“We’ve already made a first impression,” Said Spratt, who had emerged from the inner chamber. “It’s a twelve-foot crater.”
The space lift occupied the central portion of Westward, cradled in a circular dock that would be conspicuously hollow in its absence. Following Rosemary and Rico, who were now absorbed in a conversation of their own, Lamont passed through an airlock chamber that, at present, was open at both ends to facilitate the steady traffic of technicians who passed back and forth between the ship and the space lift. The interior of the lift consisted of a ring-shaped corridor. The outer wall was tapered so that the regularly spaced portholes placed in the floor and ceiling were set at an angle. Once the lift was free from its cradle, the upper portholes would offer a view of the stars, while the lower ones would allow clear observation of the planet as they approached. The inner wall of the lift was fitted with metal bars that could be gripped in the event of a rough ride, with a door leading to the small interior control room. As technicians in their regular uniforms passed busily in and out of this chamber, Lamont glimpsed Ed Spratt, arms folded in his silver suit while he surveyed their work impassively from the pilot’s chair, an unlit pipe gripped between his teeth. Other crew members in silver expedition suits were seated at stations around the chamber’s circumference, managing a dizzying array of controls and video monitors.
“Seems awfully complicated for something that just has to go up and down,” Lamont remarked to a crew member who stood near the inner door. The man grunted, hardly looking up from the long checklist on his clipboard. Shrugging, Lamont followed the outer corridor of the lift until he found Rosemary and Rico. They had joined Rex O’Neil and Captain Carter at the side of the lift opposite the airlock, near the large metal contraption that would lower to become their gangplank upon planetfall.
“For all the precision of our cameras and spectrographs, there’s precious little that can be ascertained from orbit,” Carter was saying to the little group. “We know some of the mineral makeup in the valley, and we know that there appears to be plant life of some kind. We have yet to see any obvious indication of animal life.”
“Do you think we’ll find it?” Rex asked.
Francis shrugged. “It’s impossible to know what to expect. This is a completely new situation. One thing I do know, though: Compared to most of the planets in our Solar system, this world is probably a paradise, even if it looks inhospitable. If life can get the smallest foothold, it will find a way to flourish.”
Rosemary pulled her bag from Rico’s muscular shoulder and patted it. “I’ve got two dozen sample containers, and I don’t plan to leave without filling all of ‘em. I plan to look for pools of water in rocky areas that might be better shielded from radiation.”
“Remember that we’re to remain in groups of at least two,” Francis reminded the young medic. “No wandering off. An unexpected shift of the wind could force a hasty return to the space elevator.”
“Naturally,” Agreed Rosemary. “I’m sure Rex here would be able to find some interesting geological samples in the same places. Buddy up, mate?”
Rex reddened visibly. “Gosh, sure,” he stammered.
Rico frowned. “Rocky outcroppings are the perfect hiding place for large predators. You should have protection.”
“Space bears,” Lamont agreed. “You might even find a whole space bear den if there are caves.”
Rico nodded gravely. “Or some kind of land squid.”
Rosemary rolled her eyes. “Your concern is touching, gents. But my bet is that we won’t find anything down there larger than an insect.”
“All the same, I am glad that we have these.” Rico pulled away a flap of his silver coat to reveal the butt of his automatic pistol.
“Those are only to be used in the most desperate of situations,” The captain reminded him sternly. “Under no circumstances are you to draw your weapon as a first impulse. We can only make one first impression.”
“We’ve already made it,” Said Spratt, who had emerged from the inner chamber. “It’s a twelve-foot crater.”
“How are we doing, Ed?” Carter asked, ignoring the observation.
“In the green, captain,” The chief technician replied. “I suggest everyone grab a hold of something. We launch in three minutes.”
Thank you, E.
This is like watching the 4K version of a cherished film you previously only saw on a black-and-white 13" tv.