by Gwynn White
What in the heck is he doing?
Fortunately, we pulled away from the building before he caught the attention of the driver. As the sky-bus sped away, I let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if I’d just avoided something… bad.
Chapter Four
When I arrived home, both of my parents were sitting in the kitchen, eating and talking. When they noticed me, they both stopped their conversation.
“You’re back earlier than I thought you’d be,” said my mother. She was dressed in her usual workout attire, which consisted of a dark orange T-shirt and shorts.
I shrugged. “Our plans fell through. Sorry, but, I… I lost my backpack on the bus.”
“We know,” replied mom. “The sky-bus company called us. They’re having someone drop it off here before curfew.”
“That’s nice of them,” I said, relieved.
“They know how important the oxygen tank is,” she said in a stern voice. “As do you.”
I laughed nervously. “Yeah. I know. I’m sorry. It really was an accident.”
She sighed. “I’m sure it was. Just be happy that nobody stole it. We don’t have time to get you a new one.”
“She wouldn’t have needed a new one, anyway” replied my dad, grinning. “Planet Z is brimming with oxygen.”
“So they say,” she said and then looked at my dad. “We’d better tell her.”
“Tell me what? What’s going on?” I asked.
His smile widened. “We have exciting news. We’re leaving tomorrow instead of next week.”
I stared at him in shock. “For Planet ‘Z’?”
Nodding, he took a sip of coffee and set the cup back down. “Yes. Isn’t it great news?”
“How can you say that? And how can you expect me to be ready by tomorrow?” I cried, my eyes filling with tears. “I mean, seriously?”
“It’s short notice,” admitted my mother. “We know… but they want us to move quickly. Apparently, the team that’s out there now is in need of supplies. They can’t wait until next week.”
My eyes widened. “And so we have to leave tomorrow? Can’t they send another ship out there?”
“Calm down, young lady. Look, it would cost us valuable resources to make an extra trip,” replied my father. “They won’t send another ship just for supplies.”
I stared at him through frustrated tears. He just didn’t get it. “Calm down? It’s easy for you to say. You’re not leaving all of your friends. That was bad enough, but now I don’t even get a chance to say ‘goodbye’ to them properly.”
“We’re sorry, honey,” said Mom softly. “I know it’s hard. I wish there was something we could do to make things easier, but we have no choice in the matter either.”
I brushed the tears away from my eyes.
“Are you going to be okay?” asked Dad.
“I have no choice. I have to be, don’t I?” I said stiffly.
They both looked at each other and I knew what they were thinking. That I was being selfish. I guess I was, but I couldn’t help it. I had been looking forward to spending time with my friends over the weekend. Now, I’d be lucky to ever see them again. I felt sick to my stomach. “What time are we leaving?”
“They’re sending a shuttle for us around six a.m.,” he said, standing up. “Which reminds me, I’m going to find out where Jimmy is. We need to gather his things and pack them, too. Lord knows if we forget one of his Martian toys, we’ll never hear the end of it. Where is he?”
“He’s at Steven’s,” said my mother. “I told you that twice already.”
“Oh, you did? Sorry, my mind has been on the trip.”
“Of course,” answered Mom as he squeezed her shoulder and headed toward the sink. “We all know how excited you are.” She turned to me. “Your father has been talking nonstop about the planet. I’m pretty sure he’s going to kiss the ground the moment he steps onto it.”
He laughed. “Maybe. If it’s everything they’re saying it is, I might strip and run through the woods like a wild dog being set free.”
“You’re so weird,” I said, now grinning despite my frustration. It was no use taking it out on them, I decided. It wouldn’t change anything and they were also at the mercy of the council members. I looked at my mom. “And please, if you see him do that, don’t tell me about it. I’ll never be able to sleep at night again.”
She chuckled. “Believe me, if he does that, I don’t think I want to know about it either.”
“Oh, you’ll know about it because you’ll be running right beside me,” he said, washing out his coffee cup. “Breathing in fresh, clean air. Heck, we might even be able to do some swimming. I heard that the water is so clean that you can almost see your feet, even when you’re chin-deep. ”
“Is it drinkable?” I asked, intrigued. I’d never been in a lake or river before, and from what I heard, the ocean was hundreds of miles away.
“Absolutely,” he said, grinning.
“Are there fish?” I asked, as he walked back to the table.
“Plenty, and many of them edible, they say. Can you imagine?” he said, looking at my mom, a wistful look on his face. “Cooking fresh fish? I can remember my mother frying some in a pan a few times, when we were little. I think it was salmon or trout.”
“How did your parents manage to get fish?” she asked. “Even back then it was terribly hard to come by.”
“My father knew someone, who knew someone. Once in a while, he’d bring us home some fillets after work.” He sighed. “It was incredible. So tender and delicious, the meat would just melt in your mouth. These days I wouldn’t touch a fish on this planet without steel gloves.”
“There are no fish anymore, period,” I said, sighing.
