Interruption

“We landed on this pile of ice and dust expecting to find something that would advance our scientific knowledge, but what we actually found was…”

The comms cut out.

Commander Taylor focused on Simmons. “What the hell? Get them back up - now!”

Simmons swiveled to his control board. They were screwed. The comms had been operating perfectly when the team landed. He wracked his brain. Cosmic ray interference? Solar disruption? He boosted their signal and hoped it worked.

“My God,” Taylor whispered.

Simmons turned. A blinding white light enveloped him. He struggled to send the distress signal.

Too late.