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CHAPTER 21

** ** The Planet: Part 3

Those images would prove difficult to forget. Buildings; what was left of them. For the second time in less than a couple of days we were witnesses of another intelligent civilization's creation. Hours ago we were ordered to fly low in search for the possible origin of that energy source; a faint signal that was captured by the Retcan's probes. What we found was astonishing.

Just like in the comet where we found that outpost, in this apparently deserted planet we found abandoned structures; buildings scattered around a very large area. Almost none of them were still standing. It was more like a burial ground. Everything was destroyed, eroded by countless years. We were ordered to get back to our ships after that. But we weren't done with that place...

"I find it hard to believe that there could be any kind of residual energy left in that place." In the center of our table in the D.E Cruiser's strategy room, though a holographic image, Titan could be seen. He was part of the discussion that was taking place between both ships. "That could only mean that there is still activity in that planet." He theorized.

"No, Titan." Silver immediately interrupted. She seemed very irritated. This last finding didn't helped more than to bring out more questions. "That could mean anything. Remember the machines that you found in that comet? There condition was terrible; yet, you were able to start it with no problems at all."

"What are you trying to imply, Silver?" Titan asked. Obviously he was confused by Silver's statement.

"I think I understand what the Captain is saying." K9 jumped in. "If their machinery is as reliable to withstand thousands of years of inactivity and yet be able to maintain part of its functionality, then there might be a possibility that the signal was created by some sort of machine that is still functional to some point."

"That's exactly what I'm thinking. Thank you, K9." Silver said. She sounded relieved that at least someone was in her same page. In the last days, most were doubtful of her authority and this made Silver feel an immense pressure.

"So what is our next step, Captain?" The yellow eyed grey Retcan asked. He sat dignified in his seat staring directly into Silver's eyes.

"There is not much that we can do, Zonda." She replied. She stood up and walked away from the table. Silver took some time to decide their next move. She knew that there weren't many options. "We need to see that place with our own eyes." She wasn't facing her crew. She stood with her arms behind her back. She didn't want to make it evident of how confused she felt at that moment. Silver was no longer in control of her decisions.

"You want to land in that planet?" Titan confronted her. Zonda felt like interceding but he just kept on staring at Silver in silence, feeling her energy. He knew perfectly how to read others feelings just like Haro. He knew how incapable Silver was to continue her duty at that moment.

"Do you have another idea, Titan?" She asked. Her tone was harsher this time.

"No, Silver. I just simply don't know what to do now." He answered confused. "I really don't know why we are doing all this. Wouldn't it be better to return to Lusceonis and then follow with our previous mission?" Alpha was about to stand and support Titan's suggestion but with a very subtle gesture he was stopped by his brother Zonda.

"Confirming intelligent life in this planet is not a matter of releasing a few probes and exploring a small sector on paw." Titan continued. "It's a planet, Silver! It could take us months if not years. Sure, the reward is huge because of the vast amount of blue mineral involved, but at the long term it's really not worth it."

"This ship is not returning to Lusceonis!" Silver yelled as her frustration grew again. "Haven't I made it clear before that going back is NOT an option?" She turned to face Titan not before hitting the table forcibly.

"Then let's go to the comet and start with the recollection!" This time Titan stood up and raised his voice as well. He was starting to get affected by his sister's behavior.

"And steal from these creatures!? Are you serious, Titan?"

"Does it matter to this point, Silver? I think is pretty obvious that there is no one claiming possession of that crop. Does a little doubt really justify what we are doing right now? If the thought of taking that mineral from their owners really bothers you, then why haven't we left this solar system already?" Titan's patience was out of its limits. He couldn't stand seeing his sister acting in such an erratic way.

Silver didn't respond. She looked infuriated as she walked at a strong pace towards Titan. It was not clear of what her following actions would be, but with her pupils contracted and her fangs showing, signs of aggression were now obvious. Titan just looked at her as she approached him. He looked angry as well, but there was a feeling of pain behind his sky blue eyes.

