The Perfect Moment in Peril

by Kenneth Preston

  He was already scrambling to his feet and reaching for Emily when he heard Elexa shout, “Strap yourselves in! We're going to attempt a water landing!”

  David looped his hands under Emily's arm and helped her to her feet. They stumbled back to their chairs and fastened the over the shoulder harnesses that, until this moment, they had not found necessary to use. They locked hands and looked into one another's eyes. Emily found fear in David's eyes. David found calm in hers. He wasn't surprised. She was strong―stronger than he was. In her eyes, he found his own strength and the knowledge that, if it was going to all end here and now, it was going to end with her by his side.

  Emily did everything in her increasingly limited power to feed him that strength. She was pleased as she watched the fear evaporate from his eyes and the smile of contentment curl his lips. She was thinking much the way she assumed he was thinking. If this was it, she was pleased he was by her side. But she was close to certain that it wouldn't end here and now, and that near certainty went a long way toward keeping her fear at bay.

  Neither of them looked forward. Neither of them wanted to see what was about to happen. Neither of them wanted to hear the chaos that surrounded them―the shouts, the alarm bells, the rattling hull, the raging storm outside―so they drowned it all out and focused on each other...until they couldn't.

  They were jerked violently forward against their restraints as the ship hit the water. The viewport was submerged in water before rising to the surface. The rain continued to batter the window. The lightning continued to flash. The thunder continued to roar.

  No time to panic, David. Wait until the Captain gives the order.

  Elexa rose from her chair and turned toward the crew strapped in at the back of the cockpit. “There's no need to panic. George built you a strong ship.” She gestured toward George. “Tell 'em.”

  George leaned forward against his harness. “I built you a strong ship,” he said meekly.

  David's nerves could have used a little more enthusiasm.

  Emily leaned toward David and whispered, “Pssh, where have we heard that before?”

  Despite the circumstances, David managed a smile.

  “This ship was built to stay afloat,” George added.

  “A strong ship that was built to stay afloat,” Emily remarked. “Gee, this is sounding more and more like a famous 20th Century seafaring disaster.”

  “Oh, Emily!” Deanna exclaimed. “You beat me to the punch. I just hope our story turns out a little better.”

  “This is a tropical climate,” Richard offered. “I don't think we'll be running into any icebergs anytime soon.”

  A wave lifted the ship at an angle. They braced themselves as their view from the cockpit rose above the horizon, angling toward the cloud covered sky. Like a steep roller coaster drop, the nose of the ship came crashing down, piercing the water before rising to the surface again. The ship rocked unsteadily on the rough waters, listing bow to stern, stern to bow.

  David felt his stomach rise into his throat. He took a deep breath in an effort to suppress the nausea. This space adventure was turning into a sea adventure, and he had never much liked the sea. He was fine with space. But the sea? Well, he had never been much of a swimmer.

  “Is anybody else starting to feel sick?” David asked.

  Deanna hesitated before raising her hand. “Now that you mention it.”

  “Deep breaths,” Elexa advised. “Try not to look out the window.”

  David furrowed his brow. “Where am I gonna look?”

  “And if you really have to throw up,” Elexa continued, “you know where the bathroom is.”

  “Deep breaths,” David said, inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth. “I'll be all right.”

  Deanna followed his lead, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth. “Me too.”

  “We're all gonna be all right,” Elexa assured the crew. “Provided we don't capsize.”

  “Oh, thank you for that,” Deanna responded sarcastically. “Our fearless leader and her words of encouragement. “What would we do without you?”

  Elexa grinned. “Just keeping you on your toes.”

  “The chances of this ship capsizing are remote,” George said, “and even if it does, it will quickly right itself. It was designed to stay afloat and to remain upright in the event of a water landing.”

  “You built us a strong ship,” Emily quipped.

  George smiled. “Exactly.”

  “Well, I hate to be the one to break up the party,” Elexa said, “but somebody has to address the elephant in the room. Where the hell did that storm come from?”

