Orbist

The journey to the designated landing site was fraught with tension and unspoken fears. The reddish sands stretched endlessly in every direction, and the sun bore down on you and Plavo as you trekked across the harsh terrain. Each step felt heavier than the last, but the thought of finding the others—and perhaps some semblance of safety—kept you moving forward.
Plavo trudged beside you, his small frame weighed down by the makeshift backpack he'd assembled from the pod's remains. As he adjusted the strap, a faint beeping noise from the device on his wrist caught his attention. "Wait," he said, stopping in his tracks. "I think I'm picking up a signal."

You turned to him, a spark of hope igniting. "What kind of signal?"

Plavo fiddled with the device, his brow furrowing. "It's faint, but it's definitely coming from the direction we're headed. It could be the General's location or one of the other pods."

Despite the heat and exhaustion, his youthful energy shone through as he glanced up at you. "You think the General's already there?"

Plavo trudged beside you, his small frame weighed down by the makeshift backpack he'd assembled from the pod's remains. Despite the heat and exhaustion, his youthful energy shone through as he glanced up at you. "You think the General's already there?"

You adjusted the strap of your own pack, shielding your eyes from the glare of the sun. "If the others made it, the General will be organizing them. That's what they do best."

The idea of seeing the General again brought a strange mix of relief and apprehension. Their presence always commanded respect, but they were also known for their unwavering discipline. Whatever lay ahead, you knew they'd have a plan—a way to turn this disaster into something manageable.

As the sun began to dip lower on the horizon, casting long shadows over the dunes, a faint glimmer caught your eye. You squinted, focusing on the metallic sheen that stood out against the red sands.

"There," you said, pointing. "That has to be it."

Plavo's eyes lit up, and he quickened his pace. "Finally! I was starting to think we'd be wandering forever."

The glimmer grew into a collection of structures—makeshift shelters cobbled together from pod fragments and other materials. Smoke curled lazily from a central fire pit, and figures moved purposefully between the shelters. Relief flooded through you as you realized you'd found the main landing site.

As you approached, a group of armed figures stepped forward, their weapons raised cautiously. Recognition dawned on their faces as they lowered their guard and waved you in.

"Welcome back!" one of them called out, their voice carrying a note of genuine relief. "The General's been expecting you."

Plavo beamed, his earlier fatigue forgotten. "See? I told you we'd make it!"

You couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm as the two of you were escorted toward the largest shelter at the center of the camp. Inside, the General stood over a table covered in maps and diagrams, their expression as sharp and focused as ever.

"You're late," they said without looking up, their tone more matter-of-fact than accusatory.

"We ran into... complications," you replied, setting your pack down and stepping closer to the table. "What's the situation?"

The General finally looked up, their piercing gaze locking onto yours. "Survivors are scattered, but we're consolidating here. The enemy hasn't made a move yet, but we can't assume that will last. We need to fortify this location and prepare for the worst."

Plavo leaned in, his curiosity outweighing his apprehension. "What about the pods? Are they all accounted for?"

The General's expression softened slightly as they addressed Plavo. "Most of them. But some are still unaccounted for. We're sending out search parties at first light."

You exchanged a glance with Plavo, a silent understanding passing between you. The road ahead was far from easy, but at least now you weren't alone. Together with the General and the others, you'd face whatever challenges this planet had in store.

For now, though, you allowed yourself a moment of reprieve. The camp was a fragile beacon of hope in the vast desert, but it was enough to remind you why you kept moving forward.