Planetfall

By Paul M. Carhart

While on a routine orbital mission, Captain Raymond Greye and the crew of the spaceship Endeavor pass through what appears to be a temporal anomaly.

On the other side, Endeavor’s crew discovers a strange world in the place of the earth they had once known. It is a world that none of them could have ever imagined: A prehistoric earth inhabited by dinosaurs, huge mammalian beasts, flying creatures and, much to Greye’s surprise, ten foot-tall human natives who don’t seem to have a word for “death” in their vocabulary. All seems idyllic in this Eden, but what contamination has Endeavor’s crew brought with them? Can they ever find their way back home? And what of the sinister evil that lurks in the wilderness beyond?

Now the crew finds themselves on a trajectory into the unknown that will not only change their lives forever but will also reshape a world for all eternity. That is, unless Greye can somehow set things right.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul M. Carhart
• Release date: Nov 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311944887

Paul M. Carhart

Paul M. Carhart is an award-winning Art Director in print, Internet and new media. He has produced interactive creative for Audi, Nissan/Infiniti, Toshiba and Focus on the Family and was the host of the UCCS web radio show, The Creative Underground. He often speaks on creativity, writing and design and his articles have appeared online and in local and national print publications. In addition to the Fairlight series of science fiction novels that include Chance for the Future, Hope for Tomorrow and Faith in the Past, Carhart is also the author of One of the Girls (the first in the PsyChickTM series of Young Adult superhero novels), A Stranger on Bay Street (the first in his new Worlds Collide series) and Zooming Thru Life, a nonfiction guide to the on-the-go lifestyle. He is currently halfway through the next Worlds Collide novel, A Stranger at the Gallows. And hopes to return to the Fairlight series after that. Stay up-to-date: www.paulcarhart.com.After a short time in Colorado, Paul and his wife Lori returned to Long Beach, California where they both grew up. The two of them were the driving force behind Launch Pad, a band that played the local Long Beach music scene as well as many charity functions.In Febuary 2014, four days before her birthday, Lori passed away, the results of a devastating stroke. Her death put Planetfall and subsequent books roughly a year behind schedule.Paul has continued their music in a new band, Third World Sun, made up of former Launch Pad members. They play frequently in the downtown Long Beach music scene and their first independently-produced CD will be available in December, 2015.Paul has one daughter, Melody, who is Third World Sun’s primary photographer.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Book One: Plunge Into Eden

Chapter 1: Anomaly

Chapter 2: Breakthrough

Chapter 3: Crashdown

Chapter 4: It’s What’s For Dinner

Chapter 5: Elyse

Chapter 6: Ready And Abel

Chapter 7: Desperate Measures

Chapter 8: The Journey

Chapter 9: The Stench Of Death

Chapter 10: The Politics Of Eden

Chapter 11: Raising Cain

Chapter 12: Dissension

Chapter 13: Escape

Chapter 14: Innocence Lost

Chapter 15: Troubled Water

Chapter 16: Parting Ways

Chapter 17: Rendezvous With Judas

Chapter 18: Return To Eden

Chapter 19: Conference With The King

Chapter 20: Higher Counsel

Chapter 21: The Isoscelles Problem

Chapter 22: Snow Job

Chapter 23: Interception

Chapter 24: Pendulum

Chapter 25: End Of The Line

Chapter 26: It Comes To This

Chapter 27: Through The Cracks

Chapter 28: Message In A Bottle

Epilogue: The Serpent King

Book Two: The Serpent King

Chapter 1: Stranded

Chapter 2: Banished

Chapter 3: The King’s Request

Chapter 4: A Mother’s Love

Chapter 5: The Hunt Resumes

Chapter 6: The Wilderness

Chapter 7: Rahil

Chapter 8: Suspicious Minds

Chapter 9: The Other Shoe

Chapter 10: Double Cross

Chapter 11: Betrayal

Chapter 12: Let’s Make A Deal

Chapter 13: Enemy Of My Enemy

Chapter 14: Clash Of The Kings

Chapter 15: Alliance

Chapter 16: Trust Issues

Chapter 17: Breaking Bread

Chapter 18: Eureka!

Chapter 19: Delivery

Chapter 20: Sorrow

Chapter 21: Condemned

Chapter 22: Followers And Leaders

Chapter 23: Incursion

Chapter 24: Fight For Home

Chapter 25: Blinded By Science

Chapter 26: The Rally Cry

Chapter 27: The New King

Chapter 28: Promise

Book Three: The Wilderness Beyond

Chapter 1: On The Hunt

Chapter 2: The Visitor

Chapter 3: Running On Empty

Chapter 4: Overpowered

Chapter 5: Recovery

Chapter 6: Massacre At Wallaceton

Chapter 7: Assemble The Cavalry

Chapter 8: Striking Out

Chapter 9: The Gospel Of Joshua

Chapter 10: The Lonely Road

Chapter 11: Swarm

Chapter 12: Connections

Chapter 13: Reinforcements

Chapter 14: Mistakes

Chapter 15: Eden Ablaze

Chapter 16: Rodeo Star

Chapter 17: Insurrection

Chapter 18: Vengeance Delayed

Chapter 19: Captive Audience

Chapter 20: Comrades To The End

Chapter 21: Beauty Despoiled

Chapter 22: The Serpent’s Role

Chapter 23: Sacrifice

Chapter 24: The Pilot’s Chair

Chapter 25: Out On A Limb

Chapter 26: Wrestling With The Enemy

Chapter 27: Fallen Angel

Chapter 28: Long Live The King

Excerpt from A Stranger On Bay Street

About the author

Book One

Plunge Into Eden

Chapter One

Anomaly

The Earthship Endeavor, a white sliver of a spacecraft, roughly wedge-shaped in design, hung as if from a mobile against a black curtain, pinpricked with stars. Below drifted the night side of Earth.

