Invasion

Chapter 9 - Search & Rescue

20th June 2071

The undead smell of human and alien blood fills the base. All of the lights are killed, I don't even know what room I'm in. I lay on the ground with the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. We need support now, who knows what these aliens have done with our base; and the inhabitants...

I pull out my phone out of my pocket, hoping someone is still alive. An unusual sound comes from my phone.

Your local connection tower is currently offline. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Damn it! The Connection Tower outside must have been disabled by the EMP the aliens detonated. I decide to do some exploring, so I stand up. My brain suddenly aches like mad; my heartbeat is louder than usual. After a few seconds the pain goes away, but I'm still cautious of my movement.

I sneak across the cold blood touched floor, fearful of what happen while I was unconscious. It's like a horror scene from them old 2050s movies I used to watch when I was a teenager. I come across a dead corpse. It's a Mars Infinity Pilot with a disarmed Android Officer beside him. I step across the body, and continue my expedition.

A wall comes upon me, so I follow it until I hit something else. I'm surprised the aliens didn't blow up the entire base. Maybe they're not so 'mean' as everyone thought. I come across another body slumping on the wall; its Aurora. I immediately check if she is conscious.

"Aurora! Can you hear me?! Wake up!"

She doesn't respond, so I grab a hold of her.

"Aurora! Please be alive!"

Still no response. I crash down onto the hard floor and mourn the loss of my best friend.

***

I wake up cold. I'm still lying next to Aurora, and she's still out cold; or dead. I need to get going, but I can't leave her here even if she's dead. I place my palm on her face.

"Please be alive..."

I lie back down next to her and close my eyes again. A cold hand holds mine; its Aurora's.

"It's okay Brian, I'm still alive"

I hug her like one of those dramatic actors from a lame romantic movie. But I now I know what it's actually like to almost lose a companion.

"I'm so glad your okay! What did they do to you?"

"I was behind you, until something grabbed me with its tail and threw me at a wall. Then you touched my face and I became conscious"

"Ouch. Looks like you don't have any external damage, let's hope you're okay on the inside. Come with me, I think I know where I am. I'll help you in the bunker"

I help her up, but she's too injured to walk.

"Brian... Argh... My head hurts, so does my leg... I can't walk. Please can you help me?"

"Of course"

I put her arm around my neck and continue walking. I eventually find the door to the bunker, and open it cautiously. Luminous bright lights blast into our faces. Pistols and shotguns appear in front of us.

"Tell us why the hell you're here or we'll blast your faces off!"

"Whoa whoa whoa calm down, it's me Brian!"

Commander's head comes out of the shadows.

"Make sure you knock next time. Aliens have been patrolling around, so we're being very cautious. They're searching for something"