"Everything alright, Cari? You look shocked."

"It's this small blue planet Captain, the one we are approaching. The readings I get are weird. And I receive strange signals. 

Captain Narson looked at his commander sternly and thoughtfully.

"Tell me, Cari. What do you think about these strange signals? Is it worth taking a look at what's happening on this planet?"

"The seismological activity is very high according to the readings, as are the radiation levels. The air pressure is going crazy. The atmosphere is unstable. We are preparing ourselves for it to be a dangerous mission if we decide to land," said Cari, evaluating the readings.

"But what makes me curious are these signals. I have never received such high frequencies before. There could be a completely new life form on the planet".

"But Commander, you said it yourself. The mission is dangerous. Are we even equipped for it?"

Lieutenant Rathaline didn't like the Commander's idea of exploring the signal at all and looked around her team for support.

Captain Narson followed her gaze. Interested to know who else wanted to comment on the idea.

Doctor Moonwood avoided her ice-blue eyes and fixed his gaze towards the ground.

Admiral Solomon, on the other hand, when her gaze reached him, maintained position and took the floor.

"I see this just like our lieutenant here. We are just on a research mission. What do we care about the alleged cry for help?"

Commander Cari looked at his team without understanding.

"It is probably about an unknown life form. Is that not reason enough to land on the planet? As you said, we are on a research mission, which includes landing on unknown planets and investigating them. Right now, we get a signal from an unknown planet where probably unknown life forms live and you want to throw away this unique chance because the risks are too high for you? Then we wouldn't have had to fly at all.

"Commander Cari. It is part of our job to investigate the unknown, but not under all conditions," Rathaline contradicted him.

"I have to agree with her," Solomon said, "What is the point of landing on a planet and investigating it if we get killed in the process?

Narson turned his gaze towards Doctor Moonwood, who was still looking down at the floor.

"I would be very interested to hear what our Doctor has to say on this subject"

Moonwood now looked up and directed his gaze alternately at the Lieutenant, the Commander and the Captain. But he avoided eye contact with the admiral, who stared at him gloomily.

"I...," he began, "I can well understand the concerns of the Lieutenant and the Admiral," his gaze fixed on Rathaline. She gave him a light smile. "Yes, we are on a research mission, not a rescue mission. And yes, the risks that we could die trying to enter the planet and find its inhabitants are very high. But I am sure I don't have to remind everyone of the first principle that if a call for help, even a vague signal, reaches one of our ships, the crew will do everything possible and necessary to find and save this life form. But the decision lies with the captain alone." With this, he turned his eyes back to Narson.

"I guess that says it all," said Captain Narson firmly, "We're landing!"

"Cari, start the engines. Everyone else. Prepare everything for the mission."

Commander Cari started the engines and entered the coordinates for landing. Doctor Moonwood looked down again. Unable to face Lieutenant Rathaline's gaze, who left the bridge in disgruntlement. Followed by Admiral Solomon, who gave Moonwood a disapproving look before he too disappeared.

Dust was swirling around when the ship touched down on the planet.

Inside, Rathaline, Solomon, Cari and Moonwood were already standing by, while Captain Narson secured the bridge for the stay.

"I still think this idea is crap," Solomon said to Rathaline. "It was obvious that this wimp of a doctor would have to bend over backwards and play the moralizer. Fuck the principle." He turned his scowl on Moonwood, who was gathering his equipment for the mission and stowing it.

"Oh just shut up," Rathaline said in a bad mood, "I'm not thrilled either. But Moonwood is only doing his job. And we should do the same."

The ramp opened with a loud hiss. Commander Cari, Doctor Moonwood and now also Captain Narson caught up with the Lieutenant and the Admiral.

"We will regret this. Mark my words Lieutenant. We're gonna regret this."

The planet was dead quiet. A light wind blew over the blue sandy ground and whirled up scattered sand clouds.

"This is incredible." Commander Cari was running around, constantly checking his devices. "The seismographic activity seems to have calmed down completely. The air pressure has also returned to normal and the radiation in this area is so weak that it cannot harm us. I still think we should keep our protective suits on. The planet seems unpredictable."

"Lunatic suicide mission," growled Admiral Solomon.

"Doctor Moonwood, Lieutenant Rathaline. I think we should take soil samples. This blue sand is very interesting. It looks almost like sapphire dust. Let's get some equipment installed and run some scans. If you like you can also participate Admiral."

"No, thanks, I'll pass," the Admiral shouted to the Commander. He sat down with his long-range weapon on a blue rock very close to him and examined the surroundings with his eyes.

"I better secure your asses. Who knows what's going on around here."

"I would rather know where the signal is coming from, Commander," said Captain Narson.

"We can do samples and scans later." And more to himself than to the others he said,

"I feel uneasy about this planet now that I've set foot on it."

"The signal is three miles away from us," Cari said, checking his navigation system.

"If we start moving now, we can be there in an hour."

"Let's go," Captain Narson ordered and the whole crew followed his order.

...

"That's strange. You stupid thing. What the hell!?" Commander Cari scolded and shook his navigator.

"What's wrong?" asked Lieutenant Rathaline.

"The damn thing must be broken!" replied Commander Cari and slapped the device in his hand a few times with his flat hand. "We should actually be very close to the source of the signal, but somehow the signal seems to get further and further away from it the closer we get to it.

"That's not possible," said Moonwood and joined Commander Cari to take a closer look at the navigation device.

"I checked the technology with you myself before we left the ship"

"It worked on board," the Commander replied.

"Maybe we crossed an area with high radiation and that damaged the technology," suggested Lieutenant Rathaline.

"Do we have a problem?"

Captain Narson had turned his back when he noticed the group stopped.

"Uh, yes, Captain. But not too big. It's just that, um...," the Commander stammered in front of his Captain.

"The navigation system seems to be broken," Lieutenant Rathaline took over the explanation for the Commander.

"What do you mean the navigation system is broken?" Captain Narson asked in shock.

"Well, we should have reached our destination by now. But as we can see, there's nothing but blue sand far and wide and no sign of life," said Lieutenant Rathaline half-ironically.

"And what about the signal? How far are we from there?" the captain asked.

"Well, as far as the signal goes. It's best if you see for yourself." Dejected, Commander Cari handed the navigator over to his captain.

Shocked, Captain Narson threw his eyes alternately on the device and on his team, then he let his gaze wander over the vastness of the blue planet.

He shook his head vigorously. "But that's not possible. We've barely come close to the signal."

"That's not right at all," said Commander Cari, "We did approach the signal. It only seems as if the signal had moved."

"Or the device is simply broken," Lieutenant Rathaline listed another possibility.

"What's going on?" asked Admiral Solomon, who had now joined the group.

"It seems that there is something wrong with the navigation system," Captain Narson told his admiral briefly.

"And that means?" the admiral asked suspiciously.

"That means either something is wrong with the signal or we are without orientation," Narson replied soberly.

"Excuse me!?" shouted Admiral Solomon in disbelief. "Does that mean we're out here with no orientation, no food and no way to call for help?"

No one dared to look him in the eye.

"I knew it right away. I told all of you. This is a shit idea. But why listen to Admiral Solomon when everyone knows everything better. You're all crazy!"

Moonwood raised his head and opened his eyes wide in terror. He pointed behind the Admiral.

"I think the broken navigation system is the least of our worries right now."