Jul 29, 2024 16:05:39 GMT
Post by Sabia on Jul 29, 2024 16:05:39 GMT
The mission was straightforward yet graced with the weight of its importance - the description emphasizing how significant it was for the warriors to carry out their tasks. No shit, right? Of course, it was of great matter, the person in question was a member of the Elite and an insufferable prick at that. An escort mission. Why Sabia? She was made for working solo, and now they needed her to cooperate... Which in Saiyan's jargon meant to listen to everything without a single independent thought, because the Commandor Knows Best. As usual, she was given an official note about her next mission, alongside the report about the activity of the area where the outposts were located. It was messy. The small planet Sano was in the same solar system as Vegeta, though for many years it seemed to be insignificant. There were not enough vital resources, no inhabitants worth fighting with, it was just... There. And now there were outposts on the surface of that globe, among the planes full of fucking lava rivers. When Sabia read about random explosions, sizzling gasses, and scorching heat, she changed her mind - Vegeta's climate was nothing special. It was like a summer breeze compared to Sano.
They had to escort Commander Jerk from Point A to Point B, that wasn't rocket science... However, Sabia was suspicious of the lack of information about what was going on the planet. The reports she had to read were cynically short. Right, she wasn't important enough to know everything, yet it didn't sit right with her. At least the previous team has written down everything about the environment, so she could prepare herself. The Commander, what was his name again... Tamane. Well, he was a cocky bastard, as expected. How would he greet the lava and boiling steam, that remained unknown... The report didn't mention hostile inhabitants. Who or what else could be a threat? Sabia didn't like it. To say that the mood was tense, would be an understatement. She and two other soldiers were to escort Commander Tamane from Outpost Alpha to Outpost Beta, a journey filled with unknown dangers. Their supervisor carried vital intelligence able to turn the tide of - well, they didn't know what. It was confidential.
The three Saiyans flanked Commander Jerk as they ventured into the harsh terrain, their faces ought to represent determination, though they were already worn out. Nothing surprising here. Working with elites was a pain in the ass and they all knew it. Anyway... The airport outpost behind them gleamed in this firey place, the orange glow shining on the smooth, silver surface of the building. This planet, notorious for its hellish landscape, presented a challenge that Sabia didn't like. She didn't need a tan. The destination they needed to reach waited amidst plains of molten lava, with scorching, acidic-like gases filling the atmosphere above them. Flying was not an option here; anyone who attempted it would quickly become light-headed and dizzy, plummeting to a fiery death in the bubbling lava below. With a click of her tongue as the only sign of her disapproval, Sabia shook her head. Who in their right mind thought of establishing outposts here of all places...
On the paper mission seemed easier than reality they had to face. Each step had to be precisely placed to avoid sudden geysers or crumbling ground under their feet. The terrain was unforgiving. It was like a living trap, with pulsing lava and acidic breaths, waiting for their mistakes, so they could be swallowed hole. A patient predator, while they were prey - there was no room for being careless. Was this mission really for the low-class warriors..? The protective gear they were granted, while useful, did little to negate the sheer brutality of this brutal environment. The narrow route they walked on was neighboring rivers of bubbling lava, the molten waves of bright orange hues flew with a sinister calmness. The air was thick with the acrid stench of sulfur, burning their throats and stinging their eyes. Breathing was difficult, as the heat was sapping their energy and testing their endurance. The ground beneath their boots was so hot that it felt like walking on a heated pan... And it didn't surprise anyone that Commandor's equipment was way more advanced than the rest. Hm, Sabia had a feeling that they were expected to drop dead during this mission, and this hunch was whispering words of warning at the back of her brain. It won't hurt to be extra careful.
