The Protogen Generation

Light and thunder

Most of the equipment had been unloaded by this time, though a couple metal containers still remained on the truck. Most of the contents were sampling kits, meant for sampling atmospheric conditions, soil, water and things of that such.

Michael was already far out in the dirt trying to set up one of the kits for measuring rain and pressure, but he was struggling a great deal while doing so.

First Vita tried to help him, but she was shooed away. Then Garrett tried, and was shooed off as well. Avera and I were about to try our luck at helping him, but apparently the weather got to him first.

Within seconds, rain began to fall and splash against the surroundings. Michael let out a horrid yelp as he was hit by the water, almost as bad of a yelp as he did during his space walk, and immediately began to scramble for his crutches.

“SCREW THIS!” He yelled as he hobbled back for the safety of the porch. He dove for the stairs, while talking almost incoherently to himself. “Stupid freaking' rain, stupid stupid stupid!”

1 by 1, Winter, Garrett, Avera and Oscar joined us on the porch. The rain was accompanied by bright flashes of lightning, and the appropriate cracks of thunder.

Everyone flinched whenever the thunder came by, much to the amusement of Oscar and Winter.

Winter guided everyone inside, where we all made ourselves comfy on the living room furniture. It didn't take Garrett much time to have his boots kicked off and legs propped up on the coffee table. Avera was already busy noting the weather conditions on her own tablet, but this job would have gone to Michael, except he was already busy cowering under a couple towels.

The television had already been turned on, but it was muted. An odd looking weatherman, a bird I believe it was, was busy pointing at a rectangular map behind him. Text and other tidbits of information scrolled along the bottom of the screen but I, nor any other of my crewmates could read it. We could understand and respond back to spoken language on this planet, but we couldn't understand any written text.

Winter came by as I joined Garrett on the couch, and she picked up the TV remote and held it in our faces. “This button changes the volume, and this button turns it off. Do me a favor and don't change the channel.” She said, handing the remote to me.

Garrett leaned forward, “What if I want to change the channel?” He asked. “If you don't like it, go outside.” Winter said, pointing at the door.

“But it's raining?” He said, looking out the living room window with confusion. Winter briefly had a smile, “Grab an umbrella.” she said before turning and walking off.

I turned my focus to the remote below me. It was a small rectangular thing, not too far from the ones I was familiar with. I moved my thumb to the volume button and pressed it.

We were finally able to hear the TV, which was still set to the weather program. “-western Kansas will likely be experiencing more rainfall on Tuesday. And moving over to the southeast, the rain will be continuing over the Hutchinson and Wichita area until around midnight. We'd recommend you stay up to date with the weather forecast, since it is that time of year for tornadoes.”

Oscar was present, watching the broadcaster attentively.

“And we are near that Wichita place, right?” Asked Garrett, pointing at the TV. “Well kinda, we are right outside of a small town called grenola. Wichita is about a 2 hour drive away.” Oscar said.

Avera looked up from her tablet, “That must have been the lights we saw.” she said, lost in a thought.

Oscar nodded, “That sounds about ri-” A sudden, bright flash of lightning flooded through the windows. Oscar only was able to say the words  “Uh oh” before the violent crack of thunder shook the house.