Jake [Zunar J5/9 Doric 4-7] (i_meow) wrote in we_coexist, @ 2008-07-14 15:20:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | jake, liandra, zz:status complete |
A Not-So-Perfect Landing [Open]
"This isn't right. My trajectory is all off. Computer? Computer, calculate relative velocity to previous position," Jake voiced to the computer interface of his spacecraft.
The computer made a few beeps and blinked a few lights. Jake nudged a few dials with his paws to check on the readout. This couldn't be happening. He was way off course! He couldn't even calculate the position of his Mother Ship.
"This is Zunar J5/9 Doric 4-7 contacting Mother Ship. Mother, do you copy?"
"This is M-- ther-- ip -- come --n Zunar J5/-- Dor-- even -- You're breakki-- upp."
"Mother Ship, your transmission is cutting out. Transmit on frequency Alpha Bravo Two Three Five Dash Seven, over."
"Can't trans-- bravo delta -- off course -- Zunar, copy--"
The static was making it almost impossible for Jake to decipher the voice on the other end of the frequency. His collar glowed as he mentally tried to find a frequency that would allow him to come in clearer, but he was quickly distracted by a flashing red light on the center of his control console.
WARNING. SHIP IS ON AN INTERCEPT COURSE WITH AN UNKNOWN PLANETARY BODY. EVACUATION IS RECOMMENDED.
"Evacuation?! I can't evacuate! I have to get back on course with the Mother Ship! I don't understand how this could be happening! Computer, determine the problem."
THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO CRASH. ESTIMATED TIME OF LANDING: 15.7 SECONDS. EVACUATION IS RECOMMENDED.
"I am not evacuating my ship!" Jake insisted. "Stupid computer."
I RESENT THAT, ZUNAR J5/9 DORIC 4-7. I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS.
"Sorry, computer. I didn't mean it that way. But work with me a little? Let's try and make this landing less of a crash, okay?"
OKAY.
Jake took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on his telekinetic abilities. The ship was large. Well, not extremely large, but compared to him it's size was rather impressive. It wouldn't be easy to control or maneuver, even with mental skills. But he couldn't risk harming the craft. It was his only means of getting home.
You've been in worse scrapes before, mate. Don't let this get you down! He thought to himself. Sure, he'd been in worse spots. Like that time he had to get a replacement on his Org-12. Oh no. It couldn't have been another problem like that, could it? No, no. He wouldn't think like that. What did Mother used to say? Optimism is the best policy! No, that wasn't quite right. But something like that.
He just had to concentrate. Concentrate. And remain calm.
The ship entered the atmosphere at breakneck speeds. Jake found himself sliding against the control panel. Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down! He thought to himself. Slower, slower.
As the ship closed in on the ground it made a bright flash across the sky, followed by a thick cloud of smoke.
Slower. Slower.
Jake's collar brightened in hue. And just as the ship was about to smash into the ground it--
PLEASE REMAIN SEATED UNTIL THE SHIP HAS COME TO A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP. THANK YOU FOR FLYING. EXITS ARE TO THE REAR OF THE SHIP. COME AGAIN.
Blink, blink. The red flashing lights disappeared and the warning system shut off. Jake really needed to get that computer fixed. It was starting to get a peculiar personality. He shook his head, checked the specifications of the planet he had landed on (Nitrogen-Oxygen atmosphere -- Perfect!) and then opened the rear hatch.
When he walked outside he was surprised to find himself in a park. Late afternoon or early evening, by the looks of things. There were a few people hiding behind benches and pointing at his ship. Not surprising. Oh this was very disconcerting. How was he going to explain this to the Mother Ship? How was he going to explain this to the people here?! He needed to find a way to hide the ship and fast! The last time his ship was taken into custody things had not gone well.
And a space traveler could never be too careful. Goodness knows what they did to aliens on this planet!