From the pilot’s seat in the control cabin, Captain Raymond Greye watched the twinkling lights of Paris as the earth slowly turned.

How’re things down there? asked Erich Trennen, Endeavor’s co-pilot, as he strapped himself into the seat next to Greye.

Dunno about down there, Greye replied. Things are fine up here though. How was your sleep cycle?

No complaints, Cap’n. Although my bunk was a bit on the lonely side, if you know what I mean.

Greye chuckled and nodded. Space missions were always lonely. Especially when you had to leave your loved ones behind.

The hatch slid open to drop another presence into their conversation. Melinda Hamilton, Mission Director for Krystal Corp., stumbled into the cabin and promptly dropped her computer tablet. Since there was very little gravity, the tablet merely listed to the side, floating in mid-air.

Greye swiveled his chair around and scooped the tablet up. He held it out to her.

Miss Hamilton’s well-manicured hand took the tablet and, with a sly curl of her lip, gave Greye half a smile. Greye only half-wondered at the quip that she chose to supress. But then his attention snapped back to where it belonged.

Welcome to the control cabin, Lindy, Trennen said. We were just talkin’ about you.

You were? she asked.

Greye shook his head. Let it drop, Miss Hamilton. Anything else he might say would probably require H.R. involvement.

Melinda glared down at Trennen with hands on hips. Erich, I’m surprised.

Well, Trennen looked her over, you shouldn’t be. Then, under his breath, he muttered, Not with a body like yours.

Melinda’s perfectly sculpted face was stretched into a look of shock but Greye wasn’t really buying it. It was true that Melinda Hamilton was as pretty as they came. When she wasn’t in the required orbital spacesuit, she usually sported a short skirt and heels that one could roast a hot dog on. Earth-side, she was all business and she had a well-earned reputation for getting what she wanted. Greye also knew his co-pilot would never say something in front of her that he didn’t think he could get away with. The witty repartee, Greye suspected, ran in both directions.

Five years earlier, and outside of a professional relationship, Melinda Hamilton would have been just Greye’s type. Sexy, tough and whip-smart.

Before Elyse…

Anxious to get to his own sleep cycle, Greye unbuckled his restraint and stood.

My turn now, Erich, Greye remarked. Miss Hamilton, if you don’t mind?

Melinda stepped aside so Greye could slip past. He had just activated the hatch release when the ship shook violently, knocking Melinda to the floor. Greye held on to the bulkhead and kept his feet.

What was that? he asked.

Dunno, Trennen’s harried voice replied. Checking now.

Greye picked Melinda up under her arms and pulled her to her feet. Then he plopped her down in an observation chair just behind the pilot’s seat. A second later, he was strapped back into his usual spot behind the steering yolk.

Never mind, he grunted. Just keep our orbit stable. He flipped a switch. Devor, what’s going on?

Captain Greye, a thin, obviously synthesized, voice purred, I’m pleased to hear your voice. I would have assumed you would be well into your sleep cycle by now.

That might have been the case, if the ship hadn’t just been rattled. Report, please.

Running diagnostics.

It always says that, Trennen remarked to Melinda.

Greye knew very well what Devor always did. Over the past ten years, Greye had captained seventeen orbital space missions. All of them commanding Endeavor. He had been Endeavor’s first captain and he really couldn’t imagine anyone else at the helm. Even though he had promised Elyse he would retire.

Retire.

There was such finality to that word.

It wasn’t as if he was an old man, after all. He had only just turned forty.

Captain, Devor announced, the disruption seems to have emanated from Doctor Wallace’s laboratory. My sensors are not tied into his equipment. I suggest you speak to him about the likely cause.

Fine, Greye replied.

Opening a line to Lab One now, Trennen announced.

Russ, what’s going on back there? Greye inquired.

Oh, it’s nothing, Captain, Dr. Russell Wallace replied. Just a minor unexpected reaction. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Unexpected reaction? Greye asked.

Well, yes. I did not expect the reaction. Therefore it was unexpected.

Greye had known Wallace a long time. He didn’t like it when the good doctor played semantics. Usually, he was beating around the bush.

Greye turned to face Melinda, who shrugged wide-eyed.

You’re not planning on telling me more. Are you, Russ?

If I were, R.C., I would have.

Listen, that reaction shook my ship pretty hard, Doctor. I would appreciate it if, in the future, you could make a better effort to anticipate such reactions before they occur and appraise me of the situation in advance.

Captain, the word ‘unexpected’ means…

Thank you. Greye snapped off the channel.

Don’t be too hard on him, Melinda said. These experiments are very important to Krystal Corp. He’s just trying to...

I understand that. But they are not more important than the safety of this ship and those aboard.

Melinda nodded. You’re right, Captain. Would you like me to have Doctor Wallace shut the experiments down?

