Ryn awoke early to the sound of her watch buzzing with an urgent message. Lysandra’s voice crackled through the voice chat, tension clear in every word.

“Ryn, we need you in the council chambers immediately. It’s urgent.”

Ryn quickly dressed and grabbed her sword, feeling the weight and power of the blade before collapsing it into the bracelet she wore on her wrist. She met Kyle, Elara, and Jax outside her room, their expressions mirroring her own concern. Together, they made their way to the council chambers. The city was quiet in the early morning light and dew collected on the flowers and grassy areas.

Inside the chambers, Lysandra was pacing, her usually composed demeanor replaced with worry. She pointed to a spot on the holographic globe. A new mission icon blinked ominously.

“We received a distress signal from Solstice Station,” Lysandra began, her voice steady but strained. She clicked on the mission, and a man’s panicked voice filled the room.

“This is Dr. Marcus Hayes at Solstice Station. We’re under attack. Wastes have breached! We need help—” The message ended abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

“You’ll need to take a boat to the space elevator,” Lysandra said, her eyes meeting Ryn’s. “Six Yarian military personnel will accompany you. This mission is critical.”

Ryn looked at her confused. “Wait, why exactly do we need to save this Doctor? Why is he so important?”

Lysandra leaned against the table, she ran her fingers through her disheveled hair. “I wouldn’t ask but…he’s my husband. He was supposed to be coming back to Yaris tomorrow.”

Ryn looked to the others, getting their approval before she nodded herself. “Okay. We’ll do it.”

“Thank you. I’ll send the details to your watches.”

The journey to the space elevator was tense, the boat slicing through the water under a cloudy sky. When they arrived, the sight that greeted them was nothing short of horrifying. The space elevator, once a symbol of advanced technology, was now a twisted monument of corruption. Wastes crawled across every surface, and dark ooze seeped from the structure’s cracks like a festering wound.

“Get ready,” Ryn said, grabbing her bracelet to deploy her nano-sword. Its blade shimmered with a faint blue light. Kyle, and the others prepared their weapons. It wouldn’t be a walk in the park to get inside the elevator but Ryn was determined.

The first Waste lunged at them as they approached the entrance, a grotesque creature with decayed flesh hanging from its bones. Ryn’s blade met it mid-air, the force of her strike sending the creature crashing to the ground. But there was no time to celebrate. More Wastes poured from the shadows, their growls filling the air.

“Keep moving!” Ryn shouted, cutting down another Waste. They moved quickly, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Kyle stood beside Ryn, his own blade flashing as he fought off attackers.

Jax and Elara provided cover, their ranged weapons picking off Wastes that tried to flank them. One of the Yarian soldiers fell, a creature sinking its claws into his back. Ryn gritted her teeth and pressed on, her body protesting with every swing of her sword.

A large Waste, its body twisted and grotesque, charged at Ryn. She barely had time to react before it slammed into her, sending her sliding across the ground. Pain shot through her side as she struggled to get up. The creature loomed over her, its mouth opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth.

“Ryn!” Kyle’s voice cut through the chaos. He slashed at the creature, drawing its attention away from her. Ryn seized the moment, plunging her sword into the Waste’s side. It let out a shriek and collapsed, its body convulsing before going still.

Panting, Ryn pushed herself to her feet. Her health dropped, and she quickly accessed her inventory. A health stim appeared in her hand and she shoved it into her arm, feeling the energy surge through her as her body healed. She glanced around. The battle was far from over.

They fought their way inside the space elevator, the military members barricaded the doors behind them but it wouldn’t hold the Wastes back for long. The structure groaned under the weight of the corruption. The air held a thick stench of decay, and the walls were slick with ooze.

The entrance to the elevator was clear for now, but the cost had been high. Several soldiers lay injured or dead, and the survivors were battered and exhausted.

Ryn looked at her team. “Kyle, Elara, Jax, come with me. We’ll take the elevator up.” She leaned down, giving a stim to one of the injured. “The rest of you stay here and recover. Find somewhere to hide.”

