The Tartarusios crept toward Altea like a wounded leviathan, its engines groaning under the strain. The stars bled into streaks of silver as the backup motors pushed them across the void.
"We're approaching Altea's orbit," a voice echoed across the dim bridge, flat and metallic through the comms. "Plasma shields at maximum. Calculating a clear landing path… Breaching orbit in five… four… three… two… one…"
The ship shuddered, a deep, guttural sound rolling through its bones. Then silence—steady orbit achieved.
Through the viewport, the planet unfurled: a sapphire-and-emerald jewel in the blackness. Blue skies. Green continents. Oceans stretching forever. After years of gray space and sterile steel walls, it was almost too vivid to look at.
"It's… beautiful," someone whispered. "I haven't seen an ocean in ages."
"Yeah… me neither. This is Altea…"
"Maria, get back here!" another voice barked. "We have to get ready—lunchtime!"
"I'm coming!" she laughed, sound echoing strangely in the stale air.
Oscar stood at the rail, his eyes locked on the view. Halley stepped up beside him. "We should go out there, take a look. We never know what might be waiting."
He nodded slowly. "Assemble a team. Scout the area. Maybe…" He hesitated, the words tasting foreign. "…maybe the crew could use this as a weekend. Some air. Some quiet."
"What do you think, Captain?" Halley asked.
"Once you're back," he said. "We'll see."
Scouting Team
The landing craft skimmed low over an endless expanse of water, sunlight cutting the waves into silver shards.
"Wow…" Harry's voice cracked with awe. "So this is the ocean? I've never seen one before."
"You can drink all the water you want out here," Harry said amzed.
"Not quite," Halley cut in. "This is saltwater—NaCl. Drink it, and it'll burn your mouth."
"What? Really?" Harry's voice cracked with confusement
"Come on, Harry—how didn't you know that?" Said Vanessa
"I was born in a meteorite colony. Space, dust, rock. The elders told stories about oceans and skies… but I never saw one. Not until today."
He fumbled for his recorder. "I need a picture to show my mom."
Vanessa started laughing at him. "What a mama's boy."
"Hey, what's wrong with that?" Harry shot back.
"Both of you, quiet," Halley snapped. "We're approaching land. Stay sharp."
Shapes moved between the trees as the craft descended. Something massive.
"What is that?" Said Vanessa confused
"Where?" Replied Harry
"In those trees. It's moving—" Vanessa's voice trembling
They drew closer.
"It could be an enemy—" Halley cut in worryingly
A shadow lumbered into view. Massive, scaled, its head like a living fortress. Wings tore at the air above it.
"Holy— it's huge." Vanessa's eyes widened seeing it
"I can't believe it… that's a dinosaur." Said Halley shocked
"A what?" Asked Harry confused
"An evolved reptile. Birds, marine life forms. This planet's still in its Mesozoic era." Explained Halley
"Flying ones too," Vanessa added, eyes wide.
Halley's voice turned grim. "Be careful. This planet's beautiful, but its forests will kill you."
Aboard the Tartarusios
Oscar stood in the dim medbay, the soft pulse of machines reflecting off Youri's pale face. He rested a hand against the edge of the pod.
"I wish you could see this, Youri," he murmured. "The sun here… you'd have loved it. I promise, you'll never have to get on that thing again. Just… wake up."
Behind him, the crew whispered.
"The Captain's gloomy," one said quietly.
"Yeah. It's because of Youri, isn't it?"
"Are they related?"
"I don't know. When I joined, they were already here. Every time I asked, everyone changed the subject. I think… it's complicated." Replied a crew member
"Hey, you two!" Nolan's bark cracked through the air. "We've got work to do."
"Yes, sir." They both shouted
Somewhere, in a place between dreams and machines, Youri stirred.
"Why don't you stop?" a voice—someone from the past—pleaded inside his head. "You've lost yourself. You don't have to get on that thing. I'll protect you. I will Tell Father I'll relieve you of your duties. Just… stay. If you ever get on that thing again, don't show your face to me."
Youri's mind turned. I hate dreams. He said as he opened his eyes.
A voice cut through the medbay. "Captain! Youri has woken up!"
Oscar turned sharply.
"Youri—are you alright?!"
A low groan. "Don't shout, you idiot. I still have my hearing."
"I'm sorry. You were forced to pilot that thing because of me—" Oscar said franticly
"Oscar… you know why I chose this life." His voice was rough, but steady. "Then why are you apologizing?"
A pause. The comm crackled.
"Captain," a voice came from the bridge. "We've got a sight out there. You should come and have a look."
Oscar glanced at Youri, at the pale light streaming through the medbay window, and then at the door. Outside, a strange world waited.