Far and beyond

Are heroes born?

As Monsa was pulled closer to the core of the group by Sofia she felt the blood rushing to her brain. She could hear the noise around her. Everyone had gathered outside, except the two men still in the safe shell of the Outworlder. They were keeping an eye on the lights and had pulled out cameras. She could also hear the other kind. They stood like gorillas, but on six limbs. They had fur everywhere, even their face, which looked humanoid, was covered in fur. The fur only stopped at their ankles. She wanted to see their hands, or feet, or whatever they might have, but they were in the snow. They carried things also. Objects. They might be tools. Or even... could they be... weapons??? Could they be under attack? Sofia certainly seemed to think so. You could say she was in a slight panic. The other members of the security forces had their weapons up and ready, aimed at the enemy. But, are they really the enemy? Were the plasma rifles they were carrying even able to kill them? Or maybe... Could they be another expedition just like theirs that just happened to find them? Or did they track them with plans to ambush them in the night? If so, why did they let out the sound that put everyone on high alert?

It didn't take long for her mind to be made up for her. As if out of nowhere a projectile was hurled their way. It was long, similar to a spear, but it had something on the tail of it that she couldn't recognize. It was going straight for the Outworlder. They must think it is a threat to them. They don't know that it is just a transport vehicle. A transport vehicle with some very impenetrable armor but still, a transport vehicle. It posed no threat to them, nor did they to it. But, as a sight out of a horror movie, the projectile did not behave like Monsa expected it to. In her mind it would bounce off the glass or maybe c***k it a bit. Instead, it pierced it like a needle pierces fabric. Unlucky was one of the members inside of it. He was operating the cameras when the huge tip of the spear, that seemed to be made of some black stone, pierced his body and stuck itself in the floor of the vehicle. Monsa tried to scream but she felt like no air could leave her lungs. She tried to talk but she was lost for words. She just looked at Sofia, and she looked back. She could feel how her face was whitening from fear. They were not safe. There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to run. In what felt to her like an eternity later but in reality was just a moment after, she heard a recognizable sound followed by a bright flash. One of the members of Sofias team had fired back. The bolt of plasma struck one of the aliens down. And at that moment, all hell broke loose. Monsa ran back to her tent and made sure to seal the front entrance. She could not see anything but she heard the screams. The sounds were like nothing she had heard before. She could not tell which were human anymore. Bright flashes illuminated could be seen trough the fabric of her tent, but nothing else. She had grabbed her knees and pulled them close to her chest. She was breathing fast. Her eyes were watering. She considered running, but there was nowhere to run to. She considered trying to communicate with them, but it was too late. While all the thoughts were racing trough her head she noticed that there were no more sounds to be heard. She reached out with her shaking hand to open the tent door, but she quickly pulled it back. Her mind was filled with thoughts. Thousands of them. All racing in and out at the same time, none staying for more than a single moment. She did not know what she was thinking. She reached again, but again decided against it. The third time she decided to be brave. She took a deep breath, deciding to step out. Something had to be done. Her friends might need her help. Sofia might need it. Maybe they were all gone. She could not hear them. Or maybe everyone is dead. The sudden realization that everyone could be dead once again brought a pale completion to her face and she lost her newfound courage. What was she to do? What could she do? She remembered Steph. How he told her that he would be waiting. How she promised to get back to him. Why wasn't he here now... he would know what to do. He would protect her. And Margarita. She missed her. She missed how she woke her up with her drools. And then, out of nowhere, she heard an explosion. A loud one. It shook the ground. Light filled her view. Then, silence again. It must have been several minutes with no events. Once again the idea of walking out was finding a place in her mind. She suddenly had someone open the tent for her. It was Sofia. 

- Come on, we have to go, we don't have much time. They might come back. - she said hastily.

Monsa without objection rushed out. She saw the red snow. No one else was alive still. One field vehicle was flipped. The Outworlder was on fire. Sofia was hurt. She was bleeding from her stomach and limping badly. She was pulling her towards the third vehicle. The one that seemed like it's functional. All those bodies... Both human and not. The aliens had distinct burns on them. Their wounds were instantly cauterized from the heat. Some of them still had smoke coming out of them. Possibly burning fur. It was so cold. Much colder than during the day. Monsa could barely feel her extremities. The two women got close to the vehicle. 

- Can you drive? - said Sofia with a pain filled voice and a blood filled mouth. It was only now that Monsa noticed she had blood coming out of her mouth. 

- Yes, yes. I can drive. Yes. I can. - she stuttered. 

She got into the front seat. The vehicle was voice activated. It started as soon as Sofia yelled out "ON!!" and the lights turned on. Only now Monsa was able to see the full extent of the c*****e. She pressed the gas pedal. The tires turned rapidly and the vehicle accelerated. She was weeping. She still had her air filter on. Her goggles were now misty and she could barely see where she was going. She didn't care, she just needed to get away. She looked to her right to see Sofia barely staying in her seat. One hand was on her stomach where the bleeding came from. Her head was wobbling left to right. The night was going to be long. They survived, for now.