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Within seconds, the shipas it created a great plu not bolted doas tossed around the ship’s interior When he finally came to a complete stop, he didn’t dare move As the minutes passed, he finally took a breath and unfastened his protective belts

He turned on the viewscreen His ship had indeed landed on the Earth’s surface, but it was barren, no sign of humans or their civilizations Just dirt, dirt the color of rust for miles

No matter He’d co it quits

Dhiro tested the outside air before opening the outer hatch He stood on the top step, taking a cautious first breath of Earth’s air It wasn’t as fragrant as the air back home, but it was breathable

The temperature washe wasn’t accustomed to His steps echoed on thehere, and since his ship would be out of co to a more populated area wasn’t an option

He put his hand over his eyes to scan the distant mountains The sky was a unique shade of blue The planet had its chare was temporary

Dhiro unfastened one of the outside panels to begin working on the ship’s exterior circuits He’d start his search for a ht One by one, he tested for faults in the equip by without notice The sky began to darken as he completed his first of many tasks

A distant scream immediately captured his full attention He set down his tools and took several steps into the open to get a better view of the land

There was nothing to see Nothingness in every direction

Again, the screae and valleys He decided to investigate After strapping on his weaponry and protective vest, he began his trek along the vast, red land The sun had slipped below the horizon, but his vision was equally effective in the darkness

He’d traveled far, and the lingering heat was becorew louder as he walked, so he had to be very close Anirowled nearby, and he wasn’t sure what creatures heon Earth could be a threat to him, so he plodded onward

As he turned the corner of a low reenery Plumes of smoke from a recently doused fire drifted up into the sky And five feral beasts were closing in on a lone human A female