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So, @haethealhell, I know you like Subnautica. And I thought of you after I started writing this, so, since I finished everything I can write on this without having to actually play the game, here. Have Subnautica/VoicePlay. All the information I have from the game is based off of my memory of watching a couple let's plays years ago and looking up the opening video for the game. That's pretty much it.

word count: 4,856 ~~~

The fires on the ship have started to spread. Quite a few of the lifepods were gone already by the time Eli and Geoff finally reached them. Now that they'd reached the pods, however, Geoff stalled. He looked back the direction they'd come from. “Geoff come on.”

Geoff swallowed, worry evident. “I have to find Layne and Cesar.”

We don't have time! Eli wanted to exclaim as the alarm continues to blare overhead but managed to keep the thought to himself. Barely. He glanced back to the pods then turned his attention back to his friend. “Hey, look.” Geoff looked back over. “A lot of the lifepods are gone already. I'm sure they evacuated once the Aurora started going down.” As if on cue, the ship shook nearly causing them to lose their balance.

Self-preservation kicked in and Geoff climbed inside one of the pods, Eli following close behind him. The lifepod was a lot smaller than Eli had expected. Not so much in space, though that left much to be desired, but more so seating since there were only two. Eli pulled the hatch closed behind him as he made his way down the ladder, then fell into the seat opposite his friend and strapped himself in. Geoff waited just long enough for him to finish before hitting his hand on the launch button.

Seconds later they were descending away from the Aurora. Geoff looked up through the thick glass of the hatch only to see a large explosion from the ship. The shockwave of it hit their lifepod. It jolted. Shook. Everything afterwords happens quickly. Warnings started to flash on the screen to his left. The fire extinguisher next to him fell from its spot on the wall, clattering loudly. The panel covering the wiring popped off. Both, now airborne, tumbling about the compartment. Eli's eyes darted from the bouncing hazards up to meet Geoff's when the fire extinguisher suddenly hit him in the temple. “Eli!” The metal panel bounced off of the wall just above Eli's slumped form and Geoff's eyes widen in panic as it came right at him.

Eli drifted back into consciousness to what sounded like a smoke detector. And Geoff cursing. It was hot on his right. Fire? He slowly opened his eyes, the light from the world around him seemed to amplify the pain in his head. Geoff stumbled to his feet and grabbed the fire extinguisher that Eli just now realized was laying at his feet. Slowly he lifted his head. He was slumped, still strapped in his seat. Looking over, he saw Geoff put out the last of the fire. What happened?

Turning, Geoff looked to his friend. He dropped the extinguisher and hurried over. “Eli. Hey, are you okay?”

“My head is pounding... What happened?” As he spoke, Geoff checked Eli's head where he was hit. It didn't break skin, so he wasn't bleeding. But that was definitely going to bruise.

“After the explosion...” he paused for a second. “The fire extinguisher hit you in the head.”

Explosion? The Aurora. Layne and Cesar. What if they didn't- He didn't want to consider that possibility, but he didn't actually know if they evacuated or not. Eli turned his attention back to Geoff as his friend tried to hit the release button to free him from his seat. He was about to ask if it was broken when Geoff slammed his fist against it and it unlatched. Geoff shook his hand and flexed it as he looked back at him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. My seats release didn't work either.”

“No, I meant- Your forehead. You're bleeding.” Eli motioned to the left side of his forehead. “Above your eye.”

Geoff lifted his hand and felt on his forehead. He grimaced a bit when he felt the cut. Just as Eli said, he was bleeding. “... Is it bad?”

“It probably could have been worse.” Geoff glanced around and spotted the first aid unit on the wall. He moved over to retrieve it. “How'd it happen?”

“It must have been when the panel clocked me in the head,” he told him as he came back over. Geoff didn't have to ask as Eli reached out and accepted the kit.

There was a lot in there. He dabbed a bit of peroxide on some gauze before wiping around the cut. Then, carefully, dabbing at it. Geoff let out a sharp breath through his nose and clenched his teeth for a second. It took all of Eli's focus to try to ignore his headache as he took care of Geoff's injury. When he was finished tending to his friend, Eli took a couple of the pain-killers from the small bottle. “Do we have any water?”

Geoff glanced around. “I'm not sure.”

“It's fine. I'll try to take them without.”

They were quiet for a moment. Geoff looked up at the hatch. He could see the blue sky above them. “I'm gonna go topside,” he said as he pointed up to the hatch. “See where we are.”

“Give me a minute and I'll go with you.”

