[ You aimed to get as close as possible to an outcrop of sun baked rocks as you fell from the sky. Your ship wasn't the only one damaged, and your pursuers decided to retreat to the safety of space rather than risk a few hours in the deep desert waiting for rescue. The mission briefing explained why, and gave you reason to quickly run for those rocks: not long after you stumbled out of the ship (a softer landing than you hoped for meant you didn't need to tear yourselves from a wreckage) the ground began to tremble, the bone dry air crackling with electricity. You haven't reached the rocks yet when the desert tears itself apart behind you. The sandworm is so large that looking at it is dizzying, its gaping maw a neverending void of teeth. Lightning crackles in the dark dust kicked up by the creature as it emerges fully, reaching for the sky...

Ten minutes later and large dip in the sand about two hundred meters out is the only sign left of the crashed Hive ship and the monster that ate it.

Steve can feel the heat of the rocks even through his suit, the tubes of his breather itching his nostrils. Better to itch than dehydrate - the suits are specially designed for keeping moisture in. The mission briefing provided all the gory details of what bodily functions it relied on to keep the human body going in unrelenting heat. There are few things as precious and coveted as water on this planet. He stops himself from pulling the mask off, solely relying on the mental connection between Hosts to communicate. ]

( Any luck reaching someone? ) [ He's newer to the Hive, his range limited. There should be other pairs on the ground - somewhere, locating and gathering a resource more precious than water to the people of this empire.

A noise draws his attention, the near silent steps of a mouse-like creature. It stands on both legs, drawing up to full height as it stares back with beady eyes glinting in the sun. A moment later it turns away, hopping down the side of the rock. ]