Chapter Text
Red sat by the lava pit, the warmth of the volcanic rock soothing against the biting cold of Polus. She stared into the slow churn of molten lava, lost in thought, when the crunch of footsteps approached from behind. Green’s figure emerged from the snow-covered path, his breath visible in the crisp air.
“Hey there, Red. Mind if I join you?” Green asked, a friendly smile breaking through the chilly atmosphere.
Red glanced up, a faint smile touching her lips. "Sure, Green. I could use the company."
Green settled beside her on a nearby rock, taking in the sight of the lava pit with a thoughtful expression. "We went back to the dorms earlier to fetch you for lunch," he began casually, his tone light. "Obviously we didn't find you, so we split up. Purple went to check the medbay, while White scoured the Electrical building. Me, I took a more scenic route," he grinned. “Figured I might find you out here."
Red chuckled softly, grateful for their worry. "Sorry for causing a little search party."
Green waved off her apology. "No worries. It's good to stretch the legs anyway." He glanced at her, his eyes showing genuine concern. "Everything alright? You seemed a bit... lost in thought back there."
Red hesitated, a brief flicker of doubt crossing her face, before nodding. "Just thinking about everything that's happened, you know? The crash, these new signals, what the Director might find out there... It's a lot to process."
Green nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it's a lot. But you don't have to carry it all alone, Red. We're all in this together."
She smiled gratefully at him, touched by his words. "Thanks, Green. I appreciate that."
Red’s brow furrowed. "Do you think it's a good sign? That there might be more crewmates out there?"
Green shrugged. "Hard to say. More people surviving is good news, but this place isn’t exactly welcoming on the other side of the fence."
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, Green shifting his focus between Red and the bubbling lava below. Red noticed he was rocking on the balls of his feet, the light reflecting off his Brunswick green civies. She saw Green open his mouth, the words dying on his lips as Red got up off the ground. Dusting herself off, Red took a few extra seconds to brace herself for the cold before she started off to the office.
“Well, speaking of lunch, let’s head back. I bet they’re wondering where we’ve gotten to.” She didn’t wait for Green to follow, suspecting he was trying to coax her into a deeper conversation she wasn’t ready for. Together, they made their way back to the outpost’s office, where lunch was being served. Purple, White, and Black were already seated at the table, engaged in conversation. Purple looked up with a relieved smile as she spotted Red and Green approaching.
“There you two are! We were starting to think you’d run off to explore the caves,” Purple said, her voice brightening the room.
White nodded in agreement, though his expression was more reserved. "Glad to see you're alright, Red."
Green pulled out a chair for Red beside him, and they both settled in. As they began to eat, Green turned to Black with a curious expression. “Hey, Black, any idea what Dr. Bryant was up to this morning? He seemed pretty busy when he left.”
"Yeah,” Black glanced up, pausing mid-bite. “He’s goin’ off to check out those tablet signals. Said he’d be gone a few days if they can't get in contact with the two crewmates assigned to ‘em. Sorry, I figured that bit was kind of obvious."
Green’s head bobbed a couple of times. "Hope they find them. The more survivors, the more likely we'll find out what happened on the ship."
Red and the others nodded at that, the mood souring for a moment. She picked up her burger, taking a bite as they all processed the implications of Dr. Bryant's mission.
Purple, trying to lighten the atmosphere, leaned forward eagerly. "So, before lunch, some of the crewmates from the outpost showed us around. White got a crash course on the water filtration system, and Green here," she nudged Green playfully, "was deep into the security and electrical rooms. Oh, and Red," she turned to her with a smile, "you missed out on the weather nodes. They're a bit of a headache, but we learned how to fix them."
White nodded, adding, "It was actually pretty fascinating. The outpost's systems are complex, but it's good to know how everything works."
Green grinned, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I might have gotten a bit carried away with the tech stuff. But knowing where everything is and how it operates, it's gonna be crucial out here."
