Echoes from the Void

Ava tightened the straps on her helmet, the worn leather cool against her cheek. It wasn't much to look at - a relic from a bygone era, dented and scratched - but it was all that stood between her and the desolate emptiness beyond the Wall.

The Wall, a colossal structure of unknown origin, separated the remnants of civilization from the swirling storms of the Void. Legends spoke of a time before the storms, a verdant world teeming with life. Now, only scavengers like Ava ventured outside, searching for scraps in the ruins that dotted the wasteland.

Today's target was a crashed survey drone, rumored to hold valuable data. Ava gripped the handle of her makeshift spear, the silence broken only by the rasp of her breath. The air was thin and dry, a constant reminder of the unforgiving environment.

Reaching the crash site, Ava found the drone half-buried in the sand. As she dug it out, a strange glint caught her eye - a crack in the casing, revealing an pulsing blue light. Curiosity warring with caution, Ava pried the casing open.

A voice, raspy and distorted, filled her helmet. It spoke in a language she didn't understand, but the emotion was clear - fear, desperation. The voice faded, replaced by static.