The shrill sound of an alarm shattered the tranquility inside the ship.
Flashing red lights filled the space, transforming it into a scene of impending chaos.
From the speakers embedded in the metal walls, a voice rang out, firm yet laden with urgency:
"Wake up, cadets! Prepare for a possible emergency landing. The ship is under attack!"
Nolan's eyes snapped open. His heart pounded wildly, adrenaline surging through his veins.
Around him, the other cadets were also waking up—some with looks of confusion, others with a composure that Nolan envied despite his own attempt to appear calm.
'An attack? Already?' Nolan thought, feeling sweat start to gather on his palms.
The voice continued, now faster but still steady:
"We're approaching our destination, but the conditions are not secure. Prepare for an immediate evacuation. Follow the emergency lights to the capsule area."
Nolan removed the mask he had been wearing to rest.
'Follow the protocol,' he told himself, repeating the mantra as he moved mechanically.
He joined the others, all filing out through the automatic door that slid open with a sharp hiss.
The corridor ahead of them was bathed in pulsating red light, marking the path to follow.
The ship swayed from side to side, forcing the cadets to constantly adjust their balance. Though the stabilizer field maintained functional gravity and kept them from being tossed around like beans in a can, the motion was enough to stoke tension.
'What if it's just a drill…?' Nolan wondered. He found it hard to believe that on his first and only voyage, they'd be under attack from those beasts.
Finally, they reached the capsule zone. The space was filled with small compartments, each equipped with a single cramped seat.
The cadets began filing in, following the signage and automated instructions.
Nolan located his assigned capsule, marked with the number 21.
Letting out a quiet, shaky breath, he slid inside, feeling the seat conform snugly to his frame.
He grabbed the helmet hanging behind the seat and put it on, noting how it synchronized automatically with his suit.
Inside the capsule, everything felt smaller, but also somehow safer. The control panel in front of him glowed with blue and green lights, confirming that the systems were functioning properly.
Nolan exhaled again, trying to steady his nerves.
Through the capsule's window, he could catch a glimpse of outer space.
The ship was still speeding forward, and in the dark void beyond, he spotted small shapes moving.
'Those are… no, they can't be…'
At first, Nolan thought they were debris, but as he focused, he realized they were flying creatures—giant larva-like beings glowing faintly with a purple hue.
'What the hell are those things?' he thought, a chill running down his spine.
Before he could think further, one of the ship's cannons fired, obliterating several of the creatures in a brilliant flash of light.
Nolan clenched his fists, grateful for the ship's weaponry, but the realization hit him like a cold wave:
This wasn't a drill.
It was real.
They were under an actual attack.
The automated system's voice resonated inside the capsule:
"Preparing for capsule launch. Each unit is equipped with supplies to survive for 48 hours. Remain calm and follow the autopilot's instructions."
The message was clear and concise, but it did little to ease the tension gripping Nolan.
Outside his capsule, he could hear explosions and occasional impacts against the ship's hull.
He knew there was nothing he could do about it, but that didn't stop his mind from conjuring increasingly catastrophic scenarios.
The robotic voice began counting down:
"Launching capsule 36... Launching capsule 35..."
Nolan watched through the glass as the first capsules disappeared into the darkness of space.
Everything seemed fine until capsule 35 collided with one of the creatures, exploding in a flash of light.
'Shit…' was all Nolan could think as he saw it happen.
For a moment, his heart stopped. Swallowing hard, he closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.
'Inhale… exhale… this is just part of the protocol. Just part of the protocol,' he repeated, though the image of the explosion was burned into his mind.
The countdown continued, each number cranking up the tension.
"Launching capsule 21…" the voice finally announced.
Suddenly, Nolan's capsule lurched forward, accelerating at a speed that knocked the air from his lungs.
He felt the force of the launch pinning him to the seat as the autopilot took over.
"Autopilot engaged," the robotic voice reported. "Estimated landing time: 20 minutes. Remain calm and prepare for impact."
Nolan took a deep breath, focusing on the front of the capsule.
Though he could hear explosions nearby, along with other strange sounds he didn't understand, the inside of the capsule was surprisingly quiet.
'I can do this… I can do this,' he told himself again, trying to believe it.
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