Red listened, grateful for the distraction from the tension, a low buzzing noise behind the back-and-forth. She took another bite of her burger, savoring the simple pleasure of a hot meal in the cold outpost. As they chatted about the systems, the lights above them flickered once, twice, and then went out completely. Red jumped slightly in her seat, her hand instinctively tightening around her burger.
"Whoa," Green muttered, glancing up at the darkened ceiling.
Purple laughed nervously. "Guess we overloaded something?"
White shook his head, his voice calm. "They did tell us it happens sometimes. With all the buildings running, if too many people are doing tasks at the same time, it can overload the breakers."
Red scanned the room, her senses heightened in the absence of light. She could hear murmurs and shuffling from other parts of the office as crewmates reacted to the outage. Despite the initial startle, she found herself strangely reassured by White's explanation, his steady presence anchoring them all in the moment.
"It's okay," White continued, his tone steady. “The outpost's backup systems are top-notch. They save critical data every few seconds for situations just like this."
In the silence that followed, the outpost held its breath. After what felt like an eternity but was likely only twenty seconds, the gentle hum of machinery began to return.
"The reactor's back," White announced, nodding towards the distant thrum that signaled the return of essential power. "Followed by O2 and water. Medbay and the lab are next."
True to his words, Red detected the faint hum of distant machinery gradually coming back to life around her. She strained to hear, trying to discern the sounds of systems restarting beyond the confines of their dimly lit office.
"Communications should be next," Green added, "Weapons building after that."
A few moments and the office was bathed in a steady, reassuring illumination once more. Red let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, feeling the stress that had gripped her moments ago dissipating like wisps of smoke. Red set down her burger, her appetite momentarily forgotten as she glanced around the room.
Green leaned back in his chair, breaking the silence. "That was... unexpected. Just another day on Polus, I suppose."
White nodded in agreement. "At least the backup systems kicked in quickly. Imagine if we were in the middle of something critical."
Black, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "It's a reminder of how fragile our setup can be out here. We rely on these systems more than we realize."
Red nodded, her mind still processing the sudden blackout and swift recovery. "It's reassuring to know they've designed it to handle these situations though."
She picked up her burger and finished it, losing herself in thought. The rest of the group continued to talk around her for a few minutes before black gave her a small nudge in the side. Red glanced at him, his eyebrow raised to question her without making a scene. She shook her head, got up and put her tray with the dirty ones. Turning around Black and Purple were just behind her, their own dishes clanking on the pile.
“So… Black and I were talking before you came to lunch and hoped that we could run you through the weather nodes among other small tasks that are sort of self explanatory but figured you might want some help?”
Purple was rocking on the balls of her feet, hands behind her back as she spoke. Red looked at Purple, appreciating her offer but feeling the weight of everything that had just happened. The blackout had rattled her more than she wanted to admit, but the systems coming back so seamlessly did help to ease her nerves.
"Yeah, I think that'd be a good idea," Red replied, forcing a smile. "I could use a run-through on the weather nodes, especially if it’s as tricky as you’re making it sound."
Purple grinned, clearly pleased with Red’s response. "Great! You’ll pick it up fast, no doubt."
Black, standing just behind Purple, crossed his arms and gave a slight nod. "It’s one of those things you only need to learn once. After that, it’s easy enough to manage, but you’ve got to know how to spot when something's about to go wrong."
Red raised an eyebrow. "And you think something could go wrong soon?"
Black shrugged, his voice level but carrying a slight edge. "This place… it’s unpredictable. Weather nodes can act up for no reason, but it’s better to stay on top of things. Especially after that little power cut."
The reminder of the blackout made Red tense again. She bit the inside of her cheek, silently resolving not to let herself get too worked up over it. It was just a power outage, something that happens from time to time.
“Alright, lead the way,” Red said, her voice firmer now. She needed to stay busy, to keep her mind occupied with tasks, not potential disasters.
