On the Shuttle

‘This is shuttle Marion on its final descent. Atmospheric conditions well within accepted tolerance. Pressure is 473 pascals. Atmospheric mix of 86 percent hydrogen and 13 percent nitrogen. Trace amounts of other gases including carbon dioxide and argon. Ambient temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.'

‘What? That’s impossible!’ Professor Li blurted, leaning over from her seat to look at Jack’s readings, ‘With atmospheric conditions like that and no sun?’

‘Professor, please sit down, I’m trying to land us now.’

The professor sat back down, her face flush, as Jack landed the shuttle on the dark surface of the planet.

Getting up from their seats, everyone clustered to the back of the shuttle, near the hatch. A long silver probe was being carried by two technicians. Jack went to the terminal and keyed in a command. The hatch hissed open, and they filed out of the shuttle onto the black surface of the lonely planet.

While the researchers and technicians got started on their tasks, Jack walked out a little way and looked around. The world was black as the sky, and light from the shuttle did not reach far. Jack switched on his suit lights and looked at the ground.

He felt a glimmer of confusion. He knelt down and examined the ground, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. There was a familiar thatch pattern on the ground.

‘Professor!’ Someone cried behind him.

Jack stood up and spun around toward the sound.

The shuttle was gone.

So was everyone else.

Jack was alone.

He opened up the communication channels on his suit.

‘This is Jack Simmons to Professor Li, do you copy?’ There was a pop and hiss of static.

‘This is Jack Simmons to the Sagan, please respond.’

More static, and then a sound. He turned up the volume and strained to hear.

‘...-mons-...pro-…-ou copy?’

‘Hello? Is someone there?’

‘...Jack… -mons to…-gan, ple- …-pond.’ Jack waited.

‘Hello? Is someone there?’ came the reply.

This time, it was loud and clear, and there was no mistaking it. It was his own voice.

‘Well, this isn't helpful. Now, what do I do?'

‘What do I do?’

The reply was still his voice, but not exactly what he said.

He noticed the surrounding air was growing lighter and lighter, seeming to glow with some unknown luminance.

‘What's going on?’ he asked.

‘Is anyone there?’ replied his voice over the radio.

‘Yes! I’m here, Jack Simmons of Earth. Who is this?’ he asked. His heart was pounding in his chest.

‘Why leave earth?’

The voice was changing. It sounded like it was now coming from behind him. He turned around and saw his wife. Holding his daughter. He felt a pit in his stomach.

‘No, not this again. Am I still asleep?’

‘Asleep? Are you awake?’ she asked.

‘Who are you?’

‘I am asleep,' she droned.

Jack stepped forward towards the figure of his wife, ‘Why are you wearing her form? My daughter isn’t that young anymore. What are you trying to do?’

‘Wake up.’

‘What? What do you mean wake up, am I still dreaming?’

‘Dreaming. Wake up!’ she replied, her voice still flat but louder than before.

‘How do you know Michelle’s face!’ he cried out.

‘You know her face!’ it shouted back.

He raised his arms to grab her and stopped as he saw his bare hands. Feeling himself, panic set in as he realised he was no longer in his pressure suit.

He reeled backwards in shock, falling on the ground. He held his breath, and animalistic instinct holding his mouth shut. He curled up into a fetal position while his lungs began to burn.

Unable to fight the need to breathe anymore, he opened his mouth and sucked in a deep breath. He expected to choke on the air, but realised he was breathing easily.

For a moment he lay back and just looked up at the dull grey sky while getting his panic under control.

The figure of his wife walked into his view. Her emotionless face didn’t look down as she spoke.

‘We wish to be awake.’

‘I..' he couldn't find any other words. He was confused, scared, and the spectre of his wife was robbing him of any focus he could muster.

‘Come dream,’ she said, and he felt his grasp on his senses slip away.