They didn’t argue, they knew Ryn was right. They were in no shape to make the journey up to the Station and they’d only slow down the Droppers.

Ryn and the others entered the elevator, the doors closing behind them with a heavy thud. The elevator ascended, and Ryn felt apprehension wash over her.

The Luxury Suite of the space elevator opened, allowing Ryn and the crew to enter. The suite was truly luxurious, with champagne stored neatly in a cooler, a plush, comfy couch positioned next to a large window offering a panoramic view, and plenty of beds on the second level.

The trip itself upward would take at least six hours, with another hour required to transfer to the passenger line that would take them to the space station. The sight of comfort was a welcomed joy to them.

Ryn took a seat on the couch next to the window, her eyes glued to the rapidly shrinking landscape below. She watched as the ground grew smaller, the sprawling expanse of Abos becoming a mere patchwork of colors.

Kyle broke the silence, his voice tentative. "Do you think people are still alive in the station?"

Elara, who had been standing by the cooler, uncorking a bottle of champagne, responded thoughtfully. "Space station personnel players will respawn as normal players in the world if they die. But they have to start from scratch like everyone else. So even if they died, they’d be okay." She poured herself a glass and took a sip but a sadness filled her face. "It would be terrible to have to restart with nothing in a whole new server though.”

Ryn nodded, her gaze still fixed on the window. "It's a harsh reality. One moment you're at the top, and the next, you're back to square one."

The room fell silent again, each of them lost in their thoughts. The luxury and comfort of the suite felt almost surreal. Ryn leaned back, trying to relax, but her mind kept drifting to what awaited them at the space station. The distress signal had been urgent and panicked. Whatever they were heading into, it wouldn't be easy.

The hours passed slowly, filled with anticipation and trepidation. They talked occasionally, speculating about what they might find. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep, lulled by the gentle hum of the elevator ascending.

When they woke, the ground was no longer visible, replaced by the vast, inky blackness of space dotted with distant stars. The sight was breathtaking, yet it only heightened the sense of isolation.

"Almost there," Elara said, checking her watch.

They approached the transfer point to the passenger line, the reality of their situation began to sink in. The space station was now a potential death trap, overrun by corruption.

Ryn stood, feeling the weight of her bracelet on her wrist. "Let's do this."

With a nod of agreement, they gathered inside the transport. Inside was almost like a plane. Rows of seats lined both sides and a large aisle trailed down the middle. A sudden thud shook the vehicle as the locks unlatched from the elevator. The luxury of the suite faded into the background as they slowly moved away.

The hour passed slowly, Ryn could feel tension growing in her stomach. When they finally docked at the port, the automated locks engaged, securing the transport in place. The airlock opened with a hiss, revealing the entrance to the station.

Ryn led the way inside, her eyes scanning the eerily quiet surroundings. The station was dimly lit, the emergency lights flashing red in the main area, drenching an ominous glow over everything. The silence was oppressive, amplifying the sound of their footsteps as they moved deeper into the station.

Ryn stopped, her heart thumping as she noticed the bodies. One by one, they started appearing, strewn across the floor, each with their body cores ripped from them. The sight was horrific, and a wave of nausea washed over her.

Elara knelt down beside one of the bodies, her face grim as she examined it. "Their cores have been ripped out," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "It's vicious and gruesome. If your body core gets completely destroyed or taken out, you can't respawn for at least a week."

“I didn’t know that.” Kyle said, leaning with his arms crossed.

Ryn’s mind raced. "We need to stay alert. Whatever did this could still be here."

Kyle glanced around nervously, his hand resting on his weapon. "Do you think it was the Wastes? Or maybe... rogue players?"

Elara stood up, wiping her hands on her pants. "It could be either, or both."

