We made our way out of the cockpit. Alia's absence meant that nobody from the Perseids was watching us, facilitating our escape. Nebula was a bit puzzled by Arika following me. I remembered that I need to explain myself.
- I don't have access to the tools that can decrypt the Star Cipher, so I had to rely on Arika to decipher the message and notify you. Plus, she's trustworthy, at least in my opinion - I did it right after we left the cockpit.
- Since we'e the same team, there isn't much of an issue. But for the future, remember to actually keep a secret - Agent Nebula replied.
- Okay - I bowed my head.
- What was there? - Nebula turned to Arika.
- Leonid's planning a meeting at midnight sharp with whoever was meant to receive the note - she explained.
- The location was undisclosed, but I bet it's whatever lies beyond the armored door - I added, wanting to make myself useful.
- Midnight sharp, you say? Looks like you won't be getting much sleep. It's already quite late and we'll need some time - Nebula nodded.
- You're not coming with us? - I asked.
- I am, but I can withstand short sleep hours. I assume that they trained you to be resistant too? - Nebula's glaze made it clear that she demanded a quick answer, expecting it to be "Yes".
- They did, but whether it works in practice or not is up for debate - Arika chuckled.
- What about you? - Agent Nebula looked at me expectantly.
- I'll live - I was telling the truth. I'll survive.
- Good. In that case, both of you should get some sleep if you want to be conscious during our infiltration. Make sure that you both wake up and half past twenty-two at the latest. It's better to have too much time than too little - Nebula instructed us.
- We know - Arika nodded.
- I'll go get us some spying equipment. Good night - Agent Nebula left us.
We swiftly made our way to the crew quarters. Today was a pretty eventful and harrowing day, so we weren't the only ones gearing up for early sleep. As we heard through the door to Sebastian's room, he was already snoring loudly. Dawn was also asleep in her room, or so I suspect, because I haven't seen her for a while.
- This is quite exciting. A nighttime expedition into enemy territory! Finally, some proper action! - Arika was very excited. I was actually getting worried that she may not be able to fall asleep, but I didn't express those concerns.
- Let's just hope that everything goes to plan - I replied.
- Isn't it more interesting when things don't go according to plan? You have to think outside the box. It's a lot more intense - Arika argued.
- You got a point - I nodded slowly.
- Okay, I gotta go. Have a good, even if short, night! - Arika unlocked her room.
- Same to you! - I left her behind.
I made it to my room and got ready for bed. I set my alarm clock on 22:20, to give myself some downtime for preparations. I put on my pajamas and slipped under my blanket. The bed wasn't the most comfortable in the world, especially with the submarine subtly pulsing in the water every now and then. Still, it wasn't bad, at least in cosmic standards. John Premium would probably consider my current bed a bunghole, but I didn't think of it that way. Compared to the Moon's claustrophobic sleeping pods and the dizzying ceiling and wall beds in our rocket, this surprisingly earthly bed was actually quite nice. It wasn't long before I fell asleep.
- Time Skip -6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4MqODGOpT
I was deep within a dream, but I wasn't aware of that. To me, everything seemed as real as it could get. Apparently, it was time to start our nighttime expedition.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MYF46HzVL
Upon leaving my room, I encountered Arika. She was already waiting for me along with Agent Nebula, who was carrying an enormous backpack filled with equipment.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt05wW6Vhp
- There you are! - Arika welcomed me.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcfPhmaHAd
- Come on, we don't have much time - Agent Nebula rushed us.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVQ07Uq1yy
It was very dark in the submarine, as if every light was turned off. Nobody was there besides us. The only exceptions were Einstein and Anthony, or who I presumed were them, sitting in the cockpit, patiently doing their job.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0aVJkNjfl
We made our way down the corridor I visited during the day. The loose metal panel was still in its place, intact. The armored door was unsurprisingly locked. Someone was in there.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixGrpd7x2M
Nebula pulled an unidentified device out of her backpack, saying something unintelligible before activating the device. The door magically opened. Maybe it was magic?6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sNyIarKy9
- One person - Arika evaluated.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDnLR5IKc4
Before entering the room, I looked back. I swore I saw something or someone moving behind the corner, but I didn't think much about that.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7JOWyj0N
Leonid was in the room, facing away from us. He was clearly waiting for someone, but for who?6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86nVGRVmg3
Out of the blue, the room turned even darker than it was before, something I didn't consider possible. I heard numerous footsteps coming from different directions. Nebula, Arika and I struggled to identify their sources.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctzUTIt866
Suddenly, the lights were reactivated. Now, Leonid, Rill Gomana and Alia were standing right in front of us.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpZVwT0xWZ
- Surprise! - Leonid exclaimed in his typical, menacingly chilling voice. I twitched.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNot5Xo30Vr
Before we could make a run for the door, all three lunged at us simultaneously. We had no chance of escaping.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDFvhEvCTk
Right as I was about to scream, I woke up, ending this unnerving nightmare. After realizing that it was just a dream, I instinctively checked my phone to see what time was it.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvVnsWJe9P
22:12. I woke up even earlier than I anticipated. I guess that nightmare was pretty terrifying.
Speaking of the nightmare, I barely had any recollection of what occured in it. I only remembered that we were visiting the armored room and that the Perseids were there. Everything else was lost, probably for good.
Maybe this portrayed my real fears? I was afraid that our mission will go sideways. I was afraid that the consequences may be irreversible, not just for us three, but for the whole team. Frankly, I'm still afraid.
I chose to not think much of it. I had other important things on my mind right now. For instance, the mission itself. There was no point in obsessing over those spooky scenarios that may or may not become reality. I had to concentrate on my job to do it correctly and set things on the right track, preventing those scenarios from occuring.
I lied in bed for a few more minutes. Afterwards, I got up and put on my clothes from the day, as there weren't any other options. I drank some water, urinated (so that I wouldn't think about the toilet during our expedition) and brushed my teeth. I grabbed my phone, just in case it was needed, and rushed out of the room.
I was a minute ahead of time, but Agent Nebula was already there. She was surprised by my punctuality. Arika was busy getting dressed, so we had to wait.
- Are you ready? - Nebula asked her.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnigZJUd436
- Give me a minute! - Arika responded.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXS69tl0dM
- We may not have a minute! They could start early...! - Nebula pressured her, in my opinion a bit too much, since it's unlikely that Leonid and the message's receiver would start an hour and a half early.
- I need to get dressed and check my equipment. I don't want to go unprepared or forget something important - Arika effectively silenced her, as Nebula understood that it was important to come prepared.
Shortly after, Arika did come out, ready for duty.
- Since we're all here, let's go and not waste our time - Agent Nebula ordered us. It was time to go on our expedition.
ns216.73.216.187da2
and then Add to home screen.