In a small stellar system on the outer edge of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way, a group of archaeologists conducts a clandestine excavation, far from the eyes of the Galactic Consortium, on the system’s second planet: Oberon V. The year is 2456 CE.

  Oberon V is a desert world, where the days burn and the nights freeze. An orange wasteland blankets nearly the entire surface, broken only by rare green oases. Vast canyons, scars of ancient, long-vanished rivers, cut across the continents of this forsaken planet. Life here is almost nonexistent—save for five archaeologists, carefully crossing these endless stretches in search of hidden discoveries.

  Among them is Adam Tenerys, a Terran with a lean frame, pale skin, shoulder-length black hair, and brown eyes. At only twenty-three, he is part of his very first scientific expedition. Torn between excitement and apprehension, he knows the weight of their mission, as well as the dangers it entails. With each step, fine sand crunches beneath their reinforced boots as they scan the horizon for the next clue.

  Days on this hostile world are marked by suffocating heat, the blazing sun turning the landscape into a smothering furnace. The archaeologists wear light yet protective suits, fitted with rudimentary cooling systems. At night, the cold rushes in, forcing them to light campfires for warmth and to cook their meager rations.

  At Adam's side walks his closest friend, Kiran Stey, a Neuronian who resembles a terrestrial jaguar—bipedal, humanoid, with a long tail, tall pointed ears, and a carnivore's grin. At twenty-five, Kiran is tall, brave, devoted, resourceful, and irrepressibly cheerful. He and Adam met six years earlier at the Mazari Institute, and they have been inseparable ever since.

  As they press on through the desert, Adam suddenly feels the sting of the sun on his already reddened skin. He halts, wiping the sweat beading on his forehead with a weary hand.

  "Hey, Adam!" Kiran calls, his mocking smile revealing sharp fangs. "You look funny. Your... envelope's turning red!"

  Adam groans, more irritated by the heat than by the joke.

  "Very funny, Kiran. It's not an 'envelope,' it's called skin! And yes—congrats—I've got sunburn..."

  Kiran bursts out laughing, his tall ears twitching with amusement.

  "What is that fragile stuff anyway? Honestly, humans are weird!"

  Adam rolls his eyes, exasperated.

  "Ha ha, hilarious. Sorry for not being born with built-in fur! At least I'm not a kitten," he shoots back, smirking. Then, glancing at the shimmering sky: "But really, why is it this hot? Aren't we supposed to be at a decent distance from the star?"

  At that moment, Dr. Eamon Fedrus, head of the expedition, cuts in, his deep, steady voice breaking through their banter.

  "Excellent question, Adam. Allow me to explain."

  Eamon Fedrus, renowned archaeologist and mastermind of the mission, is an Azarian—a long-lived species. His venerable 211 years show in his long white hair, well-kept beard, and the thick monocle he often adjusts. His slightly stooped frame bears the weight of time, yet his eyes still burn with undimmed passion.

  Adam and Kiran turn toward him, attentive.

  "Oberon V wasn't always the barren desert you see today," Fedrus begins. "Thousands of years ago, this world teemed with life. Vast forests and mighty rivers covered its surface, and a thriving civilization built a grand city here. But nothing lasts forever. When its star began to die, swelling into a red giant, its radiation increased. A growth of just five percent in size was enough to overturn the entire ecosystem. The rivers evaporated, the forests vanished, and the inhabitants were forced to flee—or perish."

  He pauses, eyes fixed on the endless dunes.

  "What you see now is a planet trapped between two extremes: scorched by day, frozen by night."

  Kiran arches a brow, curiosity never far.

  "Okay, but if it's this hostile, why keep searching here? Couldn't we have picked somewhere less... deadly?"

  A faint, enigmatic smile crosses Fedrus face.

  "Because even a sterile desert can hold secrets that might rewrite our understanding of the universe."

  Zena, another member of the team, frowns.

  "With all due respect, Doctor... why assume we'll find anything at all? It's sand to the horizon. Nothing proves a civilization ever lived here."

  Before Fedrus can answer, Kiran jumps in, cheerful as ever.

  "Oh, come on, Zena! We're with Eamon Fedrus—the Consortium's best archaeologist. I believe him."

  Fedrus inclines his head, moved by the young Neuronian's enthusiasm.

  "Thank you, Kiran. Zena, Adam, Koros—I understand your doubts. But I don't rely on mere intuition. I have evidence. You'll see it in time."

  Adam, curiosity burning, asks the question on everyone's mind.

  "And... which civilization are we talking about?"

  Fedrus's eyes blaze, his voice trembling with emotion.

  "The Estherians, Adam. The Estherians!"

  A heavy silence falls. The name hangs in the air. The Estherians—shrouded in mystery and legend, famed for their unmatched technology and mystical wisdom. For millennia, their disappearance has remained one of the most captivating and frustrating enigmas for archaeologists and historians alike.

  Even Zena, usually skeptical, cannot hide the spark of excitement lighting her gaze.

  "You really believe we might find Estherian artifacts here, on Oberon V?"