"Please, don't fight with each other!" K9 yelled through the holographic projector. "I know how delicate this situation is. We will help you." He said. K9 sounded worried. He had never seen any signs of aggression from the Retcans before. We Evos are very sensitive as well, and somehow we felt Silver's frustration. But we didn't want this frustration to affect them so much that they would hurt each other without wanting it.

"Silver, my team and I will land in that planet." K9 continued. "We will explore what it's needed to be explored in order to find the clues that you need. But please calm down."

K9's suggestion stopped Silver on her tracks, inches away from Titan. "Let us help you, Retcans, just as you did with us. I know how important the Blue Mineral is for you."

"Captain, K9..." Silver spoke. She seemed calmer now; somewhat embarrassed of her behavior. "You don't have to do this."

"Why not? You said we needed to test our equipment and I see a great opportunity on doing so."

"It's too risky. We need to assemble a reconnaissance team first." Silver objected.

"The planet looks safe enough. If we land in an isolated area we will be fine. Besides, we know how to take care of ourselves."

Silver didn't want to accept K9's proposal but strangely enough she saw it as an excuse to continue.

At the D.E Cruiser we were all surprised with K9's bold proposal. We never imagined that such idea would go through his mind at any moment. There was certainly much that we ignored about our Captain.

"Titan; how much time would you need to assemble a team to head to the planet?" Silver asked. Titan was of course stunned by what was happening.

"I... Give me... 72 hours." He said confused.

"You have 30 hours, Titan." Silver ordered. She didn't leave Titan a choice.

Titan didn't want to confront her sister anymore. He loved her and the idea of conflicting with her made his heart convulse in pain. He didn't have choice but to accept and hope for the best. Surely what they were doing was not the sanest choice of action but he then comforted himself thinking that there might be very little chance of something going wrong.

"I think we are clear now. We are going to that planet in look for clues for the next five days. If nothing is found then we will proceed with the recollection in the last five days we were given. You are dismissed." Silver concluded.

Everyone decided not to confront her anymore and just let it go.

"Silver." Zonda approached her. Alpha walked by his side as well. "We are going to join the Evos."

"I need you two to prepare a defense squad. I am sending a very large group to cover as much terrain as possible, by land and by air. Send a small group to D.E1 if you wish."

"No, Silver. Alpha and I will join them personally."

"Did you not hear what I've said?" Silver reacted harshly. "You will prepare a large defense squad to escort our exploration team, do I mak..."

"Silver!" Zonda interrupted abruptly. This caught Silver by surprise but surprisingly she stopped speaking. "I said that I will escort the Evos personally; me and my brother. My defense squad is trained and strict enough to be prepared in minutes if needed."

"Silver, we do not question your authority." Alpha added. "If we do this it's because we feel that something is not right. We won't confront you anymore, but please understand that we need to do this. The defense squad will be ready when needed."

Silver didn't respond anymore. She nodded as if thanking them for something that she didn't knew.

At the D.E cruiser, still confused by K9's idea, but yet even more surprised about Silver's acceptance of it, we prepared for our flight to the planet.

"Ok, D.E1..." K9 spoke with us in the strategy room. Strangely, we also noticed that in the recent days he started to refer to us as D.E1. "We are doing something that was never in our plans. I know this sounds reckless but I trust your good judgment and our technology. We need to do this as a favor to the Retcans since we know that they are going through difficult times right now. This will also serve as a test to see how we can handle a landing in a foreign environment."

"What do we know about this planet, K9? I mean, is it safe for us to land and get out of our ships?" I asked concerned.

"According to the information that we've recollected in the past hours, the atmosphere in the planet is approximately 80% nitrogen, 18% oxygen and the rest is argon and other gasses in very miniscule quantities. This is the closest that we will probably get to our ancestor's planet. What I mean by this is that it's safe, and there will be no need to wear the environmental armor suits."

