How This Came Together
In Assignments, the latest Larian mission retraces the path of the lost colonists, only to discover that careful planning and restraint may matter more than urgency. As a crew establishes base camp on a distant world, routine decisions give way to subtle uncertainty. This science fiction short explores discovery, leadership, and the uneasy realization that some worlds are already very much alive.
As the crew debates priorities, assignments are handed down. What began as a straightforward operation quickly becomes a quiet study of judgment, patience, and the weight of first impressions. Assignments is a story where worlds don’t announce themselves and the choices made before anything goes wrong.
Music Pairing
Eerie Stroll is the blues track paired with this story. Its slow, atmospheric pacing mirrors the measured approach of the crew as they take in their surroundings. The music underscores a sense of watchful calm, allowing unease to build naturally without ever rushing the moment.
Behind the Scenes
The previous entry in the Discovery series highlighted the ease of this Larian ship landing, when compared to the first story in the Colonization storyline. That wasn’t the only difference between the stories. This story needed to show the group as unconcerned after the successful landing, yet foreshadow the dangers they would face. This entry is driven not by crisis, but by the restraint needed to get settled for their endeavors. It was important for me to let the world speak, showing how even routine assignments can carry unexpected weight.
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An excerpt from Assignments
“That was one of the best landings I’ve ever had,” Dyrk said as he powered down the ship. He unbuckled and stretched his arms overhead. “After establishing base camp, what do you expect Jarvis’s first course of action will be?”
His co-pilot turned toward him, pulling her legs tightly into her chest. “We’re a good hike from the remains of the previous ship. I’d say it’s even odds that Jarvis’s first order will be dispatching a team to explore the remnants or cataloging the local wildlife.”
“Let’s find out.” Dyrk activated the internal comm with a shrug. “Jarvis, as you can guess, we’ve touched down. However, that brings my expertise to a close. What’s first on my new agenda?”
“How far away is the missing ship?”
“It’s a bit of a stroll,” Diana replied as she worked at her console. When her fingers stilled, she leaned back as her mouth curled into a tight smile. “I’ve sent everything to your system. You can debate the distance shortly.”
The silence broke with a curse from Jarvis. “In what special world is that considered a stroll? That’s more of a day’s march than a casual walk. Couldn’t you have gotten us closer to it?”
Diana stared through the windshield and studied the surrounding forest. The swaying limbs calmed as the landing winds died off. A flock of strange birds launched from the trees, darting off towards the horizon. As she watched the creatures disappear, her hands clapped as she leaned toward the clear barrier. “I selected this location because it was the only suitable site that would allow us to maintain the integrity of what we’re searching for.”
“Dyrk claims he could land anywhere.”
“He could have landed on top of the vessel and destroyed crucial evidence.” Diana sighed and collapsed into her chair. Her eyes darkened as she lifted a finger. “Which isn’t our primary task.”
“Fine. Help establish base camp instead of combing through the local wildlife.”
“On it, Jarvis,” Dyrk replied, shutting off the comms. He rose and tugged her arm. “You heard the boss.”
“I heard his orders,” she replied, pointing at her display, “but something about those creatures appears strange.”
“We knew this rock wasn’t like home,” Dyrk opened the cockpit’s door and jerked his thumb through the opening. “But you’ve been given orders.”
Her hands flew across her console as she returned to the seat.
Dyrk jostled her shoulder. “We have to get moving.”
“Those weren’t birds.” Diana jumped up and pressed her face to the windshield. “They were winged lizards.”
The creatures sliced across the sky with practiced precision. Nothing about their flight suggested surprise, panic, or fear. Dyrk ambled to her chair, his jaw tightening. “That’s a terrifying concept. Are you telling me dragons exist on this already dangerous planet?”
Diana spun and shouldered her way past Dyrk as she fled the cockpit.
Dyrk’s eyes fell to her console, studying Diana’s scans of the creatures. A knock tore his attention away, and he jumped back, hands flying to his chest.
Diana snickered and leaned against the doorframe, “A little jumpy, aren’t we?”
“Do you enjoy scaring people like that?”
With a wink, she left, and without looking back, she said, “Weren’t you talking about following orders?”
“Yeah, I mentioned that.” Dyrk ambled towards the doorway, his stride lengthening with each step.
As he stepped through, hands slammed into his chest.
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