They moved cautiously through the station, every sound sent shivers up their spines. The once bustling space station now felt like a haunted graveyard. The air around them held a lingering scent of fear and for the first time in a long time, Ryn actually felt terrified.

They approached the central lobby and Ryn's watch buzzed, indicating an incoming message. She glanced at it, seeing a brief, fragmented transmission from someone identifying as the station's chief engineer. The message was garbled but mentioned something about the core systems being compromised and a massive Waste in the lower levels.

"We need to get to the control room," Ryn said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "We need to see if we can find more information."

The others nodded. They moved as one, a tight-knit unit, ready to face whatever horrors hid in the shadows. The station's silence was occasionally broken by distant, unidentifiable sounds, and screams.

When they finally reached the control room, the door was partially ajar, and inside, the room was in disarray. Terminals were smashed, and the space was now a chaotic mess. Ryn moved to the console, her fingers flying over the controls, trying to access the station's logs and security feeds.

Elara stood guard, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of movement. "Be quick, Ryn. We don't know how much time we have."

Ryn nodded, her focus intense. "Just a few more seconds...Got it!" She pulled up the security feeds, displaying various parts of the station. The lower levels were swarming with Wastes, their grotesque bodies moving with coordination that was unnerving.

And then, on one of the screens, they saw it. A massive, hulking Waste, larger and more terrifying than anything they had encountered before. It was covered in what looked like mechanical enhancements, making it a fusion of organic and technological horror.

"That's our target," Jax said, his voice grim.

Ryn nodded, her jaw set in determination. "Let's move.”

They left the control room, heading towards the lower levels where the true battle awaited. Ryn stopped everyone before continuing on, holding up a hand to signal for silence. The group came to a halt, their breaths visible in the cold, sterile air of the space station. She took a deep breath, glancing around at the concerned faces of her team.

"Listen up," she began, her voice steady and authoritative. "This station is too large and dangerous for us to stick together as one group. We need to split up and cover more ground."

Elara and Kyle exchanged glances but nodded in agreement. Ryn continued, her eyes moving between the two of them. "Elara, Kyle, I want you to find the Doctor. he could be in serious trouble."

Elara nodded, "Got it. His last scanned location was the medbay, so we’ll head there and see what we can find."

Ryn then turned to Jax. "Jax, you and I will head to the lower levels. We need to find the engineer and take out that massive Waste we saw on the security feed.”

Jax tightened his grip on his weapon, a fierce look in his eyes. "Understood. Let's do this."

Ryn handed out additional supplies, making sure everyone had enough health packs. She took a moment to clasp Kyle on the shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "Be careful. We need you back in one piece."

Kyle grinned, though the worry in his eyes was clear. "You too, Ryn. Don't do anything reckless."

With a final nod, they split up. Elara, Kyle, and moved quickly and quietly towards the medbay, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.

Elara led the way, her sharp eyes darting around, scanning every corner for any signs of danger. "Keep your eyes peeled," she whispered.

Kyle nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. Every creak and groan of the station made him jump, but he forced himself to stay focused. They had a mission to complete.

Ryn, and Jax made their way to the lower levels. The further they descended, the colder and darker it became. The bowels of the station held the distant sounds of machinery and the faint, unsettling noises of the Wastes.

Ryn led with confidence, not letting her fear show, and she kept her weapon at the ready. "We can't afford any mistakes.” She whispered.

As they reached the entrance to the lower levels, they encountered their first real obstacle: a large, heavily reinforced door. Ryn approached the control panel, trying to bypass the lock to open it. Her fingers flew over the keys, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Jax stood guard, watching the dimly lit corridor. "How's it going, Ryn?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Almost there," she replied. "Just a few more seconds..."

With a soft beep, the door slid open, revealing a dark hallway. Ryn kept her weapon tight in hand, leading the way as they entered. The air was thick with corruption, making it hard to breathe.

They could hear the faint, disturbing sounds of the Wastes echoing through the halls. Ryn's heart pounded in her chest, but she pushed the fear aside, focusing on the task at hand. They needed to find the engineer and take out the massive Waste before it could cause any more damage.

