Echoes from Earth [ENG]

Chapter 6

In one of the crew barracks, a mix of anticipation and nerves filled the air. The heightened alertness was unmistakable—everyone knew something was brewing, though the exact reason remained unclear. Some soldiers gathered in small groups, talking in low voices, while others sat apart, absorbed in their devices. The murmur of conversation and the occasional crackle of an intercom echoed through the room.

In a corner of the barracks, four men sat around a table, engrossed in a game of poker. Yuri Sokolov, a young Russian captain with short, dark hair and a slightly mocking grin, held his cards close, studying his fellow players with a challenging stare. Known for his laid-back style and dry humor, Yuri always had a joke ready—though his timing wasn't always the best.

"Look at that poker face, Kolya," one of the players teased, laying his cards down on the table. "Like he actually has something worth playing."

Yuri grinned, raising his eyebrows in mock defiance. "I could bluff you without you even knowing." With a mischievous smile, he added, "Maybe I know more than I'm letting on."

Kolya, a broad-shouldered engineer, chuckled and leaned back casually. "Give it a rest, Sokolov. Your 'secrets' aren't worth much if they're just a bunch of big talk."

As the game went on, a soldier monitoring the intercom cast a serious look at the group. "It's strange, right? The comms are so quiet. Usually, there's way more activity."

Yuri put his cards on the table, leaning forward as his tone turned serious. "You think they shut everything down just because of us? Disconnected everything so no one knows what's going on?"

Another soldier shook his head, glancing at the group around the table. "Could be bigger than we think. Last time this happened... well, let's just say there was a lot of excitement."

Yuri grinned, scooting his chair closer to the table. "I don't mind a bit of excitement. It's what I'm best at, after all." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I heard some high-ranking officials are coming. Maybe we'll finally get a shot at a real adventure."

Kolya cast Yuri a skeptical glance, laying his cards down. "Adventure? You and your adventures, Captain. Don't forget, in the end, we're the ones who carry out the orders."

Yuri shook his head with a laugh. "Maybe so, but maybe this time we'll get orders that actually get us out of this hangar. And until then, gentlemen," he shoved a stack of chips to the center of the table, "I'm betting my hand's better than yours."

The poker game fell into a tense silence as the barrack door swung open, and a tall major entered. The room quieted immediately, and the soldiers who had been chatting or watching the game turned their attention to the unexpected guest. The major—known for his strictness and precision—scanned the room until his gaze settled on Yuri Sokolov, who was in the middle of a bold bluff.

Yuri looked up, noticing the intense stare fixed on him. With a sly grin, he put his cards down, stood up, and saluted in his own unorthodox way—a mix of casual confidence and respect. "Major! Just a few more minutes, and I would've bankrupted Kolya and the rest of these guys."

The major, evidently not in the mood for jokes, shot Yuri a look that made it clear this was serious business. "Captain Sokolov, you're ordered to report to Hangar 22 with a minimal crew immediately."

Yuri's smile faded a little, but his curiosity was piqued. "Understood, sir. Are we dealing with a special delivery?"

The major raised an eyebrow, seeming to consider how much he could reveal. "Details about the cargo and passengers aren't relevant. You'll supervise the boarding, check the cargo's security, and ensure the readiness of the freighter. Further instructions will be given on-site."

Yuri nodded, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes. Mystery was part of the routine, but something about this setup felt different. "Understood, Major. Minimal crew, you said?"

"Correct, Captain. Only what's necessary. We expect you to follow orders without questions. Your job is to ensure security and prepare the ship for deployment."

Yuri nodded again, this time more seriously. "I'll get it done, sir." He grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair, clapping Kolya on the shoulder as he passed. "Looks like I just saved you from losing tonight's dinner, Kolya."

Kolya laughed, saluting him jokingly. "Don't go making trouble out there, Sokolov. We've got enough excitement here already."

As Yuri left the barracks, the major gave him a final nod. "Five minutes, Sokolov. No delays." Then he turned and strode back down the corridor.

Yuri hurried to the prep rooms, gathering his crew—a handful of technicians and a second pilot, whose job would be to monitor the instruments during the flight. Together, they made their way to the hangar.

When they arrived, the atmosphere was tense and quiet. Hangar 22 was conspicuously empty, and Yuri couldn't help but wonder what kind of cargo could justify such security and secrecy. "All set, folks?" he called out as he powered up the freighter's control board. A technician nodded, finishing the last checks.

Lost in thought, Yuri stepped onto the bridge, his eyes on the monitors. Soon, the cargo would arrive, and things would get serious.

Inside Hangar 22, the silence was charged as the distant rumble of a heavy craft began to echo. The sound grew louder, and Yuri recognized it instantly: a planetary cargo plane, its deep, vibrating drone unmistakable. "That must be the cargo," he muttered, glancing toward the hangar door.

As the chief engineer fired up the reactor and the technicians ran the final system checks, Yuri watched the displays. The co-pilot, a calm but seasoned pilot named Nadia, leaned over and asked, frowning, "Do you even know where we're going? Kind of important to know."

Yuri chuckled, shrugging. "Nope, not a clue. They told me to get the ship ready and load the cargo. No questions, just execution." His tone was lighthearted, almost nonchalant, but Nadia looked skeptical. "Without a destination, we don't even know how much fuel we'll need, let alone what this cargo weighs."

Yuri raised his hands, grinning. "Maybe it's just a heavy load of potatoes? Or secret plans for a new casino the officers want to build." He shook his head, lowering his voice. "But seriously—I have no idea. I assume we'll find out soon enough."

Just then, the hangar door opened with a thunderous clank, and a bright beam of light pierced the dim room. The crew turned toward the door as the freighter was slowly wheeled inside, its massive engines powering down, the echo of the noise fading gradually.

An officer from the freighter's crew stepped into the cockpit, offering Yuri a brief salute and handing him a tablet with an encrypted document. "Here you go, Captain Sokolov. Your mission parameters and exact cargo details. The destination will only be revealed mid-flight for security reasons."

Yuri took the tablet, casting a quick glance at the display. The cargo list was sparse, but a few items caught his attention: "High-security container, heavy weapons, medical equipment..." He frowned. "I get it. Something special, but that's all we're allowed to know."

Nadia stepped closer, her eyes scanning the numbers and labels on the display. "Doesn't look much like potatoes, Yuri," she noted dryly.

Yuri smirked, clapping her on the shoulder. "Well, then, looks like we're in for an adventure—no doubt about that."