Solar Mech Wars 2: Secrets of Titan

Chapter 1: A Call in the Night

Dr. Angela Vega's vid phone shattered the silence of the night, its urgent screech yanking her from sleep. She blinked groggily at the glowing screen, her mind still foggy from slumber. But when she saw the caller ID—Titan Innovation Council—her senses snapped into focus. This was no routine call. The Council didn't disturb its members at this hour unless something was gravely wrong.

With a swipe, she activated the transponder. "Dr. Vega here," she said, her voice already steady.

Dr. Mitt Gaski's stern face filled the screen, his expression as grave as his tone. "Dr. Vega, the Council is being summoned for an emergency meeting. How soon can you be on a train to Xanadu?"

Angela's heart quickened. An emergency meeting meant a crisis, possibly one that threatened the entire moon. Her mind raced through scenarios, trying to anticipate what could have gone so catastrophically wrong. "Dr. Gaski, I'll catch the next mag train. I can be in Xanadu within the hour," she replied, already sliding out of bed.

Angela was a woman of sharp intellect and relentless dedication, her hazel eyes gleaming with an intensity that belied her calm demeanor. She was a short woman and she moved with the lithe grace of someone accustomed to both the lab and gymnastics. Her dark brown hair, usually kept in a neat ponytail, now tumbled loose around her shoulders as she hurried to gather her essentials. She dressed swiftly, pulling on the functional clothing of an engineer, her mind already shifting gears to strategize.

Before she left her quarters, Angela checked her white adn deep blue-purple Innovator mech, a custom-built marvel of engineering. Ensuring it was ready for deployment was second nature to her, and she moved through the pre-launch protocols with practiced efficiency. Satisfied, she grabbed her bag and PDA, heading out the door.

The mag train station was a study in contrasts—a marvel of elegant art deco construction, its sleek lines and intricate details standing in stark relief against the urgency of the situation. Angela's steps echoed in the nearly empty hall as she made her way to the platform. Checking her PDA, she found a message from Dr. Gaski: "Dr. Vega, a taxi will be waiting for you at Xanadu. You will receive further instructions upon arrival. I'm sorry I cannot say more."

Angela frowned, her mind racing. What could be so critical that even Gaski was holding back information? She boarded the silver mag train, its streamlined design gleaming under the station's dim lights. Directed to her berth, she finally had a moment to sit and analyze the situation. But the questions in her mind only multiplied as the train hummed to life, gliding smoothly along the tracks.

As the city lights of her home dome faded, replaced by the inky darkness of Titan's night, Angela took out her PDA again. She needed to be prepared for anything. Reviewing the latest reports from her research in robotics, mechatronics, and AI, she sought patterns, clues—anything that could hint at the crisis waiting for her in Xanadu.

Yet, the data offered no clear answers. The recent news was troubling, but not extraordinary. Titan's resources had been dwindling for months—food shortages, energy disruptions, and even a hydrocarbon lake that had inexplicably exploded and burned. The terraforming efforts, while ahead of schedule, were creating chaotic weather at the poles. None of this seemed to warrant an emergency Council meeting.

But something about the situation gnawed at Angela, a sense of unease that only deepened as she delved into the reports. These isolated incidents felt connected, like pieces of a larger puzzle she couldn't yet see. Determined, she resolved to uncover the truth, whatever it might be.

The train pulled into Xanadu's bustling Grand Station, the first light slowing brightening light period still hours off. Angela barely noticed the crowds, her thoughts consumed by the impending meeting. She boarded the waiting taxi, which whisked her through the gleaming streets of Xanadu to the Hall of Innovation.