Stray Beyond the Cosmos

Chapter 6

On Earth's stratosphere, PSC De Castro the Space Carrier of PASVF is making its descent to the Philippines. The rest of the 10th fleet is waiting on Mars to avoid a misunderstanding between them and the Earthlings.

Inside the bridge where officers and crews are on their respective seats, monitoring the ship's condition as they are descending. Everyone is busy as they make sure that no problems that will slip by during their landing.

A man in jet-black full body armor enters the bridge. He immediately looks at Juaquin and salutes. "Sir, our birds just finished their recon to the land below us," the man in armor handed over to Juaquin a thin square glass where images and videos that were taken during the recon mission that they sent in advance to scour the lands below them.

"You can see Chinese establishments in almost all of the northern parts of Luzon. In Manila, the Filipinos that are not in the country during our country's sudden transfer returned, and form communities and settlements in Manila. In the Visayas, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam are in dispute to claim the island of Palawan, Filipino settlers are present in Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo City. In Mindanao, Sulu islands are now part of Indonesia, Filipino settlers are in Davao."

Juaquin placed down the glass-like tablet into his table. "So, why did the Filipinos only settled in these cities? Why not build in every part of the country?" Juaquin asked in disappointment.

"Sir, We believed that the neighboring countries are scaring the Filipinos. It is easy to claim uninhabited lands. Manila, Cebu, and Davao are the only city the Filipinos can reside. Like sheep, they are herding the Filipinos." the man in full black body armor answered.

"Hm. You're right, it's easy to claim uninhabited lands, so they can do whatever they want without restricting them. Any suggestion colonel?" Juaquin said facing Colonel Gonzaga who is in full black body armor.

"We can help the locals here and establish a friendly relationship with them. Help them build a City, protect them against their invasive neighbors, and if it escalates more, we can kick these trespassers out of here. A simple plan; however, this must be enough."

Juaquin pauses, thinking about the consequences. "Colonel, organize your team and meet the settlers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Entice them to come under our wings. I notified our cargo ships back on Mars to be ready if we need some supplies to help our compatriots here." 'let's hope they will leave after they see us here.' he thought.

------

New Manila

After the Philippines is free from the embrace of the "void" 4 years ago, the whole country becomes a rainforest. Tall buildings and other traces of man were replaced by trees, rocks, and grasses. Garbages and other causes of pollutions such as plastics beneath the soils of the Philippines also vanished.

A large clearing of land, where tents and wooden houses are set in the middle of a jungle-like environment. Surrounded by thick tall trees and bushes, cries of insects and chirps of birds can be heard, just like in a tropical rainforest. Despite this condition, Filipinos still put a smile on their faces. Many of them are hoping that someday, their loved ones will come back.

A large ship from the sky catches the eye of the many onlookers. Numerous of them pointed at the giant ship at the sky, gossiping, marveled at the sight. Some speculate that it is a new vessel created by NASA, but some of them are cautious on what is the intention of the said giant ship. Suddenly the floating vessel let out numerous smaller aircraft, the settlers below panicked as it is clear that it is a sign of attack. Many run back into their houses, but some of them run into the tree line to hide.