The World's Beyond - INCOMING DISTRESS SIGNAL

Áile’s attention diverts from her monitoring screen as a distress siren rings through the ship's deck. She hurries to her computer, searching hurriedly for the original signal location… Myar. Her heart quickens with a sense of urgency and compassion, “What in the celestials is going on down there…?”. She looks to other members of the expedition crew within the room, everyone silently giving a nod to each other.

“Well, that was pretty unanimous.” She laughs, standing from her desk. No words were needed, they intended to render aid to these stranded creatures, and quick, while also maybe using it as a further excuse to investigate Myar.

Upon arriving at the coordinates provided by the signal, Áile and her team are greeted by something unexpected, nothing. Did they read the coordinates incorrectly? Or was there something that caused those who sent it to relocate? They continued searching within a radius of the original signal, looking for any evidence, before noticed signs of life not far from them - it was these strangers. The strangers, with feathery bird-like features and feather-like antennae that were standing on the edge, were standing huddled together, their colourful plumage ruffled with distress. Approaching the creatures cautiously, Áile extends a gesture of peace, hoping to convey her intention to help. The beings chirp and trill in response, their vocalizations foreign to Áile's ears but filled with unmistakable gratitude.

Using a combination of gestures and expressions, Áile communicates with the creatures, piecing together the fragments of their story. They are travellers from a distant planet, drawn to Myar by rumours of its abundant resources and lands that were ideal for growth. However, their spacecraft malfunctioned upon entering the planet's atmosphere, leaving them stranded. They believed they would be able to last with their onboard supplies until repairs were made but their calculations were slightly off…

“I see… So that explains the distress signal to us.” Áile sits still, contemplative, before nodding her head in determination. “Let’s not waste any daylight, Eiros only knows how the days work on this planet.”

With empathy guiding their every action, Áile and the team work tirelessly to assist in the repairs of the aliens' damaged vessel, providing them with their excess food and supplies to sustain them during their journey home. As the last bolt is tightened and the engines hum to life once more, Áile exchanges farewells with the grateful travellers, a sense of fulfilment swelling within her heart.

"Safe travels," Áile says, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. "May the stars guide you back to your home."

The creatures chirp in response, their eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and gratitude. With a flutter of their wings, they take to the spacecraft, preparing for launch once again. But this time, successful.