 |
(These chapters are under re-construction.../sigh.)
|
The
Last Great Gasp (Chapter 1)
|
|
A Story to Tell (The Arrival) [Time Stamp: 10/21/2696 07:21:35] The morning is cool and while the atmosphere is brightening a thick mist yet surrounds the local spaceport such that visibility is reduced to just beyond 70 meters. As the mist encloses the edges of the 200 meter square landing pad it glows vibrant blue from the landing lights protected beneath the pavement. Beyond, the verdant rolling hills are lost in a green haze mostly washed out by the lights. For any other event this would have been the beginning of a beautiful day, despite the humidity. But for this occasion on this day the close atmosphere only serves to punctuate a disturbing occasion. Directly above the central landing clamps the clouds begin to glow bright white then dissipate as the single occupant ship descends through them. Jeremiah Tahn, the Social Protection Board’s ambassador chosen specifically for this meeting, unnecessarily takes two steps back while observing the ship’s descent. His excitement is mounting but he catches himself before letting it get out of control. Clasping his hands in front of him, he begins to purposefully recite his mantra. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. I can’t believe I’m doing this.” He is the only living creature standing (walking, crawling or slithering) on the pristine landing pad. The ship settles onto the central clamps and begins to power down. Moments later a stark line begins to appear, lengthwise down the middle, starting at the top. After the line defines a slightly larger than two meters long rectangle on the ship’s starboard side the volume within the rectangle “melts” away, revealing its occupant, to form a stair step egress. As this process proceeds it becomes apparent the cargo, laying flat on its back, had been so tightly incased that there was no space between it and the craft. M-1 parts from the ship and stands in one fluid motion. It then proceeds down the steps and stops at the bottom, on the landing pad. It is exactly 2 meters tall. Its can shaped head, with a rounded top, sports a three inch wide, encircling sensor band; currently displaying a full range of beige tones. Other |
|
© 2004 Justin's World. All rights reserved. |