---
**"I want you to handle this mission,"** Sarah said, her expression serious yet hopeful.
"Don't worry. I'll pay generously."
She handed over a chip, its edges glowing faintly.
**"Please ensure this delivery is handled carefully,"** she added. "All the information you need is on this chip—don't lose it."
---
### \*\*\*\*\*
I returned to the war shuttle, where the rest of my squad was waiting.
Nyx looked up immediately, arms crossed and visibly in better shape than earlier.
**"What did you and that man talk about?"** he asked.
I blinked. **"Do you mean Miss Sarah? She's not a man."**
I held up the chip. **"Anyway, we finally received an assigned mission."**
Aster looked up from the control panel. "Who gave it to you?"
I slid the chip into the mission console. The screen lit up.
**"It's a request from a higher-tier member…"** I paused, watching the Overelite seal pulse on-screen,
**"…one of the Overelites."**
---
***
---
**"Alright, here we go."**
Sean inserted the chip Nikki provided.
> *Information access initiated. Information accessed.*
"That's the information. Seems you've used this system before."
"My mother used similar devices when my father sent messages."
As the shuttle core powered up, the data transferred to a large glass screen.
> *(Shuttle Core: The primary power source of every war shuttle. Often called the heart of the ship.)*
A shimmering image appeared—it was Nikki Frias. She wore the same outfit as earlier. The message was clearly pre-recorded.
> "Squad Tier 2536,
>
> This message contains the mission details you'll need."
A holographic map flared to life beside her, highlighting the coordinates.
> "Your objective: retrieve the package and deliver it safely.
> You will meet Captain Cedric Roscov of Tier 385 on the battlefield.
> under my orders he will hand over the package.
>
> Good luck, Tier 2536."
The projection faded.
> "That was the order."
---
******
---
**Planet Antar // Area 407**
"Fire! Don't let any of those beasts get through! Cover all sectors!" A booming voice echoed across the dusty terrain. The man shouting was bald, dark-skinned, and battle-hardened.
"Show them the strength of our unit!"
"Yes, Captain!" the soldiers responded in unison.
"Sir Cedric, your visitors will arrive shortly."
"The new recruits?"
"No, sir. The tier under Nikki's command."
"Unit 13, are the resources ready?"
"They've been triple-checked, sir."
"Make sure of it. I don't want any complaints from her."
---
***
---
Tier 2536 finally arrived on Planet Antar.
Sean squinted as the hatch opened. "So, this is Area 407," he muttered.
They were greeted by Captain Cedric Roscov himself. "Welcome to Antar—a planet that's never known peace. You're Tier 2536, I assume? Good to meet you, Tier Captain."
"I'm Sean Gains. These are my squadmates. We're here for the requested package."
"How about some tea first?" Roscov offered with a sly smile.
"Thank you, sir, but the package was needed on time."
"It's alright. It understand since the order came from Nikki."
"I recall a squad penalized for not following her orders. I got into trouble because of them."
Roscov laughed. "Fair enough."
"Maybe next time we meet," Sean replied, "I'll gladly accept your invitation."
---
****
----
**Mission Log // Captain Sean Gains**
> "This is Sean, Tier Captain of 2536. Mission is currently in delivery phase."
He initiated a voice recording for the official mission log.
> "Here's your package, ma'am. Safe as requested."
The courier placed the sealed container before Nikki.
She examined it with careful.
> "Nice job on your first delivery! I've already sent the payment."
---
***
---
**Unknown Region of Space // The Replica**
From the shadows of space, a planet drifted—The Replica. Forbidden. Forgotten.
A hooded figure stood beneath the stars, metallic veins glowing faintly beneath dark fabric. Two crimson eyes glowed from under the hood.
> "This is what we've been waiting for."
Another figure knelt before him. "We're here for your order, Ministro."
> "There's no time to waste. Secure the key. At all costs."
"Yes, Ministro."
Three unknown figures vanished.
---
> "Our first mission is complete," Sean said.
"Let's hope we don't run into trouble again," Sam added.
"Good work, everyone."
Sean tapped his gauntlet, transferring new data to the shuttle's monitor.
> "Nyx, you're going to like this one."
> *Mission Location: Planet 3746 — Specimin
> Objective: Acquire three blood samples — Types B, C, and E
> Threat Level: Rank C and D
> Completion Protocol: 749-B*
"Better bring my camera," Nyx smirked.
---
**Corporate Gala // Unknown Earth HQ**
Thank you all for being here today!
We're celebrating the success of all our projects and the amazing collaborations that made them possible.
We're all here because we share the same ideal: building a better future for humanity.
This wouldn't have been possible without the support of every company involved.
Thank you again, and let's raise a glass to even greater achievements in the years to come!
---
**In Transit to Planet 3746**
13T bits passed in space.
"I've been thinking about how we're going to retrieve those samples," Nyx said.
"We'll figure it out when we're closer," Sean replied.
"We're almost there," Nyx noted. "Captain—wait. Look!"
Sean turned. "What is it?"
Nyx zoomed the camera feed. "Three ships. I've never seen designs like those. Are they waiting for us?"
Sam's eyes widened. "They're preparing to fire! Evasive maneuvers!"
---
The war shuttle shuddered from a near miss.
"Pzzzt…"
The ship appeared undamaged, but the systems went dark.
"Space pirates?" Sean asked.
"That's not how space pirates operate," Sam countered.
"Their target was us. The ship's down—it'll take time to reboot." Nyx added
"Everyone, battle armor now!" Sean.
A deafening blast rocked the war shuttle. "Thermal laser!" Nyx yelled, wresting control.
"If the power comes back online, land us at the nearest safe location. Aster, Ava, assist nyx!"
"Sam, grab your weapon. You're coming with me. We'll buy them some time and stop whoever's trying to infiltrate." Sean commanded.
"Helmets up! Magnetism to thirty percent."
The ship hummed, then vibrated violently. Sean braced himself, the added weight of his magnetic boots keeping him grounded.
---
As we been waiting for the raiders movement at the rear of the ship.
Suddenly, a green energy blade sliced through the reinforced plating, breaching our defenses.
The lead raider, easily identifiable by its sleek, obsidian-black armor and glowing crimson energy conduits, had broken through. Its movements were fluid and unnatural, almost robotic in precision.
Sean's face was grim. "Eat this," he snarled, leveling his fully charged Desert Eagle. The deafening roar of the weapon echoed through the ship.
"Bullseye!" Sean exclaimed, his shot finding its mark.
The raider tumbled back out of the ship, but not before several metallic tendrils shot out from its hand, gripping the ship's hull.
"It's not letting go!"
"Cover me," Sean shouted, switching to his twin Desert Eagles.
Sam provided covering fire with his assault rifle, giving Sean a precious few seconds.
Sean continued firing, a chilling realization dawning on him: these raiders weren't just armored; they were completely encased in metal. What were they?
Meanwhile, Sam focused his fire on the tendrils, trying to sever them before more raiders could breach the ship.
---
***
---
"Sean, the systems are back online, but the core's drained. We can't maintain power for long, but it's enough to land on Specimin.
Go for it."
Ava, aster, as I count on three pull them in.
Yes vice captain.
Three…
The ship's panels flickered to life.
Two…
Systems online.
One…
The ship rocketed forward at breakneck speed, the raiders' clinging tendrils snapping under the strain. They were left behind, adrift in space.