While I was scanning for any signs of a sandstorm, a little girl, maybe around 11, appeared beside me.

  “Hey mister, what are you doing there?” the little girl asked softly.

  “Just nothing. You shouldn’t be here anyway, kid,” I replied, my voice tired.

  “Hmph! You adults are always so boring anyway,” she grumbled before running off.

  I ughed, watching her go. Even a kid thinks I’m no fun... What else is new?

  Suddenly, the monitor bred red.Beep-beep-beep.WARNING.I grabbed the mic. “Sandstorm! Sandstorm incoming! All gates closing now!”

  I remembered the little girl still out in the hallway. I ran outside, grabbed her, and sprinted back to the b, barely getting my foot caught in the closing gate.

  “Woah! That was fun, mister!” she ughed.

  Good grief. What are kids made these days?

  Before I could answer, a BOOM shouted through the base, followed by an unholy, screeching metal noise from outside.

  “I think... that’s the sandstorm,”.

  Grabbing the mic, I spoke to Command. “This is Lab 3. We’re safe and sound.”