Day 90

The voice from the speaker outside Astra’s cell echoed through the corridor again. By now, he ignored it, knowing it wouldn't matter. As expected, the guards avoided his cell, continuing their routine without acknowledging him. Astra resumed his workout, his muscles flexing and straining with each deliberate movement. He knew they had no intention of releasing him, so he channeled all his frustration into his training.

Suddenly, a different voice came from outside his cell, clearer and more commanding:

“Prisoner 03, Cooperate or face severe consequences.”

Astra paused mid-rep, his mind racing. Why are they here? Has my provocation finally worked? Are they going to kill me? His thoughts were a whirlwind, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Fine by me. I've been waiting for this moment. he thought, a smirk tugging at his lips.

The door opened slowly, and Astra's heart raced. He sprinted towards the scarred-face guard, who raised a gun and fired. Astra dodged the shot, barely avoiding it. He lunged at the guard with a shard of glass, aiming for a vulnerable spot, but the glass shattered against the guard's armor. The sudden attack caused the guard’s gun to slip from his grasp.

The scarred-face guard swung his foot in a wide arc, trying to create distance, but Astra was ready. He anticipated the move, dodging smoothly before springing back with the sharp bone he always carried. He struck hard, but the bone only left a shallow scratch on the armor.

damn it!

The guard retaliated with a fast jab—too fast. Astra barely had time to react, resorting to a desperate kick to the guard’s stomach to create space. He knew he had to act quickly; the narrow hallway was his only advantage, preventing the second guard from getting a clear shot.

Realizing how durable the armor is, Astra’s eyes flicked to the fallen gun, but it lay just beyond his reach, under the guard’s feet. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Astra saw the second guard typing rapidly on a device on his wrist. A holographic interface flickered to life, and the guard pressed a button.

What the— Astra’s thoughts were cut short as a jolt of electricity surged through his body. His muscles seized up in agony, and in that moment of weakness, the scarred-face guard’s jab connected squarely with his jaw.

[You took 15% damage!]

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Astra crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. The scarred-face guard wasted no time, delivering a brutal kick to his stomach.

"You fucking bastard!"

The tone of the guard's voice made it clear that he was cursing Astra, even if the words were incomprehensible.

[You took 10% damage!]

His vision swam as he struggled to piece together what had just happened. The electricity… it had come from the choker around his neck. Darkness surrounded him as he slipped away. Thoughts raced through his mind, full of confusion and despair.

So that’s what this damned thing is for. Is this really how it all ends? I can't even take one of them down with me. I have so many questions, and this is the only fucking answer I’ve found? What a fucking joke. Where are my crew members? Are they okay? What happened to Earth?

⊶☽☬☾⊷

Astra slowly regained consciousness, his body aching from the brutal beating he had endured. As his vision cleared, he found himself in a large, dimly lit chamber filled with other prisoners—aliens of various species, all wearing the same chokers around their necks. He recognized each one, having watched them through the flap door when they first arrived. His familiarity with them didn't bring any comfort; in fact, it heightened his unease.

The atmosphere was tense, with the prisoners moving about warily, their eyes darting around, distrustful of one another. Astra's thoughts were muddled, but one thing stood out above all: he was still alive.

I’m still breathing. That’s all that matters right now.

The guards had spared him, for whatever twisted reason, and that was a small victory. He would take it.

He noticed a door behind him and realized that must have been where the guards had thrown him onto the cold floor. The memory of being dragged and discarded like a sack of meat flashed briefly in his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the present.

Astra slowly pushed himself up, cautious of his surroundings. The other prisoners paid him little attention, too absorbed in their own fears and suspicions.

Their movements were hasty, erratic, as they inspected weapons laid out on tables along the walls, clearly preparing for something, though none of them seemed certain of what was to come. Most of them were already armed, holding simple weapons like spears and axes, as well as more advanced tools like plasma knives and energy shields.

His eyes swept the room, finally landing on a massive door on the far side. The door loomed ominously, and he instinctively knew that whatever awaited them was behind it. It seemed like all this preparation was leading to that door.

Determined not to be caught unprepared, Astra approached the nearest table of weapons. His gaze fell upon a gun similar to the ones the guards used. Astra, a seasoned space marine, he was familiar with many types of weaponry, but this one was different, the blue sphere about the size of a tennis ball, and He didn't think there was any human who could create it.

a crystal ball?

He quickly snapped back to reality, picking up the gun and feeling its weight in his hand. After securing a strap to carry it over his shoulder, he looked for a close-range weapon. His eyes settled on a serrated dagger, simple but lethal, and he strapped it to his belt.

I’m not going down without a fight.

Now armed, Astra took a step back, his eyes briefly flicking to the massive door across the room.

Whatever’s coming, I’m not just going to survive. I’m going to make them regret keeping me alive.

𓆩✧𓆪