Greye thought for a moment. These experiments were the only reason they were there. If he exerted too much control, he would probably find himself earth-side. Maybe permanently. But then, his retirement was imminent anyway.

Still, they were there for a reason. Failed experiments meant failed missions. Greye didn’t want to be saddled with that kind of a record. And until he retired, he was the captain. It was his call to make.

If they are a danger to this ship, then the experiments should indeed be shut down, Miss Hamilton.

I guess we need to come to an agreement then, as to whether or not there is a real danger.

Again, the ship shook. This time, Greye was positioned to learn more. Devor, Report. What’s happening?

Captain, readings from Laboratory One indicate that Doctor Wallace has been running an experiment that is not part of his documented agenda.

Again, Greye looked to Melinda for some help. Look, whatever else he’s doing, she said, he didn’t inform me of it. These experiments were all approved as safe.

I can’t abide doctors and their hidden agendas, Greye huffed. Erich, keep us stable.

The ship rumbled and shook some more.

I’m doin’ my best, Cap’n! One of our aft thrusters is firing intermittently though.

Greye knew that Erich Trennen, a former hotshot Navy pilot, was the best he could have asked for in the cockpit. If anyone could keep them stable, it was Erich. Greye again opened a com line to Lab One.

Russ, what are you doing back there?

Captain, I’m attempting to shut down my experiment. But, unfortunately, it’s giving me a bit of trouble.

What do you need?

Some help to lock it down might be nice.

Acknowledged. I’ll send someone back as soon as I can. He snapped off the channel just as he was hit with a wave of dizziness.

Cap’n, we’re breaking orbit!

Greye sank into the pilot’s seat. Not on my watch. He put both hands on the yolk. Erich, release control to me.

Relief laced Trennen’s voice. All yours, Cap’n.

Greye locked his arms out before him, grasping the yolk tightly with his fingers.

That’s when Endeavor was hit by a wave that knocked it end over end.

The lack of gravity aboard actually worked in the crew’s favor as they watched the earth spin out of view.

Greye held the yolk straight, keeping the ship steady as it was tossed about, doing his best to keep the ship within earth’s orbit.

Cap’n, what the devil was that? Trennen asked.

But Greye was too busy to look. Devor, he ordered, record.

Acknowledged, Captain, the computer voice said. Recording on all sensors.

What are we seeing? Greye asked.

Captain, it appears that an anomaly unlike anything ever encountered has formed between us and Earth.

Trennen continued the annoying habit of commenting on what he was seeing. Cap’n, we’re being pulled toward that whatever-it-is!

Greye wasn’t certain he could take the ship around the anomaly without being pulled into it. Certainly they would have to leave orbit to do so.

Devor, best guess. What are we encountering?

The anomaly possesses many traits commonly associated with temporal portals that have been theorized by earth scientists over the years. However, no one has ever witnessed one firsthand so I cannot say for certain that this is indeed such an anomaly.

Temporal? Melinda asked. As in time displacement?

Greye thought hard. In all of his time in space, he’d never encountered such a thing.

Why? he breathed.

Say what? Trennen asked.

Why this? And why now? Devor, best guess as to what is causing the anomaly.

"Whatever it is, Captain, you might want to do something. Melinda suggested. We are, after all, being pulled toward it."

Greye spun on Melinda. The projects for Krystal Corp. are yours to run as you wish. But the ship and crew are my domains, Miss Hamilton. I encourage you to remember that.

I’m sorry. Melinda nodded. I didn’t mean…

Captain Greye, Devor injected, indications are that it is possible that the anomaly is directly linked to one of Doctor Wallace’s experiments.

Which might explain why we’re being pulled toward it, Trennen finished.

Greye snapped the intercom back on. Russ, shut down your experiments. All of them!

What? Why? Miss Hamilton has not instructed me to…

Melinda smirked at Greye. She didn’t have to say it but he heard it nevertheless. Remember, Krystal Corp.’s experiments are my domain, Captain.

Instead, she addressed the scientist. Doctor Wallace, please discontinue your experiments immediately. The safety of the ship is at stake and the captain is within his rights to temporarily discontinue your work.

Really? Wallace sounded surprised. Safety’s compromised? In what way?

Just do it, Greye ordered before snapping off the connection.

Still they were being pulled toward the anomaly.

Erich, order Tyler to the lab Douglas too, if needed. I want that experiment scrapped.

Aye, Cap’n. Trennen reached for the intercom.

Greye assessed their position. In order to skirt the anomaly, he would have to break orbit. He did not like doing that with only thrusters to return to position, especially now with a possibly faulty thruster. But that seemed to be his only choice. Unless…

Devor, what is the level of danger that the anomaly presents?

Unknown, Captain. Further analysis is required.

Please do so.

What are you thinking? Trennen asked, his hands flexing on his own steering yolk. We’ve got to break orbit, Cap’n. There isn’t another choice.

Captain, Devor replied, the anomaly does not seem to pose any physical threat to the ship or passengers.

Greye bit his lip and nodded to himself.

What if it was nothing? A mirage…

What? Trennen asked again. No. You’re not serious. You can’t…

What’s he going to do? Melinda asked.

But no one answered her.

Greye double-checked his restraints and got a stranglehold on the steering yolk. Slowly, he angled Endeavor so its trajectory would connect the ship with the anomaly nose-first.

