With a loud hiss and pop, the lid of the Cryo Bed opens. I sit up and look around me. The walls are white but bare except for the American flag. I look at the clock on the wall. On earth its February 22, 2202. A female voice spoke from the speakers. "Good Morning, Ms. Bell."
"Good Morning, Zora. Why was I woken early? My awaking wasn't for two more years."
I climb out of bed and leave the room into the hall. I'm in the crew quarters section of the ship.
"Ms. Bell, you have been awakened early because we have lost communications with the ground team And you're the last one on board the ship. My programming said to wake you as the last resort."
"So I'm going down to do what exactly?"
"Establish communications with the Ground Team."
"When did we lose communication?"
"Seventy-two hours ago."
Three days. A Lot could happen in three days. The Zora is the name of the ship and the computer on board. The computer is a smart AI. It knows more than most people but lacks the creativity to implement things the way a human can.
"How is the research going?" The purpose of the Zora was to find habitable land because Earth has no more natural resources. It's living on things from Mars or other planets. The Zora is currently in orbit around Kepler-69c. A planet that is about 70% bigger than earth and about 2,700 light years away.
"Water has been detected on Kepler-69c, a vast freshwater ocean about 82% the size of the planet. The temperatures are within habitable range and microscopic beings have been found. There is no oxygen in the atmosphere but once plant life has grown the atmosphere will hold it "
"Good news then."
"Yes. Ms. Bell the optimum drop time is in ten minutes."
"Very well I guess I'm going down now. Is the way down to Kepler ready? Supplies packed?"
"Yes, Ms. Bell. Everything is ready."
"Good, I'm heading down now." I make my way out of the crew quarters and into the launch bay. I climb down the cold metal ladder and into the small space of the Drop Pod. I put on the helmet that's sitting in the only chair then sit down and buckle myself in.
"Zora, initiate drop sequence."
I hear Zora's voice in my ear from the helmet. "Drop sequence initiated. Please prepare yourself."
I grip the sides of the chair as the pod makes noises.
"Please confirm launch."
"Launch confirmed, Emma Bell 5152001."
"Launch confirmed. Launching"
I feel the pod shake and I tighten my grip. There's a loud popping noise and the left side of the pod falls downward. A red light starts to flash. "Zora what's going on?!"
"We are experiencing technical difficulties please stand by."
There's another pop and the right side falls down and the pod hits the doors. If I don't think fast I'm going to die.
"Zora open pod bay doors!"
"Access denied."
"What do you mean access denied!? I'm the last person on the ship which gives me full control! Now open the pod bay doors!"
"Access denied."
I unbuckle myself and grab the ladder pulling myself up and out of the pod. I drop down on top of the door and move to the emergency release lever. I keep a hand on the Drop Pod.
