Eos Venture, owned by Thanatos Umbra Dominion Dynamics, slipped into orbit around Xylos-7, a rocky planet shrouded in mist. The mission was routine: assess the planet’s resources for potential exploitation. Commander Victor Harlan looked out, murmuring, “I don’t like it.”

Harlan found Chief AI Scientist Quoros, an android, on the observation deck. Quoros’ golden eyes reflected the planet’s hazy atmosphere. “I’ve seen this kind of planet before,” Quoros said flatly. “I’m only interested in habitable zone planets which don’t have life or do have tech.”

“Suit yourself,” Harlan replied, annoyed by the android’s lack of interest.

The Eos Venture landing team of eight descended in Daedalus, settling into misty jungle. Stone formations rose around them, geometric, artificial, overgrown with moss. Dr. Elena Torrez knelt by a cluster of plants, her scanner chirping. “The plants are moving! Oh my god!”

Flying plants buzzed around the Eos Venture team like hungry picnic hornets. “Get off me!” Harlan said, wiping some plants off his suit.

The attack escalated when larger, pigeon-sized venus-fly-trap-like creatures with dragonfly eyes descended. One latched onto Derek Han’s arm, its fly-trap jaws biting through his suit. “It won’t let go!” Han shouted, struggling to pry it off.

“Back to Daedalus! NOW!” Harlan barked. Everybody scrambled, swatting at the plant creatures as they retreated.

Chaos broke out as both astronauts and flying plant creatures got back on board the Eos Venture. Quoros entered, alarmed, his android eyes bulging at the astronauts’ plight, and rapidly began pressing wall switches behind him. The ship plunged into complete darkness. The plant creatures immediately quieted down, landing and crawling in slow circles on the windows.

“Son of a bitch,” Nina Patel whispered.

Quoros pressed his palm against a control panel. “Keep a couple alive for the Bio Lab,” Quoros said, without emotion, the door hissing as it closed behind him.