111522d

Last Contact

Going on ten Earth years since the last supply ship came. They can’t think we’re self-sufficient. Something’s wrong, but we’ll never know what. We have our own problems. A few trace minerals are lacking in this floodplain soil: the kids aren’t growing right. Josh and Mare hiked to the distant hills, taking the analyzer and last working blaster. We sent Jime to visit the native village. He never returned. Rammed earth and sharpened stakes, Molotov cocktails made with clay jars, bows and arrows; the natives are getting bolder.

backpacks full of ore
they crest the last rise
column of smoke