Chapter 3: Fight for Survival

Time: Unknown
Yr. 2853 // October 30th
Location: Starstreaker

*BANG*

Jake’s eyes shot open at the sudden noise, holding his breath as his thoughts caught up to him. After what felt like forever, he quietly released the pent up breath and slowly turned his head to the right, finally noticing where he was.

'I’m… in my room? I thought-'

Another loud sound that seemed out of place cut off his train of thought, immediately raising his guard. He leaned forward from his spot on the bed, despite the slight pain he felt in his gut, and surveyed the room.

"Everything seems… fine. Probably some newbies messing around in the halls." He whispered to himself as he slowly got up and gave a sorry attempt at a stretch, cutting it short at the full body pain that shocked him. "Oh jeez, I feel so... broken..." He stated as the sudden wave of nausea washed over him.

Painfully making his way over to the dresser, he got changed as quickly as he could bear. Suddenly, he noticed the hall outside his room had remained… pretty quiet for far too long, especially considering its usually impossible to get sleep with the always present clang of boots on metal. Though what really caught his eye was the leather jacket hanging on the door to his bathroom that was off kilter, causing him to let out a small frown as he approached it and straightened it back out. As he did, a small piece of folded paper fell out from inside.

Jake quickly stepped back, looking at the note in surprise. A sudden wave of anger washed over him as he realized someone had actually touched his jacket while he’d slept. Slowly bending over and picking up the note, he examined it as he straightened back up and flipped it over. His blood ran cold as his breath hitched, his eyes noticing a dried red smear on the corner of the paper. He began fumbling with the note in an attempt to open it faster. After finally prying it open, he quickly read the scribbled content.

Jake-

Don’t leave your room until you’re ready, I’m leaving you a supply pack. We can't afford to try and carry you out… there’s a fucking slaughter too many, we can’t wait any longer. They haven't checked this room yet, but I'm not sure how long that’ll last. I'll break the lock from the outside when we leave, hope that's enough.

I'm sorry.

Finishing the note his gaze hesitantly fell upon the door to his room, and the very backpack of supplies the note mentioned. Tensing for a moment Jake clenched the note, before bounding across the room as each step made a loud *Thud*. Grasping the backpack, he ripped it open and looked inside. It contained a total of three grenades of which two of them plasma, a half a week's supply of dried food, and a plasma pistol along with three full energy cartridges...

Plasma... some of the more powerful weaponry humans have adapted from Verix tech over the years.

'W-What the hell... this has to be a joke, right!?' He screamed in his mind as he attempted to calm his breathing. 'It's fine... they're just messing with me, I'm still weak from the enhancements yesterday and they thought it'd be funny to play a joke on me' He thought to himself, forcing out a small stressed chuckle.

Suddenly the door handle next to him slowly jiggled.

Jake let out a small breath as he stood, holding the backpack by it's strap in his left hand. "Okay, okay you guys got me-" He began, but stopped and chocked back on surprise as the handle violently jerked and let out a loud crack.

Jake barely had a moment to process what he saw, the red gaze burning his way as a metallic screech rang out and the door kicked inwards. The action sent Jake back, landing with a loud THUD he let out a grunt and looked up to his assailant. His breath hitched as the terrifying visage inched it's way through the door frame, it's deformed body moving with sickeningly smooth motions, a Verix scout.

It's figure looked like a human's skeleton that was horribly hunched over, making its spine extend upwards a bit ending in a couple spikes. The entire thing was a light grey, smoothed to the point of shimmering. However, most of it was covered in a blue armor plating that would occasionally crackle with static. Jake could see right through it's chest, the hollow cavity hiding the center of the spine which glowed a crimson red just like the eyes. The red liquid pulsed from the bottom upward as often as a heartbeat. Lastly it's face, something perfectly molded to inflict terror in the living. It's eyes, glowing red and hateful, would intermittently shutter like a camera every few moments as it's exaggerated skeletal like face grinned back sadistically.

As Jake lay shocked at the sight the scout's right arm reached behind it's hip, snapping Jake from his frozen state as he plunged his hand into the nearby backpack. Squeezing the handle of the pistol he saw before, he ripped it out of the pack and flipped the safety in one quick motion. The gun came to life with a purr as he pulled the trigger, only to get a simple vibration as feedback.

Unloaded.

Jake belt out a few choice words as he jumped to his feet. He ran as fast as he could to the bathroom, sparing one last look to the creature just as bright flash and loud hiss filled the air. Pain instantly erupted from Jake's leg as he tumbled forward into the bathroom, biting down hard to keep from yelling. Putting weight on his other leg, he hopped up and slammed the bathroom door shut causing his jacket to fall unceremoniously from the hanger.

Falling back down and gasping in pain, he held his wounded leg as he gave it a once over. He almost looked away when he saw it, the wound making his stomach turn. The plasma had cauterized the flesh... but had burned a hole, just above his knee, down to the bone. He forced his breaths to slow, looking at the pistol next to him on the ground and furrowing his brow. Picking up the gun, he pressed a button near the trigger as a small hiss rang out and the bottom of the handle opened. Digging into the backpack, he retrieved a new mag and loaded it into the bottom with a satisfying click.

The gun let out a light beep as a small green light showed at the back. Looking at the crumpled jacket laying just infront of the door, he quickly grabbed and put it on. He supposed today was the day after all. Slowly, he brought his weapon up and rest it on his good knee, aiming directly at the door. Moments of silence passed until he heard the Verix approach and touch the doorhandle.

Jake readied himself, waiting for it to open...

Suddenly, it took another step, the handle going slack and electing a confused look from Jake... until the next sound caused his eyes to go wide as a heavy metal object hit the floor outside the bathroom and rattled away.

'It's gotta reload, too!' Jake realized, pushing off the ground hard and moving towards the door.

Leaning next to the door, Jake used his free hand and grasped the handle. With a yank, the door swung open to reveal the metal monstrosity just as it was putting a new cartridge in it's weapon. In a single swift gesture Jake brought the gun up, lining it with the thing's head, and pulled the trigger. The weapon let out a small kick as the machine lurched and fell to the ground with a thud.

Jake looked down at it for a second, before limping back into the bathroom with renewed vigor. Snatching up the backpack and leaving the bathroom, he pulled a couple magazines out and stuffed them in slots on his jacket as he went.

"Not good... not good... w-what the hell happened to this place while I was out?!" He yelled aloud, before quickly covering his mouth and looking at the still ajar bedroom door.

Silently cursing, he looked back at the unmoving Verix corpse. A strange, bluish liquid was seeping out from it's now disfigured head and melting the floor where it touched. Jake limped over and took the gun from it metallic claw, throwing it in the backpack with his other stuff before once more drawing his pistol.

Spinning around, he slung the backpack over his shoulder and moved to the door. Leaning against the wall to the left of it let him peer out as he slowly peeked into the hallway. His heart dropped into the pits of his stomach as he tried to register what he was seeing.

"I need to get off this ship..."

Author's Note

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