Orbist

A dull ringing echoed in your ears as you blinked awake. The air was thick with the scent of sand and metal, and somewhere nearby, the muffled voices of soldiers preparing for battle filled the space.

"Oh, good, you're back!" Plavo's voice broke through the haze.

You sat up slowly, head still heavy from exhaustion. Around you, the camp was alive with movement --fighters checking their gear, mechanics adjusting salvaged machinery, the distant hum of generators powering up. Something big was happening.

Plavo crouched beside you, grinning. "So, you're probably wondering why we're on this planet with an army ready for war."

He stood, dusting off his sleeves before continuing, his tone both lighthearted and serious.

"Remember how we used pods filled with the energy of our power cores? Yeah… well, after the ship got destroyed, those power cores scattered and plummeted toward the Ilios system."

Your stomach tightened. That couldn't be good.

Plavo sighed, shaking his head. "So, I reached out to their king, Japetus, to negotiate getting them back. And you know what he said?"

You raised an eyebrow.

"He said no." Plavo crossed his arms, pausing for dramatic effect. "Which means… now, we're invading."

The weight of those words settled in. Outside, the soldiers continued their final preparations. The battle ahead would shape everything.

And there was no turning back now.

**

Your body ached as you shifted, the rough fabric of the cot beneath you pressing against your back. The dim light of the tent flickered, casting long shadows along the walls.

Slowly, you pushed yourself upright, the stiffness in your limbs a reminder of how much had happened in so little time. The sounds of the camp outside grew clearer—voices barking orders, the clatter of metal being hauled into place, the hum of power cells charging.

You ran a hand through your hair, exhaling. The reality of the situation was settling in fast. This wasn't just survival anymore. This was war.