A moon orbiting a foreign star housed a single science facility. There was little activity to be seen there. The atmosphere was far too thin for anyone to be outside of the facility without an environment suit, and what little life that was native to the moon were few and far between. 

Even though the sun was directly above, so little light was reflected from the atmosphere that the brightest could still be seen as well. 

A female pine marten stared out of the landscape from behind the facility's large observation windows. The facility was built around what was an ancient crash site of an unknown classification of a ship. The ship had buried part of itself into the ground which helped preserve it, and allowed for a small and weak electronic signal to still function. That signal is what led to its discovery, and confirm the existence of advanced alien life. 

Tang Fa, the pine marten and leading scientist, glanced up toward the sky. Questions invaded her mind. 

What were these aliens doing here?

The pine marten was barely an adult, but her aristocratic status has afforded the luxuries of an advanced education at an early age. The Fa family had a strong legacy dating back to the First Banished War, when her ancestors led to the union between the sister planets, Canidera and Lutracha. Later on her ancestors would negotiate the creation of the Tactical Alliance of Intergalactic Life. 

Where did these aliens come from? 

This discovery, and Tang’s parents incredible influence, led to an unprecedented mission. A prototype ship had been built to go beyond this moon in an attempt to learn more about any alien life that may still exist.  

Were they peaceful? 

The marten took a sip of a caffeinated drink while she pondered over the possibilities of the aliens. She glanced across the ruins toward one of the attached facilities. She assumed that her younger brother, Jun Fa, was in that wing going over the possessions of the dead aliens that were found. 

Tang smiled warmly as she thought of her brother. He always was working more than he should be at his age, all from a desire to contribute to her research. Even as children, Jun was insanely perceptive but often avoided taking credit for any discovery. He wanted Tang to be credited since it was her career that would benefit most from it. The two of them have always looked out for each other in all manners of ways.  

Tang had to admit that she was impressed that Jun was able to gain a lot of knowledge from details that her scientists had missed. He was able to determine the biology and rough appearance of the aliens just by examining the bones. When no bones like this have ever been seen before, he had a gift for understanding what each detail could have meant. 

A small breeze stirred up some black dust across the surface before settling back down. The door popped open behind the marten. She turned to see one of her guards entering. 

“We have a visitor in the main lab," he said, closing the door behind him. 

“Who is it?" asked Tang, her smile faded and eyes narrowed. Her brother was in that lab, and this remote planet did not get visitors. 

“A Ghost from the look of her," replied the guard. “I have no idea how she got here." 

“Damn it," muttered the marten. She knew this particular Ghost and that she was not supposed to be anywhere near this planet. That Ghost was leading the exploration mission so why was she here? 

Frustrated, the pine marten set down her mug and pushed pass the guard. She briskly walked through the facilities corridors toward the mainlab. 

Entering through the doors to the lab, she saw that her brother was indeed there. He was looking over what they had all assumed was the primary personnel communication device. 

Jun’s eyes looked up to meet his sister’s and he softly smiled before nodding toward one of the darker corners of the lab.. Following his gaze, Tang noticed the yellow eyes reflecting from the darkness. 

“What're you doing here Natasha?" asked Tang, focusing her attention on the panther. 

“The mission began a couple weeks ago, Tang," replied the panther, stepping only slightly into the light. The younger marten only stared without expressing any emotion. “We've already made contact. Did you happen to lose an artifact?" 

“Contact?" Confused, Tang thought back on her reports. “We did have something underground disappear from our scanners. It was fuzzy to begin with so it could have just as easily been some burrowed creature or a glitch just as much as it could have been part of the wreckage." 

“Something got off this rock," replied the panther. “A hostile alien ship attacked an illegal civilian vessel, destroying it and killing part of its crew. My agent was on board the ship and ran into some of the crewmembers. They were dead but still moving. Is it possible that these aliens were of a parasitic-possession nature?" 

“From our remains, no," answered Jun, still standing behind one of the many tables. Both the Ghost and Tang glanced at him. Tang admired that they shared the same thick brown and black coat including the white markings across their muzzles. His only expression was innocent curiosity when he wasn't smiling like now, but Tang held anger toward the panther instead. “You said ‘part of the crew’. What happened to the survivors?" 

“They're onboard Drach'n Fury now. What about a parasite not from the alien ruins?"

“You mean something native from this moon?" questioned the young marten. His eyes drifted as he thought about the question. “No, something we presumed native. There is only a botanical substance on some of the fragments but everything is sterilized before coming in direct contact with us." 