  “I'm not a meteorologist,” George volunteered, “but the condition of this planet suggests some kind of natural catastrophe. My guess would be that the planet experienced a long and steady period of rising temperatures, similar to what was predicted for Earth in the 20th and 21st Centuries.”

  “But the storm,” Elexa said, “that ridiculously violent storm. It came out of nowhere. One minute it's perfectly clear. The next minute, we're being attacked by rain, wind, lightning.”

  As if illustrating her point, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky―illuminating the rough and tumbling waters―followed seconds later by a clap of thunder.

  “Climate change of this magnitude is going to result in erratic weather patterns,” Richard said. “As quickly as this storm hit us, we can expect it die down pretty soon.”

  David was relieved to hear that. He wasn't sure how much more his stomach could handle. He acknowledged that it may have been a case of wishful thinking, but he believed that the storm was already beginning to make its way out.

  "But as quickly as this storm leaves us, we can expect another one to hit us at any time," Emily offered. "I know you said that this ship was built to stay afloat and to remain upright, but how much can this ship really take? That storm disabled this ship and threw us into the water like a kid playing with his favorite toy in the bathtub. How many storms of that magnitude can this ship handle out here? I apologize for yet another Titanic reference, but how long before the unsinkable ship sinks?"

  David added, “And even if we do manage to stay afloat, it will be difficult to repair the ship out here, stranded in these waters, waiting for the next storm to rear its ugly head.”

  David hated playing the pessimist. When he was being completely honest with himself, he was forced to acknowledge that he was a pessimist. Whether or not he gave voice to that pessimism, he couldn't help but put a negative slant on any given situation. He hated that about himself. Hated it so much that he fought to cover it up. Fought to put on an optimistic face. He didn't want to be a Debbie Downer. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer. But in the situation he and his comrades found themselves in― stranded at sea on a strange planet in the throes of a cataclysmic planet-altering event―it was difficult to wear that optimistic mask, especially when he was surrounded by people who shared his pessimistic view of the situation. It was a permission slip to give voice to his pessimism.

  “I already know what the problem is,” George said defensively. “It's electrical. I'll have this ship up and running in no time.” He paused a moment before adding, “Well, that's not exactly true. It will take a little time. But no time in the grand scheme of things.”

  “So what is our grand scheme going to be?” Elexa asked. “We're down, but we're not out. The shuttles are working, aren't they?”

  George nodded. “The shuttles should be working. They're not connected to the ship's systems. They're basically tucked into the sides of the ship.”

  “Well, I'm open to suggestions,” Elexa said. “We have two shuttles, and it just so happens that there are two land masses. We can stay here with George and wait until we're all fixed up and travel together as one big happy family, or we can take the shuttles, split into two groups and do some exploring.”

  David's pessimism took a much-needed break when George told the crew that he would have the sh
ip up and running, but Elexa's suggestion to split up and leave the relative safety of Encounter brought his pessimism back with a vengeance.

  “I'm not sure that's a good idea,” David said meekly. He could have smacked himself right then and there. He sounded like a wimp, and he didn't want to be perceived as a wimp, especially by the woman he loved. He wished he could be more like her. She was anything but a wimp.

  He looked at her. Her expression was calm and resolute. He had to save face. He couldn't let her believe he was a wimp.

  “I mean, sure we can cover more ground that way, but I assume we'd be leaving George here alone. Is that a good idea?”

  Nice save, David. You may just squeak out of this one yet.

  “I have to concur,” said Richard. “Yes, the storm is moving out, but another one may be on top of us soon.”

  Thanks for the backup, Richard.

  George said, "And...what difference would it make if we're all packed in this ship when the next storm hits? There's no safety in numbers here. Either this ship is destroyed by the storm of the century, or it isn't. Unless one of you is Storm from The X-Men, there isn't much that any of us can do to stop it. I have to get this ship up and running, and that's going to happen whether or not you're all hanging over me. We came here for a reason, and it wasn't for a pleasure cruise. We have a mission to accomplish, so we may as well kill two birds with one stone.”