Sabia walked beside the Commander, her senses on high alert. Every muscle in her body was tense, ready to react at a moment's notice. She tried to feel any disturbance in the fiery chaos that surrounded them. The air was thick with the stench of brimstone, and the heat was almost unbearable, pressing down on them like a suffocating blanket. Sweat poured down their faces, evaporating almost as quickly as it formed, leaving their skin dry. Sabia's boots crunched on the volcanic gravel, the sound barely audible over the constant rumble of the planet's surface. Her eyes moved from side to side, watching for any movement in the distorted air. The shimmering heatwave made it difficult to judge distances accurately, the haze was persistent. They had to be cautious and take it slow if they valued their lives. As they pressed forward, the terrain grew even more brutal. One misstep would mean certain death.
As they moved forward, the ground suddenly trembled. A grumbling roar from within, akin to a raging animal, shook the rocks around them. An explosion erupted nearby, sending a shower of molten rock into the air. Each deadly pebble left a fiery, thin line of flames in the sky... Sabia shouted, warning everyone, and dove for cover behind a large boulder, pulling the commander with her. The man grumbled and sneered but ultimately didn't oppose. The others followed suit, narrowly avoiding the scorching debris that fell with the force of bullets. It wasn't going to be easy or pretty, and they weren't even halfway there. As soon as the attack halted, Sabia pulled out the map. The three-dimensional holograph given to them was useful to a certain degree. Navigating through the ever-changing landscape required constant vigilance, as the map could not predict the sudden eruptions and shifting ground that plagued planet Sano. They had already encountered areas where the ground was riddled with cracks, spewing jets of hot gas that could burn through flesh and armor alike. In other places, the dry rocks were fragile and brittle, their edges sharp and waiting to pierce through their protective gear. Sabia had read about these dangers, but experiencing them firsthand was another matter entirely.
Breathing became harder as the journey progressed. The oppressive heat created a sweaty haze, distorting their vision and making it difficult to see far ahead. Their throats were parched, and the special heat-resistant canisters they brought were already running low on water. Each step felt like an eternity, the intense heat sapping their strength... They had to stay alert and move slowly, yet cautiously. Gaining speed, although desired, wasn't the best if every misstep could cause a disaster. The climate itself seemed to conspire against them, the air heavy and full of the ever-present threat of sudden eruptions. Sabia's instincts were on high alert. They had to be. Something wasn't right, and the sense of unease gnawed at her. Was it the planet's hostile nature, or was there a more immediate threat lurking nearby? Or maybe, just maybe, her sixth sense was reacting to people she was working with.
They pressed on, the Commander's impatience growing with each passing minute. Sabia exchanged a glance with the other two, their silent agreement conveying the shared burden of responsibility - the one the asshat wasn't going to take. They had to get the Jerk to the outpost, but the path ahead wasn't helping their cause. As they carefully navigated a particularly treacherous stretch of ground, the sound of another explosion echoed in the distance. And right then, another followed... Sabia's heart pounded in her chest, but she stifled the adrenaline coursing through her veins. No. She was going to stay calm no matter what. Steady heart, steady breath... They all had to remain vigilant, every sense heightened to detect any sign of natural hazard. The mission was far from over, but they would survive this inferno and complete their mission, no matter what obstacles waited in their path. The survival of the commander and the success of their mission depended on it, and Sabia would not allow herself to falter - even if she had to fight the urge to kick him into the nearest pool of lava.
After hours of grueling walk, the escort team reached a wide expanse of solidified lava. The surface was rough and uneven, but it offered a temporary break from the bubbling fiery rivers they had walked through to this point. Sabia took a moment to catch her breath, wiping the sweat from her brow and scanning the horizon. They made a lot of progress though they still couldn't see the outline of the Outpost Beta. She picked what appeared to be the safest route, so after a moment, they were on the move again. The path narrowed again, leading to a series of unstable rock formations. Ah, great. The heat radiating from the lava below made the rocks slick with condensation of substances she didn't want to think about. Sabia moved with practiced ease, her muscles tense and ready for any sudden shifts... Even here her sharp balance was doing her a favour. They have sent her first to secure the safest way across - so if she fell to the molten pit, it would be on her.
