First Contact

Chapter 2

                                                  In her mind, LT. Glenn was trying to maintain her focus on the prob that had entered the worm hole of the Einstein Rosen Bridge. Somehow, they had gotten to close to the worm hole and were being sucked in along with the probe. Captain Powers was giving a pep talk over her shoulder as the Rainbow Explorer was being pulled into the void. Glenn tried to break the tractor beam pull of the worm hole but knew that the closer they got decreased those chances exponentially. The words of Captain Powers were being drummed in her head with phrases like," this is a one in a billion opportunity", "We were destined to defy the odds", " I chose you to pilot the Rainbow Explorer", There is a planet like Earth on the other side of that hole!"  T,E. Scope, the stoic scientist who claimed to have discovered the planet on the other side would often add," I have seen the planet with my own eyes. It is on the other side of this worm hole." Even Biff Beastman, who was crying to go back, soon became aware that there was no going back. Instead of fighting the imminent threat he joined in with Captain Powers impassioned optimism as they entered the inner space of the worm hole. Though instead of encouraging Glenn, he had more self-serving delusions of becoming the greatest man that ever lived, "I'll be so over when I get back home! Super stardom! The women will be lining up for blocks to get with Biff Beastman!"

                                     The warping of time and space was fracturing Glenns mind, while piloting the Rainbow Explorer within the worm hole. The inner universe was spinning with her inside of it. All Glenn could do was stay as focused as possible. There was no use in fighting to overcome the effects of this warped ride.  Glennhad to trust her instincts and just go with it. To get to the other side. She became aware when all the hoopla had stopped that she was the only one now. Glenns other passengers had been knocked unconscious. She had to avoid their fate. She had to for them to survive. There was a planet waiting on the other side. The other side. Where she had to get to. Then she saw the blip on the screen of the dashboard. It was the prob that was launched into the worm hole. Which meant that Glenns crazy ride was just about over.

                                       The inertia of the Rainbow Explorer exiting the worm hole was akin to a cork being shot off a bottle of champaign!

                                        It would take a while for the ships reverse thrusters to kick in. To the ships momentum. Though just as Glenn was about to relax and enjoy the ride, she saw a small explosion through the window above the dashboard!

                                         Then after a blip on the screen of the dashboard went dead, she knew that the prob that was ahead of them was destroyed. What Glenn saw next was what done in the prob. A meteor belt. The Rainbow Raider was steadily approaching the large specks of space rocks. There was no way Glenn could avoid colliding with the debris. Impact would be inevitable!

                                        Then Glenn saw it. An enormous planet for which was becoming more visible in-between the floating asteroids. That window which showed the planet she was headed towards was the best way to pass through the meteor belt. So, Glenn focused on that axis point, while gauging her distance and speed on the monitors. As the Rainbow Explorer came closer, she saw how large the meteors window was. Glenn just had to focus on it, while she steered towards it. It was all about timing. Glenn used the navigation system to triangulate the position of the shuttle with that of the gap which she had to get through. It was a slow and steady pace, with slight calibrations from time to time. Though when the time was right, Glenn would have to initiate the thrusters of the ship. Which was unless she could somehow prevent that from happening. In order to speed through the gap. Timing was everything.

                                    "Well...", Glenn said to herself out loud, "It was now or never!"

                                    The opening was clear enough to where Glenn could perfectly see the planet on the other side of the space rock.  She frantically engaged the thrusters of the Rainbow Explorer! Glenn jettisoned past a meteor twice as big as the ship! Only to then become bombarded by much smaller meteors upon escaping that peril. The cluster bombardment was over or so Glenn though as she kept the jets rocketing towards the planet in the distance! Then she saw it, an outlier, cloaked in darkness. She pulled up to rise above the meteor!  The Rainbow Explorer's backside scraped the meteor as it flew over! It damaged the right rear thruster! Though Glenn was still on course towards the planet in the distance.

                                    Glenn mumbled out loud while she lay on her bed, "10 hours until impact." Still thinking that she was aboard the Rainbow Explorer, Glenn repeated the ETA of 10 hours' time. She just had to stay conscious for that amount of time, before entering this new planet's atmosphere. Where she wouldthen have to make a crash landing.

                                     A confused Biff asks," What is she going on about?"

                                  Captain Powers answers gruffly," Obviously, the events before the crash were very traumatic for her. As they would have been for us if weren't all unconscious at the time."

                                 LT Glenn then wakes up jarringly!

                               "How do you feel?" Powers asks the weary LT Glenn as she struggles to even keep her eyes open.

                               "So... weak..."

