Emergency landing on a strange new world. Grant is her internal artificial intelligence computer.
“Gina.” Grants voice roused her from
slumber. The lid and sides of the bed folded away.
“Yes, I’m awake Grant. Rescue?”
“No but I’ve located a planet. We will be
landing there soon. Atmosphere is optimal. Gravity zero-point
seven-five-seven-seven normal. Planet contains large bodies of water and
several land masses.”
“Life?”
“Unknown. The search capabilities on this
lifepod are limited.”
“Understood.”
“I suggest the tropical areas near the
equator for landing.”
“Concur,” she answered.
“Gina, Some of the pods systems were damaged
during our escape. Not all the landing jets are functional. Set down will be
rough but survivable. I am searching now for a small body of water to land in.”
“Understood.
Rough landing.”
She glanced down
slightly to the left of her feet and saw the planet through the viewport. It
was blue and green much like Earth and Teelan but the bodies of water appeared
larger. The globe grew in size quickly and soon just a small portion filled the
viewport. Although she could not hear or see it, the atmosphere started to
buffet the craft as it began final approach.
Straps snaked
across her legs and torso, pinning her arms to her sides. They cinched tight
holding her in her prone position. A red glow crept across the clear window and
she knew it was a result of the tremendous heat being generated as the pod sunk
deeper into the atmosphere.
The craft rotated
and she was gazing up into a bluish sky. The rockets kicked in with a jar when
all three available main engines surged to life in attempt to reduce forward
momentum. The compensators fought desperately to equalize the horrendous
g-forces pressing against her. Even through the sound deadening, she heard the
loud splash when the craft plunged into the water.
Her view of the
sky blurred when liquid closed over the viewports. The craft sunk deeper. Outside
light dimmed and vanished altogether. At length forward momentum ceased and
upward motion began. After what seemed like a long, long time the pod bobbed to
the surface. She heard the hissing and popping as intense heat was dissipated
from her craft to the surrounding liquid. Though it was light outside the pod,
her view was blurred by the boiling steam surrounding her.
“We have landed,” Grant told her
unnecessarily.
“So I surmised,” she answered sarcastically.
A single jet
shuddered to life and imparted forward motion briefly before it sputtered and
died. “I have expended the last of our
fuel. We can only drift from here,” Grant reported. “Hopefully it was enough to guide the pod to shore.”
“It should be.”
For hours she
watched land get closer slowly. At last the craft ground to a halt when it
beached a few yards from shore. The straps holding her released and Gina
climbed from her chair. Stepping to the controls she electronically unlocked
the escape hatch above her head. Climbing to the pods roof she splayed her feet
wide for balance and surveyed her surroundings.
The shore in front
of her and to each side as far as she could see contained a heavy covering of
blue and green foliage. The trees and bushes and vines appeared tropical in
nature. Judging from the stifling heat and humidity that caressed her skin her
summation was correct.
“Well all ashore
that is going ashore,” she said aloud. Climbing back into the craft she gazed
down at herself, barefoot, wearing only panties and a nightshirt. “Hardly
dressed to go hiking in the jungle am I?”
She grabbed a
survival pack, slung it onto her back and then climbed back onto the roof. Sitting, she slid down the side into chest
deep water. She waded ashore and sat in the sand. Rifling through the pack she found
a survival knife, a small ray-pistol, first aid kit and concentrated rations
she estimated would last for about a week. In addition there was a canteen like
object that drew in vapor from the air and converted it to drinkable liquid. There
were three more bags like this on board the pod.
“Okay four weeks
of food so finding something to eat is not priority.” The sand was already
becoming uncomfortable on her feet and she stepped into the water. “First order
of business is something to wear on my feet.” She looked at the jungle in
apprehension.
“Grant, anything on life here? Especially
the dangerous kind.”
“Nothing. I’m sorry.”
“Then help keep watch while I gather some
leaves and vines to make shoes from.” Fine sand squished through her toes
as she headed across the beach toward what looked to be leaves of the right
size to make shoe soles. She cut
several off, along with vines and then looked up at the ominous clouds
gathering overhead.
“I think we will
hold shoe making class inside today. Otherwise I’m pretty sure it will be a wet
class.”
Holding the vines
over her head, she waded back out to the pod, climbed the built-in steps on the
side and clambered back into the craft. After shutting the hatch she sat down
and went to work fashioning her shoes. Hours later, after many frustrating
attempts she viewed the results. “Not high fashion, not even pretty but they
will protect my feet,” she mused.