The others followed her route, placing their feet exactly in the same spots. It was supposed to be secure enough... Just as they were about to cross a particularly unstable ledge, a loud hiss echoed through the air. Sabia turned around to see a plume of steam erupting from a nearby fissure. The force of nature shook the rocks nearby, and the ground beneath Commander Jerk began to give way, crumbling into the lava below. She jumped forward immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. Digging her heels into the scorched soil, she was trying to make sure that they wouldn't fall there together. The others reacted immediately, dragging the heavy man to safety in a shared moment of effort - then Sabia felt a push.
It wasn't intentional. Tamane had placed his weighty hand on her back, using it as leverage to push himself up, catch his balance, and reach solid ground. He stood up, shaking away the stress of that situation, and walked forward... By doing so, he basically shoved Sabia into the lava below. Only her reflexes saved her as she was suspended in the air by her Ki, inches away from the bubbling surface. Immediately, she darted away, standing straight. Flying high wasn't possible, but this little trick saved her - and her face - from third-degree burns and possibly death.
For a moment, she closed her eyes, slowly shaking her head, but there was nothing more to do here. She followed the others, returning to her position like nothing had happened, aware of the glances the other two soldiers exchanged. It could have been any of them, but would they have been able to react as quickly as Sabia did? The Commander didn't even look back, nor did she expect him to. He was that type, obviously - using low-ranking soldiers as stepping stools, as objects, cannon fodder. She could feel that he was perfectly indifferent, and this movement that almost took her life wasn't anything personal. They were here to serve a purpose - protect him. One could wonder if this approach was worse than those elites who actively ridiculed low-class warriors. Who knew? Sabia detested them all, so it didn't make any difference in her mind.
The tension between Saiyan elites and low-class soldiers had always been an unspoken undercurrent within their ranks. The elite warriors, with their superior power levels and so-called prestigious heritage, often saw themselves as the true warriors of the Saiyan race. They were afforded privileges, respect, and the finest resources, training, and missions. It didn't matter if it was a battlefield or a bar, they always had the best seats. Their accomplishments were celebrated, their failures overlooked, and their arrogance tolerated - because that's how it always was. Hmm, maybe it would be better if Sabia would kick Tamane into the lava, filling it as an honorable death on the mission? To him and to many more, low-class soldiers like her were little more than expendable tools, necessary but not valuable. Low-class soldiers were given strenuous, hazardous tasks, often sent into battle as the first wave to weaken the enemy or clear the way for the Elites. They were the unsung heroes. The backbone of the Saiyan war machine, but their contributions were rarely acknowledged. The elites viewed them with disdain, considering their lower power levels a sign of inferiority. This disdain manifested in various ways - condescending remarks, outright mockery, and, as Sabia had just experienced, a complete disregard for their well-being. Typical. The elites didn't just see them as lesser warriors; they saw them as lesser beings.
Sabia openly showed her contempt for the elites. It was personal and it was not, though to be fair about her mindset, she was disgusted by low-class warriors stuck in this cycle of hatred as much. The low-class soldiers had to rely on their wits, resilience, and sheer determination to survive and prove their worth... And even when they did just that, their acknowledgment depended on the whim of their supervisors. They had to endure the ridicule, knowing that their hard-earned victories would never be celebrated with the same energy and respect as those of the elites. For Sabia, every successful mission, every narrow escape, was a silent defiance against the expectations of the elite warriors.
It wasn't Commandor Tamane Jerk who was the problem. The whole system was rotting from within and she was wondering when the cogs would start to rust.
Despite her strong feelings about the elites, they had to press on. There was a mission that needed to be completed and by the gods, Sabia was going to finish it.
The journey through the infernal landscape of Sano was a relentless test of endurance and Sabia started to think that this shitty planet was testing her patience specifically. It was as if this mission, warriors she had to work with, and the planet she was on - were tailored to press her every button. What type of entity has she pissed to deserve that? Whatever... She remained calm but it didn't mean that she liked it. Work was work. She and the other soldier maintained their positions around the Commander, walking in silence, listening, watching... Ready to react in an instant if anything was going to happen again. So far no life was lost, and aside from some mild burns and Tamane's fur torched on his tail, they avoided major injuries. Ha. Sabia allowed herself a little, satisfied smirk when she saw the grown-ass man yelling and trying to kill the flame dancing on the brown fur. There was no water, so it took him a couple of solid minutes to get everything under control... At least he recharged their batteries, in the way.