                           "You did it. I chose you for a reason my dear." Powers said as she pets the head of Glenn. Additionally, Powers holds Glenns right wrist and rubs it with her index finger. Not in an aggressive sexual way like Beastmen had done before but rather awkwardly. The performance lasts for about a few seconds until Glenn pulls her arm away abruptly. Powers steps back in order to give Glenn some space.

                               Glenn is finally able to open her eyes completely as she scans the three living astronauts standing over her. They are alive as is she.

                               Powers looing uncomfortable while holding her left upper arm asks in a low voice," If you need to lay back down...I didn't want to rush your recovery."

                             "No, I'm okay." Glenn replied, "I had to get up at some point."

                             T.E. Scope asks rather unconcernedly," We should venture outside the ship. I have already scanned this planet's atmosphere. It is almost exactly like Earths. Only the oxygen levels are far richer."

                             "Wow. You really are like a robot, aren't you? I mean the lady just came to after being out for hours. You got a heart in there somewhere tin man?" A morose Biff commented.

                          "I am sorry. May I go out alone and explore then?" T.E. asked not even acknowledging what Biff said to him.

                          "No." Powers flatly said. "We have to all go out there together. That is protocol. It is also the wisest thing to do. Also, it is paramount that we keep moral up. Which means that we must support one another at all times. Starting now. As we may be here for a long... long ...time."

                           Then Captain Powers got in the face of a smirking Beastman who seemed to take her orders in stride.

                        Beastman looking directly at her said," Something I can help you with?"

                         "Stop your bullying, Beastman." Powers tersely replied." I never wanted you on this journey from day one. I don't really want you now. However, the circumstances may require someone with your physical prowess. Oh, I don't know...to gather firewood or wrestle this planets equivalent of an alligator. Just listen to my orders without question from now on. Your father isn't here to pull the strings for you anymore. Got it?"

                          Beastman with a sneer replied," Seems like you're the bully now. Or are you just sore that I'm the only man on this ship that would ever attempt to keep you company at night? I mean after a keg of beer and besides T.E who may be secretly gay, who else? Oh, that's right, no one."

                             After a guttural scream of intense hatred, Captain Powers strikes at Beastman with the intent to knock his head off!

                             Beastman stops her hand cold from coming within an inch if his face.

                             "You want to dance Captain?" Beastman mockingly says to Powers as she struggles to free her hand from his.

                           Beastman, proceeds to lock Powers other arm with his other hand where he then starts to jerk the much smaller Powers from side to side.

                          "No! Let me go!" An enraged Powers screams.

                             T.E. Scope looks at the spectacle, unsure of what to do.

                            Glenn who has now risen from her bed and is standing up shouts," Biff, let go of Captain Powers! Now!"

                             A laughing Beastman complies as he ungraciously let's go of Powers.

                           "What, you want a dance now?", Beastman gloats.

                          A ruffled-up Powers now out of breath askes accusingly," You didn't take your medicine? Did you?"

                             Beastman deflecting Powers accusation," T.E, tell Captain Powers that I took my medicine."

                             T.E. points out to Beastman," I never saw you take your medicine. It would seem by your actions that you may have not."

                           "Take your medicine Beastman." Powers insisted, "Now."

                            Beastman in anger crunches the pouch where his medicine is inside of. Still, he doesn't open it.

                              "Why did you bring that pouch with you? If you didn't take your medicine earlier?" Glenn ponders, trying to de-escalate the situation. To understand Beastmans motivations.

                              "Maybe, I was going to throw it in a lake that we found out there. Who knows." Beastman muttered.

                              Glenn showing consideration for Beastman answered, "Or another possibility is that deep down you know that sometimes you need that medicine. That the medicine helps you. Can that be true as well?"

                                Without a response, Beastman calmly reaches into his pouch and brings out one of the small blue tablets. Where he then gulps it down.

                                 Glenn reinforces Beastmans decision to take his medicine by responding, "Thank you."

                               "Thats my pay back for you getting all of us of here safely." Beastman says with the most sincerity that Glenn thinks she has ever heard from him.

                               Captain Powers rejoices in Glenns ability to get through to Beastman saying, "My dear Glenn, you have outperformed yourself yet again."

                                 The over congratulatory Powers then begins to come in much closer to Glenn who quickly becomes uncomfortable by Powers fawning over her in such a way. Glenn quickly recoils from Powers, though before Powers can react to being rejected once again, Glenn announces, "Why don't we take up T.E.'s suggestion, to venture outside. I think it would do us all a world of good."

                                 Captain Powers confirms Glenns sentiments adoringly," Why...yes...that is a fine idea. The fresh air should help us all think a little better. Was that your train of thought...Glenn?"

                                  However, LT Marlena Glenn was already beside of T.E. Scope as they both lead the way out of her quarters. In order to explore the brand-new world, they were on.