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CHAPTER 20 The Planet: Part 2

A faint vibration made itself present inside the cockpit of the small ship. The muffled echo of the wind persisted as it slipstreamed through its smooth hull. This was a different experience from flying in the vacuum of space. All around us was this feeling... this energy... Somehow, this planet was alive.

Still dazed at the horizon, it took me a few seconds to realize that someone was talking to me through the com system of the ship.

"Everything ok, Husky?" The black and white Retcan asked. He had been trying to speak with me but I wasn't responding.

"I'm ok, Storm. Sorry for taking long to respond... I just..." I replied. Still my eyes were fixed in my surroundings.

"Good." He said. "Congratulations, Evos. You've made it through the entry."

"So this is a planet. This place... is it like where we come from?" Fx asked. His image now appeared next to Storm's in my sub screen.

"These types of inhabitable planets are the most common. They usually develop life forms like you and me. Lusceonis Alpha, our main planet, is much like this and the planet where you come from."

"So that means that there might be living beings down there." Andy added.

"So far there isn't any indication that would suggest that this planet is inhabited. However there are details that our probes are unable to detect. At the end it is better to trust our own eyes to finally come up with a conclusion."

"Which reminds me..." Fx said. He immediately communicated with D.E1. "D.E1, this is Fox01, Fx. Do you read me?"

"I read you loud and clear, Fx." K9 responded. He sounded very relieved on knowing that we made it safely. "What's the status on your partners?"

"We are all ok thankfully. We now fly steadily at 13200 Feet from the ground at a speed of Mach 0.8." He reported. "Awaiting instructions, Captain."

"Confirm Probe status."

"Structural integrity is at 100%, Captain."

"Perfect. Lower altitude to 8000 feet and release the probes. Once released, Pioneer001 will take control of them."

"Understood, Captain."

The Retcans had already released their own probes that would monitor any energy signal across the planet. Our probes would analyze the atmosphere, temperature and composition of the air. We were doing this to further test our equipment since this was probably the only opportunity that we would have to do it.

Soon after K9 gave the order, we would head for three different locations in a perimeter of 2000 kilometers. Storm separated from the group to do some exploring of his own.

"You have the coordinates. We will meet at this point in 15 minutes." Fx confirmed.

We soon separated. This was time to test our ships capabilities in atmosphere. I couldn't help to push my Wolf500 close to its limits. I activated the secondary compression chambers to release the full potential of the engines. This was followed by a deeper and more aggressive sound coming out of the Ten Chamber Propulsion system. Next, I placed my hand-paw in the accelerator lever which was at 10%, and slowly pushed it.

"Ok, here we go..." I braced myself.

The whining of the engine increased its presence inside the cockpit as I pushed the lever further. In the vacuum of space its sound is almost imperceptible.

Not only was the sound what impressed me, but also was this intense force that started pushing me to the back of my seat. The wind noises stroke the ship's hull more intensely than before. A quick check to the speed gauge and I noticed I was doing around 1200 Kilometers an hour. I then pushed the accelerator harder until I reached around 60% of its total travel and that's when things got intense. I felt that my internal organs were being pushed inside me and I found it hard to maintain my eyesight straight. A quick glance to the speed gauge indicated Mach 2.5. The sound of the wind suddenly stopped as so did the deep grunt of the engine. These sounds were now too slow to keep up with the speed of my ship.

I don't know how long it took for me to reach this speed, but all I know was that when I pushed the accelerator to almost its maximum travel, my ship was traveling at Mach 8.1 and climbing quickly. Maximum speed in atmosphere for a Wolf500 is 18000 Kilometers per hour, which is close to Mach 15. That speed is just a portion of what it's capable of reaching in space and it's limited for safety purposes.

Everything outside seemed distorted. It felt like if the planet was actually starting to rotate below me instead of me traveling through its skies. It was an incredible experience; nothing like the dull and silent flight in the vacuum of space.

Short after, my computer indicated me to slow down. The target location was very near. So I slowed down to position myself for the releasing of the probe, not before getting the scare of my life when I decelerated below Mach 1. The sound that traveled behind me suddenly caught with me in an enormous blast that made all the fur in my body raise. I felt very dumb for not remembering the physics implied when traveling at Mach speeds while in atmosphere.

There was no time to loose. I needed to release the probes and return with my partners...

Meanwhile at the D.E Cruiser, K9 was very excited with how the mission was going.

"Standby, Pioneer001. The Wolf crew is about to reach its objective. Once the probes are released you should be able to see it in your computer." The Captain spoke with Kala and Zulu.