If we’re going in, it might as well be on our terms, Greye muttered.

But Devor said it was a temporal anomaly, Melinda remarked. What will that do to us?

The hatch slid open and Doctor Wallace poked his head in. What’s going on up here? Did I hear someone say ‘temporal?’ Fascinating!

Not now, Doc, Trennen cried. Did you shut down your experiments?

Wallace nodded as he glared out the cockpit window. I take it shutting them down didn’t resolve the situation. I say, are you actually heading straight into it, R.C.?

Greye, who had never really taken to Wallace’s intials-based nickname for him, pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded as Endeavor’s nose started bobbing up and down.

Doctor, Melinda said, taking control of the situation, please take a seat and strap in securely.

As if nodding in agreement, Endeavor bucked violently.

Greye was losing his patience. All of this shaking couldn’t be good for his ship. Trennen, I want all thrusters pointed aft.

You’re not going to…

Please don’t question my orders.

Trennen nodded and worked the requisite controls. As ordered, Cap’n.

Good, Greye remarked through clenched teeth. Then hang on. This is going to be a bumpy ride.

Greye reached out and gunned all of Endeavor’s thrusters in one burst.

The ship lurched forward and, still shaking violently, plunged straight into the anomaly.

Chapter Two

Breakthrough

Melinda clutched the armrests of her chair as she spun upside down.

Of course, there wasn’t really any up or down in space. The ship’s meager gravity had gone out so she suspected the ship was attempting to compensate for encountering some drastic forces.

Then the viewport went completely white. For a moment, the others in the control cabin became non-distinct… as if they were all inside an overexposed photograph.

A second later, the viewport adjusted for the intensity, dimming down to complete opaqueness.

Bring back the view! Greye ordered.

I’m sorry, Captain, Devor replied. We are encountering conditions that are unsafe for human eyes. Safety overrides have kicked in.

I don’t care. If I’m gonna fly, I’ve gotta see.

Endeavor lurched. Gravity, slight as it was, returned to normal.

Slowly, the viewport normalized, revealing their orbital position.

Endeavor was drifting listlessly, apparently still in orbit. But its power was flickering.

Reserve power, Greye ordered.

Trennen was already on it. The cabin lighting stabilized but was still dimmer than it had been before they had encountered the anomaly.

By God, Doctor Wallace breathed, I don’t believe it.

At first, Melinda hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. She was merely glad to be safe and sound, although rattled by their adventure. But Erich was now gazing out at what the doctor had noticed.

Where in creation are we? Trennen asked.

Melinda peered out of the viewport at what was beyond.

The planet earth that they all had seen from orbit countless times had been replaced by something else. A different planet altogether, it seemed. There were no visible lights on the dark side. As they came around toward the bright side, they could see that this planet was enveloped in a translucent sphere. Through the sphere, they could just make out the blurry outlines of continents. Or rather, one single super-continent.

Devor, Greye’s voice broke through the silence and gasps, What are we looking at?

Based on your orientation in the control cabin, you seem to be gazing at a planet, Captain.

Greye rolled his eyes, wondering, not for the first time, if Doctor Wallace had been involved in the programming of the ship’s A.I.

Is it time to wipe that computer’s memory? Doctor Wallace asked. I think he’s developed a sarcastic glitch.

Let me re-phrase, Greye said. Devor, where are we?

And don’t say, ‘in the control cabin,’ Erich added.

They were interrupted by another com line, Captain, Technician Douglas here. We’ve sustained some pretty extensive damage to the power system.

Acknowledged, Douglas. How long to repair?

Captain, I’m not an engineer. I’d have to go extravehicular in order to even wager a guess.

Greye pressed his lips together and muted the channel. Last thing I want is one of us outside when we still don’t know where we are, he muttered. He glanced around the control cabin. Any ideas?

Can we set down somewhere? Melinda asked. She had no idea how much damage they had sustained, but it made sense to her that repairs to the ship should be accomplished while the ship was stationary, if possible.

She got a couple strange glances for her contribution but she didn’t apologize for it.

Greye nodded. Let’s see. He snapped the com channel back on, Douglas, do you think we can make planet-side?

Douglas exhaled over the speaker. Dunno, Captain. Maybe as long as reserve power hasn’t been compromised.

It hasn’t, Trennen announced.

Douglas sighed. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t recommend it, Captain. But it’s probably a better idea than trying to make the repairs out there.

Understood. He killed the channel.

So let me get this straight, Doctor Wallace remarked, You don’t want one of us out there but you’re going to take us planet-side? Deeper into what we don’t know? We don’t even know where we are.

Greye nodded. Devor, please continue our previous conversation. Where exactly are we?

We are in orbit of the planet Earth, Captain, Devor replied.

Impossible! Wallace exclaimed. Look at it!

No way, Trennen gasped. Melinda let out a similar grunt of disbelief.

Greye held up his hands. Okay. Hold on! The crew became silent. Devor, please clarify. Why do you believe we’re still orbiting earth?

Captain, computers do not follow belief systems. The reason I can unequivocally state that we continue to orbit earth is because the stars are precisely where they should be in relation to our position. We have not changed location since prior to passing through the anomaly.

Greye nodded. There you have it, Russ. Perfectly logical. If we were anywhere else, the stars would be different.

Perhaps, Doctor Wallace grunted. But this planet isn’t Earth.