Geoff paced about the compartment as Eli packed up the first aid unit. He was anxious. Restless. He wanted to know where they were, yet at the same time was nervous to know. And what had happened to cause all of this? Eli pushing himself to his feet caught his attention. Saw him sway slightly. “Are you okay? Maybe you should rest in here.”

Eli shook his head. “I need some fresh air.” He rested his hand on the back of the ladder and took a breath. “Hopefully it'll help.” Geoff watched him for a moment longer to make sure he was okay. When he let go of the ladder and went to join him on the other side, Geoff finally set his foot on the first step and made his way up.

The first thing he noticed was the water. Then he saw the Aurora. It was crashed in the water, still burning, a distance away from them. The sight made him stop half way out of the pod. “Geoff?” He heard Eli call up from below him. Momentarily numb from the sight, Geoff had to force himself to move and heft himself onto the top of their lifepod. He knew without even looking that they were surrounded by water, but at the moment he couldn't process that as he stared at the Aurora.

“... We're the only survivors,” Geoff murmured.

The sound of Geoff's voice pulled Eli's attention away from the ship. He sounded like he was in a daze. “We don't know that.” But Geoff didn't respond. Just... stared out at the ship as he sat crouched down next to the hatch. Eli climbed out the rest of the way and sat hunched on the other side of the open hatch. He sent another look to the Aurora. The fire. An explosion. Then the crash. What even were the odds that someone survived all that? Geoff was right. But...

Turning back to his friend, Eli reached out and Geoff startled when he touched his arm. “Hey.” Geoff looked over. “We don't know that for sure. More of the lifepods launched. I'm sure-” He paused. Swallowed. Uncertainty settled in the pit of his stomach. “Someone else must have made it.”

The other lifepods... Layne. Cesar. They- Geoff glanced back to the Aurora. If they were on the ship then... But if they did evacuate... He took a moment to look around. They were stranded in an ocean. And there weren't any more lifepods floating out there. The small amount of hope he managed to hold onto started to crumble. “We still-” Eli's hand slowly fell from his arm. “We still have a chance. To figure this out.”

Eli didn't want to admit that the odds weren't good as he tried to reassure his friend. They were stranded. No other signs of life. Did Layne and Cesar manage to escape? He looked back to the Aurora. And- “How are we going to get off the planet?” And Geoff took the words out of his mouth.

~ - ~

They sat in silence. Lost in thought. Neither one of them made a move to reenter the lifepod, since, they realized, the smoky smell from the fire lingered. So, instead, they sat on top of the lifepod with the hatch open to let it air out for a bit.

Geoff stared out at the Aurora. Hoping for some sign that someone had survived. Though his attention was on the ship, his thoughts were elsewhere. For once, he was truly relieved that Kathy didn't go on this trip. He had been a bit reluctant to go himself since Alterra, in the past, didn't have the best reputation in regards to safety regulations. But it wasn't supposed to be a long trip. And since Alterra hadn't had any bad news coverage lately; they'd decided to go. Now, however, he had no way to even contact Kathy. To let her know that he was still alive. Since he was sure that word would eventually get out about the Aurora's crash. Eventually, hopefully, they will send a rescue ship.

Eli was starting to feel a bit better now. The pounding headache he'd had had dulled down to an annoying ache instead of the unbearable pain. He turned away from the Aurora. It reminded him of the fact that they were currently stranded on an unfamiliar planet. That accepting Alterra's job offer to perform on their newest ship was a mistake. Despite not wanting to leave Ashley and their son behind, he had been interested in going on the trip. More so since they were allowed to film while on broad. As long as they wouldn't interrupt or get in the way of anyone's job they had the freedom to do what they wanted, within limits of course. Though now that he thought about it, if his family had come with him… Eli closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

Turning to Geoff, Eli asked, “How are you holding up?”

Geoff let out a breath. “I don't know.” His attention still on the ship, he continued. “I just keep thinking; Are we the only survivors? And what,” he paused for just a second. “What about Layne and Cesar?” After another pause, he finally looked away from the ship. Down to his arms that were resting on his slightly propped up legs. When he spoke again it was softer. “And I'm thinking about Kathy and William.”

“… At least we know they're safe. Back home.” They… no, of course. Eli was thinking of his family as well. Geoff's thoughts went to his friends' families. Then he remembered, again, that he didn't know where Layne was.

A moment passed in silence. “Eli? What are we going to do..?” He felt lost. Had no idea where to go from here.