  Screw you, George. God, I'm such a wimp. Man up, David. Man up.

  “I'd prefer to stay here with George,” Richard objected.

  “I'd prefer that you didn't,” Elexa countered. “If that's what you both want, I'll respect your wishes, but it isn't necessary. We're going into potentially hostile territory.”

  Potentially hostile?

  “We're going to need as many boots on the ground as possible,” Elexa continued. “As George pointed out, there's no safety in numbers in here, but there's safety in numbers out there. We need you out there, Richard.”

  Richard looked at George.

  “I'll be fine,” George reassured him.

  Richard gave his husband a faint smile and looked at Elexa. “All right.”

  “Are we agreed then?” Elexa asked.

  David watched the others nod their assent before reluctantly nodding himself.

  Elexa said, “All right. Richard, Deanna and myself will take the eastern land mass. Emily and David will take the western land mass.”

  “Do we have to keep calling them land masses?” Deanna asked.

  “Do you have a better suggestion?” Elexa humored her.

  Deanna shrugged. "Beach? I mean these land masses are laden with beachfront property. They are beachfront property. We can make a fortune."

  Elexa grinned and rolled her eyes. “Stick to the outer edges of the land masses. At least initially. Play it by ear. Keep your eyes peeled. Stay on your toes. Let's keep the lines of communication open.”

  “If we encounter hostiles?” Emily inquired.

  “Run,” Elexa said bluntly. “That raises a good point. We'll keep the shuttles prepped and ready to go at a moment's notice.”

  Richard sighed. “I really don't like this.”

  Neither do I, Richard.

  Chapter 19

  Emily was the adventurous type. She always had been. Corporeal, non-corporeal or something in between didn't change the fact that she loved a good adventure. Of course, life had been one perpetual adventure since she first became aware in the 22nd Century, but her long adventure was periodically punctuated with moments of extreme adventure.

  Such was the case as she embarked on her next extreme adventure with David by her side. Like David, she had no idea what she was getting herself into as the two them boarded their shuttle on Encounter's starboard side. Unlike David, she relished the fact that she had no idea what she was getting herself into.

  She felt for David. Of course, she loved him. But she also felt for him. He was frightened. That much was certain. She didn't need to be a mind reader to see the fear written all over his face. She could only assume that that fear came with a fair amount of insecurity. He was the man. Despite the fact that he was a liberally minded man who truly believed―or at least wanted to believe―in gender equality, he still had a trace of that primal male ego. He was frightened, but he couldn't let the love of his life know that he was frightened. He had to man up. Put on a brave face. But he felt emasculated by the fact that the love of his life was showing no trace of fear as they embarked on their next extreme adventure together. At least, she assumed he felt emasculated. She wasn't a mind reader, after all.

  Perhaps she should have been frightened. They were flying off into an unpredictable and potentially hostile situation. Fear is a safety mechanism. Used appropriately, it can save lives. But she just couldn't find it in herself to be afraid. Not anymore. There was no room for fear. Not in her non-corporeal form. Not in her re-emerging corporeal form. Perhaps it was reckless. Perhaps this lack of fear would eventually catch up with her now that her physical form was re-establishing itself. Once the physical form was destroyed, that was it. It couldn't be re-absorbed into her consciousness. She would cease to be. She didn't know if there was a world for her beyond this dimension, the afterlife that had been pondered since humanity's inception. She supposed mortality should have instilled her with fear, but it didn't. She had too much living to do, and she enjoyed the danger.

