The year is 2899.

The deep space star cruiser Nova Star was now in orbit around the planet Mars.

Inside the tiny shuttle, everybody was strapped in as the countdown almost reached zero.

“Hold on to your lunch everyone here we go. Express elevator going down.” McBride yelled enthusiastically as he hit the button with a clenched fist.

A siren started to wail.

With a loud clunk, the clamps released their grip and the shuttle dropped like a stone down towards the planet surface.

After several minutes in free fall, McBride started the engines and was then able to fly the shuttle the rest of the way but it was not going to be easy because a massive dust storm had suddenly blown up around them.

Eventually, the storm passed and the top-secret military research facility came into view.

“OK, let’s see what’s going on,” Woods said passing her fingers over the control panel activating the scanners. “The atmosphere processors are still online so the air is still breathable. I am also picking up a lot of movement inside the facility and it’s not human.”

“There’s the landing platform. We’re going in.” McBride said nervously but trying not to show it. Woods could sense apprehension in McBride’s voice.

 

To Be Continued