Return to Earth: An Adventure to Recolonize

Chapter Five: The Descent

Note:  I will post a new chapter every Friday evening EST.

I would appreciate your vote and your constructive criticism. Thanks for stopping by for a read.

Due to the limited formatting options available on WattPad, I added square brackets and dashes to show the start and stop of PID messages... like this [- ... -] to differentiate them from inner thoughts. I am sorry for the bad presentation of these important elements to the story.

PID = Personal Information Display, presented in Chapter Three.

I posted a Glossary, see the pull-down menu, to help with technical terms and concepts.

                                                                 * * *

                                                        Chapter Five

                                                        The Descent

Everyone had prepared for this moment. We stood ready to succeed or fail, set to rewrite man’s savage legacy on earth – a failed species forced to abandon a poisoned planet. We must now reverse man’s disgraceful departure.

Our ancestors had destroyed their lofty civilizations. We have returned to rebuild them and reclaim man’s birthright – no matter the cost. No longer at odds amongst ourselves having achieved nirvana, we’re determined to colonize earth and reestablish humanity’s dominion.

Although anxious to start our mission, we endured a further delay in silence. Nervous tension churned my stomach, radiating down my quivering arms. I felt adrenalin course through my veins as all of us found it difficult to control our pent up enthusiasm. Alex bounced up and down while Karla swayed side-to-side. I pretended to be calm and resolute, but my insides boiled.

Tania, on the other hand, had succumbed to her childhood claustrophobic hysteria. Forty years ago, at the age of six, she had fallen into a rocky crevice while exploring the outlands of Tellus with her parents. It took rescuers two days to find her. Thereafter, she had suffered an acute fear of confining spaces. It also affected her ability to handle stress and occasionally led to uncontrollable rage or panic. Although normally levelheaded and self assured, she could become combative when overstressed.

I could see that the congested, narrow passage had closed in on her as her eyes flitted about and beads of perspiration dampened her furrowed brow. She gulped for air as panic overwhelmed her gentle nature. Unable to cope, she unleashed her rancor on the lone, door attendant. “What’s wrong with you guys? Can’t you organize anything? We’re stuffed in here and forced to wait.” She tugged on her collar and said, “We can’t breathe. You should have left us in the lounge. Who’s in charge?”

I grabbed her, held her close and spoke softly, “Relax Tan. I’m here. Close your eyes. Remember your breathing exercises.” With her eyes shut tight, she burrowed her face into my chest and wept. I felt her relax in my arms as her breaths slowed. She gradually regained her composure but continued to hold her face against me.

Alex and Karla had witnessed their mother’s malady on many occasions and were accustomed to the many calming regimes we employed. Alex whispered an explanation to nearby onlookers. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw heads bob and the faces of concerned bystanders.

The airlock opened to reveal the vast interior of our commuter shuttle. Before entering the ship, Tania turned to the attendant, wiped her eyes and said, “I’m sorry. I have trouble with tight spaces. Forgive me.” They hugged as the woman smiled and nodded acceptance.