Orbist

You awoke to the faint sound of wind howling outside, accompanied by the soft hiss of the pod's pressurized systems. Your head throbbed, and your body ached from the rough descent. The air inside the pod was warm and dry, carrying a faint metallic tang that hinted at the strain the craft had endured.

Plavo's voice pulled you back to full awareness. "You're awake! I was starting to think you'd sleep through the entire landing."

You blinked a few times, your vision slowly sharpening. Plavo sat across from you, his seatbelt still strapped, though his face was smeared with dirt and exhaustion was evident in his eyes. The reddish glow of the planet filtered through the viewport, casting the small cabin in an otherworldly light.

"What happened?" you asked, your voice hoarse.

"We made it," Plavo said, a faint smile breaking through his weary expression. "The pod systems held up, but... we're definitely not in great shape. I've been running diagnostics while you were out."

You unbuckled yourself carefully, your muscles protesting with every movement. "And? How bad is it?"

Plavo glanced at his console, his fingers drumming nervously. "Life support is stable for now, but we're low on supplies. The pod's power reserves are almost depleted, and the communications array is completely fried. I tried sending out a signal, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

The reality of the situation sank in as you looked out the viewport. The landscape was an endless sea of red sand, broken only by jagged rock formations and the occasional swirling dust storm. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced across the barren expanse.

"Any sign of the others?" you asked, hoping for a sliver of good news.

Plavo shook his head. "Not yet. The scanners are barely functional, and with all this sand interference... it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."

You exhaled slowly, forcing yourself to think clearly. "Alright. First things first—we need to secure the pod and figure out our next move. If the others made it, they'll be trying to do the same."

Plavo nodded, his expression determined despite the circumstances. "I've already started compiling a list of priorities. We'll need to find shelter, gather resources, and—"

A sudden thud jolted the pod, cutting Plavo off mid-sentence. Both of you froze, your eyes darting to the viewport. A shadow passed over the cabin, followed by a faint scratching sound that sent chills down your spine.

"What was that?" Plavo whispered, his voice barely audible.

You held up a hand, signaling for silence. Slowly, you reached for the emergency toolkit beneath your seat, your fingers brushing against the cold metal of the handle. The scratching grew louder, more deliberate, as if something—or someone—was testing the pod's integrity.

"Stay back," you murmured, motioning for Plavo to remain seated. Your heart pounded as you unlatched the toolkit and retrieved a small plasma cutter, its blade sparking faintly as it powered on.

The scratching stopped, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to stretch on forever. You moved cautiously toward the hatch, every step measured and deliberate. Plavo watched with wide eyes, clutching the straps of his seat as if they were a lifeline.

Just as you reached the hatch, a deafening crash reverberated through the pod, throwing you off balance. The impact sent a shower of sparks raining down, and a deep, guttural sound echoed from outside. Whatever was out there wasn't going to wait for an invitation.

"Get ready!" you shouted, gripping the plasma cutter tightly as the hatch began to buckle under the force of another blow. Plavo scrambled to his feet, his small frame trembling but his resolve unshaken.

The pod was no longer a safe haven—it was a target. And whatever was out there had just made its presence known.