Last Light in the Dark - Episode five

The team headed out from the hangar, navigating the dimly lit corridors towards the glass tunnel that connected the outpost to the main city. The silence was eerie, with no signs of life or activity anywhere.

As they approached the entrance to the tunnel, Chelsea paused, peering through the thick glass. "Look at that view. Isn't it incredible?"

The others gathered around, taking in the sight. The moon's stark, cratered landscape stretched out before them, bathed in the harsh glare of the distant sun. Beyond the glass, the inky blackness of the void loomed, devoid of any stars.

"It's beautiful, in a cold, lonely kind of way," Nigel murmured.

Marcus couldn't help but agree. There was an unsettling quality to the scene, as if the very emptiness of space was watching them.

"Alright, let's keep moving," Rylee urged. "We need to find out what happened here."

They pressed on, the sound of their boots echoing eerily in the silent corridors. As they approached the central city complex, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that they were being observed.

"Does anyone else get the sense that we're being watched?" he whispered to the group.

"I know what you mean," Chelsea replied, her voice low. "It's like there's an unseen presence here, just out of sight."

They reached a large set of double doors that led into the main city square. Rylee paused, hand on the control panel. "Everyone stay alert. We don't know what we're walking into."

She pushed the doors open, and the team stepped through into the deserted plaza. Tall, gleaming towers surrounded them, but there was no sign of any inhabitants. Dust motes danced in the eerie stillness.

"Where is everyone?" Lucas murmured, voice hushed.

Rylee frowned, surveying the empty square. "I don't know, but I don't like this. Let's split up and search the area. Stay in radio contact and watch your backs."

The team moved out, fanning across the vast plaza. Marcus could feel the weight of the void pressing in around them, as if the very emptiness was a tangible presence. He kept glancing over his shoulder, half-expecting to see shadowy figures lurking in the corners of his vision.

As he explored the silent, abandoned buildings, an uneasy feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. What had happened here? Where were the colonists? And why did it feel like they were being watched, even in this deserted place?
As Marcus explored the silent plaza, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The empty buildings and deserted streets weighed on him, the oppressive silence pressing in.

Suddenly, he felt something wet drip down on him from above. Startled, he looked up, but could see nothing in the darkness beyond the high ceilings. Glancing around, he realized he was standing next to a massive, dry fountain in the center of the square.

"Guys, I think there's something up there," he spoke into his radio. "Something dripped on me, but I can't see what it is."

The rest of the team quickly converged on his location, weapons at the ready.

"What do you mean you can't see it?" Rylee asked, scanning the upper reaches of the plaza.

Before Marcus could respond, a sudden flapping sound filled the air. Hundreds of bat-like creatures emerged from the shadows, swarming down towards the team.

"Look out!" Rylee shouted, opening fire. The others quickly followed suit, laser bolts lancing out into the mass of flying creatures.

The creatures descended in a furious cloud, sharp talons and fangs bared. Marcus ducked and weaved, trying to avoid their attacks as he returned fire. All around him, his teammates were locked in desperate combat, the air thick with the screeches of the strange beasts.

"What the hell are these things?" Lucas yelled, his flamethrower spitting gouts of fire into the swarm.

"I don't know, but they're not friendly!" Nigel replied, his rifle cracking as he dropped one creature after another.

Marcus felt claws rake across his arm, drawing blood. Gritting his teeth, he turned and blasted the offending creature, watching it tumble to the ground in a smoldering heap.

The team fought furiously, but the creatures seemed endless, pouring down from the darkness above. Marcus couldn't even begin to guess where they were coming from.

"We need to fall back!" Rylee shouted. "Get to the tunnel, now!"

The team began a fighting retreat, firing as they went. Marcus stayed close to Chelsea, the two of them covering each other's backs.

As they neared the tunnel entrance, Marcus cast one last look over his shoulder. In that moment, he swore he saw a dark, hulking shape move in the shadows above the fountain, watching them intently.

But then it was gone, and Marcus had no choice but to focus on the battle at hand, fleeing with the rest of his team towards the safety of the tunnel.