Elara and Kyle reached the medbay. The door was slightly open, and inside, the room was in disarray. Medical supplies were scattered across the floor, and several bodies lay motionless, their body cores ripped out.

Elara knelt beside one of them, her face pale. "This is worse than I thought," she muttered. "We need to find the doctor, and fast."

Kyle nodded, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of movement. "Let's split up and search. Be careful."

They went their separate ways, carefully checking each room. Kyle found the doctor's office and pushed the door open. Inside, he found the doctor huddled under the desk, his face flushed and terrified.

"It's okay," Kyle said softly, extending a hand. "We're here to help."

The doctor looked up, relief flooding his eyes. "Thank you," he whispered, taking Kyle's hand.

“Lysandra sent us, we’re going to get you out of here.”

Ryn and Jax encountered their first Waste, its body twisted and deformed. The creature roared in anger, charging at them with terrifying speed. Ryn stood her ground, her weapon poised to strike. She fired off a series of slashes, each one hitting its mark. The Waste staggered, becoming sluggish as it rocked back and forth. Jax moved in, delivering a final, crushing blow with his sword.

The creature fell, and Ryn took a moment to catch her breath. "Good job," she said, her voice steady. “Stay sharp."

Finally, they reached the engineer's workshop. The door was open, and inside, they could hear the sounds of someone working frantically. Ryn motioned for Jax to stay back, then slowly entered the room.

Inside, they found the engineer, a man in his late thirties with grease-stained clothes and a look of desperation in his eyes. He was working on a large piece of machinery, his hands moving with frantic precision.

"Hello? We're here to help," Ryn said softly, stepping into the room.

The engineer looked up, exhaustion sketched on his face. "Thank fuck," he said, wiping his brow. "I didn't think anyone would come to this Godforsaken place."

“How long has it been like this?” Ryn asked.

The engineer stopped for a few seconds, thinking hard. “Almost three weeks. As far as I know, everyone is dead. A big fucker went around ripping out body cores.”

"We need to take out that massive Waste," Jax said, his voice firm. "Can you help us?"

The engineer nodded. "I can. But we'll need to activate the emergency defenses. Follow me."

They followed the engineer to a control room, where he quickly began working on the terminals. "This will take a few minutes," he said, his hands moving rapidly over the controls. "Be ready for anything."

Ryn and Jax took up defensive positions. They could hear the sounds of the Wastes growing louder, their monstrous forms drawing closer.

"Here they come," Ryn muttered, her grip tightening on her weapon.

The Wastes burst into the room, teeth chomping at the air. Ryn activated a skill and slammed her nano-sword into the floor, sending a wave of electricity outward. The Wastes flew backward, some dead, but the others managed to get to their feet and continue their onslaught.

Jax took up the flank, stabbing his sword through multiple creatures. The ground filled with thick black ooze as they cut through the waves of endless Wastes, and just as they had given up hope of an end, the last one straddled into the room and was cut down by Ryn’s blade.

The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the exhausted fighters. The engineer finished his work, activating whatever it was he was taking his time with. "It's done," he said, his voice shaking. "The defenses are up. We should be safe for now."

“What defenses?” Jax asked.

“It closes off the basement level. Trust me, you don’t want to go down there. This whole place is fucked.”

They made their way back to the room where the massive Waste had been sighted. To their surprise, the creature was gone, leaving only the signs of its destruction behind. Ryn's heart sank, knowing this meant the threat was still out there.

"Stay alert," she warned. "It could be anywhere."

With a sense of urgency, they moved back to the main area of the station where they had last seen Elara, Kyle The main area was eerily silent, the red lights still flashing ominously. Ryn's mind raced as she wondered about the fate of her friends.

When they finally reunited, relief washed over her. Elara, and Kyle had managed to find and secure the doctor, who now stood among them, looking shaken but unharmed. Ryn quickly updated them on the situation.

