Day 40.
The freighter was in several pieces. Actually, that was probably a kind way to say there were two or three big pieces left that made it identifiably as a freighter and many tiny pieces shattered all over the crash zone.
Surprisingly, Mike was able to easily identify entire spools of wire, a semi-busted mound of cement stacks, and a few components that would be a huge help to them right now, like rotors and a few stators.
"Ficsit crash site, detected," came ADA's metallic voice over the communication system, "As Ficsit Pioneers, it is your duty to assess the crash site and retrieve elements of note."
"Someone could be hurt down there," said Thomas.
"We need the additional worker power," said Mike, "They might be hurt for a bit, but we can fix them up real quick."
"Hold it," said Clint, his voice low and flat, "That is nae a drop pod."
"It isn't?" asked Thomas.
"Oh... hey, he's right," said Mike, leaning forward to get a better view, "Dang thing is one of them freighters. That explains all the goods scattered around."
"So does that mean nobody was on it?" asked Thomas, "We have more than half the team M.I.A."
"You worry about the treasure," said Simone, poking at a brightly covered leave push next to her, "But you fail to consider the guardians."
"I'm beginning to worry she's a few beers short of a six-pack," said Mike.
"She's right," said Clint, "Look closer. ADA, ping my visual location for workforce."
On their HUD, a small blue circle appeared with a Ping noise in the distance close to the crash site. Mike seemed to focus in on that point, but Thomas felt around on his helmet.
"ADA, how do I zoom?" asked Thomas.
"Seriously?" asked Clint.
"It was in orientation," said Mike.
"I... never had this orientation!" hissed Thomas, "I am a Human-"
"ADA, share my viewer with Pioneer Patel, please."
All at once, a large window opened on Thomas' visor. He could see Clint's HUD, and the zoomed in picture he was viewing. Around the crash site, figures moved around aimlessly. It was tough make them out completely, but they appeared to have dark skin and they looked like lions roaming about.
"A-Aliens," whispered Thomas.
"Technically," said Simone, "We're the-"
A squeal was carried over the air in the distance. The group's full attention was drawn to the crash site.
"What in the world-" said Mike, "That damn near sounded like a hog!"
"A what?" asked Thomas.
"A hog," said Clint, "A pig. A Warthog. A Boar. Have yer pick."
"Well it's not a pig," said Thomas, "Look at that thing."
"Dibs," said Clint.
"Dibs?" Thomas crossed his arms.
"I called 'dibs', Flower child over there got to name the lizard," said Mike, "I want the big one. Dibs."
"You don't honestly believe that-"
"Dibs is recognized by Ficsit Inc," said Clint.
"Unbelievable," said Thomas.
"Where is Hari?"
Simone was looking around the group.
Thomas shrugged.
"ADA," said Clint, "Ping Pet: Hari."
A ping noise sounded, and the group's attention was dragged back to the crash site. A small blue circle expanded away from a tiny dot running towards the crash site. Clint and Mike zoomed in on it.
"Well, there he goes," said Clint.
"Well look at that," said Mike, "Dang critters don't seem to give a fluffy tail about that there lizard."
"So... everything on this planet is friendly?" said Thomas.
"I doubt it, but it at least means we can approach the site," said Clint, "Alright, ADA said we need to recover what we can from the crash site. I need Mike, myself, and-"
"Not it," yelled Simone, poking her visor with her finger.
"Excuse me?"
"I said not it," said Simone, "I have a lot of work to do back at the HUB. Also, I don't want to."
"Well... I can't," said Thomas, "I still got orientation and the twigs and stuff."
"Oh yeah?" said Simone, "Well I got lady reasons for not wanting to go. Also, you cannot make me."
"Lady, what?" asked Clint, "What a load of tripe!"
"Actually," said Thomas, "Ficsit regulations do state that as management, you cannot question a protected reason, specified or otherwise, and... she doesn't owe us an explanation as male coworkers."
"Muhhahahaha," went Simone, who slowly backed up back into the forest, disappearing into a large bush.
"For the record," said Thomas, "We cannot act on this, but I feel she was lying."
"I'm surprised you can even say that?" said Clint.
"Oh, I can't," said Thomas, "However I thought the malicious laugh was over the top."
"Well than, that leaves you," said Clint, "Now I think-"
"What? Oh, no," said Thomas, "I don't know what in the last month we've spent together makes you believe I am cut out for any of this, but I-"
"No time," said Clint, "Fortify, Patel. I'll need you to act like a man for this."
"I... I don't think you can say that to a subordinate," said Thomas.
"Write me a report when we're back," said Clint, "Let's go, lads. Let's complete a single goal on time!"
The creatures were much bigger in person. Even meters away hiding behind a rock, Thomas was terrified. They were roughly the size of a bear. Maybe bigger. In fact, listening to the growls and snarls the beasts made walking around, Thomas wasn't entirely sure they were not bears.
