GATE: First Encounter

Chapter 8

As I made my way through the depths of the forest, my mind was still replaying that strange encounter.
The resistance shown by that alien only deepened my curiosity.
Despite being weak and untrained, his willpower was impressive.
Something inside me told me he wasn't just some ordinary being.
There was a warrior's spirit within him—
and with the right training, he might be able to unlock his true potential.
I couldn't help but imagine...
I would definitely want someone like him as a Claw-Tail partner one day.

Questions about him swirled through my thoughts as I walked.
I had a feeling what I'd learn about him might become important.

When I arrived back at the camp, the others were already tending to the injured science officer they'd recovered from the wreckage.
His condition was critical, but he still had a chance.

I carefully set the "cargo" down and took a short breath.
The team was moving with purpose—
everyone knew what they had to do.
The medics quickly took him and carried him toward the waiting Rynor-class ship.

Captain Kireal approached me.
There was a look of approval in his eyes.

"Well done, Lynx," he said.
"We need to figure out what this thing is. The wounded Serynox may know more. Once he stabilizes, we'll try to learn what he can tell us about this new species."

"Understood, Captain," I replied.

There was a quiet satisfaction in having completed my mission—
but I knew I wouldn't be at ease until I learned more about this alien.

Kireal continued,
"We're taking him to the outpost. Interrogation and analysis will be conducted at Stormclaw. Board the ship—Kyrion wants to see you."

I saluted formally.
"Yes, sir."

The fatigue was still there, but it was drowned out by a surge of adrenaline.
Kyrion wanted to see me.
The regional commander rarely summoned warriors directly—
so this had to mean something.

I quickened my pace toward the Rynor-class vessel, glancing around for the alien.
Inside, I spotted him quickly.

He was lying on a stretcher while the ship's medical team treated him.
I found a quiet spot within sight and sat down, listening in on the conversation.

Despite everything, the unease in my chest hadn't faded.

Doctor 1 stood at the alien's side, reviewing a report.
"What should we do about sedation? The wrong dosage might kill him, but if we don't give enough and he wakes up, we don't know what he'll do. They said he could be dangerous."

Doctor 2, still scanning through the alien's internal readings, nodded.
"Agreed. His organs and structure are somewhat similar to ours, but we can't predict his reaction. His heart rate and blood pressure are operating on completely different parameters. Let's start with a low dose and monitor. If he begins to stir, we'll administer more."

Doctor 1 grabbed the vial and gave a resigned sigh.
"Alright. But if this weird thing gets me into trouble, I'm blaming you first."
He prepared the syringe with precision and injected the sedative.

Doctor 2 kept watching the monitor.
"Relax. Nothing's going to happen. As long as we keep him stable, we're fine. They made it clear—this is important cargo."

A soft jolt ran through the ship as it began its flight.

I startled awake.
I must've dozed off without realizing it.