The dense atmosphere of the planet pressed down on Hardy the moment he stepped out of his pod. Thick, humid air filled his lungs, wrapping around them like a suffocating shroud. Each breath felt heavy, laden with moisture that clung to his skin. The unfamiliar surroundings buzzed with distant sounds of creatures lurking in the shadows.
Hardy glanced around, taking in the disarray of the drop zone.
A dense, reddish fog blanketed the horizon, and jagged black rocks jutted from the ground like twisted thorns, beneath his feet, the earth was a strange blend of gravel and ash, with cracks that hinted at something molten lurking below.
According to the plan, the first objective was crucial: to regroup.
The twelve members of Hall 33 had been scattered across an area spanning around 20 to 30 miles, with no knowledge of where the others had landed. The sheer size of the planet was daunting, the shadows stretching long and deep in the reddish light.
