Chapter 1: The Fall of Dreams
"Gravity Alteration Systems in quadrant three of the sector have been automatically diagnosed and partially restored. Local engineers have been notified of the conflict status and have been called to fully restore the Gravity Alteration Systems." An electronic, yet soft female voice says.
Following the sound of the system announcement, a blaring alarm stung my ears, and I could barely make out the voice of the announcement as it started up once again: "Attention all crew members of Four-C residential sector. Exterior foundation has been critically damaged on Level A, Level B, Level C, Level G, and quadrant two of Level J. Warning— Oxygen reserves descending rapidly, all essential and non-essential crew members are to evacuate according to the directions of superior officers."
When I opened my eyes, I was in my bunkroom, still lying in bed. I scrambled up and off the bed when I realized immense clouds of smoke filled the cabin. A red flashing light ominously shined on the smoke, making the whole room illuminate a blood red. In an instant, I looked over to the opposite end of my bunkroom and I saw a man, thrown across the floor, his neck had been partially severed from impacting the wall.
It was Phillip... I barely knew him, aside from that he was an agriculture graduate fresh out of schooling from someplace in the Italian Peninsula.
He's dead. Just yesterday it felt like he was so happy and excited... now he's gone.
I was still just in my sleepwear, a simple white jumpsuit with blue markings on it. I looked around and I saw that everything in the room was strewn across the floor. A small aluminum desk in the corner had been tossed and broken in half, appearing to have impacted with Phillip.
I carefully approached the lockers and opened my own, and I quickly put on my standard volunteer uniform, a simple red outfit with my name and position.
I zipped it up, and made my way to the exit hatch of the bunkroom.
Suddenly, the sound of a powerful crack pierced my ears and the entire room shook furiously. I fell to the floor and after a long moment, the tremor I felt stopped.
The announcement console, with it's usual feminine voice, soon spoke. "Structural integrity has been compromised in the Six-A Hydroponics sector. A lockdown is now in effect."I crawled back up onto my feet and tried once again to open the hatch. I only could push it about halfway open for some reason, but it was just enough space, and I squeezed through. The corridor was in chaos, bodies dotted the floors, and flickering lights seemed to stutter. Smoke was everywhere, and it was nearly impossible to breathe. I quickly crouched down close to the floor, where the smoke was less concentrated. The entire ship was clattering and trembling, but I simply couldn't tell what was happening.
The announcement console piped up again.
"Attention, carbon dioxide scrubbers are no longer functional, all essential and non-essential crew members evacuate immediately. Report to the nearest medical bay and acquire a breathing apparatus, as oxygen levels are dropping to unsafe levels."
Oh, shit.
In an instant, I was frantically trying to find the hallway to the medbay, but it was simply too late.
Unconsciousness hit me like a roaring locomotive.