First Contact Ambush
The Conflict
Prelude
Circumstances leading up to this conflict were benign enough; Sērbaka, having long watched the sister world Ǧara in its timeless dance with Maka, envying the lush planet and the resources it must hide, set in motion long term goals to eventually reach this untamed world. At the forefront of this charge, the Sērbaka Science Institute spearheaded research into the technologies necessary to make the dream of reaching another world a reality. At first it was slow going, many new advances had to be made in fields as of yet unexplored, older technologies had to be adapted, and on top of it all the gravity of their world, available alloys, and propellants of the time conspired to scuttle the entire project – the small worldwide Sērbaka population slowed things as well but eventually, experimental missions to space were being made, testing the viability and safety of crewed missions into the void.
Deployment
With everything verified, last minute checks complete, and the go ahead given from mission control, two of the three Sērbaka crew, climbed into the lander and detached from the orbiter; two courageous individuals taking the very first steps their species had ever taken upon the soil of another world. Setting foot on an alien world was exhilarating for these explorers, their names recorded for posterity, there deeds and actions the thing of legends, that future generations would aspire too; a deep breath, followed by another, little did these two know it would be among their last.
The two went to task, doing the science required of them; samples gathered, soil, flora, fauna, insects, and more, relaying discovery after discovery to the orbiter, which in turn relayed it back to Maka and the Sērbaka people. The homeworld was alight with wonder and awe at the discoveries and over the anticipation that more would come. The two stowed samples safely in the lander, unbeknownst of the eyes watching their every action.
The Engagement
Outcome
A short time later, the orbiter received orders to return to mission control, under the very vocal protests of its pilot; he eventually complied.
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