“Which is just one more reason to study this new planet and hope for the best,” said my mom. “I have a really good feeling about this trip, Paul,” she said, beaming up at him. “I think our findings are going to be conclusive with the other teams and we’ll finally get the miracle we’ve been hoping for.”
“I think you’re right. It’s why I don’t mind leaving earlier. I doubt I’ll even be able to sleep tonight,” he answered, sounding giddy again.
“Good. Maybe I won’t have to hear you snore,” she replied.
His face drooped. “Is it really that bad?”
“Only when it makes me move to the couch.”
“Why don’t you wake me when I’m snoring too loudly?”
“I’ve tried, but you fall right back asleep and start sawing wood again,” she said. “Listen, honey, don’t worry about it. I know you can’t help it.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “It must be my allergies again.”
“Maybe you’ll be able to breathe better on Planet Z?” said my mother.
He smiled. “I would imagine so. Well, I’ll be back in a jiffy. I’ll bring Jimmy home and give him the good news. I have a feeling he’s going to be even more excited than anyone.”
“He’s already packed most of his things,” she said. “So, he’s going to be thrilled when he hears the news.”
“A chip off the old block,” he replied.
She stood up as he left us alone in the kitchen. “I’m going downstairs to run on the treadmill. Do you want to join me?”
Normally, I enjoyed running. She and I were both kind of weird like that. Dad worked out too, but he forced himself to do it, grumbling the entire time.
“I’m hungry,” I said. “I’ll probably get my run in after I grab a bite to eat.”
She walked to the sink and scraped what was left on her plate into the garbage disposal. “Sounds good,” she said, turning on the water. “Don’t take too long. We have to pack.”
I frowned. “Yes, yes. I know.”
“Cheer up,” she said, smiling over at me. “It’s not like we’re leaving your friends forever. You’ll see them soon and they’re going to applaud you for finding them a much more desirable place to live.”
“Right. I can hear the app
lause already,” I replied dryly.
“No. They will. Believe me,” she said, grabbing a bottle of water. “This mission is a game-changer, sweetie. For all of us. And, you’re lucky enough to be involved with a plan to benefit all of our futures. Someday, your name will be in history books. And the new planet will provide us with the trees to create them.”
“Right,” I answered as she left the kitchen. I didn’t care if my name was going to be in history books. All I really wanted was to see it listed on the graduation roster before accepting my diploma, like everyone else in my class. Not only would I miss the graduation ceremony, I’d also miss all of the festivities that went along after it. From what I heard, it was one of the best nights in a graduate’s life. The school threw a huge party and went all out, even providing live entertainment. This year, we were supposed to have a real band, not just recorded music. Today, at school, my friend Becca had mentioned that she’d heard a rumor that Raven Blackwood, who had graduated two years before, was going to be the one singing. Raven Blackwood! Not only did he have an awesome voice, but he was totally hot. And I was going to miss his performance. It just didn’t seem fair.
Feeling more miserable than ever, I ate and then went into my room to see if there were any messages from Blayze on the tele-communicator. Not seeing anything, I decided to forget about him. He obviously had more demons to conquer and I didn’t have the time to get involved.
Chapter Five
U.S. Eagle
* * *
Ejournal Entry #3
“It’s me again, Eej.” I yawned. “It’s about seven-forty-five in the morning, and we’ve just boarded the ship, the U.S. Eagle. My brother and I are sharing quarters, which is kind of lame, but from what I’ve been told, there are nine other families staying on the ship with us, so we have no choice. Most of the others are part of the research team and the rest are crew members. Anyway, I don’t have much to say other than that I really wish I was back at home, asleep in my own bed…”
I paused as Jimmy walked into the room with my dad. His face was flushed and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Alex, I just got a tour of the ship. I even got to meet the captain. He said that we could check out the flight-deck later and he might let me push one of the buttons! Do you want to see the cafeteria? They have real bacon and eggs in the buffet line!”
“A buffet line, huh? That’s pretty cool,” I replied, turning off the Ejournal. I yawned again. “I’m tired. Maybe later.”
“Our quarters are right next to yours,” said Dad. “Let me know when you want to have a look around.”
“I can show her around, Dad,” said Jimmy.
“I don’t want either of you wandering around the ship by yourselves,” he replied.
“Why?” I asked. “It’s not like we’re going to get lost.”
The ship was close to seven hundred meters long and five hundred meters wide. Although it was impressively big, only a moron could get lost with all of the directories and personnel wandering around.
“That’s not the point. Some of the laboratories on the ship are off-limits, and I don’t want you getting into any trouble.”
“Why?” I said. “I thought all of the testing was going to be done on the planet.”
“Yes, but the lab equipment is very expensive. They don’t want anyone breaking anything or wandering off with something from one of the labs.”
“Dad, it will be fine,” replied my brother. “The labs are all locked up and there are warning signs all over the place. I just want to show her where the cafeteria is Oh, and the entertainment area.” He turned to me. “They have a movie room with a huge screen. We can watch almost any of the old movies that we want! Isn’t that cool?”
