Jaylon braced for impact.
The ship shook violently as it hurtled towards the planet's surface, its thrusters failing. With a loud crash, it landed in the midst of an endless expanse of orange sand dunes. Jaylon was disoriented and his body ached from the force of the landing. He stumbled out of the wreckage. Mission control's voice played over and over again in his head. No one is coming for you Rook. No one is venturing down. It's a goddamn death sentence. Learning about Gehanna's history was one thing, but actually being here was terrifying. If even half the things about this place were true. He'd been dead within days. What had mission control been trying to tell him? Surely they weren't just going to leave him here. Maybe there was a safe zone that the locals didn't know about? An escape ship for this exact purpose. There's no way he's the first person to be stranded here. Supplies perhaps? Rovers must come down here for supplies? As he took in his surroundings it all looked quite bleak. Keep it together, keep it together Jaylon thought.
While his ship was totaled, many of its supplies remained intact. Jaylon put together a pack of weapons and food. Whatever he could carry. He knew he lucked out, this ship was equipped with a month's worth of nutrition pods. No bigger than a tea bag, but packed with enough nutrients and calories to last an entire day if necessary. Enough water to last him a week and two dozen water purification tablets. He had the basics. The question was, in which direction should he go? He needed more information, his survival rate would plummet past ten days. Shelter and a computer were his priorities. In you, I trust Kaia — Jaylon threw up his flashlight and it hit the sand with a thud. The head of the flashlight pointed northeast.
"Great. Ahem, personal log. New paragraph. Day one. I've decided on a northeast heading based on rigorous calculations. Judging by the height of the sun in the sky, I believe I only have four hours of daylight left. Better get going. End entry." Jaylon spoke into his comms on his wrist. It was the control center for his entire suit. The latest model of the designs had upgraded tech, weapons, and armor. Maybe he will survive after all. After only a few steps his feet started to feel heavier and heavier with each step. Why am I so sluggish? Injury perhaps, exhaustion… Maybe I'm in shock? But Jaylon couldn't take another step. His legs felt like they were being sucked into the ground and weighed a hundred pounds each. Before Jaylon could react, the sun began to shine brighter and brighter. Completely blinding him, his suit automatically lowered its helmet's sun visor. This allowed him to get his bearings, with only enough time to view someone rushing in. The searing pain coursed throughout his entire body. As he looked down he saw a knife sticking out of his stomach. Jaylon sputtered and coughed, collapsing to his knees. The light also began to disappear, like someone was lowering a dimmer switch.
"We fuckin got him. What a mutz. That. Was some serious work man. I mean. you did that from space. You're a god man. Kaia them self would revel at your power," a woman said. Her voice was so gentle, too pure to be so violent. Jaylon applied gentle pressure around the knife.
"You're getting stronger too, Stalia. You almost blinded me," a man replied.
"Sorry, about—"
"Don't apologize for your strength. Ever. Now let's go check out the ship," the man continued. Before they turned away Jaylon got a plain look. They were. Kids. Well. Not kids, young adults maybe. Seventeen, at the oldest. Wearing lightweight armor with maroon streaking, mostly beige composites so as to blend in with their surroundings. They were now searching the ship.
"Vitals check," Jaylon choked.
"All major organs missed one broken rib. You're stable for the time being. Recommend removal of knife and application of med-bots," the computer from his comms device replied.
"Right. yeah. Okay. Let's begin."
"Gently remove the knife, place one nano cube in the wound, then apply a medical pad on the wound." The computer chimed. Jaylon rummaged in his backpack, taking out a small case. When he opened it, there were six slots, but only two black cubes inside, no bigger than dice.
"Shit," Jaylon took one of the black cubes out. Then, in a swift, practiced motion, he pulled out the knife, and pressed the cube into the stab wound, moaning with pain. When it was deep enough, he took out a roll of adhesive medical tape, covering the wound completely. Jaylon took two deep breaths. "Analysis."
"The nanobots are fully functional. It will take approximately four hours to completely mend the wound. Until then, I can administer morphine to help with the pain."
"No. No morphine. Not yet."
"Understood."
Jaylon winced as he made his way back to his feet.
"Not bad." he watched his two attackers ransack the ship, though it was becoming evident they couldn't find what they were looking for.
"None of it works," the man said, frustrated.
"Maybe he can fix it?" Stalia replied.
"No, If he had what he needed, he'd already be working on it. Even if we could persuade him, he's probably bled out by now. Damnit. It's all useless!" The man kicked the side of the ship.
"Yea, crash landings tend to you know. Destroy things," Jaylon yelled, smirking. The man showed a brief glimpse of surprise. The man moved subtly, with a flick of his finger Jaylon dropped back down to a knee, the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Beyond creator that's a neat trick," Jaylon said, struggling to move, he barely had enough strength to slide his fingers towards a small button on his belt. When he pressed it, two mechanical-looking wasps shot from his belt, tearing through the man's hand and shoulder.
"Reikner!" Stalia screamed as she slid to his side.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, nothing major," Reikner replied looking at his wounds. Through and through, like bullets.
"You piece of shit!" Stalia raised her hands once again. It was as if she controlled the very sun. A brilliant and blinding light swept over the desert in an instant.
"Not falling for that again," Jaylon quickly put down his visor again and turned away. If he had hesitated, for even a second more, he was sure he'd be completely blinded. "Evil takes many forms I suppose," Jaylon said quietly to himself, pressing a few more buttons on his wristband.
"Quickly, let's regroup behind the ship and form a plan. I'll hold him down," Reikner said. Stalia was protecting him. Until her arms suddenly dropped to her sides. Then her entire body collapsed. A mechanical wasp had shot between her eyes. Going clean through her skull. Stalia's lifeless eyes looked up at Reikner.
"You…" Reikner gripped his fists tightly. His entire focus was on Jaylon. A vast vortex of swirling sand and rock formed beneath his feet, pulling everything around it inexorably downwards.
"What, what is this?" Jaylon panicked. It was as if the ground had opened up to reveal a monstrous, gaping maw. As the vortex grew stronger, sand and pebbles began to tumble into it, disappearing without a trace. Within seconds, the hole had grown so large that it seemed to be swallowing everything in its path. Cacti, rocks, and even a small sand dune were all consumed by the abyss, Jaylon remained at the edge, fighting for his life.
"Every bone in your body will be crushed to dust. Not even the sound of your desperate screams will be able to escape. You condemn us, commit genocide, and dare to label us as wicked. No, you, are devils of the sky," Reikner focused in. There was little Jaylon could do, but before he was fully sucked in, Reikner saw a small flicker, like a mirage, then Jaylon disappeared. Before Reikner could react, he felt warm steel pressing against his temple. The sound of buzzing filled the air. Impossible.
"You think I meant for any of this to happen? I crash for god sake and you attack. If I was injured would you have shown me any mercy?" Without another word, Jaylon tased Reikner and knocked him unconscious. As he looked around the barren landscape he couldn't help but shiver in the midst of the heat. Let's see if I can fight my way out of the seven circles of hell he thought. "I'll take that morphine now."