Purple and Black led her out of the office, the cold hit her like a slap as soon as they stepped outside. The wind had picked up a little, snow whipping across their path. The contrast between the warmth of the office and the freezing air outside was always jarring, but Red took it in stride, falling into step behind her crewmates.
The constant wind of Polus seemed to whistle through the buildings that surrounded them, creating an eerie, high-pitched hum that sent a shiver down Red’s spine. As they approached a weather node station, Red saw that it had three glowing rings, shrinking as they got closer to the pointed top. Black crouched down, opening a small panel on the front of the base and began explaining the controls.
"These are the primary inputs. Temperature readings, pressure systems, and storm projections all get funneled through here. If one of these goes off, it’ll trigger a signal for recalibration."
Purple chimed in, pointing to a smaller display screen. "And this? This shows you where the disturbances are happening. Most of the time it’s minor fluctuations, but if it spikes red, that means there’s a storm brewing. We get about a fifteen-minute warning, give or take."
Red nodded as she followed along. The system itself didn’t seem overly complicated, but knowing how to interpret the data was the key. She tapped a few buttons experimentally, making sure she understood which readout was which.
"Okay, so if we see a red alert, we recalibrate by…?" she trailed off, prompting Black to continue.
"Depends on the type of storm," Black said, rising from his crouch and standing beside her. "You’ll run a diagnostic, and the system should suggest what adjustments are needed. Worst case scenario, we have to do it manually, but that’s rare. It’s simple though, you'll want to slide this electrode through this maze of parts to connect it back over here."
Red furrowed her brow. "And what happens if we don’t catch it in time?"
Purple exchanged a glance with Black before replying. "Well… best-case scenario, the storm hits us hard but passes quickly. Worst-case? We’re looking at damage to the outpost’s exterior, maybe even structural breaches."
Red let out a slow breath. "Right. No pressure then."
Black chuckled softly, the sound more of a low rumble. "You’ll do fine, Red. Just stay on top of it, and we’ll be alright."
Feeling a bit more confident now that she had grasped the basics, Red finished up their quick lesson. Just as she was about to speak, a gust of wind nearly knocked her off balance, reminding her of the harsh environment they were navigating.
"Let's head to the next task before we freeze solid out here," Purple suggested, rubbing her gloved hands together. As they made their way to the lab, Red found herself lost in thought once more. This place, with all its unknowns and dangers, was starting to feel like a test—of their resilience, of their ability to work together. And while the systems they relied on seemed stable enough for now, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was lurking just beyond the horizon.
They were surviving, yes. But how long could they keep it up?
The moment they stepped into the warmth of the Laboratory, Red relaxed slightly, shaking off the cold. She looked at Purple and Black, grateful for the lesson but more grateful for their company. The next couple of tasks were easy to breeze through —, repairing a drill, recording temperatures, inspecting samples, and much more.
The rest of the day went by in a blur, time slipping away in the graces of her companions. As they wrapped up their final task in the lab, Red felt a mix of relief and accomplishment. She had absorbed so much information throughout the day and her mind felt foggy from the overload. The day's tasks had been daunting, but their enthusiasm made learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure
"Alright, I think that’s enough brainwork for one day," Purple announced, brushing her hands together as if to shake off the remnants of their lab session. "Let’s head to dinner before the food gets cold. I hear they’re serving pasta tonight.".
Stepping outside, the chilly air hit her like a wall, forcing her to pull her jacket tighter around her neck. Snowflakes swirled around them, glistening like tiny stars caught in a gust of wind. The glow of the outpost lights contrasted sharply against the darkening sky, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. As they walked, Red glanced at Purple and Black, who were engaged in a light-hearted debate about which crewmate was the better cook.
“I’m telling you, it’s definitely White,” Purple insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “His stew from two weeks ago was incredible! And don’t even get me started on his bread—”
“Bread? You mean that flat thing that barely rose?” Black shot back, an amused smirk on his face. “Please. You just love it because it’s the only thing we can eat that doesn’t have a question mark next to it.”
