Deep Space

Chapter One: First Contact.

DEEP SPACE

CHAPTER ONE: FIRST CONTACT.

Kepler-1638. T.19:27 Y.3117

"And so I said, aliens? Are you cra—" Tony, my co-worker, began, but he was interrupted by intense rumbling and earthquake-like tremors. The ship's alarms sounded off quickly, followed by the captain over the intercom.

"This is Captain Avery speaking; an unknown force just attacked us. One of their attacks disabled our gravitational drivers and we are on a one-way trip to the surface of Kepler-1638b. Prepare for an emergency ejection in a safe and orderly fashion." The intercom clicked off. Tony and I glanced at each other as the ship shuddered again, throwing Tony to the ground.

I sprinted toward the escape pods, hoping to whichever god was watching, that one was left. The ship quaked again, this time much more violent than before. Whatever was causing the tremors, it was getting closer, I thought to myself. I glimpsed down the hallway to my left and saw it, whatever it was. It was tall, muscular, jet black, and covered in hard scales. And also... vaguely human. It was coming directly toward me with a murderous visage and some brutish weapon in hand.

I knew I wouldn't make it into a pod before the alien got to me. I had a few choices: to resist the alien or run away. I had no idea how fast this alien was or how well it fought, but I didn't want to die a coward. I slid my defense pistol out of the holster on my hip and aimed.

At least I won't die as a failure, I thought. Suddenly, I remembered the last conversation with my wife and son as I was about to pull the trigger.

EUROPA. T.07:03 Y.3116

"You can't be serious, Nate! You'll die!" My wife, Emily, begged.

"I need to take this job, and you know it. We're in debt, and the collectors will be here soon," I argued. "I've already arranged for the first half of the salary to come in when I get on the ship, and I leave tomorrow. I won't be here for a while, but you can pay off the debt, and when I'm back, we'll be rich. We'll finally stop being broke and living paycheck to paycheck."

"What about Sam?" Her eyes were watery with tears. Seeing her cry was the most challenging part of leaving; knowing that she'd be alone for most of it made me worry about our future.

"I'll only be gone for nine months. I will be back before you know it," I said, touching Emily's shaking shoulders. It's going to be okay, love. I'll video call you two every day, alright?"

"It's just so dangerous. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of my—" she started, but I interrupted her. Emily is the type to care more about everyone else around her than herself. I've decided it's high time she got some compassion sent her way.

"I chose to take this gig because I love you. The debt is nothing. I'll come back with a million." I said.

In all honesty, space mining was not my first choice for work. It's dangerous and hard work, and I have to be away from my family for way longer than I wanted. I just wanted to repair their equipment, not do the actual hard work. But at four hundred thousand credits a month, it's the highest-paying job I can take.

Emily said nothing and just stood there. Then, she hugged me.

"Come back safe, please. I need you here." She whimpered. Her saying that finally broke me, and a single tear slid down my face.

"I will. I promise." I responded, squeezing her tighter. "The shuttle leaves in two hours, and the launch pad is halfway across Europa. I'll have to leave soon."