Bloody Snow

9 - Rebooting the Wi-Fi

The next few days on Polus passed more smoothly than expected. Blue was left with nothing unusual to report to Headquarters, so for the time being they were assigned to stay put and finish where the disappeared crew had left off. As always, of course, they were reminded to keep a sharp eye out.

XXXXX

Black stood alone in Communications, biting his lip as he waited for the Wi-Fi to reboot. The task wasn't especially hard; he just hated having to stand still for very long. He had learned quickly that the only way to stay warm on Polus was to keep moving.

Finally, the process was finished, and he was able to complete the task. Nodding with satisfaction to himself, he tucked his tablet under his arm and strode outside.

He was caught totally off-guard by the strange figure crawling out of one of the large cavities in the ground, not far from the building's doorway. At first glance, they appeared to be one of his own crewmates - clad in a uniform much like his own. But just like his, the uniform was black.

He was the only crewmate with a black suit.

Warily he ducked back into the doorway of the building, watching the figure hoist itself out of the hole and onto the rocky ground. Almost at once, he realized something seemed off about them. Their uniform was filthy, and they walked with a heavy limp. If that wasn't enough to arouse his suspicions, the figure's breathing was low and raspy, coming out in ragged bursts.

Cautiously he pulled out his tablet, clicking the button that would alert the others. He bit his lip as the tablet chirped slightly, but fortunately the noise did not arouse the stranger outside. Sighing, he turned to exit the building, trying to remain unnoticed. Just then, however, his foot skidded on an icy patch, and he threw out his arms to catch himself. His tablet flew from his grasp, clattering on the ground. Scrambling to his knees, he scooped up the device, glancing over his shoulder at the stranger.

The uniformed figure's head whirled on its shoulders, and a sharp hiss emanated from its throat.

That was more than enough for him. Black needed no further urging, and took off toward the office as fast as his feet would carry him.