“Captain!
The fracture’s getting bigger!”
“About time.”
She moved closer to the screen. “Yes, it’s working.” She spoke into the comm
unit, “Is the team ready?”
“Yes,
Captain. We’re at the hatch. Ready when you are.”
“Then you’d
better hang on, Commander, we’re going to rip it open in one fell swoop.” She
turned to the science officer, “Lieutenant?”
“We’re a go
on your mark.”
She turned
to the weapons officer, “Red alert, no sirens,” and pressed the ship comm
button. “This is the Captain speaking. We’re about to break the fracture open.
Be sure you’re strapped down as the impact may jar something loose. I want no
more casualties on this trip. We’ll be sending in a team and follow shortly thereafter
once confirmation has been made. And…pray to whatever you hold dear that this
works. Captain out.” She released the button and looked around the room. The
tension was evident on the gaunt faces staring back at her, but there was still
hope in their eyes.
She strapped
herself into her chair and nodded her head at the science officer, “Mark.”
A blinding
flash of light!
The impact
felt like it was going to break the entire ship apart!
Once the
rocking slowed down, she pressed the comm unit again, “Commander? Is your team
on the move?”
“Yes
Captain, nearly there.”
“Lieutenant?
Where did our video go?”
“Sorry,
Captain! I’m working on it. The impact…”
“Just get it
back!”
“Yes, Sir!”
A voice over
the comm, “Captain? Are you seeing this?”
“No,
Commander. Our eyes were knocked out by the impact. What is it?”
“It’s…It’s
Eden!” The screen phased in slowly, but it cleared to a bright and crisp
picture of someone holding six beautiful red raspberries.
The tears
were unexpected. She meant to stay strong, to put on a brave face. She glanced
around and saw the tears on the faces of the rest of the bridge crew as well. She
cleared her throat, “Move! Now!” The ship made its way slowly across the barren
wasteland toward the fracture - toward hope and a future.