Deep Black Road: The Head of the Snake

Chapter 40

Philip landed beside Ricky and Suzanne, and radioed, "I did a complete orbit of the moon, no problem."

"That's great," responded Ricky. "Now we can head back to Earth."

"I can hardly wait," radioed Suzanne.

"You know what's weird?" Philip radioed. "I haven't been hungry since my rockets were completed."

"That is weird," responded Ricky. "That was over a day ago, and you're not fully grown yet, at least like you were before."

"Maybe this is all I get, like as if we're all supposed to be similar."

"That makes sense. After all, your rockets are more efficient at your size than if you were as big as before."

'Before', Philip thought. If only I could remember.

"Okay," Ricky radioed. "Where's that backpack I brought for Philip's baby food?"

"Did you leave it where we first landed?" Suzanne replied.

After a moment's reflection, he said, "Yeah, I did. I'll go get it."

"What do you need it for?"

"I want Lisa and the kids to have some souvenirs of our trip to the moon-moon rocks."

"Okay," she radioed. "We'll take off once you've done that."

"Sure. I'll be quick."

#

"Noble commandant," said the sensors operator. "I have detected several objects falling out of orbit, and have projected that they will come down three hundred and forty kilometres north-northeast of here near the centre of the Gobi Desert. What should be done about them?"

The commander sauntered over to the display, and peered at the cluster of three spots in question. "Hmm. They are falling together, and are small." He waved his hand dismissively. "Do not trouble yourself about them, my soldier. They will burn up before they hit the ground, and can therefore be no threat. Log them as satellite debris."

"Yes, noble sir. As you command."

#

Philip gazed around him at the vast plain of rock and sand that surrounded them. Except for the bright blue sky, it was very much like home on the moon; but that blue sky felt familiar, more 'right' than the blackness he grew up with.

"Coming, Philip?" Ricky said.

"Yeah. I was just taking in the sights." He turned and tried to take a step, but stumbled and fell flat.

"Sorry," said Ricky. "I forgot to get you to adjust for the higher gravity." He uploaded the correct multiplier. "And you can walk now instead of skipping."

"Right." Philip recalibrated his drives and got to his feet. "Okay, let's try this again," he said, and easily took the few steps to where Ricky and Suzanne waited for him.

Once they were connected, Ricky went over the plan to return to Foredan, illustrating the route on the map that he was showing via his video feed. "We'll go pink to be less visible from above, and fly this way out of this desert. Then once we're over the Pacific, we'll head to this island, where we'll recharge before heading to the Federation. Then we'll touch down here ..." He identified a place along the southwestern coast of North America. "... recharge again, and circle around over northern Central America to get to the south coast of Foredan. From there we'll wait for night, go black, and blade inland to Bill's farm."