Destiny Among the Stars - Scifi - LitRPG - Adventure

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever

— Jacques Cousteau

The Peregrine chewed up kilometers of the alien landscape, leaving the lagoon and its memories far behind. The journey was a welcome lull, a chance for the crew to settle back into survey work and sample collection.

Luca was behind the wheel, his hands steady as he guided the heavy vehicle over roots and rather large rocks. The ride was anything but smooth. Beside him, Chris sat in the passenger seat, freshly recovered and enjoying the simple pleasure of being back with the crew.

"Gotta say," Chris began, flexing his fingers as if testing the freshly healed arm. "It feels damn good to be out of that pod. I was starting to forget what real air felt like."

Luca glanced over, keeping one hand on the wheel. "It's good to have you back," he said. "How's the arm for real? No lingering issues?"

Chris grinned, unfazed by the concern. His confidence was as solid as the Peregrine's armor. "All good, Captain. Ready for action. Besides, somebody's gotta keep you sharp. Can't let you get too comfortable."

The thick, towering trees that had surrounded them for kilometers started to thin out, giving way to shorter, younger growth. The ride smoothed out, the constant jostling less severe as the terrain became more forgiving.

The rest of the crew was scattered in the back. Danny was stretched out on one of the benches, arms behind his head, probably still floating on cloud nine after his moment with Zoe at the waterfall. He was deep in a heated debate with Joey and Ryan about movies.

"I'm telling you, they just don't make action flicks like they used to," Danny said, sounding exasperated. "Everything's so... digital now. I miss practical effects."

"Preach," Joey said, nodding emphatically.

"Yeah, well, good luck watching any of that on this trip," Ryan added. "I'd kill for a big screen right now."

---

That night, though, the fire crackled, sparks snapping upward into the canopy. The scent of charred meat mixed with the crisp bite of pine and damp earth. One of New Dawn's moons hung overhead, pale silver against the darkness, while the planet's rings shimmered in a vast, luminous band across the sky, casting a ghostly light over the treetops. It wasn't as bright as Earth's moon, but it was eerie and beautiful.

The lean, fast creature Ryan had killed had actually tasted decent roasted over the open flames. Now, full and warm, the crew sprawled out in the fire's glow, the tension from the day's drive bleeding away into the night.

Emily was curled into Luca's side, her head resting on his shoulder, her fingers absently tracing the seam of his bodysuit. She must have noticed the way his gaze lingered on the sky, because she shifted, tucking her chin against his shoulder to follow his line of sight.

"Still not used to it, huh?" she murmured.

He exhaled softly. "Nope."

The warmth of the fire seeped into Luca's bones, and for a moment, his mind drifted. Nights like this reminded him of home... back in Sandworth Falls, New Hampshire, hiking with his dad. He could almost hear his father's voice guiding him, see his mom, Maddie, laughing as she tried to keep up while his two younger brothers ran ahead.

Before the System. Before everything changed. Even back then, he'd spent countless hours hiking with Ryan and Danny on Mt. Percival and Mt. Morgan. Here, there were no names yet, no paths or stories. They were just the first footprints in the dirt.

Luca sighed, shifting to pull Emily closer. "Someone should have grabbed more blankets from the Triumph," he muttered.

She hummed, nuzzling against his neck. "Mmm. You should've grabbed some blankets."

He smirked. "We were in a rush."

Chris shifted, his relaxed posture stiffening slightly. His eyes flicked toward the dark trees ringing their camp.

The easy chatter around the bonfire died as Chris spoke, his voice cutting through the night. "Anyone else noticing the wildlife getting louder?"

They all paused, listening. The forest was alive. Not just with the rustle of leaves, but with movement. Growls. The distant, shrill cry of something Luca didn't recognize. He frowned, his eyes narrowing at the darkness beyond the fire's glow.

"How fast do you think the local wildlife is leveling up?" he asked, his voice low.

Ryan scratched his jaw. "Fast."

The next day, after they had been driving for hours, the Peregrine's sensor console chimed. Luca glanced down at the map on his screen, a new icon blinking a few kilometers ahead.

His hands tightened on the wheel. "A portal? Right on our path to the signal?" he muttered.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Great," Chris said from the passenger seat, leaning forward, his eyes bright. Any excuse to get back in the fight. "Right when things were starting to get boring. Think we should check it out, Captain?"

The chatter in the back went quiet. Luca could feel their eyes on him, waiting. Stopping would delay their main objective, but portals meant gear, credits, and power cells... all things they desperately needed. They were outclassed.

"Could be worth it," Zoe said, breaking the silence. "It's not like we've got a deadline on this signal."

"Right," Danny said, perking up and probably hoping for something to impress Zoe with. "And who knows? We might find something that helps us when we get to the signal. Better armor, maybe another plasma weapon."

Emily glanced over at Luca, her expression thoughtful. "I know we're focused on the signal, but it might not hurt to take a quick look. We're well-equipped, and if this portal has anything new, it could be worth the detour."

Ryan chimed in, his tone more pragmatic. As usual. "We should be careful, though. We're not exactly in a rush, but we don't want to waste a whole day here. If we go in, we need to make it quick. Hit it, grab what we can, and get out." If only it were that easy, it's never that easy.

Joey nodded, still thinking it over. "I'm with Ryan. If it's an easy clear, we should go for it. But let's not get sidetracked. We've already put a lot of miles behind us today."

