Bloody Snow

1 - The Rookie

"Black, are you almost ready?"

Black whirled around at the deep, grating voice behind him. Green was leaning in the doorway, space helmet under one arm. His dark Asian eyes looked Black up and down coolly.

Black nodded, fastening his suit's collar. "Yeah, just about."

Green nodded. "Good. Blue wants us to gather in the cafeteria before we land."

"I'll be there in a minute. Just let me grab my helmet."

Green nodded again and left, leaving Black alone once again. Picking up his helmet from its place on his narrow bunk, he gazed at his reflection in the dark visor.

It's almost time, Iero. Soon you and the crew will be on Polus, and we can get to the bottom of this.

Several weeks ago, Mira HQ had received a distress signal from an exploration team posted on Polus. The signals had continued on and off for over an hour, before suddenly cutting off. Nobody had heard from Polus since.

That was why Black was here.

To be more accurate, that was why the crew was here. Black was just the rookie - the newest trainee and one of ten daring volunteers who had been sent to provide backup. Officer Cyan had warned them back at Headquarters - Polus was a newly discovered planet. Anything could be waiting for them here. They needed to be careful.

I will be... nothing to worry about, there.

With that, he tucked his helmet under his arm and hurried out of his sleeping pod, making his way quickly to the cafeteria. He couldn't keep the others waiting.