Grinding her teeth together, Tang said, “There are intact compartments underground that may have kept some type of dangerous alien alive. One of them is due to open in three days." 

“How much have you learned about them?" asked Natasha, the black panther. 

“The wreck is difficult to learn much from but we know that they have more advanced technology that focuses on more heat based weapons than projectiles," replied Tang, repeating the words she read from a recent report. 

“Is there much more to learn?" 

“Could be," replied Jun. “Our scans have difficulties penetrating the hulls so we don't know what these intact compartments may hold. If there's a risk of a parasite, we should sterilize them however." 

“I agree and so does the Intelligence and the Admiral," stated the Ghost glancing around the room for the first time. “There was sufficient data recovered from the civilian vessel. Your operation here is now canceled." 

Tang nearly growled at the audacity of the Ghost trying to cancel her mission. It was her discovery that led to the mission! This was the biggest discovery since life was discovered on the sister planet of Canidera. However, she knew better than to argue with a Ghost Agent. And if something did escape from this facility that killed others, it’d be irresponsible of her team to continue digging. 

“This entire site will be sterilized and two warships placed in orbit at all times," continued the panther. “This planet is classified and forbidden. No knowledge of a crash site existing will leave it. Your team is to relocate to Drach'n Fury immediately where they will be reassigned. Tang Fa, Jun Fa, you both will be given all the resources you need to evaluate the data recovered from the civilian vessel." 

An awkward silence went by for several seconds. All the work here was about to be destroyed, all the artifacts and most of Tang's personal equipment. The only positive thing Tang could see in this plan was the chance to evaluate the actions of live alien specimens. 

“Who will be sterilizing the site?" asked Jun after a long gaze into the skull of the alien. 

“The cruiser Pearl Diver is inbound to sterilize the site," replied Natasha. “Your ship Fa Pioneer will dock and be sterilized on the Fury. It will remain intact for your upcoming missions once they're ordered." 

“How much time do we have to evacuate?" asked Tang. 

“Ten hours," Natasha answered. “Jun, the Admiral has requested to speak with you on your research thus far." 

“He's not leaving without me," replied Tang with a small growl. She did not trust the Ghost at all with her younger brother. 

“The Admiral would have requested for you both to brief him on your research but he understands that you have a team to evacuate," Natasha remarked. 

“And I'm supposed to let my little brother go on a top secret Ghost vessel who is piloted by you?" questioned Tang rather harshly. “I know what you did to that civilian Velmarian vessel. All because they discovered your existence." 

“I do not need to defend my actions against our enemies," replied Natasha, her voice also rising. “Those particular pirates were confirmed outlaws. You both know who I am. If Jun learns of my ship, he will be in no more danger than he is in now." 

“Tang," Jun said. She glanced at him but he still expressed no emotion. “If the Admiral's ship has already engaged hostile aliens that can possibly be related to this crash site, it is important that he knows everything we do as soon as possible. Besides, I'll be able to get a head start on analyzing the mentioned data." 

“I don't trust her," Tang stubbornly stated. 

“You'll be on board with me in less than one of this moon’s rotations," replied Jun, a smile tugging at the corner of his maw. “Besides, I'm of the Fa family. Nothing will happen to me that won't go unnoticed." 

Her brother wanted to go and Tang couldn't convince him otherwise. She knew the Ghost was dangerous but she also knew that the Ghost’s entire intelligence agency only existed thanks to the Fa’s legacy. 

“Very well," said Tang, redirecting her attention to the pantheress. “You may take your orders directly from the Intelligence but who do you think is advising them on this issue? If anything happens to my brother, then I will hold you personally responsible." 

“Yes ma'am," Natasha responded. She almost sounded begrudged. “I'll be at your bunk in ten minutes, Jun. Be ready to leave at that time." She left the lab. 

Tang and Jun exchanged a glance before she said; “Jun, don't ever let her out of your sight." The younger marten briskly nodded. 

“I know that the reputation of our Ghosts has been cold throughout history," replied Jun. “Besides, you'll be able to hear everything she says when I'm with her." 

“What do you mean?" asked Tang. She's known Natasha for a while, but never has had much of a chance to learn what she was really like when not in her presence.

“I've been studying the alien communication systems and they use a technology very similar to our ships' engines."

“By folding the fabrics of space."

“Yes. Our technology is not far behind theirs and we haven’t had a need for faster than light communications before so it was a natural adaptation," said Jun, the same smirk tugging at his paw. “I've learned how to send a signal using this method and the Ghost won't be able to trace it."

Tang smiled warmly at her brother. “Jun, you being to outsmart her still impresses me. Come on. You have to get packed."