Their skin looked practically like armor. A dark purple or blue, with a thick carapace over the head and back, similar to Hari's carapace. The hooves it walked on were tough and a little stubby. It had a long tale that ended in a small burst of hairs.
"Bigger than a hog," said Clint, in a whisper.
"Awww, shucks, look at him," said Mike, "He ain't hurting nobody."
"They are big," said Thomas, "Too big."
"They have flat teeth," said Clint, "They seem to be plant eaters. They'll be no threat to us."
"More scared of us as you are of them," said Mike, "And look, they don't seem to give a fluffy tail about Harry."
"Hari," hissed Thomas, "And keep your voice down. You'll attract them. There's like three of these guys all over the place."
"Naw, they ain't gonna hurt nobody, look."
Thomas risked a glance. Not far off, the wreckage smoked and Hari sat on one of the biggest parts of the hull. It looked lazily around, their blue tongue hanging out of their mouth.
"Now if these things were dangerous, they'd just have already eaten him up," said Mike, "It's like non of yall ever worked with animals before."
"Have you?" asked Thomas.
"Does working with you two count?" asked Clint.
"Aw, hell. I'll show you."
Before Clint's hand could grab his shoulder, Mike stood up and walked out from behind the rock and began his slow walk toward the big creature.
Clint cursed under his breath, pulling his rifle up in case he needed to use it. Thomas felt his blood run cold, and was left cowering behind the rock.
"Hello, little guy," said Mike, "Hey there!"
The creature went stiff, its eyes looking around. It slowly turned to face Mike, and it let out a growl that sounded like a motorcycle revving up.
All around them similar growls went up, and Thomas cowered further down behind the rock.
"Oh, hey," said Mike, "There ain't nothing to fear, big guy. It's just me. Lil' ol' me. Look at him."
The creature lowered its head, and one of its front hooves began to paw at the ground. Mike stopped short, holding up his hands.
"Aw, now look at that. Yall ain't too scary," said Mike, "And lookit here, I ain't so scary myself."
Mike pulled out one of the large, pink berries from his pocket. He held it up to show. The creatures didn't seem to react to it. However, Hari's ears perked up from his perch on the wreckage.
"Now, you ain't nothing but... but a Fluffy-Tailed Hog, aintchu," said Mike, "Come here. Sooie!"
Mike tossed the berry, which arced perfectly and landed at a slight roll towards the creature. The creature quit growling, and began to audibly sniff at the berry.
"There, now," said Mike, "Tamed. Another new critter under our belts."
"New designation: 'Fluffy-Tailed Hog'," said ADA over the headset, "Discovery made by: Pioneer Gunn, Mike."
"What? Aw, come on," said Mike, "I wanted to name it the 'Mikenoceros'!"
The creature quit sniffing the berry, and returned its attention to Mike. It snarled again, a terrifying growl erupting from it.
"Aww, it's purring," said Mike.
"Mike," whisper-yelled Thomas.
"Gunn," demanded Clint, "Step back, slowly."
"Now, what for?" said Mike, "I keep telling you, these hogs are no more-"
"SCREEEEEEE"
The creature let out a squeal like an injured pig. It suddenly shot forward on its legs, getting up to a full speed sprint in only a couple of lunges. It was a moment and it had crossed the distance between them incredibly fast.
Mike barely had time to throw up his hands before the creature slammed into him. Mike was bucked into the air by the creature, which continued its sprint right past him. Mike went end over end in the air.
"I," yelled Mike at the top of his lungs, "Was wrong!"
"WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!" yelled Thomas.
"SCREEEE!"
To Thomas' left, another creature let out a squeal, and charged the two hiding behind the rock. Thomas pressed his back to the rock and screamed.
Before the hog could close the distance, Clint stepped between Thomas and the charging creature. He lifted his rifle, and pulled the trigger.
BAP went the rifle. BAP BAP.
Each bullet dug into the creature's armored hide, but the creature still charged at the two. Finally, the creature's head slunked further forward, and the legs went stiff.
Clint barely had time to sidestep has the body dug into the dirt by his feet and slid right past him. Thomas yelped and fell backwards over the rock. The body slammed into the rock, and was motionless.
"Ah-ha! Feast yer eyes!" cried out Clint, "I am the mighty hunter, and this wee beast the prey! Nothing can stand against me! Or my name isn't Clint Mac-"
A creature slammed into him so fast, Thomas thought he had heard a crunch. Clint was tossed aside and slammed into the dirt.
"CLINT!" screamed Thomas.
"CLINT! NOOOO!" yelled Mike, standing from where he fell, "I'll avenge you! It's the Io Chainsaw Massacre!"
The sound of a revving chainsaw filled the air. Holding the chainsaw above his head, Mike charged the first creature, yelling a battle cry at the top of his voice. The creature charged him, and let out another pig-esque squeal.
Thomas closed his eyes on impact. By the time he chanced a peak, Mike was already in the air again, chainsaw in hand.
"Chainsaw did NOTHING," he screamed as he landed somewhere behind the wreckage.
"ADA!" gasped Thomas, "Red alert! Emergency! Danger! Send help!"