"Roger that, K9." Zulu replied.

"Boy, they're moving really fast!" Kala exclaimed when monitoring our signal.

"Indeed. I think Husky decided to put the Wolf500 to the test. He didn't reach full speed, but nevertheless, that was quite impressive for an atmosphere flight." K9 replied. "You guys should be very proud of yourselves." He then whispered.

"Captain, the three of them have reached their location. The last probe has been released." Kala informed.

"Very well. You know what to do." K9 ordered. He sat proud in his Captain's seat illuminated by the glare of his instrument panel.

"Understood, Captain."

Suddenly, an incoming message from R105 was alerted. Silver appeared on the main screen of D.E1.

"K9. I see that the initial phase of the mission has been a success." She said. Calm as always.

"Yes, Captain Silver. The entry was a success and the probes have been released according to planned."

"That is very pleasing to hear. I need your test pilots to do one more thing before returning."

"I hear you, Captain."

"I need them to do low altitude flights near the coordinates I will send you. My scientists have finally detected a faint energy signal."

This was a surprise. The Retcan's probes had already been around the planet for the past couple of days and didn't come across with any energy reading or signal that might've suggest that there was activity in the planet.

"I thought that planet was deserted, Silver." K9 seemed surprised.

"We also though it was. But that didn't make any logic sense since this planet apparently has all the necessary elements to hold life in it. Plus, this planet would be the only way to explain the origin of those beings in the Comet."

"Ok then, I will do as you suggest."

"K9. I need your team to be very careful. We just need images of the surface of the planet where this energy signals were detected by our probes. If we find evidence of existing life then we will withdraw from this solar system."

"Understood."

Silver didn't want to risk it anymore. If we found life and they were the same beings in the comet, then we would get out there. To this point, it didn't matter to Silver if they were in control of the mineral crops or not.

Soon the orders were given to us. After we met in the rendezvous location we would head in group to the location given by Silver. It would take us a while, though.

Meanwhile in R105...

Silver and Titan followed the operation very closely with help of Cobalt and the always present Bo. This time Zonda and Alpha were at the bridge as well.

"The Evos seem very capable of performing these types of operations." Zonda said. He stood very close to Silver, staring at the main screen as he followed the status of the mission. His yellow eyes glared in the darkness of the bridge almost intimidating as or even more than Silver's. His deep voice also made him stand out.

"That is something that I've also noticed." A pair of glowing red eyes appeared behind Zonda. It was his brother Alpha. "They almost seem to be born to do these kinds of things." He said with a less intimidating tone, but yet very respectable one. "I remember that many years ago when we taught the Evos on our fighting arts, they seem to learn these techniques with so much ease. And also their strength and agility is something quite not common to see in creatures that live such a peaceful and low paced life style. It's like they were born, or they evolved to be warriors."

"Their existence is still a mystery." Titan replied from way back behind. He was sitting in a control panel monitoring the ship's systems and things related to the mission. "Yet we know their planet of origin."

"It's strange that that the Evocanis didn't exist in Earth before our race first made contact with humans." Zonda said. He turned back at Titan.

"That has always bothered me. It has only been a couple of thousands of years after our race met with Earth's humans and made a complete study on life in that planet. Yet out of the nothing these intelligent beings form Earth appear in space. It is obvious they were created artificially." Titan concluded. "The manipulation of their genes, of course."

"We all know that now." Zonda replied. "It's their reason and purpose what has always bothered me."

"What ever the reason is for the Evocanis to exist is none of our concern." Silver interrupted quietly form her seat. "What matters is what they are right now."

She sighed before continuing.

"However we will probably never see them again." She softly uttered. "As Zonda says, they are very capable of defending themselves. They only needed the right tools to do so. We have to ensure that they have them before departing." Silver added.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened.

"Captain, incoming message." Bo informed. He was speechless for a second when he saw the origin of the message. "It's from Lusceonis..."

"Haro..." Silver whispered rashly. "Main screen, Bo!" She then ordered.

"Yes, Silver."

Immediately the status of the mission was swiped away form the main screen and the familiar red-eyed white Retcan adorned with golden jewelry appeared

"Haro. I hear you."

"Good morning, Captain Silver. I need to confirm if R105 is ready to continue with its original mission." Haro went straight to the point leaving Silver no chance for excuses.

"I am very close to doing so. We need time to settle a few things with the Evocanis. Once we are done we will continue."

