The Alien Within

Chapter 236: Space Debris!

"Not happening," he muttered to himself, his resolve hardening. He toggled the external speakers, his voice booming across the barren wasteland. "If you want this ship, you're going to have to take it by force. But let me warn you—this isn't just any Clover model. It's armed to the teeth with added weaponry, and I won't hesitate to use every last bit of it."

The smugness drained from Otopi's face, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. His jovial mask had slipped, revealing the ruthless negotiator beneath. "So be it," he said quietly, yet his voice carried the weight of command. He turned sharply to his men. "Proceed with the assault. Take the ship intact if possible, but neutralize the occupant if necessary."

The mercenaries sprang into action, their weapons trained on the ship's energy shields. Bolts of plasma and particle beams lit up the desolate landscape, striking the shimmering barrier with explosive force. Inside, Gastro's hands moved with practiced precision, activating the automated turrets. Streams of energy fire erupted from the ship's defenses, cutting through the mercenaries' ranks like a scythe through tall grass.

Suddenly, Otopi raised his hand, signaling his men to halt. The unexpected order left the battlefield eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the spaceship's shields. Otopi stood motionless, his expression thoughtful, almost amused.

"There should be two of them," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. His eyes gleamed as a new idea formed. "If only Gastro's responding, then that means the other one—Tessa—must be out there somewhere. Collecting whatever goods they've come for, no doubt."

A slow smile crept across Otopi's face, his predatory cunning on full display. "Stop shooting and set up camp," he commanded. His men exchanged confused glances but obeyed without question, moving to establish a perimeter.

Gastro's stomach sank as he watched the mercenaries set up tents and fortify their positions. Otopi wasn't giving up—he was waiting. Waiting for Tessa.

Gastro leaned back in his seat, the thin veneer of calm on his face a stark contrast to the storm raging within. His mind raced, grappling with the implications of his precarious situation. By a stroke of luck—or perhaps sheer desperation—he had bought himself some time. But the clock was ticking relentlessly. If Tessa didn't return soon to unravel the enigma before them, his fate was sealed. He'd be discarded like a pawn on a forgotten chessboard, leaving his existence to amount to nothing.

———

Far beyond the turmoil of Zubo, Tessa hurtled through the boundless expanse of space aboard the whale spaceship, accompanied by the Deri-Legu people. Each calculated movement of hers was a step closer to the culmination of a plan that teetered on the brink of success or disaster. The stakes stretched far beyond Gastro or even the Clover spaceship. The fate of entire civilizations hung precariously in the balance.

Inside the whale spaceship, a quiet awe spread among the Deri-Legu people as they gazed out into the infinite abyss of outer space. The stars twinkled like scattered diamonds, tantalizingly close yet impossibly distant.

The horizon unfolded in a magnificent blend of deep blue and black, dotted with glimmers of distant galaxies. Occasionally, streaks of light from speeding meteors flashed past, and fragments of space debris tumbled aimlessly in the void. Among them floated the remnants of forgotten endeavors—space junk, remnants of countless ventures into the unknown.

A young Zubo aboriginal girl, no older than seven, with bright, curious eyes that reflected the glimmers of outer space, a duck-like lips that accentuated her beauty among Zubo aboriginals- tugged at her mother's sleeve, her tiny hand trembling with excitement. "It's so beautiful… Mommy, what is that?" she asked in her native tongue, her voice carrying the untainted wonder of a child discovering a new world. Her finger pointed eagerly at a strange, tumbling object drifting just beyond the ship's massive viewing pane.

The mother frowned slightly, her brows knitting together in a mix of maternal correction and cultural caution.

She leaned down to meet her daughter's gaze, her matured duck-like lips locked with a slight displeasure, and her tone were both firm and patient. "Speak the foreign language, dear," she reminded, the words tinged with a sense of responsibility. "We must follow the trend of our evolving world."

The girl's face fell, her wide eyes now shadowed with guilt. "Sorry, Mama," she murmured, her voice barely audible as her gaze dropped to the floor.

Seeing her daughter's contrition, the mother's expression softened. She placed a gentle hand on the girl's head, smoothing her dark, braided hair with affection. Drawing her child closer, the duck-like mouth of the young aboriginal girl picked up a smile at the edges as she focused on her mom who turned her attention to the floating object that had so captivated her daughter.

The object drifted aimlessly, a jagged piece of metallic debris shimmering faintly as it caught the light of a distant star. Its surface was pockmarked and battered, the scars of countless collisions etched into its surface. The sight was at once mundane and enigmatic, a relic of the chaos that space so often concealed.

"I don't know what that is," the mother murmured, her voice tinged with quiet curiosity. Her own gaze lingered on the object as though trying to unravel its secrets. "Maybe we can ask our head if he knows." Her tone grew thoughtful as she referred to Nzak Deri, their leader, whose wisdom was often sought in matters beyond their understanding.

The girl's eyes brightened again at the suggestion, her small hand clutching her mother's tighter. "Do you think he's seen one before?" she asked eagerly, switching to the foreign language with an almost exaggerated care, as if to prove she could learn from her earlier mistake.

"Perhaps," the mother replied with a faint smile, her hand brushing her daughter's cheek. "He has traveled far and seen many things we haven't. But even if he doesn't know, there is no shame in asking. Curiosity is the first step to wisdom."