Prequel: Storm

The landing site had left them close enough to the coast to hike to the shore, but also near fresh water. There were trees, animals, and the weather while not hot, wasn’t cold, although the wind had a cold bite. Contraband tech was brought out and certain people tried charging their PCD’s (personal communication devices) using the solar tarps. Some people outright laughed at them, others simply shook their heads and went about the business of finding wood, water, and fashioning shelter. They would find out soon enough that without the infrastructure of earth their devices were useless.

The green sky was interesting, the two suns caught everyone’s interest, watching them slowly make their way to what someone pointed out was the top of their arce. Clouds were forming, some yellow, others a darker green. That icy wind increased and the temperature began to drop.

After piles of wood were collected the first settlers called out the familiar cry, “RAIN!” Heads popped up, a few people reached for their masks before there was a collective realization that the rain while cold and wet, was safe. Back on earth rain could hold toxins, it could be acidic, and it was known to cause all kinds of problems.

While there was relief that it was safe, it was also beginning to come down at a steadier rate. Shelter had bumped up on the list of necessities. Their containers could be used as shelters, but then they needed a place to put their things… It was a cold wet afternoon as the wind blew harder and harder and their shelters were rocking. Those who had brought along what they had been told were waterproof garments, had their first chance to test them.

Some of the settlers moved their containers into the trees. They errected tarp shelters for goods and made themselves comfortable inside the durable, lightweight, plastic containers. Others used rope and stakes and tried to fasten their pods down in place while trying to take shelter in dome tents that they brought. A few others used tents to house the wood they had collected and squeezed into their container, hoping the storm would pass quickly.

It didn’t matter what plan they used, the wind blew fierce enough to tip over several containers, collapse some tents, demolish tarp shelters, and generally make them feel less than welcome in their new home. It continued to howl long past the setting of the two suns and none of the settlers managed to glimpse the two moons their first night.

The next morning was bright and clear, with almost no light yellow clouds to be seen, much less anything dark and green. The wind had died down and it was warmer. As people emerged, greeting one another, a giant multicolored winged creature came and landed nearby staring at them.