Alder awoke with the salty, coppery tang of blood in his mouth, a flavor he had grown accustomed to during his years of wandering. A ringing in his ears blotted out every other sound. Thick, oily smoke filled his nostrils, and he had a terrific headache. He reached up to feel his temple, and winced with pain. Pulling his hand away, Alder saw that it was stained red.
The ringing began to fade, and he could make out muffled shouting between splatters of gunfire. As a thunderous roar filled the sky above him, distant cannon fire- followed by explosions- tore his stupor away. Alder tried to stand, but his legs refused to obey his mind. Panic filled his thoughts, and he felt for his legs, relieved when they both responded to his touch.
Two arms hauled him roughly to his feet, and began to carry him away from the sounds of battle, though the blast of an autocannon grew louder still. The sky, streaked with black smoke, disappeared from his view as he was loaded into an armored vehicle of sorts while a voice yelled for the driver to gun it. Then a familiar face, framed in short white hair, filled his vision, lips a blur. Alder couldn't hear what she said, but a soft hand took his and squeezed. The message became clear.
You're gonna be okay.
And Alder grabbed hold of that thought and gripped it tightly until a corpsman gave him a shot of anesthesia, sending him into a blissful darkness.
YOU ARE READING
The Collapse
Science FictionLong ago, humanity ruined its home world of Gaia with quantum weapon fire and synthetic production of soldiers. High-ranking officials were able to board battleships and disappear into the stars, but the rest of the population were left to fend for...
