The Dead [Log 5]
07 Sep 2022Content2541
\\\> Open Log Recorder
<c:\Ship\Pioneer\Logs\Log Recorder\Log_Recorder.exe\> Open - Log Recorder Initiated
> Create New Log Entry
<c:\Ship\Pioneer\Logs\Log Recorder\Log_Recorder.exe\> Initiate - [Recording ◉]
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LOG - 005
________
I finished the cut and the hatch flew open, dropping cargo canisters out into the mud below with a strange shulk. I reached up and grabbed the ledge, pulling myself up. I swung my leg to the side and rolled up into the cargo hold, getting to my fleet slowly.
The cargo hold was a shell of its former self. Crates were left thrown about, scorched and shattered, while some floated in a flooded corner, already rusted by the raging Maelstrom. I walked through some shin-high water. Raising my feet up high to get less resistance. I trudged over to the door to the rest of the ship, swung my crowbar off my back, and slowly pried it open.
I ended up in a small hallway, the power plant was surprisingly still active, its hum drowned out by the rain pounding on the metal hull. Overheard, fluorescent lights flickered and blinked, sparking wires hung from the ceiling, and water flowed slowly down from where I opened the cargo bay door. I moved toward the cockpit, careful not to slip on the watery deck.
The cockpit door was already slightly open, bent from the rough impact. I had no hope of survivors, no hope that anyone could have survived this. I dreaded what was beyond this charred door, but I pried it open anyway.
It was as I thought, the pilot lay dead at his chair, his hands still white-knuckled on the throttle, his other dropped to his side. I moved toward him, water ran in from behind me and slowly flowed out of the busted cockpit canopy. I approached the man, leaning him to face me.
His face was pale, his eyes closed, I could see a shard of glass had pierced his flight suit, exposing him to this unbreathable atmosphere. He was deceased, but a ship this large often has a crew.
I turned around and made my way to the opposite end of the cockpit, an overhead light suddenly flicked to life, startling me, but also illuminating the open door of the maintenance hall.
An engineer must have been trying to restart the engines. I shuffled past shattered glass and chunks of metal as I slid into the hallway, tapping my helmet to activate its light. This hallway, if I recall correctly, leads right to the engines and power plant.
I eventually emerged from the other side, water here had nowhere to drain and filled the room up to my knees. Another crew member floated amongst the water, facing the ceiling. I slowly dragged the body closer and wiped their visor. It was a girl, her eyes were glossed over, dead. Her suit, however, was intact, not allowing any water in and making the sight more gruesome than it had to be already. I wonder how she died…
There was not much time left before I had to go back to the Pioneer for some oxygen, so I carried the girl back toward the cockpit and placed her in an adjacent seat to the captain. I slowly walked toward the cargo bay.
Out of the corner of my eye, right when I was about to leave, I saw the doors to habitation. I let out a deep sigh and began to walk in that direction…
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> End Log Entry <c:\Ship\Pioneer\Logs\Log Recorder\Log_Recorder.exe\> End Recording- Recording Ended
> Close Log Recorder
<c:\Ship\Pioneer\Logs\Log Recorder\Log_Recorder.exe\> Close - Closing
> Log Saved, Goodbye Commander
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