That sounded interesting. I hadn’t seen a movie in such a long time. In fact, they were no longer made. From what I understood, before the war, people were so obsessed with movies and what was on television, that they would plan activities around their favorite shows, sometimes even throwing parties. If they missed anything, they would tape the shows or rent videos, so as not to miss out on anything. Although some families still had viewed old movies or sitcoms from the earlier part of the century, my parents didn’t allow us to. They said that television made your mind weak and if we wanted to escape from reality for a couple of hours, that reading was our only option. I had to admit, the idea of seeing a movie was exciting. Reading was okay, but there was nothing like catching a glimpse of the past in a movie.
“Yeah, that is cool. We’ll have to check it out later.”
Dad looked around. “So, what do you think of your cabin?”
“It’s okay.” There wasn’t much to it. A metal bunk-bed, a desk with a chair, two chests, and a bathroom that Jimmy and I would have to share.
He sighed and looked at his watch. “We’re going to be leaving Earth in exactly forty minutes. I’m going to check on your mother and then we’ll find our seats for take-off in the Departure Station. I don’t want either of you leaving this room beforehand.”
“Awesome!” said Jimmy. “I can’t believe it. I’ve never left any planet before.”
I had once, I guess. It was when I was six. It had been a short mission, and the only thing I really remembered was getting sick to my stomach during the flight because I’d been so nervous. This time I wasn’t nervous, only depressed. My friends and I had said our ‘goodbyes’ last night over the tele-communicator, and by the time I was done contacting each of them, I’d been bawling my eyes out. Each one of them had been excited for me, but it didn’t change the fact that I still wanted nothing more than to stay and finish up the school year.
Dad smiled. “You’re going to love the take-off. It’s exhilarating. Isn’t it, pumpkin?”
He hadn’t called me that for so long, it made me smile. “Uh, I don’t know about exhilarating.”
His smile fell. “Oh, that’s right. You get motion sickness, don’t you?”
“Something like that. Mom gave me something to help, though. I suppose I’d better take it.”
“Yeah, you’d better. Okay, I’ll see you two soon,” he said, walking toward the doorway. “Make sure all your luggage is fastened down.”
“It already is,” said Jimmy, climbing above me to the top bunk. “We’re all set, I think.”
“Good. I’ll be back shortly,” he said, leaving us.
“So, the ship is great, huh?” I asked Jimmy, standing up.
“It’s awesome! I can’t wait until we lift off.”
“You’re not even a little bit nervous?”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “No. Are you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
He sighed and bit the side of his lip. “Actually, don’t say anything, but I’m a little freaked out, too.”
I bit back a smile. He’d been acting so courageous and matter-of-fact about the entire mission that it had seemed a little strange. Jimmy usually was timid about trying new things and this was something that over-shadowed every new thing he’d ever tried. “It’s okay. You’re supposed to be a little nervous. I’m sure Mom and Dad are even a little anxious about the mission.”
“No way. Not Dad. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
I smirked. “True. He was even singing this morning when he was shaving. I could hear him all the way down the hallway. Normally he’s complaining about the razor being too dull.”
“Do you remember much about the last mission?” he asked, resting his cheek against his hand.
I shoved the Ejournal into my suitcase and zipped it up. “Not really. Just bits and pieces. It obviously didn’t work out.”
“The planet was a dud?”
“I guess so. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be on our way to Planet Z, right?”
He nodded. “I guess. Why do they call it Planet Z? I keep forgetting to ask Dad.”
I walked over to one of the chests and opened the top drawer, just to see if there was anything inside. There was nothing but a sma
ll, black Bible. I closed the drawer and checked the ones underneath. Empty. “I’m thinking because it’s the last letter of the alphabet, it’s our last option.”
“What do you mean by last option?”
I sighed. “There is no other planet that comes close to the kind that we need to live on. This is it, basically.”
“So, if this planet doesn’t work, we’re all doomed?” he asked, looking more amused than frightened. Like most kids, Jimmy didn’t worry about the far-off future. Just tomorrow or next week.
“I’m not sure. You’ll have to ask our parents about it,” I said softly, suddenly feeling a little freaked out by the idea. Even though my parents felt pretty confident about the planet, the truth was, even they didn’t know for sure. It was one of the reasons we were on the mission.
The door opened and Dad stuck his head in. “Ready? We need to prepare for lift-off.”
Jimmy climbed down from the bunk-bed and we followed Dad out into the hallway, where our mother was also waiting.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her, noticing that her face was pale and her eyes were shiny.
She laughed. “Nothing. Just nerves.”
“You aren’t the only one with a weak stomach,” said Dad, putting his arm around her shoulders. “She got sick and we haven’t even left the ground yet.”
“You puked, Mom?” said Jimmy.
Yes. I’m feeling much better, though.”
“Good,” replied Dad, “because you’ll be in orbit for the next few days. You brought enough motion-sickness medicine?”
“I hope so,” she said.
As we began walking toward the Departure Station, other people joined us in the hallway.
“Hello, Mary. Paul,” said an older man dressed in a white lab uniform. He was bald with a gray goatee and a cast on his arm.
Jimmy and I moved aside so he could walk closer to our parents.
