Planet Lord: The Rise of Civilization

The seismic pulses had become more frequent over the past few days, the slightest tremor shaking the ground under the team's temporary base. Inconsistent though the seismographic readings were on Lyssa's equipment, they had grown stronger with each passing hour.

Rael had called everyone into the makeshift operations centre. He stood at the head, eyes fixed on the holographic map of the region, as the strength of the tremors increased.

"Lyssa, can you tell me this isn't some kind of glitch?" Rael asked tightly.

Lyssa went back to looking at her console, obviously lost to her thoughts, her brow furrowed. "I've checked and rechecked the data. These pulses aren't natural; there's something down there. I think there's a huge underground source of energy beneath us, which is possibly related to the instability of this planet.

Rael wasted no time. "Then we investigate. Now."

From beside him, ever the peacemaker, Kael spoke up in a soft tone, "Rael, rushing in without a plan-"

"I don't care about plans," Rael cut in, "We can't let it be. It's our only real chance to know what happens with that instability."

Lyssa's face tensed. "We also don't know what we're dealing with down there, and we need some more time just to study the readings before leaping into the unknown."

Rael's jaw clenched, frustration mounting. Cracks started to appear in their unity.

"I'll lead an expedition," said Rael. "If it is dangerous, we'll pull back, but we've got to go now. We can't afford to wait."

Kael gave him an icy glance. "We go with you, but I'd at least like a decent plan-no more reckless decisions.

Rael nodded reluctantly. His group's unity was unraveling, which was something it could ill afford at this moment. He turned to the rest, preparing to take the team deeper into the unknown.

---

2. Internal Conflicts Sharpen

Tensions mounted further as the team prepared to embark on the expedition: Rael was ready to take immediate action, whereas Lyssa-her resolution made-was wracked by the weight of what she was deciding upon; Kael moved between them, placating both sides, but it was obvious the group was divided.

"Let's concentrate," Kael said, marshaling the team into their departure. "We have to act unified. We'll survive only if we support each other.

Rael nodded, his gaze gone elsewhere-to the chasm beyond them, no doubt. Already, he was planning against what would come at them next.

Lyssa hesitated, but after a long pause, she relented. "Alright, but I'll be analyzing samples along the way. We'll have to balance speed with caution."

They mounted and made for the cave system Rael had identified. The deeper into the caves they ventured, the worse the trembling beneath their feet became. Closer to whatever made those weird pulses, the very air was thick with anticipation.

--

3. First Expedition Underground - Details of Battle

Rael led them deeper into the cave complex. The corridors were narrow, the walls chiseled and wet. Ghostly luminescence emanated from inlaid crystals that cast flickering shadows within the darkness. Every step was way too loud, it seemed to him, as if the cavern itself was holding its breath.

"Stay alert, he muttered, his right-hand falling instinctively to rest on the hilt of his energy blade.

The seismic pulses were stronger now, a low humming almost palpable upon the air. Then, without warning, the ground bucked beneath their feet with a violence that almost threw them off balance. Rael raised a hand, halting the team.

"What was it?" Kael asked, peering into the darkness.

Before Rael could answer, there was a loud screech from the deeper reaches of the cave. The sound had been earsplitting, and it was followed by the heavy patter of claws upon stone.

"Incoming!" Rael yelled, the pulse rifle high, as his team scrambled into defensive line formation.

Out of the darkness came racing a horde of lizard creatures with glowing eyes, their scales flashing in the gloom; long, taloned claws screeched on stone; sharp, jagged teeth flashed to be.

Instantaneously, the battle started.

Rael was in the lead, his energy blade arcing through the fray. Whirling in a flash of motion, he struck the first creature to close with him, his blow cleaving the body cleanly in two. The air actually seemed to sizzle with the crackling sound of his blade as he cut through another. Yet still they just kept on coming, their eyes afire with a feral hunger.

"Kael, left side!" Rael yelled, ducking as another creature almost got him.

In an instant, Kael dropped to one knee, firing smothered bursts from the pulse rifle; each strike burst in a shower of shrapnel into the beasts and off their thick hides, without effect.

"Rael, they're coming from everywhere!" Lyssa exclaimed in a high-strung tone. She shot at them, but they danced away into the darkness, moving too fast. She canted toward Rael's side, her rifle unwavering, as they closed in upon every side.

Rael spat a curse. "Fall back! To the tunnel!"

One of the larger ones launched itself at Rael with a terrifying screech as they retreated, their scales like armor. There was no time to react. The beast's great claws raked across toward him, and he barely managed to roll to his side as the creature's claws scratched the ground where he had stood.

"Rael, move!" Kael yelled from behind, but it was too late. The thing was upon him.

Rael's heart was racing. Of instinct, he lunged for his blade. With all his strength, he swung upwards, slicing through the beast's underbelly. A howl of pain, and it reeled back-never fell. It looked at Kael and charged with a roar.

"Kael, duck!" Rael shouted running to intercept.

Barely, Kael saw his time, falling to the earth just as Rael sprang forward, his blade striking the beast's shoulder and driving it backward. Far from finished, however, the creature was enraged, flailing wildly.

The others opened fire as one, but it was plain to see that the use of mere bullets could not kill it. It was a monster of the caves, strong, fast, relentless.

Kael raised his rifle and fired a concentrated shot in its face, directly at its eyes, momentarily blinding it. That gave Rael another chance; his energy blade cut across its throat to take him to the ground with a guttural scream.

They were not alone.

Panting, even more emerged from the darkness. Rael realized that they were being drawn into some sort of trap.

"Fall back!" Rael screamed again, falling backward toward a narrow tunnel he had seen. The team moved quickly, pushing through the dark passages until they were out of immediate danger.

---

4. Lyssa's Breakthrough

Panting and bruised, the team fell back into the narrow tunnel. Rael's body was bruised from the impact with the cave wall, his energy blade flickering weakly in his hand.

"Everyone okay?" Kael's voice shook. Kieran was cradling a slash to his flank, but nothing too serious-looking; Lyssa's shoulder was scratched, yet she didn't slow down.

"Rael, I've found something," Lyssa said suddenly. Her tone was sharp with excitement. She held up a small, shimmering crystal that had been embedded in the cavern wall. "This mineral—it's unlike anything we've ever seen. It's storing and emitting energy." Rael stepped forward, peering at the crystal. It pulsed faintly in the dim light. Lyssa's eyes gleamed with discovery. That's it. This mineral's connected with the planet's seismic activity. If we could mine it, we'd solve the planet's energy crisis, and it just may hold the key to stabilizing this planet's core. --- 5. Silently, Astrael Observes Above them, deep within the furthest recesses of the cavern, Astrael watched in silence. His unseen eyes followed the progress of the group, took notice of the tenacity with which they acted against imminent perils. Well, he thought proudly of them-but also knew full well that the worst trials were yet to come. He said nothing. He simply watched the play. The friction developing between Rael and Lyssa, the first green shoots of fracture that would eventually split the company apart-it was part of it, part of the learning process. That was what mattered. Astrael bit his lip and did nothing to intervene. Wait and go on guiding from behind the scenes-but the children are to find their path. Yet deep inside, he could not get rid of this feeling that something far worse was in store. --- 6. Climax: The Finding Pressing deeper into the cavern system, the team rounded a bend and then simply stared in awe at the alien structure entombed deep beneath the surface. The walls were etched with strange, unreadable glyphs and symbols. Architecture unlike anything they had ever seen-sprawling, intricate, otherworldly. This. this can be the discovery of a lifetime, " Kael said, his voice low and reverent. "This isn't just a mineral deposit," Rael exclaimed in his head. "This place is significant, this might change everything."