The escape pod shuddered violently, throwing me against the reinforced bulkhead. My vision swam with a kaleidoscope of flashing lights and jarring metallic groans as the emergency deceleration system fought to wrestle the craft from its uncontrolled descent. Then, with a bone-jarring crunch that sent tremors through my entire body, the pod slammed to a halt. Silence, thick and heavy, descended. Except for the faint, rhythmic thump-thump-thump of my own racing heart, echoing in my ears.