At least it’s not the earth we know and love, Trennen added.

We passed through the anomaly. Correct? Melinda asked.

Greye nodded.

She continued. So it would seem to follow that something would have happened to us, rather than to the planet. Correct?

Like maybe our perception has been altered? Trennen speculated. Or we’re in some kind of shared dream?

Unless, Doctor Wallace surmised, we have indeed traveled elsewhere and, as a result of passing through said anomaly, we have fried the circuits on our good AI computer.

Greye nodded. A possibility, I’ll admit. Devor, please run a complete diagnostic.

Acknowledged, Captain. Running on emergency power and assuming the power rate is constant and that I am not continuously interrupted, the diagnostic will take two point one four hours to complete.

Understood. The sooner you start, the sooner we’ll know whether we can trust your data. He glanced around. In the meantime, I think we’d better get Technician Douglas started.

What? Wallace huffed. We’re still going in?"

Reserve power won’t last forever. Greye took the steering yolk with both hands. Lieutenant, please plot our entry vector.

Trennen nodded and worked his station controls.

Melinda wasn’t sure they should land their ship on a strange planet, but she didn’t have any other solutions to offer. Besides, setting down had been her idea. She decided not to say more.

What about that spherical shell? Doctor Wallace asked. Surely you’re not going to just bust through it.

Greye consulted a small monochrome monitor. Melinda suspected that he normally would have had Devor gather information for him but since Devor was in diagnostics mode, Greye didn’t want to interrupt him. The captain looked up.

The shell seems to be made of ice and vapor. Good old H2O. It’s not even very thick.

You intend to ram, Doctor Wallace accused. Wouldn’t that put your precious ship, not to mention our lives, in grave peril?

On the contrary, my good doctor, I intend nothing of the sort. Erich, focus the mining laser directly ahead. I want to fire continuously as we start our approach. By the time we reach the shell, we should have melted our way through it.

Acknowledged, Cap’n.

Greye rolled his shoulders and settled into his seat. Now let’s go repair our ship.

Vector plotted, Cap’n, Trennen announced.

Thanks, Erich. Take Second Position, please.

Acknowledged.

Melinda strapped herself into the seat behind Greye. She watched as he expertly worked Endeavor’s controls. He was certainly good at what he did, she realized. Even if he was as bull-headed as he was confident.

Fire laser now, Greye ordered.

Acknowledged, Cap’n.

The beam stretched out before them, penetrating the planet’s shell. The hole was small but immediately radiated outward as exposure to the laser melted the ice.

Cap’n? Trennen ventured, his voice trembling some. Cap’n, our laser is not at full power.

Greye sighed, I was afraid of that. Reserve power isn’t enough to both bring us in and fire the laser at full strength.

What do we do? Melinda asked.

Stay calm, Greye ordered. Erich, divert all reserve power to the laser.

Understood, Cap’n.

Devor, please cease your diagnostic test and go into sleep mode. I need all the power I can get.

Acknowledged, Captain, Devor droned.

Still not gonna be enough, Cap’n.

We’re getting closer, Doctor Wallace observed. Is that laser going to do the job or isn’t it?

Greye set his jaw and narrowed his eyes. Switching over to main power, he breathed, barely audibly.

What? Trennen asked.

Just mind that laser, Lieutenant, Greye ordered.

Aye, Cap’n, Trennen replied.

Greye flipped some switches and the cabin lights came up and then flickered.

What’s going on up there? Technician Douglas asked through a newly opened com channel. I thought I’d made myself clear. We can’t run main power right now.

Don’t worry about it, Douglas, Greye remarked. Just man your station and we’ll be though this in no time.

Through what?

Greye flipped off the com. I’ll take that power too, he muttered. Erich, divert everything to that laser.

Even maneuvering thrusters?

Everything.

Greye had already set Endeavor on a collision course with the point on the planet’s shell where the beam was making contact. Either the way would be clear when they reached it or it wouldn’t. No amount of fancy maneuvering could help them now.

As they came closer, Melinda found herself clutching the arms of her chair, knuckles white. A quick glance over at Doctor Wallace and she found that he too was similarly paralyzed.

As the translucent planetary shell grew larger through the viewport, Melinda held her breath.

The beam power has increased, Trennen announced.

Greye only nodded.

But it’s too late, Doctor Wallace breathed.

Afraid so, Russ, Greye agreed.

The laser had created a hole. But it wasn’t large enough to fit the ship through.

Can’t we pull back? Melinda asked. She couldn’t believe that these men would just give up. It was their lives at stake!

We don’t have thrusters, Trennen remarked. We’re going to crash into it before we could ever get them back online.

Melinda’s mind raced. She was too young to die! So much she had wanted to do…

Her fear must have been written all over her face.

Greye bit his lip and turned to Trennen. How many of those orbital drones do we have left?

Two, Cap’n.

Launch one directly in front of us.

Understanding dawned over Trennen’s face. Will do, Cap’n, he said through a grin.

The eager lieutenant spun in his chair and worked his station controls. A moment later, a small spherical object leapt into view through the cockpit canopy. It made straight for the point where the laser beam was intersecting the planetary shell.

Deactivate mining laser, Greye ordered. And redistribute remaining power, especially to the thrusters.

Mining laser deactivated, Trennen announced.

