Weeks passed in a haze of failed experiments and mounting frustration aboard the substation. The chaos on the stage-four anomaly planet continued unabated, its eerie progression now spreading faint spiderweb patterns across the nearby moon's surface. Ryan, like many others, grew increasingly restless, feeling the weight of their collective inability to find any meaningful solution. The atmosphere on the station was tense; even the most experienced scientists seemed at a loss, their confidence shaken by the inexplicable forces they faced.

Then, one morning, a new directive arrived from the main station, KA-10, causing a stir throughout the substation. Ryan noticed the sudden commotion on the observation deck and hurried over to see what was happening. The notice was displayed prominently on the main terminal: a special team was being assembled to directly approach the stage-four anomaly planet.

Ryan’s eyes scanned the announcement with growing disbelief. The directive was clear: a select group of individuals would descend to the planet’s surface to observe the anomaly up close. The stated objective was to study the next phase of the chaos’ progression firsthand, even if it meant risking their lives. Ryan’s stomach churned. He couldn’t shake the suspicion that this mission was less about observation and more about experimentation—a grim test to see if the team would meet the same fate as their ill-fated Frontier crew.

Without hesitation, Ryan rushed back to his station and contacted Keira through the comms.

“Keira, did you see the directive?” he asked, his voice low but urgent.

Keira’s face appeared on the small screen, her expression strained. “Yes, I saw it. They’re really going to send a team down there? What are they thinking?”

“It’s not just about studying the anomaly,” Ryan said, leaning closer to the monitor. “They want to see if the same thing that happened to our crew will happen to this team or not. They’re testing the chaos—seeing if it can transport people to another universe.”

Keira’s face nodding. “You think they’re doing this on purpose? That they want the team to cross into another universe?”

Ryan nodded grimly. “It makes sense. The Frontier crew—us—proved that the chaos can bridge universes. But they’ve never admitted that to us outright. This is their chance to confirm it, to see if they can control the boundary and use it to access the multiverse.”

Keira shook her head vehemently. “It’s insane. They’re risking lives for a theory.”

“They’re Type 4,” Ryan said bitterly. “We’re just pieces on their chessboard.”

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Keira’s voice softened, tinged with worry. “You’re not thinking about volunteering, are you?”

Ryan hesitated. “Maybe I should. If they’re going to send people into the chaos, I might as well be there. I’ve already survived it once. And if they’re trying to crack the multiverse, maybe I can find a way back to our own universe.”

Keira’s expression darkened. “No, Ryan. You can’t. If you go, the whole Frontier team will want to follow. We can’t risk getting separated again. Let them send their team first. If they succeed, then maybe we’ll have a chance to go home. But not now. It’s too dangerous.”

Ryan exhaled slowly, conflicted. Keira was right, of course. The Frontier crew had already endured too much to risk splitting up now. But the idea of sitting idly by while others ventured into the unknown gnawed at him. If there was even a slim chance of understanding the chaos, of finding a way to harness its power, shouldn’t he take it?

Over the next few days, preparations for the mission proceeded at a rapid pace. The selected team underwent rigorous training and briefings, their every move monitored by the scientists at KA-10. The plan was simple in theory: approach the stage-four anomaly planet in a specialized craft equipped with experimental shielding, land on its surface, and collect as much data as possible before the chaos overwhelmed them. The team was under no illusions about their chances; everyone knew this was a one-way trip. Ryan knew that this was all just a front; the main goal of the team was to travel to different universes and create a bridge, if possible.

Ryan watched the preparations from a distance, his mind racing. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this mission was a pivotal moment, not just for the Type 4 civilization but for everyone affected by the chaos. If the multiverse boundary could be controlled, it might offer a way to escape the chaos entirely—or at least to understand its nature. But if the mission failed, it would be another grim reminder of the chaos’s unpredictable power.

One evening, as Ryan sat alone in his cabin, Keira contacted him again.

“I’ve been thinking,” she said, her voice hesitant. “If they really manage to control the boundary, do you think we’ll ever get back to our universe? Or are we stuck here for good?”

Ryan stared out the window at the endless expanse of stars. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But if there’s even a chance, we have to take it. This chaos… it’s beyond anything anyone ever seen. If we can’t stop it, maybe the only option is to leave it behind.”

Keira was silent for a moment. “Just promise me you won’t do anything reckless aftwards. If this mission fails, we’ll need to be here to pick up the pieces.”

Ryan nodded, even though he wasn’t sure he could keep that promise. The chaos was a riddle that demanded answers, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that his own survival was somehow tied to its resolution.

The day of the mission arrived with little fanfare. The selected team boarded their craft, their faces grim but determined. Ryan watched from the observation deck as the ship launched, its engines glowing with an otherworldly blue light. It disappeared into the void, heading toward the stage-four anomaly planet and the unknown fate that awaited them.

As the station settled back into its routine, Ryan couldn’t help but feel that the mission was a turning point. Whether it ended in success or tragedy, it would change everything. And deep down, he knew that his own journey with the chaos is getting closer day by day.