Rodriguez met us at the arcade exit, the mesmerizing expanse of the cosmos unfurling behind him, revealing a breathtaking tapestry of stars.

"I thought I'd wait for you all and check in now that you've had a chance to unwind after your first battle."

We began walking toward the briefing room, the vibrant cacophony of the arcade fading as we ventured further away.

"It looked like you guys had a blast in the arcade. It's one of my go-to spots for relaxation after combat. Of course, the spa is another favorite. They have saunas, hot tubs, pools, and even masseuses," Rodriguez said.

"That sounds incredible right now. The arcade was a blast, but it feels like we've been on our feet since I woke up," Maria said, rubbing her neck.

"Are there any other cool spots?" Luke inquired, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"There's an 'outdoor' oasis with a waterfall and rugged, mountainous terrain. You can even connect to pods for a virtual hiking experience. Plus, the fall festival is coming up next week. It'll be held in the oasis, featuring treats like funnel cakes and snow cones and festive activities such as apple bobbing, team games, and massive inflatable slides that end in water," Rodriguez replied, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

"A fall festival on a spaceship? That's not something I expected," I said, chuckling as we approached the briefing room.

"Neither did I when I first came on board," Rodriguez admitted, grinning. "But it's a great way to boost morale and foster camaraderie among the crew."

"Sounds like a good time," Maria agreed, smiling at the thought.

Rodriguez gripped the door handle as we neared the briefing room, his demeanor shifting to that of a seasoned sergeant.

As Rodriguez held the door open, we filed in and took our seats among the others.

"Quite the day today, huh?" Foster remarked.

"Way more fun than I ever anticipated," I replied.

"You all were excellent today. I'm proud of the teamwork and effort you displayed. I'd like to test Luke and Foster in the assault team position.

"Oh shit. Game over for the Xenos," Foster said a few seats away.

"John, given your exceptional ability to process vast amounts of information simultaneously, you might be a perfect fit for the Xenoseeker Striker role. Your unique skills could prove invaluable in locating and neutralizing the Xenobots, allowing you to concentrate on their destruction rather than focusing solely on assault."

"I'm honored, sir. Thank you," I replied. Rodriguez nodded with assurance.

"While today's mission didn't require it, there will be future instances where we need a pilot to defend whatever objective the Xenobots have in mind," Rodriguez added.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

While I'm undoubtedly honored, it feels too soon to be assigned any specific position, much less one called Xenoseeker Striker. I'm learning to go with the flow, however.

"Luke and Maria, your focus was exceptional. We may rearrange the teams to utilize each of your strengths more effectively. You two would make for an excellent tactician unit."

"Damn, Rodriguez. They wake up and are already offered better positions than I ever got in that period," Jackson yelled out from the far end of the table.

"Jackson cut it out," Rodriguez replied.

Dr. Li grimaced at Jackson for the apparent slip-up as if there was a more significant issue I wasn't aware of.

"Now rest, guys. Maria, Luke, and John, you're relieved of your daily duties. I highly recommend you relax, but it's also an excellent opportunity to explore the ship, and I can't fault you for wanting to do so. Jackson, and the remaining soldiers, hang back for a moment so that we can discuss our goal for tomorrow with the new guys," Rodriguez said, smiling at us.

After our unexpected encounter with the enigmatic latch concealed behind an arcade machine, we couldn't ignore the nagging suspicion that the Noah harbored untold mysteries beneath its sleek exterior. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, we resolved to return and delve deeper into the unknown.

As we meandered through the shadowy corridors, bathed in the ethereal glow of neon lights emanating from the various Recreation Hubs, a sense of exhilarating anticipation surged within us. The once familiar and comforting passageways now seemed to whisper secrets and veiled mysteries, tantalizingly hidden from sight. Our pace deliberately slowed as we absorbed the nuances of our surroundings, our senses sharpened and eyes keen, eager to decipher the enigmatic clues lurking within the shadows.

"Are you guys as excited as I am?" Maria asked in a hushed tone, her eyes wide. "It's like we're on the verge of discovering something incredible."

Luke nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's strange.“

I couldn't help but share their enthusiasm. "Whatever secrets the Noah holds, we're going to find them. Let’s stick together."

Upon re-entering the bustling arcade, our fascination with the games had dwindled, overshadowed by the allure of the latch. United in purpose, we passed the threshold, eager to unravel the secrets concealed within the heart of the Noah.

We navigated through the crowd of people, making our way back to the machine where Maria had left her hair tie. Then we approached the latch, our anticipation growing with each step. Luke and Maria stood to watch as I carefully pulled on the latch, revealing a hidden door.

“Are you sure we should do this?” Maria asked grabbing my shoulder before I stepped in.

”It’ll be alright. We’re just taking a peak,” I replied making the first crouched step through the small opening.

The room beyond was shrouded in darkness, save for a single red light that cast an eerie glow on a staircase leading down into the unknown.

We exchanged nervous glances before embarking on our descent, the metallic steps groaning under our weight. The air grew colder and more oppressive as we ventured deeper, our breaths visible in the dim light. Finally, at the bottom of the staircase, we discovered a chamber that seemed untouched for years, if not decades.

"Can you believe this place?" Maria whispered, her voice barely audible, echoing off the chamber walls. "It's like stepping into another world."

As we ventured further into the hidden chamber, we encountered a peculiar, highly advanced machine. It stood tall, its sleek design adorned with blinking lights, various buttons, switches, and displays. The air around it hummed with unseen energy, making the hairs on our arms stand on end. Despite its enigmatic presence, we couldn't shake the feeling that this machine held the key to something meaningful.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Luke murmured, his eyes wide with wonder. "What do you think it does?"

We cautiously examined the machine and discovered a set of aged files hidden in a nearby compartment. According to the files, which were marked with official-looking stamps and signatures, this machine was a top-secret teleportation device designed years ago to transport soldiers instantaneously to different locations within the Noah or even to the surface of Verterra. The technology was based on manipulating the fabric of space-time, creating a temporary wormhole to bridge vast distances instantly.

"Teleportation?" I questioned in disbelief.