Nora is like most teenagers, at 16 years old she goes to school, has a group of close friends, loves music, works a part time job, and aspires to go to college to pursue her lifelong dreams. Living in the suburbs of Gardenville, Jersey she's grown...
I followed the river as it wound its way to the crash site in the distance. The smoke plume rose above the trees like a beacon leading the way, making it easy for me to track down. I made sure I stayed close to the open space of the riverbank, away from the dark woods where potentially dangerous predators like bears, mountain lions, or wolves prowled. Keeping a sharp eye and ear out for wild animals, I only stopped to drink from the river or answer nature's call at the shrubs not far from the water (I am human after all, and it was a long hike).
Luckily I didn't encounter any hazardous wildlife. Unless you counted the squirrels scurrying through the trees. I did see a deer drinking at the riverbank, it rose its head and blinked at me before sprinting off into the woods.
It was dusk when I finally approached the crash site. A large clearing of grass and wildflowers now charred with ash. "No way." I muttered disbelieved. It wasn't a meteorite, but a Gem star-ship.
The situation became urgent at that realization. This was no longer a curious expedition, but a rescue mission to save whoever was inside. True, it wasn't safe for me to go inside a burning ship, but I couldn't stand around and do nothing. I was going to need backup.
"Garnet it's me." I called her with urgency in my voice. "I'm safe. You're not gonna believe what I found...." I explained what I saw and snapped a picture of the ship. "I've never seen that kind of star-ship before." Garnet said. "Do you think it's from Homeworld, or one of the former colonies? It could be someone immigrating to Earth."
"I don't think so." Garnet answered. "Listen to me, do not approach that ship. Stay where you are and wait until we get over there. Please send me your location." I did exactly that. "I'm standing by."
"Good. We'll be there soon."
I stood at the edge of the clearing, eyeing the crashed ship with every sense in my body tuned to it. Was the impact enough to crack or shatter a Gem? Were there any survivors? I picked up the sword I brought from the fortress's armory and a makeshift shield from a slab of reflective slate, just in case of anything. Always come prepared in these situations, is what I always say.
I nearly jumped out of my skin from a sharp hiss coming from the ship, watching intently as the doors slid open, unleashing a puff of heavy smoke and steam. Darting behind the cover of the trees, I peered out from their foliage, sword and shield at ready. A cloaked figure stumbled out of the ship, breathing heavily examining the wreckage cursing under her breath, the hood covering her face but not her prominent pointed nose.
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She scanned parts of her ship, lifting her right wrist summoning a hologram of the ship's stats, red flashed all over it. "No. No!" She said hushed, completely panicked. The ship was significantly damaged, from the looks of it, perhaps even beyond repair. She was stuck on Earth. The Cloaked Gem looked up at the ship and the moon rising, and I saw her chest rapidly rise and fall. Someone was having a worse day than I was. I wondered who she is. The Gem removed her hood revealing her face and type.