“Oh, come on! It was still better than the synthetic sandwiches Green tried to whip up last month!” Purple laughed, shoving Black playfully.
Red joined in on their banter, her earlier worries dissipating in the laughter shared between her friends. The lightness felt refreshing, a welcome change from the weight of the day’s earlier discussions. As they approached the office, the sound of chatter and clinking utensils grew louder, signaling that dinner was already in full swing.
Entering the office, the warmth enveloped them, contrasting sharply with the biting cold outside. The long table filled with steaming trays of food awaited them, the scent of seasoned pasta wafting through the air. Red's stomach grumbled in response, her appetite returning now that she was surrounded by her crewmates.
They filled their trays, the rehydrated pasta looking surprisingly appetizing beneath a rich tomato sauce, accompanied by a side of green beans that had seen better days. As they took their seats, Red noticed that the atmosphere was noticeably happier than it had been earlier. The crew buzzed with conversations, laughter ringing through the air as they gathered around the table.
As they settled into their seats, Green joined them, his plate piled high with food. “Hey, did I miss the weather briefing?” he joked, eyeing the small crowd around them.
Red grinned at him. “You’re just in time for the debate on who makes the best stew. You’ll have to weigh in!”
“Oh, that’s an easy one. Black’s the best cook!” Green declared, grinning at Black, who rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.
“Now you’re just trying to get on my good side, Green,” Black retorted, though his expression softened, and he couldn’t hide his smile.
As they dug into their meals, the chatter flowed freely, stories shared about the day’s tasks and playful jabs exchanged over the food. Red felt a warmth spread through her, fueled not just by the food but by the sense of belonging that enveloped her. She found herself participating more in the conversation, sharing her own humorous anecdotes about the lab and the weather nodes, her earlier apprehensions fading away.
Amid the laughter, the lights flickered again. Red glanced up instinctively, a knot of uncertainty gripped her heart, but the lights stabilized quickly. A few heads turned, eyes narrowing for a moment, but then laughter resumed as Purple made a silly face, drawing everyone’s attention back to her.
“That was almost dramatic!” Purple exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “What’s next? A plot twist where the reactor blows up while we’re trying to enjoy dinner?”
“Let’s hope not,” White said dryly, his usual calm demeanor holding strong. “I’d prefer to avoid explosive meals, thank you very much.”
The laughter subsided as Red took a moment to reflect. The events of the day—the power outage, the overwhelming tasks—felt distant now. After dinner, as the crew began to clear their plates, Red felt a nudge at her side. She turned to see Black leaning in, his expression serious. “Hey, can we talk for a minute? Away from the table?”
Curiosity piqued, Red nodded and followed him to a quieter corner of the office, over by the admin table. Black looked contemplative, his brow furrowing slightly.
“I wanted to check in on you,” he said, his tone low. “I know today was a lot, and you seemed a bit overwhelmed earlier. Just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”
Red appreciated the concern in his voice, a reminder of how they were all looking out for one another. “I’m okay, really. Just processing everything, I guess. This place… it can be a lot sometimes.”
“Yeah, I get that.” Black crossed his arms, his expression softening. “Just remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re a team, and we’re all figuring things out together.”
She nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. “Thanks, Black. I’ll keep that in mind. It helps to know you all are here.”
“Always,” he replied, a small smile breaking through. “Now let’s go back before Purple thinks we’re plotting something.”
As they made their way through the building toward the barracks, Red felt lighter, the weight of her earlier concerns gradually lifting. She and Black joined the other three, and conversation resumed, though it soon tapered off as everyone began to realize just how tired they were. Red could practically hear her bed calling her name, and by the time she emerged from the bathroom, Purple was already passed out, completely oblivious to the world. Red chuckled to herself at the sight and followed Purple’s lead, hoping for a softer dream tonight.