While Sage Ceeran found himself trapped on an exotic, sentient planet that sought to consume him, Pioneer XIII found itself in the distant star system of Procyon, just eleven or so light-years away from Sol.
WHOOSH…
Pioneer XIII slowly moved through the vacuum of outer space, carefully scouring the star system with its preliminary surveys.
"Short-range scans reveal nothing."
"Preliminary threat analysis does not display any signs of concern."
"Defense systems are at maximum power."
"Maintain a state of high alertness," Admiral Renheal declared with a bold statement, narrowing his eyes.
He had received communications of what some of the earlier Pioneer omni-ships had run into in their destinations.
It was not pleasant.
