‘Not yet, we
were due to get married when this job came up, and like most I needed
the money. Sam will almost be nine now.’ Brent put the photograph back
and smiled, patted Sterne firmly on the back and said, ‘Come on, lighten
up, we've only got another three days on this lump of rock and we'll be
on our way home.’
Sterne smiled.
In one way it pleased him that he wasn't the only one thinking of their
family nor the anticipation of going home on the next shuffle. He turned
back to the window at which point something caught his eye: ‘What?’ he
exclaimed and leaning against the window he stared into the darkness
beyond.
There it was again.
What appeared to
be a burning lump of rock pierced the darkness descending towards the
surface of the planet and upon impact, it sent debris into the air.
‘A meteor?’
Brent stared
hard out of the window. ‘Where? I can't see…’ He was interrupted at the
sight of another as it cut through the thin atmosphere of the planet,
down towards its surface.
‘It's not often
there's a meteor shower on Saros 5,’ said Sterne as they watched more
meteorites fall to the ground, too numerous to count but one thing that
they were both clear about, was that they appeared to be of equal size
and each had a bluish glow about them as they entered the planets
atmosphere.
They watched as
one of the meteorites hurtled towards the planet and hit the edge of the
landing platform, the impact of which shook the whole base. The can of
cake fell to the floor and both Brent and Sterne had to steady
themselves as they grabbed each other by the arm as an explosion ensued
from the impact.
The lights in
Sterne's quarters flickered as did all the lights on the base and within
seconds an emergency siren sounded throughout the complex. The base was
now on full alert. The sound of running could be heard passing his door
as other crew members made their way to their emergency building up
within him.
Brent moved to
the door which slid open. He turned to look back at Sterne who continued
to look out as the meteorite fall came to an end.
‘Well?’ shouted
Brent, ‘What are you waiting for? Isn't this the excitement you've been
waiting for?’ and with that, Brent ran out into the corridor towards the
action, ducking beneath the metal beams that formed the structure of
the base.
Sterne turned, and followed.
Within moments,
Brent and Sterne arrived at one of the airlocks to the surface of the
planet. They quickly readied themselves to embark on their exploration
of the damage to the landing platform.
Brent grabbed
one of several oxygen masks that were enclosed in small lockers near the
airlocks and handed it to Sterne, who took it, and in turn checked that
the pack that the mask was connected to via a series of tubes and wires
were okay.
saros five page 2
here
was a light drizzle in the air as the last of the clouds finally
dispersed. The sodden ground was quite hazardous to maintain their
balance as they made their way across the planets surface towards the
platform. It was clear to them that it was easier to walk as they came
across a land vehicle bogged down in the mud and which had been
abandoned by other crew members when the rain fall came.
