As we ventured deeper, the lights and systems keeping the ship operational began to malfunction more frequently, causing us to stall our advance when visibility became almost impossible with impenetrable darkness. The ship itself felt like it was dying, becoming a scarred and wounded entity that was casting its last breaths of air before passing on to the golden gates.
After what felt like an eternity, which was more likely a couple of hours, we reached what seemed to be a wide storage area which was piled high with large crates. The lights flickered more frequently here than it did in any other area of the vessel we had travelled through. Along one wall I noticed some lighting around a few crates that were surrounded by bodies. Or rather the remains of them, little more than bones and scraps of cloth remained of many of the cadavers around it. Neither myself nor my companions had a light, portable or not, on us to try and puncture the darkness that was shrouding the room. A light rustle in the further corner from us notified us that we were not alone in here. I tapped my ComLink opening my channel “Movement” I whispered. Hoping in the chosen one’s name that we could, for once, catch a break.
Sweat trickled down my face, mingling with the tension that gripped me in the pitch-black room. Each breath felt like a thunderous echo in my ears. I strained my eyes, trying to pierce through the oppressive darkness.
Behind me, a shuffle of footsteps broke the silence, growing fainter as they fanned out to my left, undoubtedly seeking cover. I inched further into the room, my senses on high alert, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Panic clawed at my throat, threatening to choke me as I desperately scanned the shadows.
Then, a flicker, almost imperceptible, registered over to the left corner of my eye. I reacted without conscious thought, throwing myself to the ground, my body crashing against the cold, hard metal of the floor. The room erupted in a blinding flash of light, each shot from an unseen assailant revealing their sinister presence. Panic surged as the metallic tang of fear filled my mouth.
"Get down!" I screamed, my voice strained and urgent, the words spilling from my lips like a desperate plea. Adrenaline pumped through me, dulling the searing pain that radiated from my cracked rib. Every breath felt like shards of glass in my chest, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it.
I lay flat against the floor, pulling my legs up to my chest in a vain attempt to suppress the pain. Unable to prevent myself from trembling with a combination of fear and agony. The room seemed to close in around me, the darkness pressing on all sides. My heart raced, pounding against my ribs, drowning out the world as I fought to control my breaths, to silence the turmoil within.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Time hung suspended in that suffocating darkness, as the tension built, and I waited, every nerve on edge. The figure in the corner, momentarily exposed by their own gunfire, remained an enigmatic silhouette, their intent hidden in the shadow. Another burst of gunfire ripped through the air above me, smashing harmlessly against the wall at the end of the corridor from where we came. My companions returned fire with alacrity, each sending shots to where the figure was, I heard a yelp of pain and then a silence, so thick it choked the room.
Thudding footsteps echoed into the room from somewhere further ahead of us, loud voices were heard as whoever reacted to our gunfire. Pulling myself together I stood over, the pain searing through me causing me to gasp. Picking up my sidearm, which had been knocked loose from my hand I stood, “Let's move!” I shouted, I didn’t need to worry about looking behind me as I could hear the sound of their running feet pounding against the floor trying to keep up with me.
The darkness clung to me as I fled the room, running through a doorway which was set against the wall to our left, the sound of shouts and voices seemed to be getting closer behind us. A sign set in the corridor ahead of us lit up like a firework display on Celebracy Day
Editors Note
Celebracy Day is a celebration which celebrates the founding of the Council of Administration, not much is known about its original origins
Gunfire echoed from the room we had just left, frantic shouting and pounding footsteps as our pursuers scrabbled after us down the tunnel we had taken, the darkness around me shrouded me. Choking me. My foot caught on something and I fell face-first into something soft, a strong stench hit my nostrils and a slime coated my face but I couldn't stop, the pounding footsteps rang out louder than before. Pulling myself up I set off again, wiping the slimy substance off my face and stifling a gag as I felt it on my hands. My pistol banged against my hip with each step I took, Up ahead i saw a faint red glow emanating from a hallway set into the left-hand side.
The light illuminated the floor showcasing bodies, so many bodies. The bodies were in various states of disarray, arms spread wide, slung hastily against the archway. A metallic glint caught my eye to the left of the light and I lunged for the floor, the red glow ahead revealing the aftermath of what now looks like a massacre. The air around me was heavy on my chest, the acrid scent of burnt flesh, sulphur and the sickeningly sweet smell of blood filled my nostrils as I fought desperately to catch my breath.
Twisting around to face the corridor we entered the chamber through I raised my pistol ready to fight our pursuers, my companions had taken up positions around me. I smiled as I noticed that one of them was keeping the inside of the room covered as we prioritised our assailants.