"The big Waste is gone," she said, her voice grim. "But we managed to activate the emergency protocols. The engineer's safe too."

Elara sighed in relief. "That's one less thing to worry about. But we still need to figure out where that Waste went."

Kyle looked around, his eyes narrowed. "We should go. This place is too dangerous to stay in any longer than we have to and the station is done for. We need to leave the Waste behind.”

Ryn nodded, knowing that he was right. It’s better to leave now then go hunting for trouble. The group headed back to the passenger transport. They had to cut their losses and leave while they still could.

The engineer and the doctor, though shaken, understood the gravity of the situation. They packed up their gear quickly, double-checking that they had everything they needed.

They were halfway down the corridor when a loud, menacing growl echoed through the space station. Ryn's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. Before anyone could react, the giant Waste leaped down from the ceiling, landing with a bone-shaking thud.

The creature was gnarly and monstrous, its mangled body even more horrifying up close. Its head spun around, revealing different faces, each more twisted and terrifying than the last. Without warning, it lashed out with its razor-sharp arm, stabbing the doctor through the chest. The doctor's eyes widened in shock and pain as the Waste yanked out his body core.

"No!" Elara screamed, reaching out as he fell lifelessly to the ground, his body core clutched in the Waste's clawed hand. His virtual self dissipated into pixels that floated away in the air.

Ryn's anger flared, and she yanked the bracelet from her wrist. Her nano-sword materialized with a flash of energy, the blade humming with power. She stepped forward, her eyes locked on to the Waste. The creature turned its spinning head towards her, each face contorted with rage and hunger.

Ryn's eyes darted towards Elara and Kyle, her voice steady and commanding. "Elara, Kyle, get the engineer to the transport. Now. Jax, stay behind and help me fight this thing."

Elara and Kyle nodded, their faces pale but resolute. They quickly gathered the engineer and guided him back towards the passenger transport. Kyle paused for a moment, his eyes locking with Jax's. Without a word, Jax took Kyle's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Be safe," Kyle whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the station.

"You too," Jax replied, releasing Kyle's hand and turning to stand beside Ryn.

The Waste let out a roar, its many faces twisting in unison. Ryn tightened her grip on her sword, feeling its energy course through her. She and Jax exchanged a quick, determined glance before stepping forward to face the monstrous creature.

The Waste lunged at them with speed they could barely see, its razor-sharp arms slicing through the air. Ryn parried the first strike, her sword clashing with the creature's arm and sending sparks flying. Jax moved to the side, flanking the Waste and aiming a powerful strike at its side. His sword connected with a sickening crunch, but the creature barely seemed to notice.

The Waste spun its head around, one of its faces leering at Jax with a twisted grin. It lashed out with its other arm, catching Jax off guard and slashing across his chest. Jax staggered back, blood seeping through his clothing, but he gritted his teeth and kept his footing.

Ryn used the opening to her advantage, charging forward and delivering a series of rapid strikes to the Waste's torso. Each hit landed with a satisfying thud, but the creature's hide was tough, and it showed no signs of slowing down. The Waste retaliated, swiping at Ryn with its massive claws. She dodged most of the blows, but one caught her in the stomach, sending a jolt of pain through her body.

Clenching her jaw against the pain, Ryn activated a health stim. A burst of energy flowed through her, mending some of the damage and giving her a momentary reprieve. She glanced at Jax, who was also struggling to stay on his feet. His health was dangerously low, but he fought on with unwavering determination.

"We need to finish this, Jax," Ryn called out, her voice strained.

He nodded. "Let's do it."

They moved in tandem, coordinating their attacks with precision. Ryn engaged the Waste head-on, drawing its attention and dodging its relentless strikes. Jax circled around, looking for an opening to deliver a decisive blow. The Waste's movements grew more erratic, its many faces contorted with rage and desperation.

