Fassbender gulps. “Maybe I’m wrong,” he says.
“Perhaps,” Halloway says. “Or maybe NASA lied to us.”
A chill runs down my spine as Halloway leaves to prepare the ship for landing.
He shouldn’t have said it, but it’s the thought that’s been on our minds this entire time. Why are we really here?
And what were those pair of eyes in the photograph?
Everyone is silent.
I was prepared to see some weird shit, but this fills me with a dread and loneliness one can little imagine.
Hugh reaches into the back of his wheelchair, revealing a large bottle of Hennessy. Upon opening it, he smells the contents and winces.
“It’s not Friday,” Roy states.
Hugh nods. “Tonight, we drink a day early.”
Because who the fuck knows if we’ll see tomorrow...
I left because I thought I had nothing to gain on Earth. But as I look out my window and see the landscape growing larger, I realize I had everything and more.
Two
Naomi
System Announcement: Welcome to Avalon. Prepare for landing.
I keep my eyes closed against the sight outside my window, knowing that the landing will be far less triumphant than we planned.
Breathe, Naomi. You’re doing good.
I open my eyes again. We’re headed for water, but we’re not slowing down.
Stick to the training. Remember what they taught you. You prepared for this.
I have to stay logical. We’re not crashing. There are no aliens. The team of scientists will wait for us near the shore.
Our starship rips through the clouds, a burning star flying into Avalon’s sky. Within thirty-seconds, I can see the ocean. It grows larger and larger until I can’t take the sight anymore.
I shut my eyes and brace as the Starship Tera Earth slams against the top of the ocean. The impact throws me forward, but my belts keep me from flying through the ship.
We stabilize. The lights flicker on and off, but we’re alive.
“Everyone good?” Hugh asks.
“All good,” I groan.
We did it. We made it to Avalon. I don’t know whether to clap or cry.
Roy grunts and rubs his forehead where a small welt has appeared. “Some landing, huh?”
I force a laugh but glance out the window. Our starship rests on the surface of the sea.
“At least we made it in once piece,” I say.
Roy hits a few buttons on his display tablet. He sighs. “Poorly designed piece of crap. The thrusters are shot to hell.”