The small drone collided with the planetary shell, shattering the ice like breaking a mirror.

Erich, give me thrusters! Greye ordered as he took hold of the steering yolk.

Thrusters are coming back online now, Trennen announced.

Then the cabin lights flickered and went out. Sparks erupted from the dashboard. Reserve power, Lieutenant! Greye cried. I need maneuvering thrusters now!

I told you people… Douglas was ranting through the com channel.

And shut him up! Greye added.

Dim cabin lights broke through the darkness. Reserve power, restored, Devor announced. Maneuvering thrusters online.

Lieutenant Trennen slumped in his chair. Thanks, Devor, he breathed.

The computer did not reply.

Greye leaned back in his seat, yanking the steering yolk in one direction and then in another. Ice particles flew past the canopy, causing Melinda to instinctively duck even though she knew that she couldn’t really get out of their way.

It was Greye who was doing the real dodging. He took Endeavor down, over to the side and around a large chunk of ice, all while maintaining a heading for the hole in the ice shell.

Cap’n, Trennen ventured. That hole still isn’t big enough for Endeavor.

Don’t you ever have good news? Doctor Wallace asked.

We’ll make it, Greye promised.

Seriously, Cap’n…

Melinda shushed the lieutenant. The last thing Greye needed was a naysayer in his co-pilot’s seat. At this point, they would either make it though or they wouldn’t.

Erich, Greye said between clenched teeth, activate dust particle shield.

Cap’n, that’s not meant to protect us from anything solid.

I know what it’s meant for, Erich. Just activate it.

Will do, Cap’n. Dust particle shield activated!

The view beyond took on a yellow tint as the shield came online. The cabin lights also flickered. Just as they came upon the hole in the ice shell, Greye tweaked the steering yolk, twisting Endeavor to its side. There was a scraping sound and then they were through.

Reverse view, Greye ordered.

Reverse view in monitor three, Devor announced.

Melinda’s gaze went to the monitor. Behind Endeavor, they could see the hole in the shell and the stars beyond. Ice debris followed them through but was disintegrating in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric approach vector stabilized, Trennen announced.

They weren’t out of this yet.

Deactivate dust particle shield, Greye ordered. Lock in the vector and then make sure everyone is strapped in tight.

Cap’n, don’t you want me on second position?

Erich, what I’m about to do isn’t taught in flight school.

Some of the air escaped Trennen’s balloon but he rebounded quickly. He turned around and checked Doctor Wallace’s crash restraints. Then he turned to Melinda. You ready for this, Lindy?

Melinda nodded. She appreciated him trying to keep the mood light. But there was no way to disguise Greye’s take. This would be a crash landing. Perhaps a controlled crash, but a crash nevertheless.

I’m ready, Melinda replied. Captain Greye won’t fail us.

Trennen nodded with a sigh. Let’s hope not. Then he turned back to his station and opened a ship-wide com channel. This is Lieutenant Trennen. Emergency crash positions. I repeat, emergency crash positions. This is not a drill.

Atmospheric friction shook Endeavor violently as they made their descent. Greye held the yolk steady. Already they had made the transition from the night side of the planet to the dayside. Before they would land, they would again be on the night side.

Reserve power will be depleted in one minute and fifteen seconds, Devor reported. Shutting down my systems to preserve power for as long as possible.

Greye didn’t even acknowledge the computer. Instead he jerked the yolk around, putting the ship in the best possible position for when he lost all power.

Then the lights went out and the consoles went dark.

Well, that’s it then, Doctor Wallace remarked.

There was the smell of smoke. I’ve still got manual control, Greye announced. We’re not going down without a fight.

Melinda nodded to herself. At least Captain Greye wasn’t going to easily give up on them. Even when all hope was lost.

The shaking stopped and everything became calm.

We’re in free-fall now, Greye said under his breath. So now’s the hard part.

Planet night side approaching, Trennen announced.

Thanks, Erich. Can you find me someplace relatively flat?

I’m trying but without daylight, power, or Devor’s assistance, it’s gonna be difficult.

Not as difficult as what I’m about to do, Greye remarked.

Chapter Three

Crashdown

He was the prince of The Children and lord of all he surveyed. Which wasn’t as much as he would have liked.

He dropped a few more seeds in the holes he had created in the earth.

The prince enjoyed the night. The cool air. The dampness of the dew on the grass. It was the best time to plant and water the fields. He preferred it to slaving away under the noonday sun.

He trod across the rows of planted seeds to the wooden wheel. He turned the wheel and was rewarded with the sound of flowing water.

He sighed. The sound of running water always soothed his soul. He sat down on a nearby bench and glanced back at his home. He’d raised generations of children there. It was a nice place. But his father’s home, deep in the garden, was still more desirable. He wondered if he would ever have as grand a home.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sound he had never heard before. He stood abruptly and sniffed the air. Was that a hint of smoke? If it was, it was somehow tainted. He could almost taste something foreign… something unnatural… wrong!

The sound was like a roar and it was coming from above.

The prince scrutinized the starry sky.

From off in the distance, something huge zoomed overhead, its wings spread wide. The prince had never seen anything like it. The thing passed directly over his home and then it was gone, leaving its stench in its wake.

The prince blinked. The smoke irritated him. A tear escaped before he ran his arm over both eyes, clearing them completely.

Only the putrid smell in the air testified that anything out of the ordinary had even occurred.

