My silicone eyelids snap open as I begin my bootup sequence. Focusing my lenses outside the round window of the capsule, I catch the glowing rings of Saturn coming into view. Immediately I search my internal database for any image more beautiful than this one.
Nothing comes even close.
I blink twice, capturing the gorgeous skyscape permanently in my "pictures" file. In the window's reflection, my LED eyes flicker from blue to green.
Status: Normal
Mood: Excited!
Finally...today's the day! Wait...what is today?
I check the computer's calendar: 10-01-2520.
So it really did take 7 earth-years.
That reminds me, I better check in with Home Base. I press the CALL button on the dashboard.
"Home Base, this is X140 reporting from the 'Blue Dragon.' Do you read?"
[static]
"X140, this is Home Base, we read you loud and clear. How does it look out there?"
"Amazing! Uploading images and collected data to the Cloud now."
[static]
"Copy that. Looking forward to your findings! Prepare for landing on Titan in 0200 earth-hours. Your mission commences upon arrival."
"Affirmative. I can't wait to—"
*BOOM!*
The entire spacecraft jolts violently, shaking me to my core.
What just happened??
*BOOM! CRACK!*
Another jolt. The lights inside flash on and off, and I feel the "Blue Dragon" drop several hundred feet.
That can't be good.
Status: EMERGENCY
Mood: PANIC!!
I scan through the dashboard window for the source of the disruption, just as a missile bursts through Titan's hazy orange atmosphere directly towards me.
Thinking quickly, I grab the steering controls and manage to barely dodge the next hit, wobbling the "Blue Dragon" just out of the missile's path before it can take any more damage...
"ATTACK! MAYDAY! I'M UNDER ATTACK!!" I repeatedly mash the CALL button so hard my finger digit almost snaps off.
[static]
[[TO BE CONTINUED]]
YOU ARE READING
I Am XIAO: An Inktober Story
Science FictionFirst published on Instagram under the username @leilacreatesthings as a response to Jake Parker's "Inktober" art challenge during October 2019-January 2020. PREMISE: In the year 2520, on the space capsule "Blue Dragon", the sole passenger, a NASA...