Red Rock

Chapter 8 Where Does the Sun Set? (Part 1)

Chapter 8 Where Does the Sun Set? (Part 1)

The Officials were separating the Surveyors by country of origin which was straightforward due to the lack of diversity in the Residences. Small ships were detaching from the Spacecraft creating an alluring yet intimidating spectacle to the red, green, and blue planet. The gallery was filled with Surveyors from all over the world, watching the ships soar into blindness through the Martian atmosphere, leaving little wisps of heat behind.

Daire was nervously watching the sector one Surveyors board their ships, thinking of the possibilities of fatality. 'What if the ship doesn't detach correctly? What if I die on impact?' he thought.

"Relax," Jacob soothed, putting his partially healed hand around Daire's shoulder. "This is the easiest part."

Daire felt his heart ease, comforted that all of his residence was assigned to the same ship. "I'm fine," Daire lied, swallowing hard. "Just want to get this over with."

"Sector two Surveyors from United North America! Please make your way forward! You will be assisted to the nearest ship by an official! Do not take action until you have an official servicing you!"

Daire's body hairs stood erect as if he'd just taken a step into a giant freezer. "Shit," he murmured, feeling weak in the knees. The whole residence looked as nervous as Daire, or pretty close, except for Sasha and Jacob who tried to comfort the rest of the team.

"Alright, all of you come with me," an official demanded of the occupants of Daire's residence before resuming his hefty walking pace. "Board here," the official continued, pointing at the entrance to a small ship with a retractable latch.

The small ship was even smaller on the inside. It resembled an intense roller coaster with the close proximity of each seat and the shoulder rests to protect the passenger. "Oh God!" Jessica cried clenching onto Sasha with all of her might. "I don't want to die!"

Daire felt like crying too, but held his emotions in check. The crammed ship was dark, the only light visible was from the entrance of the ship and from the dim cautionary lights from above. Daire sat between Jacob and a total stranger which he considered himself lucky to do so. There were over one hundred seats in the small ship and all of them were full. "This one's full!" an Official yelled from the entrance.

"Close'er up!" another Official responded from afar.

With a lax movement, the Official slammed a button from outside the ship and watched the automatic door seal shut. "Goodbye Ladies and Gents!" the Official yelled before the door fastened. Silence.

The short stuttered breaths of panicked individuals filled the air of the otherwise silent surroundings. Suddenly, a jolt splintered through the small ship as it launched off the spacecraft and into the Martian atmosphere. Sounds of startled gasps filled the ship, eventually turning into full screams of terrified passengers. Daire grabbed his shoulder rest with a grip that death himself couldn't break. 'I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die,' he thought shutting his eyes as tight as he could. The slight vibration quickly turned into brutal jerks, shaking heads violently against the headrests. In the darkness of the ship the scent of pungent puke filled Daire's nostrils, but at that moment it did not bother him. Surviving the ride was his top priority. Without notice, Daire was launched forward into his shoulder rest, feeling his eyes bulge out the front of his head. The organs inside him pressed against the front of his body from the intense G-Force of the rough landing. Touchdown.