I pause for a moment. Is this wise?
It would be better to test my weapon first, but as soon as I do I'm announcing my presence anyway. I've never met a gun I couldn't figure out within a few shots. I glance around to note what cover I need, then decide to just go with it.
Those two would look a lot better with bullet holes in them.
My finger squeezes the trigger. The unfamiliar weapon coughs, a plume of purple smoke erupting from the barrel.
The shot misses, scorching the sand a few feet away from the surprised blob.
"Dammit."
Both creatures whirl around, their stomach-roiling eyes locking onto me. The dolphin snot slinger lets out a high-pitched screech that sends shivers down my spine. The Graylord hisses, its spindly arms waving vaguely with activity as it points a fixed, bulbous finger in my direction.
Adrenaline surges through my veins, momentarily eclipsing the simmering anger.
I'm not here to pick fights with the dominant species. I need to get out of here before whatever other denizens of the land get curious enough and decide to join the party.
Of course, I should have thought about that before taking a pot shot.
I shrug and take another one. Might as well go all in.
This one flies wildly past the Graylord's head.
Panic threatens to consume me, the unfamiliar weapon feeling like a dead weight in my hand.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I force myself to focus. I close my eyes briefly, picturing the countless hours spent on the firing range back at base. I think back over how each shot missed and make a quick calculation.
Opening my eyes, I line up the shot, ignoring the part of my brain screaming at me to run. This isn't about revenge anymore. This is about survival.
With a newfound calmness, I squeeze the trigger.
The alien weapon roars, spitting out fire and purple smoke as the slug strikes the slime square in the chest. It lets out a piercing shriek, its bulbous body convulsing before collapsing onto the sand in a heap of glistening goo.
The Graylord screeches in outrage, its spindly arms lashing out in a frenzy.
I take the time to double check my cover. The rock is smaller than I'd like, but hopefully enough.
It pulls a weapon, and I fold in my body as much as possible.
Shards of rock rain over me as it returns fire, clearly much more familiar with its weapon than I am.
There's a moment's hesitation and I take the opportunity to stick my arm out and shoot in its general direction.
A chittering clicking, followed by a muffled thud, inspires me to take a chance at popping my head out.
I'm right, the alien is looking for cover.
Before it can react further, I aim again, this time focusing on the creature's jutting forehead as it tries to sink down behind its own rock.
Another shot erupts from the muzzle, blasting a hole into its egg-like head. The Graylord stumbles back, its eerie eyes flickering with confusion before its entire body crumples to the ground, twitching.
"Fuck yeah," I say in an explosive breath.
It's good to know I can take care of myself just as well here as on Earth. Dad would be proud.
Heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs, I stand there for a moment, the weight of what I've just done settling on my shoulders. I get closer and the metallic tang of alien blood fills the air, and oddly enough, the pungent smell seems to cool the nerves the tension of this little fiasco filled me with.
I've spilled plenty of blood in my life, and now I have the weapons in hand to do it more efficiently. If that's what it takes to survive here, then watch out alien world, Kira has arrived.
