As I started regaining my senses, I heard the sounds of rain and some animal chatter. This was somewhat confusing, because I was on Europa and not on Earth.
Every part of my body was in pain, some parts more, others less. However, the atmosphere created by the earthly noises was serene and safe, easing the pain. I slowly healed, wondering where I was and how I got here.
Flashbacks played in my mind, eventually assembling into a sequence of events which I recall. The Perseids broke us out of the Science and Containment Centre after we were forced to join them. In the submarine, we lied about knowing a secret about the lost vessel Icebreaker-5 to be set free by the Perseids, which then double-crossed us once the spaceship was found.
More recent pieces surfaced in my mind. My allies were captured by the Agency, excluding Dawn, who was taken by Leonid. I fell into Icebreaker-5 as it reassembled itself. Then, I led the alien goo which infested the spacecraft and caused the first crash into the engine room and we battled the Perseids as the goop grew out of control, finally overpowering the craft and crashing it a second time. Dawn and I jumped out of the vessel at the last moment. After that, I blacked out.
Now, I've healed enough to open my eyes. I was in a room with a bright light on the ceiling, lying in an oddly comfortable bed.
- Maybe I died and made it to heaven? - I thought, but why would I be in such pain in heaven?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceeKdGJHMG
The walls were gray and there was a small bedside table. I tried to get up but fell back onto the bed, now sitting instead of lying down. I looked to my side and saw several pillows, which were meticulously placed to make me feel comfortable. I knew only one person who would bother to do such a thing: Justine, my mother.
This meant that I was still alive and not in heaven. It was at this point that I remembered that earthly noises were commonly played through speakers in crew rooms as to make the astronauts feel better far away from their lively home planet. That's another argument against being in heaven.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk6gPcaxtt
My earlier suspicions were confirmed as Justine walked into the room.
- You're alive! - she suddenly hugged me. I was still in pain, but didn't mind the hug.
- It seems like I am. Are we still on Europa? - I asked.
- Yes, we're in the Science and Containment Centre - Justine let go.
- Wha... how? I was in the middle of nowhere when Icebreaker-5 crashed! - I was stumped.
Anthony appeared behind Justine and he answered my burning question:
- We pressured the agents into bringing us to the crash site, following the advice you gave us. We found two unconscious bodies, yours and Dawn's. We brought them into the rocket and came back to the Science and Containment Centre, where we left you to heal - my dad explained.
- Oh, now I understand! - I said - You took the Perseids too, right?
- Yes. They were also knocked out by the crash. Jaxon went as far as deeming them dead, though I can't confirm anything just yet. For now, good riddance - Anthony replied.
- We... killed them? - I was once again shocked. I didn't want to take the lives of anybody, even someone as evil as the Perseids.
- We don't know. The agents are trying to wake them up and we'll see what happens. For now, don't feel guilty; nothing's certain yet - Anthony calmed me down.
- Okay... - I nodded slowly.
- When you're ready, come with us. We've got news for you - Anthony told me.
- Don't rush him, he needs time to recover - Justine turned to him.
- News? - I got up in an instant, driven by curiosity and the desire for confirmation.
- Oh, I see you're ready. Don't force yourself though - Anthony listened to mum.
- I'm ready, let's go - I responded.
With that, my parents led me out of the recovery room, into the musty hallways of the SaCC. The rest of the team was waiting there for us. This included Dawn, who also recovered. However, the way she walked suggests that she's still in pain.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6QFE2V0g1
- Hi - she welcomed me.
- It's a miracle that you saved us - I looked at the others - Thank you so much.
- No problem. We're a team, after all - Einstein grinned.
- You jumped off an alien-infested spaceship? Wow, you were lucky... I'd love to be there... - Amber told us.
- You should be happy about missing out; it wasn't as fun as it sounds - Dawn replied groggily.
- I'll still be jealous - Amber muttered.
- What's the news? - I asked Anthony.
- On that - Dawn heard me instead, pulling a USB stick out of her pocket. The exact same one used by Leonid and Rill during the meeting we infiltrated.
- How...? When did you get that...? How did you even know that it was important??? - I was utterly confused. Dawn didn't eavesdrop on the Perseids and she never saw the USB stick.
- Leonid and Rill were talking about it, so I figured its importance out fairly quickly. When we were both fighting Leonid, I snatched the USB stick while you were clobbering him - Dawn clarified.
Suddenly, Jaxon Koval passed by us.
- Alia and Leonid are barely alive, but Rill Gomana is seemingly unphased - he told us.
- That's not a surprise - Sebastian commented.
I felt much better, knowing that I didn't kill anyone.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexes2qnjnZ
Jaxon Koval left shortly after to meet up with the other space spies.
- Wait, did they release us? Are we in the clear now? - I asked my team.
- We are in the clear - Anthony smiled.
- They interrogated Roby and realized that we were right about the Martian Revolution. Additionally, they were happy about us stopping the Perseids again - Einstein added.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofk6QutKxf
- Sorry for bothering you with so many questions, but what happened to Vlad and Bruise? - I asked yet again.
- Unfortunately, we couldn't catch them, but I doubt they'll be on the loose for long, without a leading figure in the form of Leonid. Though it's not out of the question that they'll find a new evil leader - Dawn replied - They also got a sample of the goo, so they'll have some money, but not as much as they initially wanted.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAY1jQFuPR
- Can we come back to Earth now? - I asked one last question.
- That's not entirely clear, we need to check out the contents of the USB stick first - Agent Nebula responded.
She lead us into an elevator (which wasn't booby-trapped) and we made it into her secret room shortly after. The impressive computer display was still intact, along with all the photos on the walls.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbvfNC4Y1V
Nebula popped the USB stick into her computer and it downloaded the contents. When it reached 100%, a lot of code showed up on the screens. I didn't understand much, but Arika was keenly watching every line of code, knowing the meanings.
- Is this a path for the rocket? - I tried to guess.
- Bingo! And it's likely that we'll learn where they're headed! - Agent Nebula confirmed.
Agent Nebula was scrolling down and we were nearing the end. We all observed as we finally got to the last line of code. Once again, it was mostly gibberish for me, but one word clearly stood out from the others:
"VENUS".
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.