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Chapter 9: The Few
Date: March 31st, 2165
Location: Hell's Gate complex, Pandora, Alpha Cenaturi A system
The three survivors were huddled around one another, trying to quell their shaking, doing everything they could to ignore the screaming and scratching of the nantang pack just beyond the armory block's massive doors.
The day that had started out routine enough had turned into a nightmare within moments of landing at the old base. They had received the automated warning from one of the still functioning satellites in orbit that Pandora was passing into the shadow of Polyphemus, and that the radiation levels would become toxic to humans within a local day. Sighing, they had rolled up their sleeves and gotten to work.
Bruce and Walsh had loaded up as much food into the Samson as they could, while Katrina had settled in and begun the pre-flight list. Norm had packed some experiment materials so they would have something to do while Max locked up the shacks and left a message for Miguel, who was supposed be dropping off more food the next day.
The flight had been smooth, no signs of a Toruk or Lonataya had been seen, and they had landed and carefully moved the Samson inside just fine. The small group had been preparing to close the massive doors when Bruce had let out a shout, drawn his pistol, and opened fire at an inky-black silhouette that had suddenly raced towards him.
Before the others had even been able to draw their weapons, the nantang had seized their friend by his left leg, the crunching of bones audible over his screams, and had hurled him from the doorway, out into the open. Even as they rushed forwards to try and save him, the viper wolf screaming as their pistols barked and bullets tore flesh from its body, more howling cackles surrounded them as the rest of the pack rushed forwards from their hiding places in the ruins of the old base. Walsh had managed to get to Bruce, trying to drag him back with him before both had suddenly been covered in a furious flash of talons and teeth, their agonized screams tearing into the night, sounds that Max had never thought a human throat could produce.
Stumbling back, he and Norm had managed to seal the massive door while Katrina expended precious rounds from her assault rifle to keep the creatures at bay. None of them had spoken after the doors slammed shut, all three had simply broken down, staying upright only to carefully turn on the back-up generator and the lights they had rigged up last year. And then.. they had simply collapsed, sobbing quietly, trying to pretend that they did not see each others weakness.
"M-Max, Katrina?" Norm spoke up some time later, his voice echoing in the chamber. Hours.. minutes.. Max had no idea how much time had passed. "Promise me something?"
Max shared a glance with Katrina, both carefully wiping their faces as they turned to Norm.
"Promise me.. that you'll shoot me before something like that happens?"
Katrina blinked slowly and croaked out, "..what?"
Norm shuddered, before spinning away and vomiting violently. "I'm not afraid.. not afraid to die in a fight. But... but to be eaten.. like that... they were still alive!" he retched several more times.
Exchanging another glance with Kat, the two moved over and carefully helped Norm move to the makeshift beds near the Samson, where he promptly curled up, shivering, "Promise me that.. promise me that..."
The words felt like sandpaper in his throat, "We promise Norm, don't worry."
The two stayed next to him until his shuddering slowed into the deep sleep of the truly defeated. Max jerked his head at his female companion and she followed him a few steps away, "Grab the rifle and come on, we have to make sure the entrances are all sealed and that nothing got in here."
Pale, she nodded, and the two slowly moved around the massive block, covering each other as the carefully approached and tested the sealed entrance leading to the old tunnel, before carefully going over the old and rusting AMP suits and mining equipment that littered the bay.
After nearly an hour of slow, cautious work, the two moved over and collapsed in turn next to Norm, allowing sleep to claim them. The next morning, and the two empty beds next to them, would come far too early.
Next up is Chapter 10: Hurricane Season
And only three humans still survive. This chapter is a bit of a reference to people's tendency to portray Pandora as some sort of Eden. Remember the scene where the viper wolfs and banshees attack the humans at the end? They weren't just wounding them folks, and when you get down to it, every human is plain out terrified of being eaten by something else.
So a bit of darkness here, but the fleet will be arriving shortly so we can go back to a bit of philosophy before the action heats up again.