"For fuck's sake..." Couldn't mom send me on a supply run another day? Laying on my bed, I stare impassively at the metal ceiling, the only distraction being the few insects roaming on its surface. I let out a defeated sigh. Three hours to go to the main colony, three hours to get back. Great... And to say I was planning on looking for a job. Shy, yellow sun rays pierce through the shades and hit me straight in the eyes, as if even nature chose to be against me today. I guess it's time to go. While rubbing my eyes to try to quickly recover my vision, I get up and neatly make the bed before leaving my room.
"You finally stopped acting like a teen?" asks my mom. I don't even look at her as I gather all the equipment I need. This woman really knows how to rub salt in the wound. I violently throw everything into my backpack before walking to the front door. Sat in her chair, she finishes effortlessly sliding bullets inside of a magazine. My brows furrow as I look at her, handing me the battle-scarred gray rifle, loaded and safety on. I grab the heavy firearm by the handguard, almost dropping it because of its weight, and swiftly put the strap around my shoulder. Still confused, she doesn't wait for my question before answering it. "Adam said predators were roaming dangerously close to the road on his last supply run," she stops for a brief moment and looks at me straight in the eyes. "Contrary to what you might think, I still love my daughter and don't want her to be eaten by hungry animals."
She gives me a warm smile as she stands up to kiss me on the cheek. "I love you too, mom," I murmur, pouting. This doesn't mean I have forgiven her, obviously! I open the door and step outside. Harsh winds are stirring up dust everywhere, sometimes sprouting short-lived dust devils. Of course, out of every supply run done recently, I'm the one who must face shit weather. Rolling my eyes, I put on my aging breathing mask. Numerous deep scratches on the clear plastic blur my vision, and I bet everything I have that the filters are older than me. Well, with how damaged the joints are, I don't think working filters would help me in case I need them.
The door closes behind me; I take a quick glance at the street. No one in sight. If I could, I wouldn't be out either. Walking in the direction of the transport vehicle, my eyes fall on the run-down bar not far across the road. With every passing day, more and more rust eats away at the once shiny chrome building. It's been months since we asked for the company's help. I guess it won't arrive before spring, not that I expected anything else from those greedy rats. Key in hand, I unlock the six-wheeled vehicle and climb inside. Breathing mask off, what a relief; I was tired of hearing my raspy breathing. With my backpack on the back seat and the rifle on the passenger's, I'm ready to depart.
As I make wide maneuvers to get the vehicle the correct way around, I curse at how it handles like crap. Every single piece of equipment here is at best thirty years old, can't they send us decent stuff? Just one time? I let out a sigh of resignation and head out the town's main entrance. Brand new sentry guns, rifles, and combat gear. I was mistaken. The company does send decent stuff, just not anything that we can use ourselves. "Tsk." I see the shrinking guards' figures in the rearview mirror, staring at me as I get farther. Why don't they ever go on supply runs? The next time a recruiter comes around, I know what job to get.
***
It's been two hours since I left the town and the wind doesn't show any sign of stopping anytime soon. With how short the days are becoming, it's unlikely I'll be home before dark. What little distance I travelled in those two hours isn't anywhere close to what I should have done. With all this dust in the air, I can barely see fifty meters in front of me. On a paved road it might have been annoying but still manageable, however, on our shitty dirt roads, this meant the path blends with the environment. The planned six hours round trip likely doubled. "Fucking amazing."
I rest my head on the steering wheel. It's not like anything dangerous could happen at the speed I am going. I haven't lived on a lot of planets before coming here, but I can confidently say, without the shadow of a doubt, that this one is the worst. Drab, dusty plains surround us everywhere; finding small pebbles on the ground can be considered a rare occurrence, so much so that tradition is to make a wish. If only mom had learned farming instead of mining, maybe we would be living on a bright and lush planet, with wildlife whose deepest wish isn't to devour us at any given chance. I take a glance at the rifle mom gave me. She only taught me the basics and already trusts me enough to wield such a devastating weapon... On a normal world I'd call her an irresponsible parent, but here? I better keep it on me at all times.
Quick looks at the road lead me to think I'm approaching one of the region's landmarks. In truth, I lied when I said there were only plains around us. There is an impressive cirque not too far, which stands out like a sore thumb. Part of an ancient mountain range, and remnants of a long-gone volcano, if I were to believe what the outpost's geologist said. In the two years living here, we've never found the time to visit, but the stories I've heard described an oasis in this desert of dust. Sheltered by the winds, a dense cover of bizarre yet magnificent flora, harboring harmless creatures. But its real treasure, its pearl, I would say, are the terraced pools of turquoise waters found in its heart. Naturally hot water, available to all.
Thinking of leisurely enjoying a warm bath fills me with excitement, bringing back the carefree person I usually am. Should I... I look at my watch. This isn't reasonable, but... with how long this supply run is going to take already, mom won't hold a few extra hours against me. It's decided. I joyfully tap my fingers on the steering wheel, my frustration almost gone now. As I reach an intersection, I take the road leading to the cirque. Never in my life have I been this disobedient. It feels... empowering. Still playing with the wheel, a dumb smile on my face, I drive the dozens of kilometers separating myself from a well-deserved bath.
***
I park the vehicle not far from the cirque's center. They weren't lying, this place feels like heaven on this planet. The unforgiving winds have turned into a gentle breeze caressing my cheeks, almost too weak to rustle the leaves. The dusty soil has been replaced by a mushy carpet of dead leaves, sparsely disrupted by measly looking bushes. With the canopy, they must not get enough sunlight; even in the best environment, life isn't easy. While I don't see any animals, I can distinctly hear various presumed mating calls and screaming high in the trees. All these green plants, it reminds me of Earth. The pictures I've seen of it, of course. Never in my whole life will I have enough money to go there. But with how this cirque looks, I'm sure there are prettier planets in the galaxy than Earth. Sure, it's the cradle of humanity and all that, but I bet it doesn't live up to the myths surrounding it.
Even without the winds, the opaque clouds of dust above the cirque prevent all but a faint light from shining down. It'll be hard to spot any threats. Rifle loaded and in hand, I make my way through the unknown jungle. I haven't been attacked yet, and I don't want that to change. The mushy bed of dead leaves makes a wet sound with every step I take. How lovely. When was the last time I heard this? It must have been... about fourteen years ago, when I was six. How the time flies. The path becomes more and more obstructed by various plants, vines and fallen trees. As I struggle to get through, having to hop over dead trunks and crouch under thick vines, I spot multiple shapes rummaging in the vegetation around me. Their movements seem... unusual?
I cautiously get closer to them, hiding behind a fallen tree. Peeking over, safety off and rifle ready, I recognize the flying reptiles that can rarely be seen roaming the plains. An elongated, lithe body, covered in bright green scales, with a whiter shade on the abdomen. Approximately one meter in length. This describes a lot of reptiles, but what seals the deal is the thin, deployable membrane on their sides. I've never seen one glide before; after all, there are no vantage points in the plains high enough. I count seven in front of me but wouldn't be surprised if more were lurking in the canopy. One of them is on its back, limbs and membrane spread out, while another is on top of it, frenetically thrusting what I would call its pelvis against the former's. What could they be...