Eli looked around. Other than the crashed ship, they were completely surrounded by water. Nothing to be seen as far as you could see. It certainly didn't look good. But right now Geoff didn't need the realistic answer. Right now, optimism will get them farther. There was always a chance. As long as they weren't dead there was a chance. “We survive.” Geoff looked over at him. And he looked back. “We survive and find a way to get off this planet and go home.”

Geoff stared at him for a moment. At first he wanted to question him. Ask how they were going to manage that but stopped himself from doing so. He let what he said sink in. Survive. And go home. It sounds so easy. He doubted it would be. Since they're stranded in an ocean. But, he didn't want to die. And he definitely wanted to go home. “Yeah.” First they would have to figure out how. Then… “We'll survive this. Find Layne and Cesar, and go home.”

Eli smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

They carefully got to their feet and made their way back into the lifepod. Though Geoff paused for a moment on his way down as he caught sight of the Aurora again. Whatever happens, no matter how difficult, he couldn't let despair get the best of him. He had to hold onto hope, however much or little there was, and keep moving forward.

~ - ~ - ~

Layne slowly opened his eyes. He wasn't sitting upright. No he was sideways, leaning to the left and a bit forwards, against the seat he'd strapped himself into. He loosened his death grip on the brace that pulled down from the back of the seat and glanced around the lifepod. It was dark, except for a couple dim lights, one of which was flashing, from the device on the wall to his right. Though he didn't need to wait for his eyes to adjust to know that the pod was tilted. If he wasn't careful he was going to fall from his seat when he freed himself from it. And that was only the lesser of his problems. The worst one was that he was underwater. He wasn't sure how deep underwater the pod dropped. The screen that would have probably told him that clearly wasn't working.

He let out a breath. Well, he was alive. Uncomfortable but alive. That was something at least. The only thing he could do now was wait for rescue. Which was highly recommended when evacuating ship. Or at least for civilians it was. But... how were they going to find him? Layne glanced back over to the blinking light to his right. If that wasn't sending out an S.O.S. then he was going to be in trouble. He could try to check it out, but reaching it might be difficult. Whether he did, or could, he would first have to get out of this seat.

Bracing himself for the possibility of sliding out and falling to the now bottom of the lifepod, Layne pressed where he thought the release button was. Nothing happened. Okay maybe it was the wrong spot. He tried pressing a few different spots on the emergency pad on the armrest of the seat. Nothing. “This would not be a good time to learn I'm claustrophobic,” he muttered. Being trapped in here was going to be bad enough, but being stuck sitting here because there was no power going to the emergency release was not something he was looking forward to.

~ - ~

He couldn't take it anymore. Layne gripped onto the brace and pushed. The chance of it coming free was slim to none but enough was enough. It had to have been hours and he just couldn't handle sitting, uncomfortably, here any longer. When just pushing on it didn't work, he tried to shake it. The next thing he knew it gave with a slight scraping and he lurched forward. Tightening his grip and pushing his feet down, he managed to keep himself mostly upright. His shoes, however, didn't have a lot of grip and he felt them slip. He glanced about, searching for options. It was either the sideways ladder or accept his fate and drop down to the now bottom of the pod.

Layne tried to shift his grip and push the brace up to get out from under it. But he just ended up sliding down. He decided against trying to prevent his fall and let go. The thud of his landing was dulled by about half a foot of water he fell in. Wait, water? How could there be water in the lifepod? Did it get damaged in the crash? Concern settled in his stomach. That's... that's not good. What should he do? His eyes searched the darkness of the pod, hoping, somehow, he'd find the source. Then he spotted the blinking light again and froze for just a moment. If it is sending out an S.O.S then someone could still find him. Layne let out a breath as his mind started to move out of the momentary panic. There wasn't a lot of water yet so it wasn't coming in quickly. Maybe just a crack. He still had time to figure out what to do. He was okay, for now.

Okay. He looked around as he tried to remember where everything was. There was a fabricator against the wall there. Though it wasn't usable. There was a first aid unit on that wall. He didn't need that right now. The screen that would have told him the information that would have been useful right now, he was actually standing on and submerged underwater. There's the ladder right above him and the device that was blinking well above that. He didn't actually know what it was with certainty, but the more he thought about it the more confident he was that it was sending out an S.O.S. So, all in all, not much that he could count as useable. He'll have to either wait it out or try for an escape.

He concluded to wait. Give potential rescuers a chance to find him. After all, how long could that take? Unfortunately that question caused Layne to think about the state the Aurora was in when he evacuated. The fire. Alarms going off. He'd been sent to the lifepods by one of the crew members when everything started happening. But he couldn't bring himself to leave. Not without his friends. Layne hadn't known where they were. They had all been doing their own thing at the time. So, he'd waited. But when more people started to evacuate, and telling him he should too. It would be safer to leave and be collected later, then wind up getting injured if the ship crashed. And so, he ended up evacuating. Alone.