The treacherous terrain demanded their full attention so watching Commandor jump around was a short break from their mission. The thought of reaching the outpost and completing their mission drove them forward, and Sabia couldn't wait to get out of this protective suit. They were navigating through now familiar paths of rivers and molten lava, the oppressive heat and acrid air seemed to intensify as they progressed. They encountered more geysers of scalding steam, dodged falling rocks from sudden eruptions, and traversed fields of brittle rocks. Hell, that was pure hell. Each obstacle was a reminder of the planet's hostility, and Sabia couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the outpost's strategic importance - though, at the same time, she wanted to punch the person who was in charge of its location. After coming to Vegeta she was going to need an unholy amount of moisturizing cream to help with those burns and dried patches of skin. Ugh.
Another hour passed and finally, the silhouette of the Outpost Beta emerged on the horizon, The structure was a pale silver fortress of heat-resistant metal and stone designed to withstand the planet's wrath. The colors danced on its surface, both flaming red and orange, with a black shade similar to coal. The outpost's walls were scorched and blackened at the bottom, still standing despite the environment raging around. The sight of it brought a shred of relief - they saw their goal... But they had to reach it first - which, surprisingly, wasn't that hard. The closer they were, the path became slightly more manageable, with blocks of solid stone paving their route. The outpost's defenses created a relatively safer zone, pushing, as much as it was possible, the heat outside.
The guards watching over the entrance, clad in protective gear, watched their approach with wary eyes. Sabia signaled their arrival, and the massive gates creaked open, allowing them to walk inside.
The Commander immediately strode forward, barking orders at the outpost, not paying any mind to the soldiers that brought him here. Sabia didn't exchange glances with others, she simply was too busy breathing in the cold, air-conditioned breeze.
They had made it. The mission was complete.
For now, they could rest and recover, but Sabia knew that their next task was never far away. For example, they reached the Outpost, but this spot didn't have the airport installed. To get back to Vegeta, they will have to go back through that hellish landscape to reach the place they started from... But that had to wait for a long shower and a nap.
Total Word Count - 3012
PL - 4,173
Quest from New Saiyan Empire - Protect the Commander! | Level Hard
They had to escort Commander Jerk from Point A to Point B, that wasn't rocket science... However, Sabia was suspicious of the lack of information about what was going on the planet. The reports she had to read were cynically short. Right, she wasn't important enough to know everything, yet it didn't sit right with her. At least the previous team has written down everything about the environment, so she could prepare herself. The Commander, what was his name again... Tamane. Well, he was a cocky bastard, as expected. How would he greet the lava and boiling steam, that remained unknown... The report didn't mention hostile inhabitants. Who or what else could be a threat? Sabia didn't like it. To say that the mood was tense, would be an understatement. She and two other soldiers were to escort Commander Tamane from Outpost Alpha to Outpost Beta, a journey filled with unknown dangers. Their supervisor carried vital intelligence able to turn the tide of - well, they didn't know what. It was confidential.
The three Saiyans flanked Commander Jerk as they ventured into the harsh terrain, their faces ought to represent determination, though they were already worn out. Nothing surprising here. Working with elites was a pain in the ass and they all knew it. Anyway... The airport outpost behind them gleamed in this firey place, the orange glow shining on the smooth, silver surface of the building. This planet, notorious for its hellish landscape, presented a challenge that Sabia didn't like. She didn't need a tan. The destination they needed to reach waited amidst plains of molten lava, with scorching, acidic-like gases filling the atmosphere above them. Flying was not an option here; anyone who attempted it would quickly become light-headed and dizzy, plummeting to a fiery death in the bubbling lava below. With a click of her tongue as the only sign of her disapproval, Sabia shook her head. Who in their right mind thought of establishing outposts here of all places...