Ryn saw her chance. She feinted to the left, drawing the Waste's attack, then quickly pivoted and drove her sword deep into the creature's side. The Waste let out a deafening screech, its body thrashing in pain. Jax seized the opportunity, leaping forward and sliced his sword into the Waste's chest with all his might.

The creature shuddered, beginning to break apart. With a final, ear-splitting roar, it collapsed to the ground, its body disintegrating into a pool of black ooze. Ryn and Jax stood over the remains, panting heavily and clutching their wounds. The black ooze that once formed the creature's body began to seep into the floor, disappearing into the cracks. They exchanged a look of cautious relief.

"We did it," Jax said, wiping sweat and blood from his brow.

Ryn nodded, but something in the air made her uneasy. "Yeah, but let's not let our guard down yet."

As if on cue, the black ooze started to bubble and churn. From the darkness, a new form began to emerge—larger, more monstrous, and more menacing than before. The creature's head reformed, now sporting a series of jagged, blade-like protrusions, and its eyes glowed with a fierce, unnatural light.

"Shit," Ryn muttered, her grip tightening on her sword. "It's not over."

The Waste roared back to life, its renewed form towering over them. It lunged, forcing Ryn and Jax to dive in opposite directions. The creature's new limbs slashed through the air, sending sparks flying as they connected with the metal walls.

Jax landed hard, wincing as pain shot through his injured body. "What does it take to kill this thing?"

Before Ryn could respond, the engineer, who had been hanging back, stepped forward, his face pale but determined. "It's the corruption," he said, his voice urgent. "As long as the station is infected, the Waste will keep regenerating. We have to destroy the station to stop it for good."

Ryn's eyes widened. "Blow up the station? Are you sure?"

The engineer nodded grimly. "There's no other way. I'll head to the engine room and set the self-destruct sequence. You two need to buy me time."

Ryn and Jax exchanged a glance, both understanding the gravity of the situation. "Go," Ryn said, her voice steady. "We'll hold it off."

The engineer gave a curt nod and sprinted towards the engine room, leaving Ryn and Jax to face the Waste once more.

The creature lunged again, its bladed limbs slicing through the air. Ryn parried one strike, sparks flying as her sword clashed with the creature's arm. Jax moved to flank it, striking at its side, but the Waste was faster and stronger than before. It retaliated with a powerful swipe, sending Jax sprawling across the floor.

Ryn gritted her teeth, her body screaming in protest as she forced herself to keep fighting. She slashed at the creature's legs, trying to slow it down, but it seemed almost impervious to damage. The Waste's new form was more resilient, its black, corrupted flesh knitting back together almost as quickly as they could damage it.

Jax struggled to his feet, his breathing labored. "Ryn, we can't keep this up much longer."

"I know," Ryn replied, her voice strained. "We just have to hold on until the engineer finishes."

The Waste roared, its face twisted in fury. It lashed out with both arms, forcing Ryn and Jax to split apart. Ryn rolled to her feet, swinging her sword in a wide arc to keep the creature at bay. Her movements were growing slower, her energy reserves nearly depleted.

The Waste showed no signs of tiring. Its attacks became more ferocious, its regeneration relentless. Ryn and Jax fought with everything they had, but they were losing ground, their health dangerously low.

Just when it seemed like they couldn't hold on any longer, a loud alarm blared throughout the station. The lights flickered, and a computerized voice announced, "Warning: Self-destruct sequence initiated. All personnel evacuate immediately."

Ryn's heart leapt. "The engineer did it!"

The Waste paused, its many faces registering confusion. Taking advantage of the brief hesitation, Ryn and Jax launched a coordinated attack.

"We need to give him more time," Ryn shouted, her voice barely audible over the blaring alarms.

Jax nodded, his determination renewed. "Let's finish this."

They fought with renewed vigor, their swords flashing as they struck at the creature from all sides. The Waste howled in rage, its form flickering as the corruption that sustained it began to falter.

