Hidden in the Depths

Chapter 1

"Everyone to the pods! Come on! We don't have-" Techno grunted and caught himself on the shaking walls as another explosion rocked through the ship. People were running around in chaotic panic, some trying to desperately save some sentimental or important items, others scrambling to get into the escape pods, which only allow a maximum of two people at once, four if you really want to push your luck. Techno was trying to help steer people towards the pods, closing and launching as many as he could. It was by no means his job, but the actual emergency crew already launched off, so he really didn't have a choice if they want as many survivors as possible. He might be scared as hell, but he's not an asshole like the rest of them.

Another explosion shook the ship, metal creaking and fires roaring through the corridors, separating entire sections of rooms and corridors from the launch bay.

How did this even happen? One minute everything was going fine, everyone was minding their own business or sleeping in their cabins, the next hell broke loose after the sound of the first large explosion echoed through the ship. Red lights were flashing everywhere, the alarms blaring in his ears telling everyone to evacuate immediately as he helped two more panicked crew-members climb into a pod and launch. There were only a few functional pods left, the left-side launching bay completely destroyed and unusable, which already left them with far too few pods for everyone. Not that it mattered much, since a large portion of the ship was already blocked off through fires and collapsed hallways. He tried not to think too much about the people trapped on the other side, focused on saving the ones he can.

"Come on guys! We can't-" One of the large metal beams fell from the ceiling, fire and debris following it. Techno jumped out of the way with a yelp, pressing himself against the wall as it crashed into the ground, the new fire now started to grow in the launch bay. His heart ached as he saw the crushed and blocked off entry to the bay, knowing there were still people on the other side, screaming for help. Trapped and burning alive, if they don't suffocate first. Fuck, what had any of them done to deserve this?

"Ajuda! Por favor! Estou preso!" Techno turned away from the crushed doorway, instead looking for the source of the voice. Not far away, a man was trapped under fallen debris. A second person was trying to free him, parts of their clothes already charred. They were yelling at each other in a language he couldn't understand, both panicked and desperately trying to reach one of the pods. Techno ran over, assisting the other man in trying to free their crewmate.

When the metal finally gave way and allowed them to pull the man free, one of his legs was covered in blood and had pieces of metal piercing into the flesh. The man looked like he was ready to vomit at the sight, but his companion forcefully made him look away. "Merda! Espere, tudo ficará bem! Eu peguei você, Pac!" "Estou com medo Cellbit!" "Eu sei, estamos quase lá!" "We have to get him into a pod! There is medical equipment in it!" He has no idea if either of them even spoke English, but it was all he could do. The healthy man seemed to understand him though and picked up his friend, dragging him over to the nearest pod.

As soon as both men were inside and he could see the healthy one reach for the med-kits, he closed the pod and launched it. Then he squeezed his eyes shut against billowing smoke and made a run for the nearest pod, this time climbing into it himself. His lungs were burning from the ash, his skin feeling like it was on fire from the temperature alone. With shaking fingers he punched in the launching code, buckled himself into the seat and held on for dear life as the pod launches away from the ship. Once the vibrations stopped he looked up to the hatch of the pod. The ship was visible from the single window in the hatch, making his stomach twist as he saw pieces break off and engines smoking, fires visible everywhere.

Then something bright green flashed into view, too bright to make out what it was... but it caused another explosion. Larger than the ones before, almost tearing the large ship in two. Techno screamed as the shockwave made his pod shake, the rumbling continuing as he approached the atmosphere of the planet they were just flying by. Panels started to come lose, objects flying around the space of the pod as the shaking increased. He ducked his head, trying to cover himself as best as he could, avoiding the flying objects.