But... what if the Aurora did crash. It was in bad shape with all the smoke and fire he saw for that moment before his pod plunged under the surface of the water. Layne looked out the glass of the hatch. He'd fallen for awhile. He had no idea how deep down he really was. His thoughts went quiet as he stared out at the water. Then slumped his back against the wall of the pod as he then thought of his friends; worried about their safety. His family; who had not joined him thankfully. Cyndi had been reluctant to let him go. She was going to be so worried when he missed his regular calls home...

Time passed and Layne started to pace about the pod, water sloshing in his soaked shoes. He was worried. Stressed. How long should he wait? And now that he thought about it, how long had he been down here already? Awhile he assumed. The water had made its way up to his knees. What if help wasn't coming? What if there weren't enough survivors to send on rescue trips? Or any survivors... Layne shook his head. He didn't know that. There were plenty of people who evacuated the ship. Not everyone would have landed in the water. Maybe he was just one of the furthest away lifepods and they were working their way out to him. That could take awhile. He still had time.

Turning on one of his many loops around the pod, he looked over towards the hatch. Then froze. Heart pounding. “What was that?” he whispered. He took a hesitant step closer as he stared out and waited. Maybe... Layne tried to laugh it off. “My nerves are just shot,” he tried to convince himself. But he barely finished the statement when he saw movement again. He staggered back away from the hatch. The shark, or whatever it was, seemed to linger for just a moment. Like it was looking inside. Watching him. Then it was gone. He stood there for awhile watching. He was safe in here right? It couldn't break the glass could it?

Slowly, Layne moved back against the wall and crouched down, soaking his pants the rest of the way. He was trapped in here. Unless it leaves. Or he gets rescued. Anxiously, he stared out waiting. Hoping for some kind of sign of safety.

He had no idea how long he waited for. But he hadn't seen anymore movement outside. Maybe it was a fluke. He was going to have to decide soon what to do. Was he going to risk leaving or keep waiting? The water level was rising faster than he had expected; and hoped that it would. Either that or he had been waiting there longer then he thought. So he didn't have long to figure it out. After a moment longer of debating, Layne trudged through the waist deep water to the hatch and peered out. Nothing. Maybe it is safe now. Should he try to get out? Swim to the surface? He hesitated and looked around the pod again. Then turned back to the hatch. He really didn't want to. But did he really have another option? If he waited much longer he could drown in this cage. Heart pounding, nerves spiked, he reached out for the handle to open the hatch. Hand on the handle, he stopped, let out a breath, then turned it and proceeded to push it open.

Water rushed in the pod, pushing Layne slightly off balance. He held his breath at the last moment before the water flooded over him, then pulled himself out into open waters. His eyes searched for a threat, for just a second, before pushing himself up. He didn't get far when he heard, something. Looking back, he spotted that sea creature. Fear and panic grabbed hold of him and held tightly. His eyes darted around, searching for a way to evade it. He shifted and moved towards an arch. The shark, if it even was considered one on this planet, barely missed biting into him as he pulled himself around the arch and pushed off of it to head more towards the surface.

His heart pounded as he swam toward another land form to push himself off of. Just before he did he glanced back. Where was it? Did it give up the chase? He pushed himself along, hoping that it did. Then, to his relief, he saw land above him. He was almost there. Though his sense of safety was only temporarily. It came at him from the side. Layne barely held back a scream as it clamped onto his leg. Just as he was about to look back, he was lurched around for a second before it let him go. Only to bite him again. Pain flared even worse than the first time. Then, suddenly, the added weight of the creature was gone and Layne pushed himself upwards towards land. His lungs burned. His leg throbbed. And the surface was within sight. He was almost there. He sent a quick look back. And immediately regretted it.

Dragging himself onto the shore, he coughed. Wheezed. Then collapsed on the sand. His body hurt from both his injury and strain. And, despite knowing he needed to, hopefully, find help, Layne had no energy left to move. He had nothing left in him. As he felt himself slipping, he thought he heard someone shout before nothing.

Cesar left the old run down shelter he'd found. He brought the first aid container with him. Though he might not need it, he didn't want to risk something happening and not be prepared. Ever since he crashed on the island he's been stuck. And alone. The only thing he could see, far in the distance, was the Aurora. And he'd already tried sending up a flare. All he could do now was to look around the island. And find ways to get food. And freshwater. And... and...