What was that? his wife cried from their dwelling.

No idea, he called back. But the prince had no plans to go near the monstrosity. He knew very well whose turn it was at sentry though. Send for my brother, he ordered. And waste no time.

* * *

Greye held the steering yolk straight, gritting his teeth. Nearby, Trennen grappled with his yolk too, assisting Greye in maintaining the course. Endeavor bucked beneath them, riding the airwaves as best she could.

Reserve power? Greye asked.

Not yet, Trennen replied.

Any estimates?

To be honest, Cap’n, I’d be surprised if we get it at all.

See what you can do.

Aye, Cap’n. Trennen didn’t exactly sound convinced.

What if we don’t get reserve power? Melinda asked.

Greye chuckled. It all comes down to different degrees of crashing.

Oh.

The cabin was silent then. Which was fine with Greye. He had a job to do.

A few minutes later and Greye had decided he’d had enough.

How far to my landing strip? he asked.

Trennen coughed. The whole area is pretty flat, Cap’n. Are you sure you’re ready to put down without landing gear?

Do I have reserve power?

Not exactly, Trennen replied.

Okay then. Any trees nearby? Greye asked.

Ten o’clock, Trennen answered. A small grouping.

Then we’re setting down.

You make it sound so uneventful, Doctor Wallace remarked.

I doubt if it’ll be that, Trennen muttered.

Greye set his jaw. I’ll do what I can.

As always, Melinda whispered to herself.

Greye nudged Endeavor’s nose down. He wished for running lights and, of course, landing gear. But it appeared he wasn’t going to get either. Just to be certain, he toggled the reserve power switch several times, but to no avail.

Here we go, Trennen announced as Greye brought Endeavor across the treetops to slow their airspeed.

Everyone lurched in their seats but their restraints held them fast. Greye pulled up on the yolk and then dropped the craft back down again, systematically applying the bottom surface of Endeavor multiple times against the treetops.

Then they ran out of trees. Greye’s stomach dropped as Endeavor dipped. Greye kept the nose up but he was at the end of his rope. There was no time for any more tricks.

Greye’s teeth gnashed as Endeavor slammed into the ground. Through the cockpit canopy, he could barely see in the darkness that they were still sliding in the tall grass. He had no way to stop their momentum so he just let go of the steering yolk and let the uncontrolled slide of their crash play out.

When Endeavor finally came to a halt, Greye popped open his restraints and stood.

Trennen, sweating profusely, gazed up at him. Doctor Wallace looked like a dog with his tail between his legs while Miss Hamilton appeared as if she’d just been dunked in ice-cold water.

Well? Greye said. We’ve got work to do.

What work are we going to do in the dark? Trennen asked.

Come with me. You’ll find out.

With a click, Trennen sprung from his restraints. Greye had already slipped out of the control cabin and Trennen was close behind. Doctor Wallace and Melinda followed close on their heels.

We don’t even know if this planet’s atmosphere is breathable, Doctor Wallace remarked as they reached the starboard hatch.

And there’s no power to run an atmosphere test or even to have Devor do it, Trennen added.

Greye grinned and pressed the hatch release. The hatch popped open with a hiss. Greye turned the emergency wheel and the hatch cranked the rest of the way open. He chuckled at the looks on all of their faces as he sucked in the fresh air. There was the faintest hint of pine, he decided. Perhaps some spearmint…

No worries, fearless crew, we have arrived safe and sound, Greye announced cheerily as he bounded onto the grass. It was still dark outside, stars speckling the sky. The sky itself was bright, reminding Greye of snowy nights from his childhood.

Yet the temperature was not low. It was almost ideal.

So what’s this work you were going on about? Doctor Wallace asked.

We need to get the solar panels out.

That oughta be fun, Cap’n, Trennen remarked. Those doors are thick and the panels are heavy.

That’s why we’re going to use the old Buddy System.

I say, shouldn’t we restore power first? Doctor Wallace asked.

Melinda shook her head. This will help restore power more quickly, isn’t that correct Captain?

Greye nodded. Precisely, Miss Hamilton. She actually was more than just another pretty face. Someone actually does read the manuals. Erich, take the good doctor and put the forward panels into place. We’ll take the other set.

Trennen nodded and rubbed his hands together, Aye, Cap’n. Follow me, Doc.

Greye and Melinda mounted the craft and shinnied up its side. When they reached the top, Melinda sidled up to Greye. "So, how did you know the atmosphere would be safe, anyway?" she asked.

Greye shrugged as he hit the solar panel manual release. Simple. Devor was right. I’ve been in orbit enough times, if the stars would have changed, I would have known it immediately. There’s no question as to where we are. This is earth.

And yet, it’s not, she added.

He nodded as the doors popped open. They each took a side and used their legs to pull the thick panels the rest of the way out.

Greye provided the strength to pull the first panel arm assembly out while Melinda guided it to the latch. It clicked into position. Then they did the same for the second panel set.

All clear over here, Trennen announced from further up the ship.

Great, Greye replied. Same here. Let Tech Douglas know the panels are up. I want repairs to commence as soon as the sun rises.

Trennen dropped down to the grass and poked his head into the hatch. Douglas, Cap’n wants repairs to commence as soon as… but he trailed off. He disappeared into the hatch. A few clanking boot falls later and Trennen re-emerged.