On the paper mission seemed easier than reality they had to face. Each step had to be precisely placed to avoid sudden geysers or crumbling ground under their feet. The terrain was unforgiving. It was like a living trap, with pulsing lava and acidic breaths, waiting for their mistakes, so they could be swallowed hole. A patient predator, while they were prey - there was no room for being careless. Was this mission really for the low-class warriors..? The protective gear they were granted, while useful, did little to negate the sheer brutality of this brutal environment. The narrow route they walked on was neighboring rivers of bubbling lava, the molten waves of bright orange hues flew with a sinister calmness. The air was thick with the acrid stench of sulfur, burning their throats and stinging their eyes. Breathing was difficult, as the heat was sapping their energy and testing their endurance. The ground beneath their boots was so hot that it felt like walking on a heated pan... And it didn't surprise anyone that Commandor's equipment was way more advanced than the rest. Hm, Sabia had a feeling that they were expected to drop dead during this mission, and this hunch was whispering words of warning at the back of her brain. It won't hurt to be extra careful.
Sabia walked beside the Commander, her senses on high alert. Every muscle in her body was tense, ready to react at a moment's notice. She tried to feel any disturbance in the fiery chaos that surrounded them. The air was thick with the stench of brimstone, and the heat was almost unbearable, pressing down on them like a suffocating blanket. Sweat poured down their faces, evaporating almost as quickly as it formed, leaving their skin dry. Sabia's boots crunched on the volcanic gravel, the sound barely audible over the constant rumble of the planet's surface. Her eyes moved from side to side, watching for any movement in the distorted air. The shimmering heatwave made it difficult to judge distances accurately, the haze was persistent. They had to be cautious and take it slow if they valued their lives. As they pressed forward, the terrain grew even more brutal. One misstep would mean certain death.
As they moved forward, the ground suddenly trembled. A grumbling roar from within, akin to a raging animal, shook the rocks around them. An explosion erupted nearby, sending a shower of molten rock into the air. Each deadly pebble left a fiery, thin line of flames in the sky... Sabia shouted, warning everyone, and dove for cover behind a large boulder, pulling the commander with her. The man grumbled and sneered but ultimately didn't oppose. The others followed suit, narrowly avoiding the scorching debris that fell with the force of bullets. It wasn't going to be easy or pretty, and they weren't even halfway there. As soon as the attack halted, Sabia pulled out the map. The three-dimensional holograph given to them was useful to a certain degree. Navigating through the ever-changing landscape required constant vigilance, as the map could not predict the sudden eruptions and shifting ground that plagued planet Sano. They had already encountered areas where the ground was riddled with cracks, spewing jets of hot gas that could burn through flesh and armor alike. In other places, the dry rocks were fragile and brittle, their edges sharp and waiting to pierce through their protective gear. Sabia had read about these dangers, but experiencing them firsthand was another matter entirely.
Breathing became harder as the journey progressed. The oppressive heat created a sweaty haze, distorting their vision and making it difficult to see far ahead. Their throats were parched, and the special heat-resistant canisters they brought were already running low on water. Each step felt like an eternity, the intense heat sapping their strength... They had to stay alert and move slowly, yet cautiously. Gaining speed, although desired, wasn't the best if every misstep could cause a disaster. The climate itself seemed to conspire against them, the air heavy and full of the ever-present threat of sudden eruptions. Sabia's instincts were on high alert. They had to be. Something wasn't right, and the sense of unease gnawed at her. Was it the planet's hostile nature, or was there a more immediate threat lurking nearby? Or maybe, just maybe, her sixth sense was reacting to people she was working with.
