so abruptly.
Terry went to the back of the hall and stood at the window, staring into the blue valley. Perhaps he would stay the night here. He considered camping in the city once when he first discovered it, but each of those buildings looked lived in, like memorials or graves. Not like this one, which remained untouched.
The twin suns set in the late evening, replaced with the beautiful night sky. The arm of a galaxy spread across the darkness, engulfed by millions of flickering dots of light. Somewhere in that chaos was the world he had come from, though it was lost to him.
On the second floor of the alien dome, using his pack as a pillow, he lay against the cold metal tiles, staring through the window and longing for sleep.
Brother , said the girl in his mind. Why are you so scared?
The voice startled him. He turned on his side and closed his eyes.
None of them loved you. Not like I do. You know it’s true.
He buried his face in his pack, squeezing the straps, trying to shut out the words.
You’re scared, she said. You’re afraid.
He began to shake.
You’re going to die alone.
Ch ap ter 3
Ortego Outpost File Logs
Play Audio File 281
Recorded: April 15, 2350
THISTLE: Some of these readings are a bit confusing, Lieutenant.
FINN: Sorry, sir. I ran into a hitch on the road.
THISTLE: Rabs?
FINN: Flat tire. Had to swap it with a spare.
THISTLE : Why didn’t you finish the run?
FINN : And risk another one going out on me? I’d be stranded.
THISTLE : Fair enough. So when you going back?
FINN : I’ll make a second pass tomorrow, but so far I’m not seeing any nests or hazardous wildlife. Seems pretty clean.
THISTLE : Remember, Colonel Ross wants a full sweep. No exceptions.
FINN : Come on, Cap. I’ll do the full job. You know me. I’m not lazy.
THISTLE : Is this the part where I bring up the time you left your weapon behind?
FINN : Hey, I went back for it.
THISTLE : Not before we were halfway to the nest.
FINN : I made it back in time for the fight, didn’t I?
THISTLE : Hmph. I suppose you did.
FINN : Apology accepted, boss.
THISTLE : Alright Johnny, there’s one last thing I’m supposed to tell you, before I forget.
FINN : Yes, sir?
THISTLE : The outpost you’re staying at…how’s it looking? Are those scientists doing alright?
FINN : Seems like it. Why?
THISTLE : Central’s worried about their prolonged isolation. They’ve been there for months now.
FINN : There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, I’m keeping things lively.
THISTLE : Good to hear, Finn. But make sure you report anything out of the ordinary. We need to keep our people safe.
End Audio File
Unknown Location
April 15, 2350
Terry bent to the left and cracked his spine as soon as he woke up. Several clicks followed as he stretched the rest of his body.
The soft hue of morning light had hit him through the window, waking him. He reached into his pack and grabbed a piece of fruit for breakfast. He noted there were only three left after this. He’d have to go foraging today.
After Terry swallowed the last of the fruit, he headed downstairs and set about exploring. Since he had come from the east and found nothing, he decided to start north and work his way to the west. He’d heard birds chirping in the night, which meant a viable source of protein. He’d look for them later, once he had a chance to scout the area.
He searched for an hour before discovering a nest of tiny rodent-like creatures, which he’d previously named beavermites. The animals were scrawny and yellow, their eyes pure white. Using two large teeth, which together were the size equivalent of one of their heads, they carved nests inside their chosen trees, sucking moisture and nutrients out of the bark. Terry had actually tried to eat one a few years back, unsuccessfully. Aside from there being almost no meat on the bones, it actually made him sick. For nearly two days, he couldn’t stop vomiting.
Terry kept walking,
Terry went to the back of the hall and stood at the window, staring into the blue valley. Perhaps he would stay the night here. He considered camping in the city once when he first discovered it, but each of those buildings looked lived in, like memorials or graves. Not like this one, which remained untouched.
The twin suns set in the late evening, replaced with the beautiful night sky. The arm of a galaxy spread across the darkness, engulfed by millions of flickering dots of light. Somewhere in that chaos was the world he had come from, though it was lost to him.
On the second floor of the alien dome, using his pack as a pillow, he lay against the cold metal tiles, staring through the window and longing for sleep.
Brother , said the girl in his mind. Why are you so scared?
The voice startled him. He turned on his side and closed his eyes.
None of them loved you. Not like I do. You know it’s true.
He buried his face in his pack, squeezing the straps, trying to shut out the words.
You’re scared, she said. You’re afraid.
He began to shake.
You’re going to die alone.
Ch ap ter 3
Ortego Outpost File Logs
Play Audio File 281
Recorded: April 15, 2350
THISTLE: Some of these readings are a bit confusing, Lieutenant.
FINN: Sorry, sir. I ran into a hitch on the road.
THISTLE: Rabs?
FINN: Flat tire. Had to swap it with a spare.
THISTLE : Why didn’t you finish the run?
FINN : And risk another one going out on me? I’d be stranded.
THISTLE : Fair enough. So when you going back?
FINN : I’ll make a second pass tomorrow, but so far I’m not seeing any nests or hazardous wildlife. Seems pretty clean.
THISTLE : Remember, Colonel Ross wants a full sweep. No exceptions.
FINN : Come on, Cap. I’ll do the full job. You know me. I’m not lazy.
THISTLE : Is this the part where I bring up the time you left your weapon behind?
FINN : Hey, I went back for it.
THISTLE : Not before we were halfway to the nest.
FINN : I made it back in time for the fight, didn’t I?
THISTLE : Hmph. I suppose you did.
FINN : Apology accepted, boss.
THISTLE : Alright Johnny, there’s one last thing I’m supposed to tell you, before I forget.
FINN : Yes, sir?
THISTLE : The outpost you’re staying at…how’s it looking? Are those scientists doing alright?
FINN : Seems like it. Why?
THISTLE : Central’s worried about their prolonged isolation. They’ve been there for months now.
FINN : There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, I’m keeping things lively.
THISTLE : Good to hear, Finn. But make sure you report anything out of the ordinary. We need to keep our people safe.
End Audio File
Unknown Location
April 15, 2350
Terry bent to the left and cracked his spine as soon as he woke up. Several clicks followed as he stretched the rest of his body.
The soft hue of morning light had hit him through the window, waking him. He reached into his pack and grabbed a piece of fruit for breakfast. He noted there were only three left after this. He’d have to go foraging today.
After Terry swallowed the last of the fruit, he headed downstairs and set about exploring. Since he had come from the east and found nothing, he decided to start north and work his way to the west. He’d heard birds chirping in the night, which meant a viable source of protein. He’d look for them later, once he had a chance to scout the area.
He searched for an hour before discovering a nest of tiny rodent-like creatures, which he’d previously named beavermites. The animals were scrawny and yellow, their eyes pure white. Using two large teeth, which together were the size equivalent of one of their heads, they carved nests inside their chosen trees, sucking moisture and nutrients out of the bark. Terry had actually tried to eat one a few years back, unsuccessfully. Aside from there being almost no meat on the bones, it actually made him sick. For nearly two days, he couldn’t stop vomiting.
Terry kept walking,
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