by Candy Rae
The mesmerised bridge crew gazed at the scene unfolding on the screens. The land was approaching so very fast, the ground rushing up to meet them.
At a nod from Stuart MacIntosh the young engineering lieutenant cut off the engines. The WCCS Argyll plunged the remaining few metres to the ground, still maintaining some forward momentum, hull protesting. Metal screeched, and anything not securely bolted down bounced around, as she landed on their new world, ploughing through anything that got in her way. Bushes and trees were swept aside and she left a swathe of destruction behind her. She began to slow down as the bottom of the sphere met the resistance that was boggy marshland before swaying to a stop.
There was silence, broken only by loud bangs and thumps as items dislodged in the descent settled themselves.
Against all the odds, they had made it; they were safe, for the moment.
Jim Cranston and Stuart MacIntosh’s eyes met, each mirroring the other’s relief at a job well done.
The challenge of getting the colonists to Planet Rybak had been accomplished. Now they must meet the challenge of survival.
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