They pressed on, the Commander's impatience growing with each passing minute. Sabia exchanged a glance with the other two, their silent agreement conveying the shared burden of responsibility - the one the asshat wasn't going to take. They had to get the Jerk to the outpost, but the path ahead wasn't helping their cause. As they carefully navigated a particularly treacherous stretch of ground, the sound of another explosion echoed in the distance. And right then, another followed... Sabia's heart pounded in her chest, but she stifled the adrenaline coursing through her veins. No. She was going to stay calm no matter what. Steady heart, steady breath... They all had to remain vigilant, every sense heightened to detect any sign of natural hazard. The mission was far from over, but they would survive this inferno and complete their mission, no matter what obstacles waited in their path. The survival of the commander and the success of their mission depended on it, and Sabia would not allow herself to falter - even if she had to fight the urge to kick him into the nearest pool of lava.
After hours of grueling walk, the escort team reached a wide expanse of solidified lava. The surface was rough and uneven, but it offered a temporary break from the bubbling fiery rivers they had walked through to this point. Sabia took a moment to catch her breath, wiping the sweat from her brow and scanning the horizon. They made a lot of progress though they still couldn't see the outline of the Outpost Beta. She picked what appeared to be the safest route, so after a moment, they were on the move again. The path narrowed again, leading to a series of unstable rock formations. Ah, great. The heat radiating from the lava below made the rocks slick with condensation of substances she didn't want to think about. Sabia moved with practiced ease, her muscles tense and ready for any sudden shifts... Even here her sharp balance was doing her a favour. They have sent her first to secure the safest way across - so if she fell to the molten pit, it would be on her.
The others followed her route, placing their feet exactly in the same spots. It was supposed to be secure enough... Just as they were about to cross a particularly unstable ledge, a loud hiss echoed through the air. Sabia turned around to see a plume of steam erupting from a nearby fissure. The force of nature shook the rocks nearby, and the ground beneath Commander Jerk began to give way, crumbling into the lava below. She jumped forward immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. Digging her heels into the scorched soil, she was trying to make sure that they wouldn't fall there together. The others reacted immediately, dragging the heavy man to safety in a shared moment of effort - then Sabia felt a push.
It wasn't intentional. Tamane had placed his weighty hand on her back, using it as leverage to push himself up, catch his balance, and reach solid ground. He stood up, shaking away the stress of that situation, and walked forward... By doing so, he basically shoved Sabia into the lava below. Only her reflexes saved her as she was suspended in the air by her Ki, inches away from the bubbling surface. Immediately, she darted away, standing straight. Flying high wasn't possible, but this little trick saved her - and her face - from third-degree burns and possibly death.
For a moment, she closed her eyes, slowly shaking her head, but there was nothing more to do here. She followed the others, returning to her position like nothing had happened, aware of the glances the other two soldiers exchanged. It could have been any of them, but would they have been able to react as quickly as Sabia did? The Commander didn't even look back, nor did she expect him to. He was that type, obviously - using low-ranking soldiers as stepping stools, as objects, cannon fodder. She could feel that he was perfectly indifferent, and this movement that almost took her life wasn't anything personal. They were here to serve a purpose - protect him. One could wonder if this approach was worse than those elites who actively ridiculed low-class warriors. Who knew? Sabia detested them all, so it didn't make any difference in her mind.
The tension between Saiyan elites and low-class soldiers had always been an unspoken undercurrent within their ranks. The elite warriors, with their superior power levels and so-called prestigious heritage, often saw themselves as the true warriors of the Saiyan race. They were afforded privileges, respect, and the finest resources, training, and missions. It didn't matter if it was a battlefield or a bar, they always had the best seats. Their accomplishments were celebrated, their failures overlooked, and their arrogance tolerated - because that's how it always was. Hmm, maybe it would be better if Sabia would kick Tamane into the lava, filling it as an honorable death on the mission? To him and to many more, low-class soldiers like her were little more than expendable tools, necessary but not valuable. Low-class soldiers were given strenuous, hazardous tasks, often sent into battle as the first wave to weaken the enemy or clear the way for the Elites. They were the unsung heroes. The backbone of the Saiyan war machine, but their contributions were rarely acknowledged. The elites viewed them with disdain, considering their lower power levels a sign of inferiority. This disdain manifested in various ways - condescending remarks, outright mockery, and, as Sabia had just experienced, a complete disregard for their well-being. Typical. The elites didn't just see them as lesser warriors; they saw them as lesser beings.