"Silver... You told me the exact same thing not a week ago. You do understand that we have a mission to fulfill. This cannot be postponed anymore."

"Haro, please... There is something very important that we need to do before proceeding."

"Does it have anything to do that comet that you found? The Blue Mineral was definitely a great find, but your ship can't do much. Retrieving that mineral will only cost you more time. Send us the coordinates of that comet and we will send a recollection crew."

"I'm sorry; we need to make sure this Blue Mineral doesn't belong to anyone before proceeding with a recollection mission." Silver felt that she shouldn't have said that. Lusceonis knew about R105's find but they weren't aware of the full details. They didn't know about the alien beings found there. Silver had to be very careful not to disclose any information on what they were doing at that moment, or this could certainly put her position in jeopardy.

"What do you mean, Silver?"

"We found certain evidence that this mineral concentration was probably grown artificially. We are not sure about that and it might just be a coincidence but we want to investigate the site before continuing."

"Is there something that you are not telling me, Captain?" Haro confronted her in suspicion.

"No, Haro. That's what it is. I need a few days to find out if this evidence is conclusive to the origin of this mineral."

"Silver... must I remind you that any contact with intelligent life forms is extrictly banned from our procedures. Let me send a recollection crew and they will investigate what it's necessary."

"Haro, I beg you. Give us a couple of days. We need to know by ourselves. This Blue Mineral will help my ship to continue on its mission and will also help the Evocanis. We've already started this."

Haro didn't respond immediately. He let out a sigh that instantly made Silver feel a sense of relief. She knew he would accept.

"Ten more days, Silver. No more. I'm doing this because it is the most efficient way around this dilemma."

"Thank you, my brother Retcan." Silver was more relieved than thankful since she didn't had to explain Haro what they were really doing.

"We have been very flexible with R105. We understand that the Evocanis need you. But after this there will be no more excuses. Do I make myself clear, Silver?"

"Yes, Haro..." She replied. She of course didn't feel what she said.

"One more thing, Silver... Be very careful of what you do in these ten days that we've given you. I sense that you are not telling me the whole story, yet I trust your judgment and won't interfere. But be warned that any action that goes against our protocol will not be tolerated anymore. If I find out that you once again disobeyed our guidance, you will be discharged and will never set paw on an R series Cruiser again."

"I understand, Haro."

"It hurts to be this firm; you know we are not like this. But we do it for our safety."

Haro ended the message. This added to Silvers already out of control stress, but she somehow managed to control it.

"You didn't tell Haro about the planet." Zonda confronted her.

Silver wasn't pleased about this.

"What do you think it would happen if I tell him? All of us would be setting course to Lusceonis in this very moment."

"I understand that, Silver. But what are we really doing?" He continued questioning Silver. As a General of a Retcan warrior army, his experience and older age, Zonda was somehow above Silver, but not while on her ship.

"Haven't you had it clear, General? We discussed this yesterday and all of you agreed on proceeding." She raised her voice and stood up. Zonda didn't look intimidated for a second and he stared at her directly. "We are going to make sure no one owns that mineral crop anymore. Once we do that we will proceed with the recollection and divide our share with the Evos. After that we will continue on our way. What isn't clear about this, Zonda?" She now raised her tone even more, getting closer to Zonda's face.

"I suggest that you calm down, Silver." Zonda replied not flinching against Silver's apparent aggression.

"'Calm down?' How dare you tell me to calm down in my ship?"

"Silver..." Zonda lowered his voice, never stopping to stare directly into Silver's eyes. "I'm not questioning your position in this ship. As a friend I'm telling you to calm down. I know how difficult it is for you, but hiding information from the council is too much."

"So you just want to leave the Evocanis, right?!"

Zonda just sighed. He then placed his arms on Silver's shoulders.

"So that's it? I know how you feel. It will be painful to leave the Evocanis... trust me, I know that. But I think we've given them all they need now. It's time to continue with our duties. I'm sure that in the future we will encounter them again, and they will be safe. We have to let them go..."

Silver didn't respond. She knew that this was probably the main reason why she had been postponing their mission. It was the bond that had developed between both species. However there was more to it. The logic that drove the Retcans on these missions in outer space didn't seem to make sense to her anymore. The problem was that her doubts now contradicted her desire to fulfill the promise that she did to her friend Kassaar. All these feelings had created a chaotic vortex of feelings in her as well as the rest of the Retcans.

For her and the Retcans as well as us the Evocanis, knowing that we would finally separate in a few days was very painful.

...Little that we know that we were close to an event so great that it would unite both of our species even more than before...