This was a very shocking discovery. We would be in that planet without any life support. We didn't know what to expect but if our Captain felt secure to let us wonder about in a foreign atmosphere, it meant it was relatively safe.

"It will take us a couple of hours to prepare our equipment. But I want you three to be in that planet to set a safe landing point." He said. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He wanted Fx, Anubis and I to head to the planet at that very instant. This went against everything I knew about the D.E Project. What was going on with K9? Of course, we didn't have a choice but to comply with the orders, so as shocked as we were, we obeyed and got ready. We would leave as soon as possible.

In the meantime, at Canis Major the news were received with mixed reactions. They knew that hours ago we flew inside the planet, yet they didn't know about our next assignment.

"They made it safe..." She sighed relieved. Hasky followed the operation very closely. She wasn't too comfortable with us going as far as reaching inside a planet.

"That was very risky." A deep voice echoed next to her. It was Lay who also was not comfortable at all with D.E1's last activities. "This wasn't supposed to be part of their functions as a development team."

"They are a testing crew." The small Chihuahua added. "However I don't feel that this is the right thing to do. Thankfully these guys are very good on what they do, plus they are having a direct support from R105 which makes me feel calmer." Laser as always tried to ease everyone's worries.

"I understand your concern." Luke said, "Especially in your case, Hasky."

"The good thing is that Hemi and you are finished with the training and will be joining them soon." Rika added, encouraging her friend.

That very day, Hasky and Hemi finished their training and would be heading to the D.E cruiser in a couple of minutes. Everyone was excited to see that they finally made it; and with excellent results, I must add.

"Yes... Maybe I can bring some sense to your friend." Hasky said, referring to K9. She didn't look to happy, but she knew Fx and I were capable of handling those assignments. The thing that bothered her was not only how far we were taking things in the D.E cruiser, but also the situation that had happened with Jade a few days ago.

"Well, so no time to waste then. Whenever you two are ready, I'll take you to the D.E Cruiser." Luke said.

Hasky and Hemi would have some rest before heading their way as new members of the D.E Development Team. Their friends would give them a warm goodbye before that as well.

Back again at the D.E Cruiser, faster than we expected, we were ready for departure in what we could consider our most memorable mission. Fx, Anubis and I were ready at the hangar with our ships rumbling in the runway.

"Fx, Fox01, all systems check. We are ready to exit the hangar." Fx confirmed. He was again head of the formation.

"Confirmed, Fx. Main gate opens in 20." K9's voice echoed through our com systems.

Once again, we were out of the D.E Cruiser; this time heading to that mysterious planet. We were now alone.

My mind was blank at that moment. I was forcibly trying to find some sense to this and something that could tell me that it was alright, but my instinct told me otherwise. I didn't want to bother my friend and my brother with these uncomfortable feelings since I knew that they weren't at ease too.

Maybe it was because we aren't used to this. Maybe it's because our race has never reached these confines of space before. I thought. Yes; that did it. I was somehow calmer now.

Fifteen minutes passed and our horizon was once again saturated with this immense dusty sphere. We had only done it once not a few hours ago, so the fear of letting ourselves be sucked by the planet's atmosphere was still a terrifying feeling.

Following procedures, we set our ships into entry mode. Once again those terrible forces overwhelmed our ships.

I don't know if it was because of how nervous I was at that moment, but the entry although rough, didn't bother me at all.

The thunderous sonic boom echoed through the arid valleys of the planet as we broke the atmosphere's barrier.

Those ships again... Only three this time...

Visible through the light desert vegetation, three silver dots rushed across the skies, leaving a contrail as long as the horizon itself. We were once again in.

"I've decided the perfect landing point." K9 advised through the com systems. "It's not too far from where those ruins are. You should have the coordinates already."

"We do, Captain. We will be heading or way now." Fx replied.