VISUAL PROMPT
by Sans @ deviantart.com/Sanskarans

Write a story from the perspective of someone in this image (perhaps we cannot see them, but they're there).
Apex Continuum
'What a mess,' Rick said looking at the crash sight. 'I don't get paid enough for this,' he mumbled as he pulled a cigarette and lighter from his jacket pocket to light. The air was brutally cold in Antarctica's frigid climate. Snow seemed to stretch for miles with no sign of life. In the near distance, rough and ragged mountain cliffs surround the crash sight.
Just as Rick was about to light his cigarette Commander Blue walks up and snatched it from his mouth saying, 'not on the clock, Rick. Tell me, what do you see at first glance.' Rick knew better than to protest against Commander Blue. He didn't want to give the commander a reason to dock his pay. 'It seems there was a game of cat and mouse and this poor fella was the mouse which means our predator is still out there.' Commander Blue turned to him with a look that was unfamiliar to Rick, a look of fear and concern and said 'our mouse is out there too, the crew didn't recover a body. Rick we've got two creatures we have no data on out there running wild, please tell me you can find them.' Rick had worked with the commander through many life threatening missions but he had never known the Commander to show fear or concern. There must be something more to this case than the commander is leading on and if that's the case then the higher ups are involved which means this must stay concealed, Rick thought. Breaking his train of thought, 'what ain't you telling me Blue?' Rick said. 'Commander to you son. Look, if i could tell you, i would. You know me Rick but right now my hands are tied, you're the best man i got for this job but i need you focused. Tell me you're good to come back, tell me picking you for this job wasn't a mistake,' Commander says looking around nervously to see if anyone heard him.
Rick knew very well what he meant by that.
On the previous mission Rick was tasked with being security for a group of scientists conducting research on a new species found on planet Nexus. The organism ended up being parasitic by nature attaching and mutating within the human crew, killing them all. Rick was the only survivor. Since then he has been blamed and harassed for what happened. Even now Rick holds guilt for it.
'When are you humans gonna stop being so afraid of me?’ That wasn't my fault and you know it blue.' Rick said frustrated. There was long pause between them. Rick knew he would never get an answer from the commander. Sighing he turns to the commander and says, 'What better way to a catch a predator then with a predator. You have my word commander, I'll catch them.' .