He paused and looked back up the slope towards his shelter. Maybe he should... Cesar shook his head, then continued down the path. No, he had to see if there was anything else on the island. If there was even one thing he could use the better. He could start at the shoreline. Maybe travel along the shore then work his way up?

As he walked down a path towards the shoreline, Cesar thought on his options. Anything to keep himself occupied. Maybe, due to the Aurora crash, something could have washed up on shore that he could use. He wasn't counting on finding food of course. Though if he found a way to catch fish... Since he wasn't sure how safe or edible the food he'd found in the makeshift garden would be, eating fish would be his only source of food. He'd have to make a fire...

The shoreline came into view. Cesar paused and stared, wary, out to the ocean. Then let out a sigh and started walking again. Worry dug into the pit of his stomach as his fears started creeping up on him again. Stranded. Unknown planet. Alone. Will he even be able to go home? He swallowed and tried not to think about that. Then he got a distraction. Movement. Startled, he lifted his head to see what it was. It took just a second before he saw it. He felt a flood of relief as he realized it was a person. They practically dragged themselves onto the beach, coughing, before they collapsed. Then the relief Cesar had felt was gone. He called out as he rushed down to the shore. There wasn't any response or movement.

When he got closer, he realized he knew who it was. “Layne!” But then he froze. His friend laid, unconscious, in front of him; his right leg, from just below his knee, was gone. And his blood streaming into the ocean.

Cesar stood, staring, in shock and horror as a cold fear dug its claws into him. What... what can he do? He's never seen- Never had to- What can he do? The sound of the first aid kit thudding to the ground startled him. His eyes went to the container. He stared at it for a second before slumping down and quickly opened it and dug through it. Maybe... Hopefully there was something he could do. Something he could use to help his friend. As he searched the large kit, he noticed something. -and if the bleeding is extreme or you don't have the proper equipment to take care of a life-threatening injury, take the tourniquet and apply it to the limb two to three inches above the wound. His hands shook slightly as he picked up the tourniquet and looked back to his friend as he remembered the briefing everyone who had been on the Aurora had to attend. Staff or not. He really hoped he would be able to get this right. That he could save Layne.

~ - ~

Slowly, Layne opened his eyes. It wasn't something he had expected to do again. He isn't generally pessimistic, but when you're missing part of a limb, bleeding out on the beach, with no one around, your hope of survival slims considerably. He allowed himself a moment to feel relieved at still being alive before worrying about where he was. As he stared up at the ceiling of the shelter he realized that he must not have imagined hearing someone call out to him. He blinked and turned his head. Someone was sitting on the floor, head and arms on the make-shift bed, gripping his hand, asleep. Then he realized who it was. “... Cesar,” he rasped. He slowly pulled his hand out from under Cesar's and lightly rested it on his head. Then his friend finally stirred awake.

As Cesar woke, the first thing he realized was he wasn't holding Layne's hand anymore. Then just as he was about to sit upright, he felt something resting on his head. Lifting his head, it slid, his hand- “Layne...” Layne offered him a smile. “You're awake.” Then he jolted upright, fully processing that he was actually awake. “Oh my god, Layne you're awake!” He threw himself over him and hugged him but then quickly pulled back. “I'm sorry, are you okay?”

“I'm okay. You didn't hurt me.” Cesar stared at him, tears stinging his eyes. He swallowed. “I was so scared. You were out for two days. I didn't-”

“Hey.” Layne motioned him over. “Come here.” As Cesar laid down against him again, Layne wrapped his arm around him. “You did your best. I'm alive.” Cesar sniffed. Layne paused for a moment before he continued. “You saved my life, Cesar.” Layne could feel him shaking slightly. Hear him start to cry. “Thank you.” Layne tightened his hold as much as his strength could allow at the moment. “Thank you.”

~~~

And that's all there is (probably will be). Though there is some random info I came up with:

-Geoff essentially takes the role as 'the player character' in the game. -Geoff had learned a bit on how to fix the fabricators (and a bit on how they work in the process) while on the Aurora by a staff member on the ship. -They all get reunited via the signal from Layne's lifepod. -And lastly, this exchange between Cesar and Layne: "How'd you get away?”

Layne shrugged. “Don't know. Maybe I don't taste good.” Cesar was quiet. He couldn't bring himself to find humor given their situation. After a moment of silence, Layne spoke up again. “Sorry, was the joke in bad taste?” he asked with a smile. And Cesar broke.

“Okay, you got me.” There was amusement in his tone.

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