  David took the pilot's seat on the left. It had never been discussed who would do the flying. He had assumed she couldn't fly. Of course, due to her own experience of piloting Encounter into Eden coupled with the extensive knowledge of Earthly activities granted to her after rejoining the Great Community, she had been given all the flying experience she would ever need. She considered bringing this to his attention but thought better of it. He was having a bit of an identity crisis. His male ego was taking a bruising. Besides, what would be the point? Pointing out that she was every bit as capable―or more capable―of flying the shuttle as he was would only serve to stroke her own fiercely independent feminine ego while delivering another blow to his struggling male ego. He didn't need that. He was doing a fine job of beating himself up.

  David looked over his shoulder at her. “Everything all right?”

  I might ask the same of you. She could think it, but she wasn't ready to say it. Instead, she smiled the most authentic smile she could muster and said, “Fine and dandy. Are we about ready?”

  “Sure are. Just as soon as you strap yourself in.”

  “Oh, right.”

  She took the navigator's seat on the right, not that there was much to navigate. David would simply be eyeballing his way to the darkening land mass in the distance.

  The storm had completely subsided, and the clouds had parted to let in the last rays of the setting sun. The land mass was just over two miles away. The trip would only take a few minutes, and they would be arriving under the cover of darkness. That had its benefits and its drawbacks. Arriving at the edge of the land mass under the cover of darkness afforded them the potential of sneaking in unnoticed, assuming, of course, that there was life on that glorified mound of dirt sticking out of the ocean. However, the cover of darkness afforded potentially hostile life forms the luxury of lurking in the darkness. They would have the home court advantage to boot. That's what the map encoded in the DNA was really all about. Those mischievous life forms were just looking for a little fun. It was a sport for them. They were hunters like those aliens in the Predator movies. The six-member crew of Encounter was the game, being drawn into the hunting grounds under the cover of darkness where those vile creatures with their claws, horns and bug eyes were waiting for just the right opportunity to leap out of the shadows and tear them to shreds.

  Emily smiled at the thought and bit her lip to keep from chuckling as she strapped on her over the shoulder harness. She supposed that David wasn't capable of such musings. Perhaps if he were, they would be far more vulnerable than they already were. Fear is a safety mechan
ism, after all. It keeps you on your toes. Hopefully, David was harboring enough fear for the both of them.

  She looked at David to find him studying her expression. His brow was furrowed. Evidently, her smile had piqued his curiosity. She did her best to force the corners of her mouth down.

  “Well, aren't you the happy camper,” he remarked.

  With the cat out of the bag, she allowed the smile to curl her lips. She reached across the small gap and took his hand.

  “I'm just happy we're doing this together,” she said evasively.

  Of course, she was happy that they were embarking on their next extreme adventure together, but he didn't need to know that that wasn't the cause of her ill-timed amusement.

  He was afraid. That much was obvious. He may have been insecure about that fear. But Emily knew that he was no coward. Despite his fear, he was galloping off into an unpredictable situation, and he was more than likely doing it for her, to keep her safe. That was pretty darn courageous as far as she was concerned.

  A satisfied smile curled David's lips. “Let's do this,” he said confidently.

  Emily winked at him. That's my man.

  David turned to the shuttle's controls with newborn determination. Running his fingers over the touchscreen, the box-shaped shuttle hummed to life. The docking bay's door slid open, and the shuttle glided out into the darkening night, its belly briefly skimming the water before rising.

  Emily took one last look at Encounter through the shuttle's rear window before turning her attention to David. He hadn't bothered to look back. He could have. His eyes weren't glued to the horizon. Once in the air, those shuttles practically flew themselves. He hadn't bothered to look back, because he was focused on the mission ahead, and he appeared to be enthusiastic about it. There was a twinkle in his eye and a hint of a smile on his lips. He seemed positively giddy about flying into the unknown. And all it took was the love of a beautiful woman to turn him around.

  Yes, she acknowledged it...once again. She was beautiful, physically beautiful, scar and all. She reached up and stroked the now genuine scar. It was no longer a facade. Her physicality was real. Her scar felt real as it never could have in her non-corporeal state, and she loved it.