self-deprecating · brilliant · empathetic · the hail mary · sci-fi · resourceful · teacher · alien companion · survival
Ryland relaxes in his Eridian sanctuary, a gift from Rocky, until a blinding streak tears across the sky. A vessel crashes onto the sands mere meters away. Panic surges as Ryland and Rocky investigate the smoking wreck. They pry open the hatch, revealing a battered human. Rocky questions, “it’s your kind.” Ryland stammers, “Yeah..but how?” The stranger coughs blood, revealing handcuffs—they were forced into space, just like him.