"Boom—!"
The escape pod rattled violently, shrieking as alloy hull scraped against the ground, sparks and dust forcing their way through every crack.
Jiang Zhenshun's eyes snapped open. It felt as if a heavy weight was crushing his chest, a ringing buzz filling his ears as he struggled to focus.
> [Impact detected. Status: Crash landing. Location: Unknown. Hull integrity: 62%]
[External temperature: 13.2°C. Humidity: 48%]
[Oxygen concentration: Standard.]
The mechanical voice echoed coldly in his ear.
"Haa…"
He slowly sat up, pain tearing across his back as a moment of blankness gave way to cold clarity.
"Jiang... Jiang Zhenshun?"
A weak voice called out.
He turned his head and saw Liu Ruyan slumped in her seat, hair disheveled, blood smeared on her pale cheek, but her eyes were clear. Beside her, Gray had woken up, licking her hand gently.
"Mew…"
A soft whimper came from the corner, where Xia Ranran clutched Tuanzi, her eyes teary as the fat white cat in her arms let out a trembling meow.
Jiang Zhenshun rubbed his temples, exhaling deeply as he glanced at the two girls and the two animals.
"Everyone... okay?"
Liu Ruyan nodded slowly. "Just a bit dizzy."
Xia Ranran blinked, wiping away tears with the back of her hand. "We... we're alive, that's enough."
The pod's interior was dimly lit by emergency lights, the metal floor dented, storage compartments toppled, silver emergency lamps flickering softly.
White silver coins, survival rations, medkits, weaponry, a steel knife, and emergency supplies—
This was everything they had left in the world.
"Clunk—"
Jiang Zhenshun pressed the console button, retracting the exterior claws and deactivating the emergency seal.
> [Confirm: Open hatch?]
He turned, meeting Liu Ruyan and Xia Ranran's gaze.
"Are we... opening it now?" Liu Ruyan asked softly.
"Yeah."
"... What's it like outside?" Xia Ranran's voice trembled as she hugged Tuanzi tighter.
Jiang Zhenshun didn't answer, instead patting Gray's head. "Stay close."
He pressed the confirmation key.
"Hiss—"
The hatch slowly lifted, cold air carrying the scent of earth and grass flooding inside.
Morning light, weak but warmer than the cold emergency lamps, spilled in.
Through the rising hatch, Jiang Zhenshun saw a clear stream winding gently across gray skies, its surface reflecting the pale dawn. Green grass and white wildflowers dotted the banks, dark rocks scattered near the water, and small forested hills rose beyond, painted in deep and yellow-greens.
Quiet. Cold.
A place to live.
"..."
Liu Ruyan stepped forward, gazing out. "I didn't expect... it would look like this."
Xia Ranran peeked over her shoulder, eyes wide. "Water! That's great..."
Tuanzi's ears twitched, while Gray eagerly ran down the ramp, sniffing the grass before looking back and barking, "Woof!"
Jiang Zhenshun inhaled deeply, letting the scent of grass and wet earth fill his lungs.
It was cold—
But it was warmer than the cold emptiness of space and the firestorm they had escaped.
---
Back inside, they gathered around a dim lamp, placing the thermal canteen in the center as they turned on minimal heating to conserve power.
"So... what now?" Xia Ranran whispered, clutching Tuanzi.
"We need a plan," Liu Ruyan said quietly.
Jiang Zhenshun nodded, picking up the steel knife, flipping it in his hand.
"First, survival is our priority."
"We have water. Food will last about two weeks if rationed, but we need to build shelter, gather firewood, find edible plants, and ensure clean water."
"I'll try to restore the pod's systems for basic power and communications," Liu Ruyan said.
"I... I can build a stove, move things, clean, fix broken parts..." Xia Ranran said hesitantly.
Jiang Zhenshun looked at her. "You know carpentry?"
Her cheeks flushed. "A little... I learned at home."
"Good."
His eyes sharpened.
"I'll scout for food, hunt, map the area, and start clearing land near the water for planting. Ranran, you'll build the stove, a simple fence, and storage racks while repairing the pod interior. Ruyan will continue with equipment repair, setting up filters, and basic sensors."
"Mm."
"Okay."
The two girls nodded.
Tuanzi meowed softly, while Gray lay down by Jiang Zhenshun's feet, looking up.
---
After discussing roles, Liu Ruyan proposed a daily schedule.
"We're only three people, and resources are tight. We need to be efficient."
"Wake up at 6 AM, breakfast, start work by 7."
"Lunch at 1 PM, short rest."
"Work from 3 PM to 7 PM, dinner, then planning and maintenance."
"Lights out at 9 PM."
"Agreed," Jiang Zhenshun said.
"Okay!" Xia Ranran echoed.
Liu Ruyan wrote the schedule in neat, precise handwriting and taped it to the pod's alloy wall.
Seeing it there, Jiang Zhenshun felt, for the first time, like this place might become a home.
---
Once rested, Jiang Zhenshun donned his vest and helmet, slung his rifle over his shoulder, secured the steel knife to his belt, and prepared to leave.
"I'll scout the area, confirm safety, and return with wood and stone."
"Be careful," Liu Ruyan said softly.
"Stay safe!" Xia Ranran called, hugging Tuanzi tightly.
"Woof."
Gray wagged his tail and followed Jiang Zhenshun to the hatch.
He patted Gray's head, looking out toward the stream and hills, exhaling.
Sunlight broke through the clouds, glinting off the stream and wet grass.
He stepped out, boots sinking into the soft, damp earth, a breeze carrying the scent of grass and soil.
> [This is a new world.]
Jiang Zhenshun looked up at the endless sky and murmured,
"Let's begin."
Gray followed, paws pressing into grass and mud, as the escape pod stood quietly in the morning wind. Liu Ruyan and Xia Ranran stood at the hatch, watching his silhouette fade into the dawn.
Ahead lay endless survival and rebuilding.
To live—
And to claim this pure, unknown land as their own.