Sabia openly showed her contempt for the elites. It was personal and it was not, though to be fair about her mindset, she was disgusted by low-class warriors stuck in this cycle of hatred as much. The low-class soldiers had to rely on their wits, resilience, and sheer determination to survive and prove their worth... And even when they did just that, their acknowledgment depended on the whim of their supervisors. They had to endure the ridicule, knowing that their hard-earned victories would never be celebrated with the same energy and respect as those of the elites. For Sabia, every successful mission, every narrow escape, was a silent defiance against the expectations of the elite warriors.
It wasn't Commandor Tamane Jerk who was the problem. The whole system was rotting from within and she was wondering when the cogs would start to rust.
Despite her strong feelings about the elites, they had to press on. There was a mission that needed to be completed and by the gods, Sabia was going to finish it.
The journey through the infernal landscape of Sano was a relentless test of endurance and Sabia started to think that this shitty planet was testing her patience specifically. It was as if this mission, warriors she had to work with, and the planet she was on - were tailored to press her every button. What type of entity has she pissed to deserve that? Whatever... She remained calm but it didn't mean that she liked it. Work was work. She and the other soldier maintained their positions around the Commander, walking in silence, listening, watching... Ready to react in an instant if anything was going to happen again. So far no life was lost, and aside from some mild burns and Tamane's fur torched on his tail, they avoided major injuries. Ha. Sabia allowed herself a little, satisfied smirk when she saw the grown-ass man yelling and trying to kill the flame dancing on the brown fur. There was no water, so it took him a couple of solid minutes to get everything under control... At least he recharged their batteries, in the way.
The treacherous terrain demanded their full attention so watching Commandor jump around was a short break from their mission. The thought of reaching the outpost and completing their mission drove them forward, and Sabia couldn't wait to get out of this protective suit. They were navigating through now familiar paths of rivers and molten lava, the oppressive heat and acrid air seemed to intensify as they progressed. They encountered more geysers of scalding steam, dodged falling rocks from sudden eruptions, and traversed fields of brittle rocks. Hell, that was pure hell. Each obstacle was a reminder of the planet's hostility, and Sabia couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the outpost's strategic importance - though, at the same time, she wanted to punch the person who was in charge of its location. After coming to Vegeta she was going to need an unholy amount of moisturizing cream to help with those burns and dried patches of skin. Ugh.
Another hour passed and finally, the silhouette of the Outpost Beta emerged on the horizon, The structure was a pale silver fortress of heat-resistant metal and stone designed to withstand the planet's wrath. The colors danced on its surface, both flaming red and orange, with a black shade similar to coal. The outpost's walls were scorched and blackened at the bottom, still standing despite the environment raging around. The sight of it brought a shred of relief - they saw their goal... But they had to reach it first - which, surprisingly, wasn't that hard. The closer they were, the path became slightly more manageable, with blocks of solid stone paving their route. The outpost's defenses created a relatively safer zone, pushing, as much as it was possible, the heat outside.
The guards watching over the entrance, clad in protective gear, watched their approach with wary eyes. Sabia signaled their arrival, and the massive gates creaked open, allowing them to walk inside.
The Commander immediately strode forward, barking orders at the outpost, not paying any mind to the soldiers that brought him here. Sabia didn't exchange glances with others, she simply was too busy breathing in the cold, air-conditioned breeze.
They had made it. The mission was complete.
For now, they could rest and recover, but Sabia knew that their next task was never far away. For example, they reached the Outpost, but this spot didn't have the airport installed. To get back to Vegeta, they will have to go back through that hellish landscape to reach the place they started from... But that had to wait for a long shower and a nap.
Total Word Count - 3012
PL - 4,173
Quest from New Saiyan Empire - Protect the Commander! | Level Hard
