PRDS - 4413 Part 1. Chapter 3: A descend

Chapter 3: A Descend

I slowly opened my eyes. A dim sunlight itched my cornea. A slight ringing in my ears. Agh, my head. Where am I? It’s… it’s the earth. I could feel the natural loathing from the depth of my heart. A place that I am sick and tired of, a place where I wanted to be away at least for a while. I could not be sure what happened before I got here. It felt like everything was a dream. One of the worst dreams I could ever have. A dream that I wished it just stays as a dream. I exhaled the deep breath as I was done recalling everything. The land site seemed like how hell would be viewed in reality. A bunch of tall bony trees on that dead field made me flinch for a moment. My team was in the middle of the dead forest. Some of our teammates were struggling with the trees on fire, since those dead dried trees would be blazed up with just a tiny spark.

“Eric’s up.”

“Any casualties?”

I realized how bad our ship got wrecked. It was clear to see how the ship landed from the part where my team was boarding. The ship was beyond repair. One side of the land site, there was a stack of leftover supply that my team used from the last mission. It was lucky to have those supplies since it must be impossible for us to survive without them on this planet. I had an air-filtering mask on my face, so as the others.

“It was rather a miracle to survive that landing...well, it was more like a crash. We lost 5... Assholes. We are taking over their duty. They are free from now on. Rest in peace, boys.

Team, we are on our own now. All of the communication system is down, and we lack food sources. First thing we need to do is recover our line with the HQ in P4R4D1SE.”

Captain looked quite arranged. I guess that is the difference between me and captain. He has a vision to go forward without getting bound by the past.

“Can we figure out what happened to our pilot system?”

“Sorry sir, the remnants are irrecoverable. The important parts are burnt and gone. It is just too late to check what happened 2 hours ago.”

“Sir, I did not get to see the emergency landing of the P4R4D1SE. Did they make it?”

“Fortunately, yes. I am assuming that we are 5 KM to the south east of the P4R4D1SE landing point. I felt a huge impact shortly after I woke up. Let’s hope the P4R4D1S3 isn’t much damaged to get repaired as soon as possible.”

“Sir, then what are we waiting for? We need to start moving and help those who made the landing.”

“Eric. We are considering the reason for this incident.”

“Incident?”

It is not an accident?

“Captain and I think it’s the FREEMANs.”

“FREEMANs? FREEMANs do not possess any technology like the P4R4D1SE. Not even one tenth of it. We all know that better than anyone. There is no way they can shoot down the P4R4D1SE.”

“It was not a shoot down. You all did not feel any impacts. Eric, you know there were no impacts. Then the only explanation is that it was from the inside. It seems appropriate to think the FREEMAN’s terrorizing did the critical damage to the P4R4D1SE.”

“Our priority is getting contact with the security. We collect the information of what is happening, then we make our next move. Understood?”

This is not good. It’s dangerous. I...

“I am gonna go, Cap”

“Eric, you heard me. Go check around what’s nearby as a team. We need to stay together especially in a situation like this.”

“If this is planned by FREEMANs, they are in huge danger. There are people in need of help. I need to go.”

“We are contacting the security first. This is an order. Listen to me. (Whispers) I understand that you cannot ignore those people. But there are other teams that can help them. We are holding back for a moment. We’ll be on our way soon. Just get yourself ready for it. Eric, I cannot afford losing more teammates. Stay together.”

“Captain. There could be lots of people in need of help from us right now. We are going to be too late… Sir you said we lack information, right? I will be the scout. I am taking one of the radio sets. I’ll go ahead and report every hour. Please captain. I don’t think I can forgive myself if I hesitate any longer.”

I rescue people. The team rescue people. That is what I do. Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to save people from danger. Just like I was rescued when I was alone and in need of help. To pay the debt for my rescuer.

“Fair enough. If that’s what you want. This is for saving my ass up there. Be as stealth as possible. We are not the only one who felt the impact. I am sure the FREEMANs are already gathering up around the landing point. We will be after you as soon as we set the line with the P4R4D1SE. Keep in mind that we may not be there for your backup.”

“Yes, sir. Take care.”

I saluted him with all my respect. Salute to my best captain and friend. I tried to neglect his concern for my reckless act. This is not on you, Cap.

I hurried my way to the land site of the P4R4D1SE. People must have been suffering not in a way that I can understand. I should be there for them. I do not condemn my teammates for holding back. There was an order from my captain, and I do not doubt my captain’s order. He meant for the best of the team. The ALPHA team has a lot more people to rescue henceforth. We should not sacrifice our lives under reckless situations like I chose to be in. I am aware that I have more people to be responsible for in the future, but I cannot ignore the option that I can save as many people as I can at the moment.

‘… Someone is…!’