December 6, 2111
James Stone
Lost in space. Our location was unknown. No way to call for help. No way to see where we were. We were in uncharted space, orbiting a planet unknown to the ARW; a blend of massive, chain rivers, mountains full of forests, and islands of sand and rock interwoven between the rivers. Two suns fought for gravitational dominance over this planet's otherworldly orbital path.
Our dropship had come out of the wormhole many days ago, right into the orbit of a planet never visited by the ARW. Scans showed life on the planet and an atmosphere capable of supporting us. When our food and water rations had run dry, I made the decision to escape from the dropship, hoping to find aid on that planet. So, we packed what we could. I looked down into the chamber Beverly Darcrose lay in, a chamber used to slow her decay. A moment later, the starship went into a state of low-power sleep mode. It was time.
"James. We have to go." Valiic tugged at my arm.
I followed him into the escape pod. I was the last to enter the cramped pod, which was meant for only four; however, we had to make room for all five of us, since this was the only undamaged pod left.
Whatever our future held, one thing was clear: Everything was up in the air.
TO BE CONTINUED…..