Deeper Into the Void Read Free Page A

skyward. The largest known mountain anywhere in the solar system, Olympus Mons, begins to crest and rises up off of the horizon. In a cloudless, clear, yellow sky the ship appears as a fired bullet as it speeds past the mountain in the distance.
    As the flat plain just at the base of the mountain begins to appear on the horizon, the rocket engines thrust is intensified and the ship continues to fall toward the designated landing spot. A hundred long seconds of intense apprehension pass as Dr. Mendez clenches her eyes shut. The intense force of the slowing ship is felt in the tight straps holding everyone in their seat.
     
Cardiff:

Firing vertical thrusters.
    Thousands of tons of metal slow to a stop as it hovers over a barren field of sand and rock. Sand and dust are propelled hundreds of meters into the air and away from the ship as it gently settles onto the flat landing spot. The landing gear makes firm contact with the rock below, and the ship groans under the force of the quick stop. Long’s head is leaning back against his headrest; a malicious smile crests on his face. He breathes heavily after his incessant laughter, and the thrill of the landing.
    Mendez appears somewhat less enthusiastic, her head is dropped forward, her hair dangling around her face, and her hands have gripped the nylon strapping tightly enough to round it up in her hands. Ghent is breathing calmly and lets out a sigh of relief, followed shortly by a chuckle.
     
Lawrence:

Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed safely on the rusty rock that I call Mars. That was straight out of the textbook. Anyone else want to go again?

Ghent:

We are finally here, thanks for that… Oh, by the way, you are mental.

Long:

I’ll second that.

Cardiff:

Well, with the landing out of the way, we should start preparing to embark for the dome in the morning.

Lawrence, get the rover unpacked and ready to go, see that all of our supplies are unsecured and ready to load up. Long and Ghent, you two help him.

Mendez you and I will get the sleeping quarters ready back in the cargo hold.

Lawrence:

Aye Captain.
    The wind outside carries sands from the distance with a fury, which seems to be less intense after the descent. Ghent’s grey eyes squint as he looks back down the dark corridor; his wrinkles become exaggerated in the effort of his tired eyes. A fleeting glimmer of quick movement fixates his attention thirty meters down the darkened hull. The object moves out of sight as it comes to rest behind the last bulkhead in the cargo area.
     
Mendez:

Dr. Ghent, what are you looking at back there?

Ghent:

That was something, wasn’t it?… the landing, I mean. Anyway, I just woke up from the best sleep of my life, and I am ready to go back to sleep. Don’t get old Dr. Mendez.

Mendez:

Uh, I like getting old better than the alternative.

Ghent:

There’s a difference between getting old and passing time, remember that.

Long:

Uh, okay. Whatever. Anyway, I was promised a continental breakfast when I woke up, so who’s working on that?

Lawrence:

Shut up Long. You’re just lucky you were sitting behind me on the way in. It required all of the restraint that I could muster to remain in my seat and not to knock you out cold.

Mendez:

Whoa, alright. Let’s just get some sleep and get back to this in the morning, shall we?

Lawrence:

Don’t get me started with you either, Doctor of irritating me.

Cardiff:

Lawrence! Get the rover ready already. I don’t plan on spending the next few months listening to you throw your hundred kilos of ornery around.

Lawrence:

Ninety-five.

Cardiff:

Sorry, what?

Lawrence:

Ninety-five kilos of ornery Ma’am.
    Ghent fights the smile that presses to the surface of his expression. He glances over at Mendez; her puzzled expression remains fixed on her face as the rest of the crew make their way down the walkway into the cargo area.
     
Ghent:

So, how is it that Captain Ornery has come to be so irritated with you?
    Ghent’s