Saving Earth.

Chapter 6

The trip to the surface would take several hours, for a human it would take several days for decompression. Each of them sat quietly lost in their own thoughts.

Marcus was excited about the adventure. He could hardly contain himself with the thought of seeing sunlight, felling the wind, breathing fresh clean air instead of the recycled air they had. He imagined the foods they would taste and the girls. The wonderful girls. He closed his eyes and smiled.

Abbey was having thoughts of her own. She hadn't had much time to adjust to the idea of living among the humans. While a shock of excitement coursed through her body it was dampened with the thoughts of her home and parents. She closed her eyes and laid her head back against the seat. She had to reconcile her feelings.

Auggie was going through his defensive training in his mind. It was going to be his job to keep them all safe while on the surface. He hadn't taken to the training like the other two and was not looking forward to his time on the surface. As far as he was concerned the humans were an inferior race with basic survival instincts. The fact that his race and the humans were related genetically made no difference, his race was much more advanced. And while his race had fought amongst themselves for thousands of years it was different than the way the humans fought each other. No the humans were no match for him or his people and he resented the thinking that they could save this planet where he could not. He closed his eyes and thought about ways to fulfill his mission and keep his father happy while making his role more prominent in the fight that was to come.

“Surfacing in one minute.” The voice of the ships captain came over the intercom. “We will get you as close as possible but you will still get wet.”

“Understood.” Replied Auggie assuming it was to him the captain was talking.

“Have you remembered to take your pills? I don't want you blowing up like a puffer fish.” The Captain let out a guffaw amused by his own joke. They all nodded that they had. Without the pills they would look like over inflated balloons.

“In that case get ready because we are going to surface.” The ship broke the surface of the water and leveled off. The three of them climbed out through a hatch and stood on the ship getting their first look at the surface of the planet they had been living on on these years.

Even though the sun had not risen yet there was an orange glow showing just over the horizon. Marcus stood with is mouth open as he stared at the sight. He'd never seen anything so beautiful in all his life. The color was so vibrant, so thrilling. Lifting his head slightly he looked at the stars. Of course he'd studied the constellations in class but to actually see them much less think about travel among them was almost overwhelming. Abbey stood next to him lost in her own thoughts. Auggie was unimpressed.

“Let's get a move on you two. You act like you've never seen the sun or the stars before.”

“But we haven't at least not for real.” Said Marcus.

“You'll have plenty of time let's get on shore.” They all looked to the coast line, a frown creased their foreheads.

“We're almost a mile from shore are we suppose to swim?” Asked Abbey

“Nah.” Said the Captain. “Look over the side.” One by one their heads appeared over the side to look at three flat boards bobbing in the water. “Didn't they teach you about surf boards?” The Captain let out another great belly laugh.

Marcus smiled, “Kowabunga dude!” He jumped over the side and landed feet first onto the board. His flip flops soaked in the water that lapped over.

“You expect us to paddle all that way to shore?” Groaned Auggie.

“Nah, these are special boards. Now hop on.” Abbey jumped next followed by Auggie. They were all dressed in swim shorts and tank tops just liked they'd seen on the TV. It seems like the only thing that people in California wore.