  Fedrus nods slowly, a confident smile etched into his lined face.

  "Yes, Zena. Everything Koros and I have pieced together over decades points here. It was a long and complex puzzle, but the pieces fit at last. I am convinced the Estherians once made their home on Oberon V."

  Koros, Fedrus's faithful android, pivots with mechanical fluidity toward Adam. His artificial turquoise eyes gleam, almost with synthetic emotion. His voice, though monotone, carries reassuring clarity.

  "The Estherians, though known for technology surpassing every other civilization in the Orion Arm, remain curiously elusive in the historical record. They left behind only faint fragments, scattered across various systems."

  He pauses before continuing, his tone edging into the professorial.

  "However, the Martian archives—discovered by the Terrans despite their severely degraded state—contained partially encrypted coordinates. After years of analysis and cross-referencing, those coordinates led us here: Oberon V. Once flourishing. Now forgotten."

  Adam furrows his brow, struggling to grasp the implications.

  "Wait... you're saying those archives pointed directly here? But why Oberon V? What made this planet special to the Estherians?"

  Fedrus places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, eyes alight with contagious passion.

  "Patience, Adam. What we know for now is that this world must once have held a key role—perhaps a colony, perhaps a regional capital, perhaps a sanctuary. One thing is certain: the Estherians never settled without reason, and those coordinates weren't left in the archives for nothing. This desert hides something extraordinary."

  Zena, still wary but now intrigued, folded her arms and arched a brow.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  "And if we're wrong? What if this is just another false lead—like so many before?"

  Kiran, faithful to his unshakable optimism, chimed in brightly:

  "Well, at least we'll have explored a cool planet. And if they left coordinates to this world, like Eamon says, it can't be for nothing."

  Koros nodded, his tone turning a shade more direct.

  "The odds of error are slim. Every clue, every calculation converges on Oberon V. This is not coincidence."

  Fedrus's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he declared, firm and sure:

  "You'll see—soon it will all make sense. The Estherians left us a legacy. And here, on this arid soil, the mystery is ready to open."

  Caught up in the rush, Adam and Kiran traded a dazzled look. The Neuronian's tail beat the air, joy breaking out of him.

  "ADAM! This is insane! The Estherians! Do you realize? THE ESTHERIANS!"

  Adam, incredulous at first, felt his friend's excitement take hold. A broad smile lit his face.

  "Hard to believe, but... YEAH! The Estherians! Incredible!"

  For a first field mission, it was beyond anything they could have hoped for. The thought of studying the remains of such a mythic civilization made every effort—every scorching grain of sand under their boots—feel trivial.

  In the same breath, Adam and Kiran shouted,

  "YEEEES!" slapping their palms together. Their laughter cracked the desert's silence; their eyes shone with a new gleam—the spark of adventure, of history being written beneath their feet.

  Watching them with benevolence and a shade of pride, Dr. Fedrus couldn't help smiling wider. He folded his arms; the severity of his features softened by the moment.

  "That's the spirit, my young friends. Passion and wonder—that's what drives us to the universe's far edges."

  Koros, impassive as ever, added with dry pragmatism:

  "And into dangerous temperatures, sandstorms, and potentially hostile creatures. But your motivation levels are, for now, adequate."

  Kiran laughed and patted the android's metal shoulder.

  "Come on, Koros—admit you're happy to be part of the adventure too!"

  The robot tilted his head slightly.

  "If by 'happy' you mean an optimal functional state and the satisfaction of executing a complex mission, then yes, I am... happy."

  Adam raised his brows, half serious, half amused.

  "Even Koros is eager to uncover the Estherians. That says a lot about how special this mission is."

  Fedrus lifted a hand to bring them back on task.

  "Enjoy the buzz, but stay focused. Fascinating or not, this desert is dangerous. What we find next will demand as much patience as prudence."

  Zena, watching the group, allowed herself a reluctant smile.

  "Alright, I have to admit it's hard not to be swept up by your enthusiasm. But let's not forget why we're here. If we find anything... if it even exists."

  A few hours later, with the sun like a hammer above them, the burning sand underfoot met a light breeze laced with a subtle spice—the desert's signature. The team stopped to drink and check their position relative to the ship. They also calculated the distance remaining to their target coordinates.

  "Dr. Fedrus! Look!" Kiran called, excitement bright in his voice.

  "Yes, Kiran? What have you found?"

  "According to the scout-probe data, there's an oasis nearby—only a kilometer or two from here."

  The doctor nodded slowly, adjusting his monocle.

  "I see... And the readings show interesting features around that oasis. Isotopic radiation levels are slightly different. That could indicate ancient activity. Yes, we'll establish ourselves there."

  "Perfect!" Kiran replied, energized. "Let's head back to the ship and move it right next to the oasis."

  "Excellent idea. Zena, go with Kiran. Koros, head to the oasis and start setting up our base camp. Adam and I will explore a sector farther south."

  He paused, sweeping the team with his gaze.

  "Be careful, all of you. We meet at 4:00 pm—three hours from now. Understood?"

