- Time Skip -97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqUqB0K42U
Our spaceplane touched down on the Earth on a secret runway located near the Academy of Astronauts. With this, we were able to quickly leave without any unwanted civilians spotting us along the way.
It felt good to be home, especially since I was at home alive. After all, I could have died several times during this mission alone, not to mention the previous ones. I hoped to relax for a bit until our next mission (assuming that we will get one), but my mind was occupied by Anthony's mysterious plans for me. What did he mean and why did he want to keep it a secret between us two?
Pondering those questions, I didn't notice when we reached a strange hangar. Arika had an ID card that allowed us in and the beeping of said card snapped me out of my thoughts.
As the lights slowly turned on, we saw the remnants of the drone which crashed next to my house. It was obviously in horrible condition, but at least it wasn't on fire anymore. Instead, familiar purple spores covered the aircraft. As it turned out, BIORBITAL was testing its precious bioweapon by deploying a smaller version of it from a drone, which never happened because the drone crashed and with it, the miniature egg exploded, with the spores only revaling themselves after the fire was extinguished.
- Should we come this close to the fungi without proper protection? - Claudius asked with concern over our health.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVtp5Bkaai
- Good point, I hoped to find gas masks nearby. For now, do not approach the drone under any circumstances and definitely don't touch it - Einstein instructed us.
We backed away from the drone as Einstein entered a backroom to find some form of protection against the deadly spores. I went as far as holding my breath to not inhale anything toxic. I was afraid that even the tiniest spore could start a serious infection. My concerns were fueled by the range of the fungi, as they've managed to grow far beyond the wreckage. I was cheered up by the fact that we prevented this from happening at a much larger scale by stopping the bombs.
Einstein finally came back, carrying several gas masks, with one for each of us.
- While I was out searching, I found some interesting data. The spores have already been probed by some specialists from the agency and traced the attack back to BIORBITAL, which means that if the company ever rebuils, we will have the time to prepare, as they're studying the technology - our caretaker informed us.
- That's good, but why did we come here? - Sebastian yawned, as he was just as tired as everyone else. Extraterrestrial missions are tiring after all.
- Because of this - Einstein pulled a syringe out of his pocket. It contained the same substance that cured me in the biodome.
- Why do we want to dispose of the spores? Isn't that destroying the only evidence we have? - Amber was skeptical.
- A scientific associate of our agency noted that the spores must be disposed of as quickly as possible due to them possibly going airborne, much like those in the biodome. He wrote that the effects "aren't pretty" - Einstein explained - We're just helping them with the work, because it will take them a while to invent an antitoxin while we have it with us.
- Okay - Sebastian shrugged.
Einstein approached the downed aircraft, going slowly to maintain caution. When he got close enough, he squeezed a few droplets of antidote out of the syringe, which landed on the fungi surrounding the drone. After that, he quickly walked away and came back to us. We observed as the purple spores withered, until darkened roots remained. That was quick.
With the spores destroyed, we swiftly left the hangar after putting our gas masks away. Once outside, I noticed that someone was bringing our spaceplane to another hangar, but that didn't matter at the moment.
Einstein went over to the Academy of Astronauts, where we unexpectedly encountered Harold carrying a box filled with his personal belongings.
- What happened? - Amber couldn't resist asking.
- Nigel fired me for deserting - Harold sighed.
- Is he searching for a new adult supervisor? - Sebastian asked Harold as he passed by him.
- I have no idea, ask him - Harold grumped. As we entered the futuristic building, Harold glared at Einstein with disdain before leaving for good.
Our caretaker told us to sit down on the couch while he goes to Captain Nigel's office. As he left, we tried to guess Nigel's current mood. It was a fifty-fifty chance of him being either furious or completely emotionless.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SGdqGwynF
- I think that he's frustrated after learning about Harold's negligence - I guessed.
- Frustrated? Nah, I think he's outraged, especially since he assigned Harold to our unit. This will be humiliating for him! - Sebastian responded.
- You know, maybe we shouldn't call out our principal? There's cameras everywhere - Claudius noted.
- He's right, we should be quiet - Arika agreed with him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALe664w8Ah
It was pretty crammed on the couch because, simply put it, it was small. Amber eventually got up to gain more space for herself. Luckily, we didn't have to wait for much longer, as Einstein soon arrived with a triumphant smile.
- Guess who's back in business? - he asked cheerfully.
- You're our supervisor again? - Sebastian asked.
- Yes! Nigel was so embarassed by Harold's misbehaviour! Listening to his rant was worth it, because he will no longer try to replace me as long as I fulfill my duties! - Einstein responded.
- That's good news! - I grinned and the others nodded in response.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuzj0wyO1r
- Normally, we'd have to continue training, but since we've just completed a very dangerous mission, you're given some rest - Einstein informed us before approaching Arika, who instantly understood his motives and got up. The two left us behind, going into another corridor. It seems like something mysterious was planned and we were eager to find out what it was.
- Will Arika be recruited into the agency? - Claudius suspected.
- Probably, since she's proven herself in the field twice by now - I reminded.
We went deeper into the building so that nobody from the outside will suspect us.
- Technically, she's proven herself three times, if we count that mission in China - Amber remembered.
- Well, that's true - Sebastian nodded.
As if somebody heard us, Arika came along, holding a piece of paper.
- There's a new recruit in town - she told us jokingly before going to what I assumed was her new dorm.
- We were right - Claudius reacted.
- IT experts are always useful in espionage, especially in the modern era - Einstein told us along the way.
It wasn't long before each of us went to our own dorms to rest for a bit. After all, this was a very wearying day and we deserved a break before tommorow's training. I sat down on my bed and decided to read a book.
Looking through the stack of books about space, I found one about a different topic: bioengineering. It seemed adequate, considering today's events. Before I knew it, I was already lost in the sea of words...
ns216.73.216.45da2
and then Add to home screen.