What’s wrong, Erich? Melinda asked.

Trennen sat down on the steps, crestfallen. We’ve got a problem, he huffed.

Greye climbed down. What is it?

Erich Trennen’s eyes welled up. Tech Douglas didn’t make it, he rasped.

Are you saying we’re stuck here? Doctor Wallace asked.

Just then, the ground shook.

Greye spun to face the nearby copse of trees he had skimmed during his controlled crash landing. Did you hear that?

Trennen was instantly on his feet. I did.

Melinda, still perched on top of Endeavor didn’t weigh in but cocked her head for another listen.

They were all rewarded with another rattle of branches and leaves followed by a thunderous roar.

Then a huge head poked through the treetops, its teeth at least six inches long.

A dinosaur? Trennen gasped.

More specifically, Doctor Wallace remarked, Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Is that even possible? Melinda cried.

Greye climbed back on top of Endeavor for a better look. He didn’t know how it could be, and yet there it was.

R.C., you might have been right about where we are, Doctor Wallace accused as he scrambled for the hatch. But what about when?

Chapter Four

It’s What’s For Dinner

Lieutenant Erich Trennen reacted even before Greye called his name.

Greye’s second-in-command ducked back into Endeavor and popped back out with two belted holsters in hand. A second later, one of the holsters was closing the distance between Trennen and Greye.

Greye scooped the holster out of the air. He slipped the belt over his shoulder and snapped the fully charged energy pistol out.

Already, Trennen was firing at the beast. The lieutenant’s yellow energy beam sheared away a large branch from one of the trees that concealed the creature’s body. The branch crackled and tumbled to the ground with a crunch and the rustle of leaves.

The dinosaur roared.

Surely, you’re not going to kill such a specimen, Doctor Wallace commented from just inside the hatch, apparently oblivious to the danger they were all in.

Greye had never seen what a T. Rex could do in person, but he had a good imagination. As always, his ship and crew came first.

That is, Melinda announced, outside the scope of our mission! I’m just sayin.

Greye nodded more to himself than to anyone else. Fact was, this was more than any of them had bargained for. He took aim, centering the laser-scope on the beast’s skull. He squeezed off a shot but the T. Rex had lumbered aside just in time to avoid the beam.

Again it roared in defiance.

I don’t think he likes the light, Greye surmised. Stay here, he told Melinda as he slid down the side of Endeavor. He sprinted to the tail of the craft and slipped back behind the rear thruster casings where Trennen was. Fire at it again, Erich, he ordered.

Easy for you to say, Trennen barked back before doing as he was told.

Trennen’s new shot missed by a hair, pushing the beast back a step. It roared louder than before.

Immediately, Greye rolled out from under Endeavor and fired. The beam caught the T. Rex smack in its open roaring mouth. The beast snapped its jaw shut. The last half of Greye’s beam sheared scales off the T. Rex’s face and cauterized the flesh beneath. But the damage was superficial in the overall scheme of things.

The T. Rex lunged forward, toppling trees as it went.

I think you just made it mad, Doctor Wallace observed.

He’s not the only one, Greye quipped as he approached the others. But he’s vulnerable inside that big trap of his. We’ve just got to keep forcing his mouth open.

That’s not in my job description, Trennen announced. Either is dinosaur combat, come to think of it.

Sure it is. Greye checked the charge on his pistol. It’s called, ‘other duties as assigned.’ Now lay down enough fire power to make him really mad.

Trennen rolled his eyes but didn’t openly defy Greye. Right, Cap’n.

In the meantime, Greye popped back inside the ship and made directly for the nearby open armory compartment. He snatched up a pouch that was hanging on a hook and then peered back outside.

Trennen was doing as he was told, firing burst after burst into the creature’s sizable haunches. But the beast’s scaly skin resisted the shots very well, spitting scales back here and there but otherwise taking little actual damage. The T. Rex crunched through the shrubbery and came around to face Endeavor’s nose.

Is that thing on full power? Greye asked. He’s just brushing off your shots.

How do I know? Trennen shrugged. I’m the pilot! Remember?

Co-pilot, Greye corrected. Check the charge and give him everything you’ve got.

"I’m not so sure about this, Cap’n. You’re certain you want him that mad?"

Yes, Greye replied as he rolled back under Endeavor and popped back out the other side. I want him royally pissed off.

Acknowledged. Trennen’s voice was not as confident as usual. But he checked the charge and cranked up the power knob before again giving the T. Rex what for.

Russ, Greye called. Get Miss Hamilton inside the ship.

Melinda needed no further prodding. She slid down Endeavor’s side and joined the doctor just inside the hatch. No arguments here, Wallace said as the two of them slipped inside. Greye palmed the hatch controls and the door slid shut.

Trennen was still firing at the T. Rex and hitting it more often than not. After all, it wasn’t an easy target to miss. Now that the beam was at full strength, it was harvesting scales and eliciting a roar every time Trennen hit. But it still wasn’t exactly what Greye had in mind.

Really give it to him, Erich! Greye ordered.

Trennen fired more rapidly, taking out one of the beast’s enormous knees. The T. Rex wobbled but used its massive tail to remain upright. A couple more shots could maybe do it. Greye reached into the bag and fumbled around for one of the small detonators.

Of course, these small explosives were only designed to blow frozen hatches or to help jar loose any number