Atmospheric Descent

The searing noise was streaking through his mind as he tried with all effort to focus on his grip. Hold. Do not let go.

A whisper in the roar. His landing pod had already punched through the worst of the plasma at thirty kilometres when the coupling of the door latch somehow let loose prematurely. His descent to the planet surface now became a matter of survival as his body was violently sucked out into the foreign atmosphere.

Down below, the ground blurred, still rushing up fast. His right hand lodged in the faulty hatch that had buckled open in the turbulence. Flailing, he somehow moved his body into the enclosure that would insulate him from the remaining incinerating heat.

Legs in. Torso in. Head whipping in the airstream — slipping beneath the buffeting air — in.

He pulled desperately, willing the panel to close against the raging pressure. Then the velocity of the air slammed it shut. He engaged the coupling with his good hand.

He turned to the control screen. Wrist dislocated. The right arm hung wrong, visibly deformed where the suit had stretched, bones shifted at an ugly angle.

Two inches of wrongness. Pain screamed. With his left hand he manipulated the virtual controls and re-engaged the landing sequence.

“Helix. Damage report. ” “Landing protocol stable.

▶

6s cinematic beat

Atmospheric Descent — free fall into Kethra

Structural integrity seventy-eight percent. Medical nanites deploying. You will survive.

The medical nanites confirm effective management of the dislocation. Pain levels are suppressed but not eliminated. ” He leaned back into the harness, breath ragged.

The AI’s voice continued, calm as always. “Objective remains critical. Close range sensors confirm she is here.

Triangulation in progress. Route options available soon. The Core appears to be a heavily protected repository.

Probe data suggests it may contain organic material of singular strategic value to a sovereign entity. ” Kael closed his eyes as the pod shuddered toward the surface. For a fraction of a second the old conversation with Helix replayed — but another image cut through it: Lira standing perfectly still in the holo-frame, that small, knowing half-smile on her lips as she watched him try to find words.

Even now, falling through fire, the memory of her stillness made something in his chest tighten. He forced his eyes open and gripped the harness with his good hand.