During a visit to the planet Epsilon-Gamma, Clara and Me cross paths with the starship PATHFINDER, carrying an expedition from the Solar System, sent to investigate a strange energy reading originating from the planet's rings. The time travellers an...
It took just under an hour to prepare the survey pod and once it was ready, Clara, Lyon and two members of the crew clambered onboard, while Me and Captain Hisko stood in the viewing port to watch the departure.
"Now be careful, Jane," said the Captain over the intercom. "Don't take any unnecessary risks if you can help it."
"Yes sir, Captain sir," came Lyon's voice cheerfully over the speaker. "And tell Me not to worry, we'll keep her partner safe and well."
"I think it'll be more of a case of her trying to keep you safe," joked Me, prompting the Captain to roll his eyes in irritation.
A few seconds later, the pod's thrusters engaged and the large egg-shaped vessel rose up off the deck and glided through the forcefield that covered the large archway that opened out into space. Once the pod was through, it gracefully began to glide through the vacuum and down towards Epsilon-Gamma.
Inside the pod, the landing party had buckled themselves securely in their seats, with Lyon sitting at the front and expertly operating the controls that guided the ship, while Clara watched in fascination.
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"Smooth ride," complimented Clara, who had expected a much bumpier start to the journey.
"I wouldn't be doing my job properly if it was anything less," answered Lyon as she sent the craft flying into the planet's atmosphere, having made sure first that the pod's forcefield was at full strength in order to protect the small craft from the violent winds that swept all over the planet. The pod jolted a little as it first hit those winds and Clara peered through the porthole to see a dazzling display of colourful clouds that skimmed past the pod's hull.
"You know, this planet is like a painting in space," mused Clara. "It really is quite stunning."
"Don't be fooled by its appearance," warned Lyon. "Those winds could easily tear you to shreds and we have to be careful with how we use the thrusters, otherwise we risk igniting some of the more flammable gases in the atmosphere."
"So it's beautiful and deadly," said Clara. "Not the best of combinations."
******
Back onboard PATHFINDER, Mary Clarke moved purposefully towards the main computer hub, striding down the corridor as though she was a robot, her eyes wide and vacant, her face devoid of any emotion. Upon reaching her destination, she walked stiffly into the room and promptly locked the door behind her.
"Mary? What are you doing here?" came a friendly voice from behind her. Clarke turned to face junior technician Jim Darcy, who had been busy installing some spare components into the computer bank when Clarke had entered.
"You okay?" asked Darcy, noticing the void expression on Clarke's face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Clarke did not reply. Instead she stepped forward until she was directly in front of Darcy, who looked at her in puzzlement and concern. Then, without warning, her hands grabbed hold of Darcy's head and sharply twisted it to the side. There was a sickening 'crack' and suddenly Jim Darcy knew no more. As his lifeless body crumpled to the floor, Clarke crossed to the nearest monitor panel, upon which the progress of the survey pod could be seen. Clarke adjusted a few controls on the panel and a second later, she could hear the audio transmissions between the pod and the main ship.
