Crash Landing on Almas - A Fanfiction by FSF Bailey

Chapter 2

Bragi slowly opened his eyes, smelling smoke. As his eyes opened, he looked over and saw Vardis kneeling over a sitting Wagner, wrapping his right forearm in a makeshift brace.  

“What happened?” Bragi lightly questioned, fighting to sit up in the chaos.  
“Commander! I almost thought we lost you there for a minute.” Wagner said gleefully, finding a moment of hope in the desperate time.  

“Commander. It’s terrible. We lost 7 passengers, and the pilot. We also have 11 wounded, including Sam and yourself, with 2 being severe. All systems seem to be out and no power. And the radio and transponder are beyond repair with what we have here.” Vardis calmly reported, using her hand to push some of her now messed up hair from her face. Hearing the conversation, Blake had made his way forward and was now entering what remained of the cockpit.  

“Commander!” Blake said, saluting. “Has she informed you of the situation?”  

“She has indeed Lieutenant. What have you been doing?”  

“We’ve been tending to the wounded sir! After I did what I could, I went searching the wreckage to see what I could salvage.” Blake reported.  

“What did you find?” Bragi inquired.  

“Well, I found some of the general medical supplies sir. I also managed to find three blaster pistols, 9 breath masks, but nothing that can help us repair the radio.” Blake reported.  

“What do you need?” Bragi question, his eyes gazing at Vardis.  

“For one sir, a power source.” Vardis reported with her technical expertise. “For some reason, all of the power cells are either drained or damaged. And blasters cannot provide enough power to get the radio range we need. I also need a decent transmitter. We have nothing left to broadcast with.”  

“Any colonies nearby?” Bragi questioned.  

“No sir, but several people said they saw some sort of structure as we were heading downward. North, north west of our present location.” Blake answered.  

“And the atmosphere?” Bragi questioned.  

“From what the people have heard, it is survivable, but breath masks are recommended.” Vardis answered intently.  

“Well, looks like we need to send out an expedition. Try to find our luggage.” Bragi answered back. At that, Blake turned around to begin rummaging through more of the debris. Bragi sat up and leaned his back on console, trying to ignore the young pilot’s blood on the cockpit glass.  

“What about the deceased sir?” Wagner inquired.  

“Move them outside the ship for now. Our efforts should be focus on keeping the rest alive for now. If rescue does not come soon, we will do what we can for them.” Bragi answered. As Bragi finished, he heard loud footsteps marching toward the cockpit.  

“What are you doing, having Blake not let anyone leave the ship and search the debris?!” Vrees yelled as he entered the cockpit. “What gives you the jurisdiction here? You’re not in charge here!”  

“Vrees calm down!” Bragi yelled, as he noticed the lovely blonde from before following Vrees, her blue eyes scanning the cockpit.  

“You’re Commander Bragi, aren’t you?” The blonde questioned. “I remember you from Vrees’s court-martial proceeding.”  

“Yes I am. Well, what’s left of me anyway.” Bragi answered back.  

“Well, if my camera wasn’t destroyed in the crash, I would probably be asking you for an interview. Hi, I am Analia Dumas, reporter from the Holonet.” The blonde stated.  

“That explains why a woman would actually be talking to Vrees.” Bragi chuckled.  

“Hey! I ought to….” Vrees angrily said, before Analia put her hand over his mouth.  

“Well Vrees, if you want to go out and search for your luggage, fine. But we are trying to maintain some order here. Chaos will not help any.” Bragi added in.  

“Whatever.” Vrees said, still angry from the comment. Then he stomped away to look for his possessions.  

“Well, I may be asking you all for statements later.” Analia said, before heading out of the cockpit after Vrees.  

“Well, some things never do change, do they?” Vardis said.  

“Unfortunately. We kick him out of the army and he still finds a way to bring chaos to already bad situations.” Bragi answered back. “Well, we should get together a search team to go try to trek to that compound. Go look for volunteers.” Bragi said to Wagner and Vardis. Then they all got up and headed back into what remained of the passenger compartment.