Chapter 3. A Power from the Depths of Time: The Artifact from Planet Celestia

The interstellar ship "Aurora" was slowly approaching its home planet, Dragana. Suddenly an SOS signal sounded from the loudspeaker.

"Iris, what's that signal?" Bronislava asked, clutching the navigation chart nervously.

Iris received the distress signal and began relaying the message:

"A group of scientists and archaeologists can't leave the planet Celestia — their ship has broken down. We can help them — we have a printer for producing spare parts."

"Looks like they can't manage without us. Get ready for landing, Bronya," Darina answered, steering the ship toward the source of the call.

When the "Aurora" landed on Celestia, a group of scientist-archaeologists appeared before them, waiting.

"We've heard about you, Darina and Bronislava, and about your ship," the expedition's leader greeted them. "We urgently need your help. Our ship broke down, and we can't fly off this planet. Can you help us with repairs?

"Of course, we'll help," Darina answered, holding out the spare-parts printer to them. "But you'll need to work fast: we don't have much time."

The scientists set to work, while Darina and Bronislava decided to explore the surroundings. During a walk toward the foot of the mountains, they discovered a mysterious artifact, carefully packed and hidden in a crate.

"What is this strange object?" Bronislava asked, examining it with curiosity.

"I don't know, but it looks very ancient," Darina answered, taking the artifact in her hands. "Let's take it back to Dragana, so the scientists can study it."

When they returned to the ship, the scientists had already printed the parts they needed and returned the printer. The girls said goodbye to the scientists and got into their ship. The "Aurora" took off, leaving Celestia. Foreign ships appeared in orbit around the planet.

"What are those ships?" Bronislava exclaimed, glancing anxiously at the navigation screen.

"Looks like they're attacking us," Darina said, beginning to power up the defense systems.

The foreign ships opened fire. Iris activated all weapons and returned fire. Darina, Bronislava, and Iris fought, but their strength was limited.

"This is pointless!" Bronislava exclaimed, holding the artifact. "We should have stayed home!"

At that instant, the artifact began to glow, forming a spherical field that enveloped the ship "Aurora." The next thing they saw was their home planet, Dragana.

"Are we home?" Bronislava whispered, barely believing her eyes.

"Yes, we're home," Darina answered, staring in astonishment at the artifact in her hands. "And it's thanks to this mysterious object."