Page 25 of Klaz
CINTA
The wind howled, whipping snow across the barren landscape. I trudged forward, my boots crunching through the icy crust with each step. The cold bit at my exposed skin, and I pulled my makeshift scarf tighter around my face.
Klaz walked ahead, his broad shoulders hunched against the wind. His gray skin almost blended with the bleak surroundings, but the green markings on his arm stood out starkly. I found my gaze drawn to him, tracing the lines of his muscular back.
He glanced back at me, his red eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away. But not before I caught the flash of concern in his expression.
That kiss. It haunted me, the memory of his lips on mine, the heat of his body pressed against me. I tried to clear my thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for distractions.
We crested a ridge, and I gasped. Before us stretched a vast field of ice, unbroken white as far as the eye could see. The sun glinted off the surface, creating a dazzling, alien landscape.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
Klaz grunted in agreement. “And deadly. We need to find shelter soon.”
I nodded, scanning the horizon. Something caught my eye – a dark, angular shape against the white expanse.
“Klaz, look!” I pointed. “What’s that?”
He squinted, then his eyes widened. “It looks like... buildings. A complex of some kind.”
Excitement bubbled up in my chest. “Shelter?”
“Possibly. Let’s approach with caution.”
As we drew closer, details became clearer. It was indeed a sprawling complex of low, utilitarian buildings. The structures looked weathered, battered by the harsh environment.
“What is this place?” I asked.
Klaz’s expression was grim. “If I had to guess, an abandoned research station. We might find supplies inside but stay alert. We don’t know what condition it’s in.”
We approached the nearest building, noting the damage. Cracks spider-webbed across windows, and metal panels had been torn away by fierce winds. An airlock door hung partially open, rust frozen in place.
I peered inside, then turned to Klaz with a grin. “Want to see a trick?”
He raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
I fished in my pocket, pulling out a few bits of scrap metal I’d collected from the wreck of the escape pod. With deft fingers, I fashioned a crude lockpick. It took a few attempts, but soon I heard a satisfying click.
The inner door swung open, and I spun towards Klaz with a flourish. “Ta-da!”
I thought I saw a flash of admiration in his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by his usual stoic expression.
“Impressive,” he said. “Now, let’s see what we’re dealing with.”
We stepped into a dark corridor. Emergency lights flickered to life, casting an eerie glow. The air was stale, thick with dust.
“There,” Klaz pointed. “Main control room.”
Inside, banks of equipment stood silent, covered in a thick layer of dust. Klaz moved to a central console, his fingers flying over the controls.
“I’m going to try to restore power,” he said. “You should explore, see what else we can find. But be careful.”
I nodded, heading out into the corridor. The station was a maze of rooms and passageways. Labs filled with equipment I couldn’t begin to understand. And a medical bay, its supplies a potential goldmine.
But they’d been emptied.
As I made my way back to the control room, the floor vibrated beneath my feet. Lights flickered on, and a low hum filled the air. I quickened my pace, excitement building.