Despite their exhaustion, Ryn and Jax pressed on, each strike pushing the creature closer to the edge. The station's alarms grew louder, the computerized voice repeating its urgent warning.

"Evacuate immediately. Self-destruct sequence initiated."

Finally, with one last, desperate strike, Ryn and Jax sliced apart the Waste. The creature's body convulsed, its faces twisted in a final, anguished scream as the corruption began to fall off its bones.

"Go! Go before it comes back!” The engineer shouted from behind the control panel. "Get to the transport! I'll finish this!"

Ryn and Jax didn't need to be told twice. They turned and sprinted back towards the main area of the station, their hearts pounding as the countdown to destruction echoed in their ears.

As the alarms blared, signaling the impending destruction of the space station, Ryn and Jax sprinted through the chaotic corridors. The station groaned and shuddered, the structural integrity failing as the self-destruct sequence tore through the lower levels. Panels burst open, spewing sparks and debris, while the flickering lights painted a frantic strobe over the scene.

"We have to make it to the pod bay!" Jax shouted over the cacophony, his voice barely audible above the chaos.

Ryn nodded, her legs burning with exertion. The passageways twisted and turned, and the floor beneath their feet trembled with each violent shake of the station. She risked a glance back, seeing the black ooze of the Waste still writhing in its death throes, desperately trying to reform even as it was being consumed by the destruction.

They rounded a corner, the entrance to the pod bay finally in sight. The doors were jammed open, the metal twisted from the internal explosions, but beyond them lay their only chance at survival. Ryn pushed herself harder, her vision blurring with the effort.

The station lurched violently, sending them both sprawling to the floor. Ryn cried out as she rolled, her body slamming into the wall. Jax scrambled to his feet, extending a hand to help her up. "Come on, we’re almost there!"

Ryn took his hand, pulling herself up just as another explosion rocked the station. They stumbled through the doors into the pod bay, where a row of drop pods stood ready, their hatches open and waiting. The passenger transport was gone, having evacuated with the initial alarm, leaving these solitary pods as their last hope.

Ryn and Jax dove for the nearest pods, the floor beneath them tilting dangerously as the station continued to break apart. Ryn clambered into her pod, securing the harness around her just as Jax did the same in the pod next to her. She slammed her hand on the activation panel, and the pod door hissed shut, sealing her inside.

Through the small viewport, Ryn could see the station disintegrating around them. The countdown reached its final seconds, and with a deafening roar, the pods launched into space. They were thrown back into their seats by the sheer force of the ejection, the pods hurtling away from the doomed station.

The view outside was a blur of stars and debris, the wreckage of the station spreading out like a grim fireworks display. Ryn's heart pounded in her chest as the pod stabilized, the emergency systems kicking in to guide them to a safe landing. But the trajectory was erratic, the pod shoook violently as it entered the atmosphere of Abos.

The descent was a tumultuous ride, the pod buffeted by turbulence as it plummeted toward the surface. Ryn's vision swam, the world outside the viewport a kaleidoscope of flames and clouds. She gritted her teeth, clinging to consciousness as the pod slammed into the ground with bone-jarring force.

Ryn was thrown forward, her head slamming into the control panel. Stars exploded in her vision, pain lancing through her skull. The world went dark, the last thing she felt was the shuddering stop of the pod, and then nothing.

When she came to, everything was silent. The pod was still, half-buried in the ground. Ryn's body ached all over, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. She glanced at her body core display, seeing it flashing red, completely depleted. She was hanging on by a thread, her energy reserves almost gone.

She managed to unbuckle the harness, pushing the pod door open with a groan. The landscape outside was unfamiliar, a dense jungle with towering trees and thick undergrowth. She stumbled out, collapsing onto the soft ground. Her vision blurred, and she could feel herself slipping away, the world around her fading.

"Jax…" she whispered, hoping he had made it, hoping he would find her. The effort was too much, and darkness claimed her again, her body lying still among the strange and foreign flora of this unknown part of Abos.