Planet X by Tyler Lotz

Cast into oblivion, we seek to rise from the ashes. Since entering the worm hole, time has ceased to exist. The abyss slowly steals away sanity. Forgotten by our families, our friends, and God, fate cannot even predict what is next. Maybe it was seconds, maybe days, maybe weeks before contact of a suitable planet was made. The size of Planet X was made nebulous by an outer layer of toxic gases. They formed a conflagration of colors, blinding to the unprotected eye.

After pushing through the permeable layer which cover Plant X's ozone, complications arose. The land below consisted of dense, impassable forest canopies. Darkness consumed the earth below, and the ships lights illuminated a void in the jungle where landing was plausible. Masks, suits, weaponry were retrieved. Silence has never been louder.

The retractable bridge was deployed from the underparts of the shuttle. Sirens drowned out the prayers of hopeless. I knew their was no God in this land. A barrage of flaming arrows illuminated the skyline. Soon after blood painted the mud. My peripherals were eliminated by sweat condensing inside my mask. The flood lights begin initiating and expelling the darkness. Gun fire erupts around me. I hold on to my trigger for life, spraying a volley of bullets into the unknown. An unknown noise pierces my ears. Black.

My eyes slowly formulate the silhouettes of my surroundings. Where am I? How did I get here? What's next? These are the questions that gain most of my attention. The rest of my intention is on my team. Their condition, location, and safety determines my success, my honor. As my vision is regained, everything is immaculate. Syringes, knifes, saws and probes are all neatly lined along a crude dish. However the neatness is the least of my worries, why am I surrounded by these objects?

I hear a series of clicks and gurgles echo through the room. Pit, pat, pit, pat. The steps appear to be coming nearer and nearer. A single light sits above my head. Pit, pat, pit, pat, pat. Stand in the doorway is a figure. I would estimate it 8 feet tall. A tale slithers around the pair of legs. Two horns break the form of the head. Long, skinny arms fall next the hips. Four eyes rip through my skin. I begin to tremble...