"Imminent damage to Ficsit equipment detected," said ADA, "Please avoid at all costs."
"What?" asked Thomas.
"SQUEEEEEEE"
Thomas turned around to spot a charging creature, picking up speed. Thomas screamed and threw his hands in the air. Turning, he sprinted in the opposite direction towards the wreckage of the freighter. He locked eyes with a smiling Hari, who was still sitting on the wreckage and observing all the action.
"Save me, Hari!" yelled Thomas.
However he felt himself get hit in the back as if by a baseball bat. Before he could scream all the air was forced out of him. He felt a similar force on his butt, and before he could react he was airborne.
Thomas gasped as he quickly picked up height and speed, rising up and over the crash site. Hari watched from below, opened its mouth in a smile and chirped.
"Yaaahoohooweeeee" was all Thomas could muster as he flailed around through the air and slammed into the muddy dirt on the other side of the wreckage. He slid to a painful stop, and groaned in pain.
"Warning. Damage to Ficsit property detected," said ADA, a red flashing warning sign over his visor, "Please protect Ficsit Inc equipment, uniforms, and property at all cost. Damages may be taken out of your salary."
"SQUEEEEE!"
Thomas gasped, "I'm gonna die..."
Quickly and wobbly getting himself up, he could still hear the rumbling footsteps of the creatures. Sure enough one of them quickly sprinted around the crash site, but at the speed it was going it went too wide, running right past the crash site out into the forest.
Thomas peered around the wreckage. The first hog was still squealing, and it ran past where his sight could see. He spotted Mike, wobbly getting up, and quickly running into the bushes. Just as quickly as he disappeared, the hog came back into view, charging into the bushes after Mike.
Thomas could also spy Clint's body. It was unmoving on the ground where he had landed. However, not far off from him, his rifle sat on the ground. The rifle!
Another squeal was heard behind him. Thomas couldn't waste any time. He took off at a wobbly sprint, almost falling down several times. He was gasping for air, each breath a painful burning inside his throat.
Thomas began to feel the rumbling of a charge underneath his feet. He feared he wouldn't make it!
Thomas slid on the ground, scooping up the rifle into his hands. As he did so, he twisted his body. By the time he had came to a stop, he rose to one knee and aimed the rifle at the charging beast quickly approaching.
Thomas pulled the trigger as hard as he could as quickly as he could. BAP. BAP. BAP. CLICK.
The bullets dug into the creature, earning a pained squeal. However, the rifle went click. It was out of bullets.
"Bullets!" said Thomas, "Clint! I need a-"
All the air was slammed from Thomas' lungs. He was picked right off his knee and found himself soaring back through the air. However he didn't have time to gasp for air, as he smashed into a rock formation and found himself going limp onto the ground.
His mouth gaped open as he tried to remind his body how to take a breath. He fought to keep his eyes opened.
The beast stood not far off. It growled it's horrific, bear-like growl. Slowly it dug at the ground beneath it with its one front hoof.
"ADA..." groaned Thomas, "I'm going to die."
"SQUEEEEE!"
The creature started its charge.
Mike was ontop of its back all at once. He jabbed his taser into the side of the creature's neck. The creature squealed in pain and stopped its charge, trying to twirl and buck Mike off.
However, as fast as the creature was, it was not fast enough or could jump hard enough to buck off Mike, who cheered as he jabbed his taser into the side over and over.
"Yeeeeehawwww," he screamed, "Get on-get!"
The creature continued to squeal in pain. Mike continued to jab his taser onto the creature and hold it there as it sparked.
With one final buck, the creature squealed a pained squeal and collapsed onto its own face into the ground. Mike sat atop it, gasping for air and holding the taser at the ready. Thomas gasped for air not far off.
With a final jab of the taser, to which the beast did not stir, Mike exclaimed something indistinguishable in victory before falling off the beast and collapsing to the ground.
They were silent for some time. Thomas never let his eyes leave the creature. Mike turned over, staring into the sky.
"Tom," came the voice of Mike.
"Mike." was all Thomas could wheeze.
"Is... Clint dead?" asked Mike.
ADA's voice came over their helmets, "Pioneer: Mackinlay, Clint... life signs are normal. Minor injuries sustained. Shock possible. Minor damages to Ficsit property."
"Oh good," said Thomas, "ADA... instant message... Simone... Hey, we need you. Please bring medical supplies."
"And some berries!" wheezed Mike, "She knows where my stash is."
"No!" said Thomas, "Stop eating that!"
The two lay in quiet for some time. Thomas even wished to fall asleep, if his entire body wasn't throbbing. Up ahead, a small winged creature soared. Thomas wondered if it was some sort of vulture, or if it was just minding its own business.
"Discovery bonus of 25,000 credits added to your account," said ADA, "Pending verification for full amount of 75,000 credits."
Mike raised, slowly, a single hand with a thumbs up.
"Worth... it," he groaned.
Thomas rolled his eyes, "I hate this planet."