“Captain, we can’t let them destroy us,” Catarina shouted.
“We won’t.” Preston steepled his fingers, trying to understand their situation. This was supposed to be an expedition mission. Ensure the world was habitable. Confirm surface readings. Gather mineral samples. Find locations suitable for domes. This was a far stretch from what he’d signed up for.
“Eloff, status update!” Preston’s hand trembled as he hit the communication button.
“Energy is dissipating. I think we’re in the clear,” Engineer Eloff said.
“Thank the stars. Have we—” The question was cut short as the image appeared on screen. The ship was within range of their rear cameras, and Preston saw the massive vessel in their wake. He paced the bridge again, walking in front of the two helm positions, stopping at the viewer.
“It doesn’t look to be one of our Corporations,” Commander Breaker informed him.
The thought had crossed Preston’s mind that one of the Primaries had followed them. If it was anyone, it would have been Sage, and their ruthless new CEO Frank Under. The man wasn’t to be trusted. He wanted power, and to singlehandedly rule the entire planet Earth. Preston knew it the moment he’d met the man. His conversations always held a thinly-veiled threat laced within them.
“If they’re not from Earth, then who are they?” Catarina asked.
Preston noticed her rubbing her ring finger, which was encircled by a giant diamond wedding band. “Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out and get home to our families. Everyone understand that?”
“Yes, Captain,” she replied.
Commander Garret Breaker had been a rock since they’d begun. He was a great leader and an even better sidekick. He looked like he wanted to throw up. None of them had been prepared for this result.
“Lieutenant Hunt, attempt communication,” Preston ordered.
Hunt didn’t hesitate. “This is Obelisk, requesting contact with unidentified vessel. Please respond.”
They waited in silence. Preston leaned over Hunt’s shoulder, watching as the communication was ignored. “Try again,” he said.
An hour passed, with no change to the results. Preston was at his wit’s end. “Engineering, damage report.”
At least the newcomer hadn’t continued to strike. It reminded him of a documentary he’d watched as a kid. A pack of lions hunted antelope in the African wilds, and they toyed with their prey, striking in a flurry, then waiting for the fleeing creatures to eventually bleed out. He didn’t want that fate.
“Thruster damage is less than we’d initially thought. Deck four’s hull wasn’t breached, but she’s dented. Engines are being repaired, and we expect them to be running at eighty-five percent before the day’s through,” Eloff suggested.
Preston grinned. They weren’t a sitting duck after all. “Commander, are we able to spruce up our weapons systems? I know we have a rock basher, stationed on the mining haulers, but there has to be a way to adjust them. Perhaps use our backup Core as a defensive bomb?”
Commander Breaker tapped his chin with a finger as he contemplated their options. “Let me work on this. Security might have a few suggestions. Shall I try?”
Preston pointed to the bridge’s exit. “Go. Figure it out. And quickly.”
Still no return communications. Their enemy was clearer in the feeds now, and Preston stared at the monstrosity. Catarina crossed the bridge, standing beside him.
“It looks like… a squid.” She was right. The thing had dreadful tentacles drooping from the front of it. They were black like the rest of the hull, but the sight was terrifying nonetheless.
“We’re not going to let this Squid harm us,” he assured Catarina.
“I’m scared,” she whispered, and Preston draped his arm over her shoulder.
“We’ll be fine.” He said the words, but a sinking feeling in his gut told him a different story.
A sleepless night passed, and nothing changed. The Squid trailed them yet refused to communicate. Each passing hour ramped up the dread overtaking Preston’s body and mind.
They were growing nearer to Proxima b, but he had a distinct feeling this enemy wouldn’t allow them to reach the surface. He needed to record a message and send it to Earth before the Squid lost its patience.
Preston smoothed his uniform and blinked away the sleep from his eyes. He was exhausted, but he cleared his throat and hit record.
“I am Captain Preston Lewis of the expedition vessel Obelisk. We entered Proxima Centauri a day ago and have been followed by an unmarked vessel since we arrived. They’ve failed to acknowledge transmissions from us, and I fear they are hostile. If this message reaches anyone, know that Proxima is not safe. I repeat—” He stopped as Obelisk was struck. Had they detected him recording a message? “Status!” he shouted.
The crew scattered around, jostling from the sleepy daze they were under. The Squid had jumped closer and was now between them and Proxima. The tentacles were no longer inactive. They glowed bright red as they lifted, aiming at Obelisk.
“Commander Breaker, fire!” he ordered, and cracked his knuckles nervously as the projectile erupted from the modified cannons. The blast struck the Squid, and he pumped a fist in the air. “We did—”
The bright pulse faded, and the Squid remained undamaged.
The alarms were loud, and he could barely hear himself think. This was where Preston Lewis would die. He’d never return home to see his family again. Arlo would grow old, hating him for leaving.
“Captain, we’re receiving a communication!” Lieutenant Hunt shouted.
“Show it!” Preston staggered forward and froze the moment the being appeared on screen.
Light reflected off the shiny brown armor, and the creature stood tall, hands on hips as it squinted into the camera. “Earth.”
Preston stayed silent. Was that a comment or a question?
The person was bald, with three deep ridges across its brow. Its eyes were wide and white; dark pupils watched him with casual interest. Four soft tentacles drooped over its mouth. “Earth. You are from Earth.”
Preston finally found his voice. “Earth. Yes, that’s where we came from.”
“You have one option if you want to live.” The accent was thick, the alien’s voice deep and muffled.
“What is our option?” Preston asked
