Graviton and the Space Pirates

3- The Mining Facility

Standing by the ramp alongside Ser and Guardian Babe, Onyx would look at the two as they prepped their weapons. Ser had chosen an assault rifle that had glowing blue wires on it. Guardian Babe, on the other hand, had a long rifle with a large scope. She also protracted two blades from her wrists and checked them to make sure they were good.

Entering the exit area, Lux stuffed four pistols into their holsters and used two arms to open the ramp controls while using the other two to hold on.

"You three ready?" he asked, looking at the small group of thieves.

"Where's Neena and Veta?" Onyx asked, a little confused as to why they weren't joining them.

"Well we need someone else to fly the ship, that's where Veta comes in. Plus we need to make sure she's safe in case any rouge gangs or whatnot make their way to our ship, hence Neena staying on the ship," Lux informed, fully opening the ramp.

Walking down onto it, Lux would look around at the barren wasteland as the ship lowered onto the ground. As it landed, Lux stepped off and began walking towards the edge of the cliffside. Pulling out a pair of binoculars, he would peer into them across the chasm that separated them and the piece of the cliff that held the entrance and outside portion of the Silver Veil Mining Facility.

"So, what's our plan here?" Onyx asked, crossing his arms as he walked towards Lux.

"Guardian Babe is going to scout out a good area for us to infiltrate from, she's also going to make sure the coast is clear. Meanwhile, the three of us prepare and wait," Lux informed, handing the binoculars to Guardian Babe. "You ready?"

"Yea, I should be good. Just tell me what to do, and I'll get it done," Onyx assured, sitting down on the rocks nearby.

Nodding, Lux began fiddling with his blaster pistols. Onyx decided to take the time to relax and try to remember what happened before he arrived on that arid planet. Closing his eyes, he rested his head on a rock and placed his hands behind his head to provide a bit of cushion. After a while, he'd drift off, waiting for the signal to get ready.

Eventually, Onyx would burst wide awake with the feeling of cold and wetness on his face. Wiping his eyes, he saw Lux holding a bucket and staring at him. After watching him nod, he'd look over to see Ser and Guardian Babe loading up their gear and beginning to make their way to the facility.

Standing up, Onyx stretched a bit before beginning to follow the two. However, Lux would stop him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Pulling him back, Lux adjusted his belt and holsters before looking into Onyx's eyes.

"Listen, I didn't just recruit you for the sake of needing more firepower, but I chose you because of your abilities," he told Onyx, not breaking eye contact.

"Abilities? How did you-"

"Save it, rock boy. The dark blue and black spandex, I know you're a Rockatrayen. That's why I recruited you. Not because of your... bulging... large muscles," Lux said, touching Onyx's arms. Then shaking his head, he looked back into his eyes, "No, I recruited you because I need your powers to succeed. This cannot be done without you."

"I, uhm... I'll do the best I can, as long as you keep up your end of the deal and bring me back to Earth," Onyx demanded, gesturing to shake his hand.

Nodding, Lux did just that and gestured for him to follow the others who were already beginning the descent into the canyon. Walking up to the cliffside, Onyx watched as Ser and Guardian Babe rappelled down the side holding onto a rope.

Looking over to Lux, Onyx watched as he knelt to grab the rope and ready himself to climb down, watching and waiting for the other two to reach the bottom, and once they did, he looked back up at Onyx, saluted him, and jumped down into the canyon with his arms holding onto the rope. Inspecting him as he slid down, he'd watch the rope slide effortlessly through his hands, without burning his skin. Impressed, Onyx grabbed onto the rope himself and began climbing down.

Once he reached the bottom, he looked at the other three. Ser had already begun moving towards the exit of the canyon, meanwhile, Guardian Babe was using a device that looked like the one Veta was fixing. It was projecting a holographic map showing a topographic view of the surrounding area, marking anything important. Looking around the canyon, Onyx could see large and small blobs of a glowing blue stone. Running his fingers over the rocks, he stared at them with curiosity.

"Hydrokyncein," Lux said, adjusting his holsters.

"Isn't that...," Onyx started, looking from Lux to the ore.

"Yup. That's what we are here for, just not in that form. We want it already mined, which is why we are infiltrating the facility," Lux finished, beginning to follow Ser.

As the four moved out of the protection of the canyon, they walked along the edge of the cliff to make their way to the geological platform where they could enter the building. Pressing themselves against the side, they began scooting along the edge. Ser didn't seem bothered, as he quickly managed to make his way to the platform. Guardian Babe was the lucky one of the quartet, as she had rocket-powered boots that allowed her to hover above the large chasm and easily reach the platform. Lux and Onyx, however, took a lot of time. Both were trying not to fall and overthinking it too much. But, to both of their luck, they made it across and stood right in front of the Silver Veil Mining Facility.

Taking a breather to recollect themselves and ensure they were prepared and ready, the group suddenly was surprised by the sound of footsteps approaching. Panicking, they all hustled behind a rock that could hide them all. Peering over the large stone, Onyx watched as three armored men walked in a horizontal line from around the corner of the building. All three were holding long prong-like weapons that had three spikes at the end, and a trigger closer to the butt of the stick.

As the three guards stopped by the door to the facility, they turned to look in the direction of the four. Quickly, Onyx ducked back behind the rock and looked at Lux, who nodded to him, then to the others. Then, holding up three fingers, he slowly started counting down, and once he put his last one down, Guardian Babe and Ser all stood up from the cover. Immediately, the three guards spotted the two and aimed their weapons at them. But before they could fire, Ser switched his blaster to semi-auto and shot two of the guards. As he was about to shoot the final one, Guardian Babe beat him to it, releasing a blast to the guard's head.

Peering over the rock, Onyx looked at the three bloody and very dead guards. After giving the two a look of impression, Lux and himself vaulted over the rock and all four ran towards the door. Once they reached it, Lux took out one of his blasters from his holster and blasted the security camera that was aimed at the door.

While he did that, Guardian Babe held her hand in front of her, and without warning, it suddenly started to shift into a strange probe. Sticking the probe into the door controls, her eyes would go blank as she tapped herself into the computer system. Watching their backs, Ser made sure that no one was going to ambush them, and eventually, Guardian Babe blinked and released her hand.

Standing in front of the door with two of his blasters pulled out, Lux gave Guardian Babe the signal to open the door, and as she did, Lux, Onyx, and Ser would be met with many guards waiting for them.

Gasping, Onyx prepared to use his powers, however, he was too slow. As he raised his hands, a strange electrical blast hit him and sent him flying into the cliffside, knocking him unconscious.