Ultraya: Origins

Chapter 6: Exploration

23/05/4013 AD – 22:03 – Earth – Alton Mountain Range – East Mountain – Nearby Field

"Well, shall we get to exploring?!" Daniel said, it was unclear whether or not he was joking.

"What? Are you stupid?!" Henry scoffed. "It's well after dusk! To explore we need to be able to see properly! Now go and help Oliver with your tent!" The team had two dark-green, compact tents with them; one shared between Oliver and Daniel, the other by Henry and Anna who had already set up their tent. Anna was inside, changing into nightwear whilst Henry scanned through various maps of the region; they had set up camp in a small field between a crystal-clear lake that reflected the full moon up above, and the mountain range on which the satellite had crashed somewhere on. The lake could be used to wash in the morning and replenish their water supplies, and the proximity of the mountain meant that they wouldn't have to set out particularly early. A square shape had been made with the truck, a portable table, and the tents. In the centre of this square, a small campfire illuminated the area and heated the surrounding air. Daniel started fixing his tent's support poles together.

"Remind me again why you get to share the tent with the girl?" he said through gritted teeth as he struggled with the basic construction of his shelter.

"The fact that you are asking that proves exactly why you aren't the one paired with Anna", Henry responded without taking his attention away from the maps on his visor. "And as for Oliver, well I think he's had maybe two conversations with females before; wouldn't want him getting too excited".

"Ha ha ha, such originality", came a sarcastic, spoken laugh from Oliver. Anna came out from the tent and chuckled loudly.

"That's ironic. I've known Henry for two decades at this point", Anna said playfully. "I don't think he has ever shown interest in ANYONE! EVER!" She looked over at the lake; Henry was still ignoring the group.

Anna said under her breath "... Unless it's Wyperian-related of course". She looked down and went back inside the tent, "I'm going to bed".

"You came outside just to tell us you're going back inside?" Daniel asked, laughing to himself.

"Shut it!" came an angry reply from inside Henry and Anna's tent.

"Suddenly glad that I'm not sharing that!" Daniel smirked and prodded Henry with the now fully-extended tent pole. "Good luck, buddy!"

Once his comrades had sorted out their tents and had all gone inside, Henry glanced back at the campsite before looking out across the lake.

'Two decades, huh?' he thought. 'Perhaps I should have at least tried to show them how much I genuinely do care. I wonder if it's even possible now; everyone knows me as the emotionless, detached man that I am'. Henry then laughed to himself, "I certainly am a very different person to Hyperzio, aren't I?" Maybe someday, he would tell the team his true origin story, but for now, Henry went inside his tent to join Anna. And with that, the group retired for the night.

Early next morning, the golden sun shone down elegantly upon the exploration team's camp site. The team packed up their kit and traded in their camping equipment for their hiking gear in the truck. Daniel hoisted the team's extra tool bag over his shoulder and started making his way towards the start of the trail, where Anna was already waiting, leaning against a small pillar of rock; her visor was of no help in hiding her angered eyes. Henry and Oliver were coming up just behind their bulky friend.

"So Henry", Oliver started. "If we are going after a simple satellite, would it not just be easy to send in a helicopter or a dropship to get this job finished in like, ten minutes?"