DOON

  The dive pod slams onto the muddy surface of Planet Jose. The crew, besides Da?iel and Duke, stumble from the impact.

  “There go my chips,” Crook says.

  “I didn't have chips in the first place,” Sean laughs.

  Crk crk crk

  The main gate begins to open, and moonlight pierces through the cracks, revealing weeping trees with leaves shaking from the hurricane winds, a thick fog that blocks visibility, and mud that seems to swallow everything that lands on it.

  The crew activates their headlights as they walk down the pod stairs, stepping onto the muddy ground.

  Duke presses a code combination on his armor wrist pad, activating a holo-display showcasing the landscape.

  “We need to move to B5. Stay with me.”

  The crew steps into the foggy forest. Thunder roars in the distance, and the weeping trees shake violently in the wind. As they traverse deeper into the unknown, they find themselves entering a dirty river.

  “Hold on,” Ava announces.

  The crew comes to a stop. Ava reaches inside her battle bag, taking out a rope that she ties around her waist before handing the other end to Da?iel.

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  “If there’s quicksand and we start sinking, we’ll be able to pull each other out,” Ava says.

  “Crook, go first, since you have extra bodies at the pod,” Duke sneers.

  Crook takes the lead, descending into the dirty river, each step heavier than the last. Eventually, half his body is submerged.

  In the muddy water, bubbles begin to burst. Crook lifts his hand in a fist, signaling the rest of the crew to stop. Everything falls silent—only the rain and rustling trees can be heard.

  The bubbles stop. Everything seems calm. The crew remains still. Then, suddenly—

  Leaping from the water, a large, powerful reptile clamps its jaws around Crook, dragging him down into the murky depths.

  The crew grabs onto their ropes and begins to pull. The beast bursts from the water, revealing itself—yellow eyes that pierce into the soul, thick scales that seem unbreakable, and a long mouth, its sharp teeth still visible even when closed.

  “TAKE AIM!!” Duke shouts.

  The beast's feathers shift from yellow to red. It stomps the ground, taking a stance on all fours, then lets out a deafening roar that paralyzes Ava and Sean.

  The creature lowers itself, muscles tensing. In an instant, it lunges forward at high speed, jaws wide open, saliva gushing as it nearly reaches Sean.

  At the last second, Da?iel grabs Sean, pulling him away from the beast’s fearsome maw.

  They crash into the mud, splattering their armor. Da?iel snaps his fingers in front of Sean’s face, bringing him back from his paralyzed state.

  “Stay with me, Sean,” Da?iel urges.

  The beast turns toward them, preparing to strike again. Just before its massive jaws can rip them apart—

  A searing flash of light erupts, followed by a thick red mist.

  The beast lets out a whimper, resembling the cry of a frightened pup. The duo glance toward the source of the beam—Duke stands ready, weapon aimed.

  The beast shakes its feathers, then dives back into the filthy water.

  “Quick, help Amy! We should advance forward. Crook will catch up,” Duke orders.

  The squadron assists each other as they advance toward B5.