Kairo and Robert advanced toward the small settlement peeking through the dense jungle. The mission was complete, and it showed in the air: the weight that once hung over the area had lifted, replaced by a faint murmur of reborn life.
Robert walked steadily, though without rush, watching as the shelter began to breathe again. From beneath the shadows of the enormous leaves, the first inhabitants of Virelia emerged, gathering in small groups, communicating with gestures and whispers.
"They already know we're here," said Robert as he activated a small device on his wrist. It emitted a faint humming sound.
Kairo looked at it, curious."What's that?"
Robert smiled, his usual tech-expert air intact."A universal translator. The Council provides them so we can communicate with any species. It translates in real time, no matter how strange the language."
As they spoke, a larger group approached. At the front walked a woman with almond-shaped eyes and pale green skin. She looked at them with a mixture of respect and relief.
"We knew you would come," she said in her native tongue.
Robert's device repeated her voice in Common, in a soft but clear tone:"We paid the Council to send heroes to save Virelia. You are our hope."
The leader stopped in front of them and lowered her head slightly."Thank you for saving us. Without you, we wouldn't have survived."
Kairo nodded humbly."We were just doing our duty."
"Now it's up to you to rebuild," added Robert. "We'll return to the Council with the report."
The locals nodded silently. Some came forward to shake their hands; others simply watched them with quiet admiration, as if still struggling to believe the threat was truly gone.
After a final glance at the group, Kairo and Robert said farewell with a gesture and walked toward the teleportation platform. The metallic, luminous structure rose above the vegetation like an artificial beacon in the wild surroundings.
When they arrived, Robert activated the panel built into the base using his device. A blue light began to spread around the platform, pulsing steadily.
Kairo took one last look at the settlement, where peace was beginning to take hold once again."It's time to go," said Robert.
They both stepped onto the platform. In a surge of energy, the light engulfed them entirely, and they vanished—leaving behind the jungle, the settlement… and the newly reclaimed peace of Virelia.
The bluish light of teleportation faded, and in an instant, Kairo and Robert reappeared in the reception center of the Planetary Defense Council Headquarters. The air was clean, artificial, and the metallic floor vibrated subtly beneath their feet. Around them, screens displayed constantly shifting data and holograms of planets in varying states of alert.
They hadn't taken five steps when an assistant hurried toward them."Please come with me. The President of Heroes wants to see you immediately."
Robert raised an eyebrow."The President? That's unusual."
Kairo said nothing, but he felt his pulse quicken.
They were led down a wide corridor to a high-security command room. The doors slid open smoothly, revealing the President of the Hero Corps, standing in front of a large holographic table, flanked by two high-ranking officers.
The President turned as they entered. Tall, imposing, his face weathered by years and responsibility, he stepped forward without wasting time on formalities.
"Robert. Kairo. Thank you for coming so quickly."
Both straightened respectfully."Sir," said Robert.
"What I'm about to tell you is urgent and unprecedented," the President continued. "A few hours ago, we sent a team to Graviton, a planet that had gone into alert due to a Class C threat. The team consisted of two Rank C agents and one Rank D."
He paused for a moment, then delivered the news in a grave voice:"All three were killed in combat."
Kairo's eyes widened in disbelief."Killed…?"
"There was no time to call for reinforcements. The threat escalated unpredictably, and now, the planet is at risk of total collapse."
He turned to the table and projected a hologram of the planet: a world in dark, gray tones, covered in unstable tectonic plates, dense atmosphere, and partially destroyed underground cities.
"We have no other agents available who can intervene immediately. All Rank A and B heroes are either deployed or seriously injured. We only have one left."
He turned again, and from the shadows of the room, a man stepped forward wearing heavy armor, his face stern, with a scar running down his left cheekbone.
"This is Racher, a Rank B hero. He will lead the mission."
Racher nodded silently, with the steady presence of someone who has already faced the worst and still stands.
The President continued:"Robert, we need your tactical experience. And Kairo…"
He paused, looking at the young man with a mix of concern and necessity."I know you're just starting out. I know this isn't fair to you. You're Rank F, with no experience in real combat missions, and this situation could be deadly if mishandled. But we need three people. And we have no one else."
Kairo swallowed hard. His chest burned—not with fear, but with the weight of sudden responsibility.
"You'll go as support. No combat. Not a single step into danger without direct orders. This is a containment mission. Your role is to follow instructions, provide support, and stay alive."
Robert placed a firm hand on Kairo's shoulder."I'll watch over him, sir. I won't let him take unnecessary risks."
The President nodded."I trust you both. I know this is a tough decision, but Graviton needs help now. And you're the best we can send."
He turned to Kairo one last time."I'm sorry, kid. But if you choose to go… I promise the entire Corps will know. Not as a sacrifice—but as the first step of a true hero."
Kairo clenched his fists, took a deep breath… and nodded."I'll go."
The President gave a small, respectful nod."Prepare yourselves. You leave in thirty minutes."