c. 2026 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(4-26)
The Frigoris Lander and Farragut Capsule made a competent duo, when connected with docking clamps, and launched as a single unit from the Toqua Platte facility in Calimex. Yet the technology utilized was long out of date, by modern standards. The carrier assembly was a tower of chemical thrusters, which originated with the Artemis program of olden days. Once in orbit, a first-generation drive system took over, which was the most basic, experimental version of what would later evolve into the Gibidan Impeller. A precursor to discovering the off-world element Cloitanium, and thereby creating the principle for C-drive travel. A speedy and ultimately more efficient method for jetting around between the outer planets.
Arbiter Goland Pick had felt an uneasiness in his stomach, as this most recent mission got underway. But he could not quantify this discomfort, or identify its origin. It simply seemed to him, as a long-term engineer and controller, that they were about to exceed the limitational capabilities of their spacecraft. It had been loaded with equipment for outfitting the deserted Luna Citadel base, and bringing the outpost back to life. But the weight of this extra cargo was beyond anything originally intended to be on board during an exploratory adventure. The natural balance between both modules had been upset by this disparity. Therefore, the helm was frequently sluggish and unresponsive, when performing delicate maneuvers. Had he been given more leeway as a supervisor, his first choice might have been to suspend the launch, in favor of some refinement and study. Yet from Lotharian Gardino, there was no patience for delay. His order to proceed had been delivered with a sour note of finality.
“GET THIS TASK DONE, WITH NO EXCUSES OR APOLOGIES! DO IT QUICKLY, AND DO IT NOW!”
Serge Tarka and his crew had strapped in, as was their procedure for any departure. But with plumes of smoke rising toward the sky, and wafting out over the Pacific coastline, a nauseating wobble shook the twin vessels and their interior mooring.
Gasps and deep breaths followed. Then, a crackle of electronic chatter ensued, as the lander-capsule pair surged upward, against the dominant force of gravity.
“Toqua Platte, we are underway with the next mission to Mare Frigoris. I have a reading of compromised hull integrity, due to physical stress on the exterior of our twin ships. I believe this may create some concern, going forward. However, we have already passed the ignition phase. It would be impossible to cancel our journey, without a possible loss of control...”
Arbiter Pick slammed his palms on the wide console where he stood. Then, gestured over control tiles which flashed in response to each wave.
“Careful, Mr. Tarka! Do not speak too loudly about failing in this mission. Be aware that our communications are monitored remotely! I would counsel you to restrain yourself from expressing doubts about our capabilities. Stay on course, and pay strict attention to our guidelines!”
Upon exiting the natural pull of G-forces, they were able to swing around the Terran homeworld, and then roll toward a rendezvous with the Moon. That rocky orb steadily grew in size, on their scanners, until it nearly filled the viewscreen. Below their position, a new round of cyclical storms could be observed, crossing the blue ball from where they had come. Those atmospheric disturbances were no longer a threat however, being distant enough to allow safe passage. Yet as they rounded the cratered, spherical satellite, and prepared for a separation and landing, a stray meteor interrupted this procedure.
Tarka was unprepared for the confrontation. Their exodus had been hasty, and hurried.
“Toqua Platte, I have a warning beacon going off here. We are within range of a rogue entity, which might knock us off our vector. The resulting damage would be considerable. I am taking evasive action, negating our lunar trajectory for the moment. Do you copy?”
The engineering professional gripped both rear corners of his panel. The overhead monitor glowed with an ominous shade of red.
“ALTER YOUR FLIGHT PATH IMMEDIATELY! THAT BIG CHUNK OF STONE IS UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO STRIKING THE LANDER AND CAPSULE! I SAY AGAIN, ALTER YOUR COURSE! DO A SPIN MANEUVER AND REVERSE YOUR THRUSTERS!”
The onboard crew braced themselves for an impact. But as the linked ships turned clumsily aside, there was a spray of metallic debris left behind. Traces of the meteor had scarred their craft, and compromised its structural rigidity. Helm control had become balky and slow. With a rapid, spiral rotation, the Frigoris team veered away from their intended destination, and plummeted back toward Planet Earth.
Flight Leader Tarka wanted to vomit inside his helmet.
“Toqua Platte, we have lost all control. I have a reserve of propulsion fuel left. We are aimed at the central land mass of North America, this will be a rough ride! I intend to use the impeller force as a cushion for our drop to the surface. It won’t keep us from getting some bumps and bruises, but should make it possible for a vertical descent and deceleration, with all hands surviving the crash...”
Arbiter Pick closed his eyes. More than the calamity of a hard landing, he feared having to explain their failure to the Prime Keeper.
“Steady on, Mr. Tarka. Set the sensor array to automatic protocols. You are all likely to be knocked unconscious when reaching ground level. Good luck, compadres!”
Above Evergreen Estates, the scene was decidedly dramatic. A fireball streaked across the azure sky. There was an audible roar of thrusters laboring to slow the pace of descent. Then, a booming thud echoed across the hillside.
Judson Baines saw the monitor on his panel in the Digger shuttle drop to a flat line. The rush of friction and wind displacement yielded to silence. He sat for a moment in his web chair, then double-checked to make sure that Kelly Strafe had not awakened.
Finally, he exited the small transport, and donned a backpack for hiking. He found the carved, walking stick used before, and set out for the sloped field above their adopted home.
“I have no idea what just
happened, but I’m going to find out. One way or another!”
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