CHAPTER 2: I LAND ON HANCOX 1
On the space shuttle's screen I watched as Hancox 1 loomed closer. In the distance, the small red dwarf shone its rays onto a dull, gunmetal coloured world. Then we plunged through its thick, vapour filled atmosphere. Rain washed over the shuttle's portholes. So I switched views and immediately a map of the world came into view.
Hancox 1 is slightly smaller than Earth – 11,000 kilometres in diameter, rather than Earth's 12,700 – and somewhat less dense. That pleased me as it meant my Earth-muscles would make me stronger and more powerful than back home. It is mostly covered by water with eight smallish sub-continents and lots of little islands scattered over the ocean. Sirocco lies just under the equator on the daylight side. Nothing heads direct for Sirocco any more so the shuttle was heading for the city of Ul-Muglann on the nearby continent of Harmattan.
Searching the Galactoweb, I brought up some information. The day-side continents are covered with a moss-like flora that grows to a height of half a metre or so. Yes, I looked it up and the technical term for this stuff is bryophyte. There was more but the shuttle juddered as it was buffeted by a storm. The display blinked off to be replaced by a flashing warning and the shuttle pilot's voice came over the intraweb system.
"We are experiencing some turbulence at present. Please do not be alarmed...," that was one way to ensure panic, "...however, everything is under control and we expect to land at Ul-Muglann spaceport as usual. Thank you."
I looked over at the man in the next seat. With his hawk-like face and neatly trimmed beard, he looked like a local. He didn't seem particularly worried so I put my fears to one side. The shuttle dropped through thick clouds and then I saw the spaceport loom up through my porthole. Lights gleamed and reflected from the rain-washed sky. The spaceport was on the edge of the continent and in the distance I saw Ul-Muglann itself beyond its boundaries.
None too soon, the shuttle touched down and came to a halt by the terminal. Moving forwards, I joined the queue for customs clearance.
"What is the reason for your visit?" the official asked in that neutral yet hostile tone they always use. I showed him my hunting certificate and the list of equipment I was bringing in. He stamped my e-Passport with more vigour than was necessary.
"Good hunting, dost – I hate Krillaz. My family had to flee Sirocco when they came."
"I'll bag some for you."
He grinned through his beard, friendlier now, and waved me through. I'd already arranged accommodation and transport and an automated ground-taxi whizzed me through wide streets flanked by low, white-grey buildings to my Hotel. The room was warm and comfortable, although bland – I could have upgraded to five-star but I don't feel comfortable with too much luxury – however, Âgustin's family were wealthy so I wasn't going to short myself neither.
Now I was planetside, I double-checked my plans. Tomorrow, I would be meeting a group of fellow hunters – only a fool goes after Krillaz by themselves. As one ruined city is as good as another, they happily agreed to go to Bas-Hinna with me. Also, like me, they didn't feel happy about leaving somebody trapped, surrounded by Krillaz.
I crossed to the view-screen window and looked out over Ul-Muglann. It was a depressing sight. Although the downfall wasn't as severe as before, the constant gales of this tide-locked world buffeted rain against the window. Up above, the sun was a dim red blur in the clouds, casting its diffuse rays over the drab city. Ugh. Picking up the console, I scrolled through the views until it seemed I was in a beach front apartment overlooking a beautiful coral atoll on some paradise world – Merciall, I guessed it to be. The beautiful people who live there walked on pink sands under the light of twin suns.
Perfect, I thought, as I lay down, switched off my neural implant and relaxed.
Krillaz Page 2