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. The pods can only allow a maximum of two people at once, four if you really want to push your luck. They had far too few for everyone. Techno was trying to help steer people towards the pods, closing and launching as many as he could, saving as many lives as the fires and explosions allowed. It was by no means his job, but the actual emergency crew had already launched their own pod, so he 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 hallways from the launch bay. Techno clung to the handle of a door until the shaking stopped enough for him to stand again.

How did this even happen? One minute everything was going fine, everyone was minding their own business or sleeping in their cabins. Techno had been tending to his garden, one of his playlists playing over the speakers (even if he technically wasn't allowed to put anything on those). The next moment 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.

He helped two more panicked crewmembers climb into a pod and launch, the flow of panicked people into the launch-bay growing weaker with every second. There were only a few functional pods left, the launching bay on the other side of the ship completely destroyed and unusable. It only crippled their number of 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! This way! We can't-" A loud crack overhead made him stop halfway through launching another pod. 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?

He slammed his hand on the launch button, allowing another group of three to escape the ship. A few more empty pods, no more people able to enter the launch bay... At least there is a pod for him to escape in too.

"Ajuda! Por favor! Estou preso!" Techno turned away from the pod he had been about to enter, 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 from the nearby fires, flames eagerly reaching for the pair. They were yelling at each other in a language he couldn't understand, both panicking and desperately trying to reach one of the pods. Techno abandoned his pod and ran over, assisting the other man in trying to free their crewmate.

Even through the gloves he wore, he could feel the rising heat of the metal. Sharp edges pressed into his palm as he attempted to help the other man lift the debris up, their trapped crewmate crying out in pain. Fuck, he was starting to get lightheaded. The oxygen is being eaten up by the flames and the ship's systems have most likely already failed.

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. He looked like he was ready to vomit at the sight of his leg, but his companion forcefully made him look away. "Merda! Espere, tudo ficará bem! Eu peguei você, Pac!" The injured man sobbed, clinging to his friend. "Estou com medo Cellbit!" "Eu sei, estamos quase lá!"