Deserted Outpost: Science Fiction

The outpost hadn't been visited for six months, when the last supply ship flew in, and it hadn't made any reports in two. After the first three weeks without a report, he'd been sent in to find out what the problem was. It had been a long voyage, from starship to watery port to horseback, for the last couple of miles. He reined in his horse and pulled it to the side so that he could shelter beneath a long, purple-branched tree and watch the outpost. Nothing moved along its walls. Laundry flapped in the dusty breeze, but he saw pieces scattered about the ground, as if it had been wearily flapping for--

Inspiration: "outpost"
Story Potential: High.
Notes: There isn't actually anything unique here, but I have a weakness for the whole abandoned-settlement thing, and it's my inspiration journal, so I'm calling it high!