We're in Space ... So What?

Chapter 20: We Have What We Need, Now Let's Leave!

The cold on this new planet was relentless, biting through their jackets as they trudged through the snow. The wind howled around them, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. Their boots crunched in the frozen ground as the barren landscape stretched into the distance, interrupted only by jagged ice formations.

Judah pulled his jacket tighter, glancing back at Jamie and Ryan, who were both hunched against the cold. Angelia walked next to him, her breath visible in the frigid air. The people they had passed spoke a language none of the boys understood, but Angelia had managed to communicate enough to get them directions to the salvage yard.

"We're close now," Angelia said, her voice muffled by her scarf. "Just a little farther, and we should find what we need."

Jamie's face was red from the cold as he glanced at her. "You sure about this place? It doesn't seem like anyone lives here."

"They don't," Angelia replied. "This planet is mostly abandoned. It's more of a stopover for travelers or people needing to hide out for a while. But that also means it's got old tech and parts just lying around for anyone to scavenge."

Ryan, lagging behind, chimed in, his voice muffled. "As long as we can get the ship fixed and get off this icebox, I'm happy."

Judah nodded, feeling the same urgency. "Let's just make this quick. We don't want to be here longer than we have to."

As they reached the salvage yard, it looked like a graveyard of ships-rusting hulks and broken-down machinery strewn across the snowy expanse. The place was eerily silent, save for the wind whipping through the gaps in the wreckage.

"Not exactly a welcoming sight," Jamie muttered as they approached the entrance.

Angelia led the way, speaking to a a black creature with large eyes who seemed to run the place. His face was wrinkled, his clothing worn from the cold, but he didn't seem too surprised to see outsiders. They exchanged a few words in the local language, and Angelia turned to the group. "He says the parts we need aren't too expensive. We'll be able to get what we need without much hassle."

Judah raised an eyebrow. "That's good news. But let's not take any chances. Grab what we need, pay, and get back to the ship."

The salvage yard was a maze of broken-down ships, engines, and mechanical scraps. Angelia led them through with ease, pointing out the necessary parts. As they gathered what they needed, Judah couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping up on him.

"Something feels off," Judah muttered to Jamie as they worked.

Jamie glanced at him. "Yeah, I've been getting that too. But it's just the planet, right? Empty, cold... makes everything feel weird."

Judah nodded but stayed on alert. The sooner they got off this frozen planet, the better.

As they finished up, Angelia checked everything over. "This should be enough to fix the major problems. We'll still have a few minor issues, but nothing that'll keep us grounded."

Ryan stretched, looking relieved. "Good, let's get back to the ship."

As they turned to leave the salvage yard, Judah took one last look around. It seemed too easy. But with the parts in hand and their plan in place, there wasn't much else to do.

However, what they didn't know was that back at the ship, trouble was already brewing. Alex, a drifter who had been watching them since they landed, saw his opportunity. With the group away from their ship, he made his move, slipping aboard with a gleam in his eye. This was his chance to escape this icy wasteland-and their ship was his ticket out.