  "UNDERSTOOD, DOCTOR!" the group answered in unison, their voices carrying across the vast desert.

  Kiran and Zena set off at a brisk pace toward the ship, their quick steps throwing up plumes of fine sand. The android Koros headed for the oasis, sensors scanning constantly for relevant data. Adam and Dr. Fedrus, meanwhile, began their southward survey, advancing cautiously under the crushing heat.

  "Dr. Fedrus, are you sure we'll find anything in this area?" Adam asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

  The doctor smiled, adjusting his monocle as it flashed in the intense light.

  "Research, dear Adam, is never certainty. It demands patience, curiosity, and a good measure of endurance. Will we find traces of the Estherians here? Nothing is guaranteed—but this sector is promising."

  They walked on, combing the horizon with meticulous attention, hoping for even the faintest sign left by the legendary civilization. The oppressive quiet was broken only by the crunch of sand beneath their boots and the faint breath of wind. As the sun began to sink, it cast long, unsettling shadows over the bare landscape, adding a hush of mystery to their quest.

  Meanwhile, Kiran and Zena reached the ship. He opened the hatch and climbed aboard with practiced ease. Through the airlock, up to the bridge; he brought the navigation systems online, confidence playing at the corner of his mouth.

  "We're moving this baby next to the oasis, just like we planned," he said, smirking toward Zena.

  She checked the instruments and nodded.

  "Systems are stable. We'll be there in no time. Prep for liftoff."

  The ship rose slowly, thrusters kicking up an artificial sandstorm. Minutes later they set down near the shimmering water, where Koros already waited. The oasis, tucked into the desert's heart, spread a silvered promise of respite after the day's punishing heat.

  Kiran's landing was velvet-smooth—impressively precise. In another life, he might have flown with the Consortium's elite, or even joined the Pulsars, the Circle's close guard that ruled the Orion Arm. But he had chosen a different path. His thirst for adventure and his curiosity for the universe's secrets had brought him here, to a desert world, hunting the traces of a forgotten civilization. This was how he meant to leave his mark.

  Koros had already begun assembling the camp, his movements precise and efficient.

  "Nice work, Koros," Kiran said as he stepped out. "We'll wait for the others here."

  Adam and Dr. Fedrus had pressed deeper into the desert.

  "Look, Adam," Fedrus said, pointing to an odd rock formation. "That might be a clue..."

  Adam followed his gaze, heart quickening, and together they picked their way to the rocks. He let out a breath when they arrived.

  "Nothing... just another rock."

  Seeing the hour, the Azarian checked his chronometer with a neat gesture.

  "Adam, time to turn back. We need to reach base. Koros surely has everything prepared by now."

  Adam nodded and took a long pull of lukewarm water from his thermos.

  "Understood, Doctor. Honestly—I'm done. I just want to lie down somewhere cool..."

  Fedrus gave him a kind smile and patted his shoulder.

  "You did good work today. It's only the beginning. I assure you—tomorrow will be promising. Our research is just getting started."

  On the walk back, as the old archaeologist spoke with fervor—sometimes letting theories about the Estherians drift toward the fanciful—something in the sand caught Adam's eye. He stopped short, gaze pinned to an object on the ground. He knelt and lifted it with care, studying its irregular surface and the unusual patterns it bore. Fedrus, deep in his own thoughts, kept walking, unaware.

  "Doc! Wait! Come see!" Adam called, excitement cracking through his voice. "I think I've found a... different kind of stone."

  Eamon Fedrus, hearing him, hurried over—heart thumping with effort and anticipation. He hadn't chosen Adam by chance. From their first meeting, he'd sensed the young man's uncommon potential: a keen, curious mind, an instinct for riddles, a knack for seeing what others missed. That Adam would be the one to find something didn't surprise him. In truth, he had almost expected it.

  Reaching him, Fedrus crouched—slightly winded—and fixed on the stone in Adam's hand. It was irregular; its smooth surface a deep black-gray; and at its crown, a distinctive symbol had been engraved. Carefully, Fedrus took the object and examined the markings.

  "Ahhh... let me see..." he said between halting breaths.

  Adam chuckled softly.

  “Are you all right, Doctor? You didn’t need to run—I was just a few steps away.”

  Eamon looked up, a mischievous smile lighting up his face.

  “True, but what can I say? Curiosity always wins over reason. The call of discovery, my boy!”

  Adam shook his head, amused.

  “Maybe, but in this heat, after hours of walking, it really wasn’t necessary.”

  Fedrus wasn’t listening anymore. All of his attention was fixed on the fragment. His fingers traced its surface with almost reverent care.

  “Adam!”

  “Uh… yeah? I was saying something, but apparently it wasn’t that important,” Adam joked, shrugging.

  Fedrus lifted the object to catch the last rays of light. His eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “This isn’t just a stone, Adam. It’s titanium—part of something much larger.”

  Adam frowned, intrigued.

  “Titanium? You think it could be…?”

  “Estherian,” Fedrus said, certainty ringing in his voice