"Don't let your version of fun get us all killed," Emily chimed in, going through her gear. She wasn't exactly worried, just practical. "We're not here to break records, Zoe. Let's just get in and get out."

Zoe rolled her eyes, but her grin didn't waver. "Relax, Emily. We've got this. You'll see."

Chris laughed, leaning against his seat like he hadn't just spent days being useless in the med pod. "Seriously, Em. We've done this a hundred times. This one's no different."

"Except it is," Emily shot back, her tone firm. "The more runs we've done, the cockier you get. And that's how mistakes happen."

Around the cabin, the energy shifted. The lighthearted banter was replaced as everyone began their pre-mission rituals.

Luca felt it too, that edge-of-your-seat thrill that came with diving into something new. His heart was pounding. He was trying to play it cool, but the truth? He was hyped. A new challenge, a potential jackpot, this was exactly why they were out here.

As they crested a small hill, the forest opened up. In the center of a rocky clearing, a shimmering oval of energy pulsed with an eerie light, seeming to dare them to approach.

Luca slowed the Peregrine, bringing it to a stop a safe distance away. "Well, there it is," Chris said, his voice tight with anticipation.

"Gear up," Luca commanded. He settled the Peregrine into 'Outpost Mode,' its stabilizing legs hissing as they dug into the earth. The low hum of the energy shield activated, its shimmer catching the light from the portal ahead.

"Alright, you all know the drill. We move in, clear it out, and we don't take unnecessary risks. Let's see what's waiting for us this time." Luca said, stretching his leg a little; his scout suit was already riding up. Ugh.

The crew filed out, the air crisp and charged with the portal's energy. They formed a loose circle, the familiar routine of putting on armor and checking weapons a comforting ritual. Luca stepped forward, his eyes scanning each member of his team. He caught Chris's eye, who gave him a firm nod. He was ready.

As he approached the shimmering gateway, he lifted his palm against it, and the System message materialized in his vision.

[System Message: Operation Site]

Description: Intelligence reports indicate that a long-abandoned military base has reactivated its defenses, posing a potential threat. Your mission is to infiltrate the ruins, bypass or disable the defensive systems, and hold the command center for 10 minutes to establish remote control.

Gateway: Stable
Recommended Level: 64
Maximum Level: 76
Mission Objective: Secure the command center for 10 minutes.
Environmental Hazards: Chemical Warfare
Time Limit: N/A

[End of Message]

Luca's eyes locked on the display, his pulse skipping a beat when he read the environmental hazard.

Chemical warfare.

His scout suit suddenly felt thin, inadequate. He'd gone into environmental hazards before, but those were all below level 60. He couldn't stop the mental calculations, wondering if the suit's seals... designed for stealth and mobility would hold up. He pushed the doubt down. He'd figure it out. He always did.

Ryan dragged a hand down his face. "Chemical warfare? Seriously? Why can't these portals ever just be full of kittens or something?"

"You want to face a swarm of toxic kittens?" Joey asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because honestly, I wouldn't put it past the System. This is typical bullshit."

Emily crossed her arms, her frown deepening as she studied the display. "Level 64 chemical warfare…" Her voice was tight, but Luca could see the way her fingers flexed at her sides. "We don't have full TL9 armor sets. If our seals don't hold, if this stuff is corrosive, or worse, neurological, we won't last a minute in there."

She was right, of course. On paper, this was a bad idea. Their gear was borderline, the stakes were unknown, and a tactical retreat was the smart play. But 'smart' didn't get you the gear you needed to survive the next fight. 'Smart' didn't pay the bills.

Before he could answer, Zoe's voice cut through the complaints like a blade. "Oh, quit whining, you bunch of babies." She slung her plasma rifle over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming as she studied the swirling portal. "This is what we signed up for. High stakes, big risks, bigger rewards. You think chemical warfare scares me? Please."

A grin tugged at Luca's lips. "Glad someone's got the right attitude," he said. "Ready to dance, Woods?"

Her grin widened. "Always. What's life without a little danger?"

Ryan rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about adrenaline junkies, but Luca barely heard him. His focus was on the portal and the challenge waiting beyond. The rest of the crew would get their heads in the game once they were inside.

"Alright," Luca said, his voice taking on the familiar tone of command. "We don't know what's on the other side, so we're going in prepared for anything. Check your armor, make sure your seals are tight. Double-check your weapons and top off your energy packs. Once we're through, we assess and we make a plan. Stick together, keep your eyes open, and try not to breathe anything nasty."

Still, a flicker of doubt crept back in as he ran a diagnostic on his own suit. Was it enough? The scout suit had saved his ass more times than he could count, but it wasn't designed for this. He could practically feel the frayed edges of its capabilities. The thought of lagging behind, of his gear failing while everyone else's held, wasn't an option.

"Easy for you to say," Ryan muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear as he clamped a piece of his bulky combat armor into place. "You and Zoe get the fancy scout suits. We're stuck in these tanks." He gestured to his own medium armor, then to Emily's.

"These 'tanks' offer more protection," Emily pointed out, her voice crisp and pragmatic as she sealed her gauntlets. "And your engineering skills are more important than your fashion sense, Ryan."

"Speak for yourself," Zoe said, adjusting the fit of her own scout suit with a theatrical smirk. "Some of us can manage both."

Luca shook his head, a real smile finally breaking through. "Alright, enough chatter. Let's move out."