The system processed for a few seconds before displaying a result.

[Processing...]

[Probability of Binary-Based Communication: 74%]

Michael whistled. "Binary? Like, ones and zeroes?"

"Exactly," Ethan said. "Numbers are universal. If they communicate in patterns, we can try responding the same way."

He quickly typed out a simple response in binary and sent it through the same frequency.

For a few agonizing moments, nothing happened.

Then, the speakers crackled again.

This time, the voice wasn't distorted.

This time, it was deliberate.

"We... see... you."

Laura sucked in a breath. "Oh, that's not creepy at all."

Michael stepped back from the console. "Welp. That's my cue to start writing my will."

Ethan ignored them, his mind racing. The fact that they had responded meant they wanted dialogue—at least for now.

He sent another message: "We are not enemies."

The response came almost instantly.

"Prove it."

Ethan stared at the screen.

He had expected hostility.

He had not expected... negotiation.

He looked up at his team. "I think we just got our first alien ultimatum."

Laura folded her arms. "No pressure, huh?"

Michael sighed. "Oh yeah. No pressure at all."

Ethan leaned forward, determination burning in his eyes. "Let's find a way to prove we're not a threat—before they decide we are."

Chapter 23 is complete!