Post by Lora Palmer on Jul 10, 2022 15:20:54 GMT -5
CURRENT VERSION:
We’re leaving Earth.
A bone-deep, brutal chill engulfs me, so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and the walls of the chamber press in on me. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. I gulp in rapid, shallow breaths. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to search for an exit button. I beat on the glass, anything to break free. Can anyone hear me? Before panic tears my chest to shreds, the top to the chamber slides open, and I try in vain to scramble out while I can. I'm not about to get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to a deadly offworld version of nowheresville.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see.”
What? We’ve already arrived? Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. The stale air smells of body odor, sweat, and a lingering medicinal scent from the reanimation process. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand a few feet away now surrounded by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
SECOND VERSION:
We've left Earth.
That is my first thought as I come to awareness, followed by a bone-deep, brutal chill so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and claustrophobia kicks in. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. Okay, I need to stay calm so I don't use up all the air. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to test them before pressing them to the glass, searching for an exit button. I'm prepared to beat on the glass if I have to, anything to break free. Could anyone hear me if I did? But I don't have to, because the top to the chamber slides open, and I try in vain to scramble out while I can. I'm not about to let myself get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to a deadly offworld version of nowheresville.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see."
Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. The stale air smells of body odor, sweat, and a lingering medicinal scent from the reanimation process. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand a few feet away surrounded now by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
FIRST VERSION:
We're leaving Earth.
That memory is my first thought as I come to awareness, followed by a bone-deep, brutal chill so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and claustrophobia kicks in. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. Okay, I need to stay calm so I don't use up all the air. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to test them before pressing them to the glass, searching for an exit button. I'm prepared to beat on the glass if I have to, anything to break free. Could anyone hear me if I did? But I don't have to, because the top to the chamber slides open, and I scramble out while I can. I'm not about to let myself get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to an offworld version of nowheresville. Without his support, I'm not sure I could stand on my shaky legs.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see."
Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand surrounded now by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
We’re leaving Earth.
A bone-deep, brutal chill engulfs me, so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and the walls of the chamber press in on me. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. I gulp in rapid, shallow breaths. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to search for an exit button. I beat on the glass, anything to break free. Can anyone hear me? Before panic tears my chest to shreds, the top to the chamber slides open, and I try in vain to scramble out while I can. I'm not about to get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to a deadly offworld version of nowheresville.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see.”
What? We’ve already arrived? Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. The stale air smells of body odor, sweat, and a lingering medicinal scent from the reanimation process. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand a few feet away now surrounded by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
SECOND VERSION:
We've left Earth.
That is my first thought as I come to awareness, followed by a bone-deep, brutal chill so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and claustrophobia kicks in. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. Okay, I need to stay calm so I don't use up all the air. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to test them before pressing them to the glass, searching for an exit button. I'm prepared to beat on the glass if I have to, anything to break free. Could anyone hear me if I did? But I don't have to, because the top to the chamber slides open, and I try in vain to scramble out while I can. I'm not about to let myself get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to a deadly offworld version of nowheresville.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see."
Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. The stale air smells of body odor, sweat, and a lingering medicinal scent from the reanimation process. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand a few feet away surrounded now by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
FIRST VERSION:
We're leaving Earth.
That memory is my first thought as I come to awareness, followed by a bone-deep, brutal chill so painful I want to scream. But no sound comes out when I try, not even a whimper. Air hisses into my coffin-sized chamber, though I can't feel it. Then heat, blessed heat, envelops me, and slowly -- too slowly -- I thaw. As the warmth flows through my limbs, it leaves a sharp, uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in its wake.
My eyes drift open. Condensation fogs the glass window above, and claustrophobia kicks in. I have to get out of this tiny space, like, now. Okay, I need to stay calm so I don't use up all the air. Move, I tell myself and wiggle my fingers to test them before pressing them to the glass, searching for an exit button. I'm prepared to beat on the glass if I have to, anything to break free. Could anyone hear me if I did? But I don't have to, because the top to the chamber slides open, and I scramble out while I can. I'm not about to let myself get sealed in again.
"Honey, you're all right. We've got you," Dad says, wrapping an arm around me. I cling to him, though I don't want to, not after he dragged me away to an offworld version of nowheresville. Without his support, I'm not sure I could stand on my shaky legs.
Mom wraps an arm around me too, and I allow them to hug me while I regain my strength and balance. "We're here," she says once I'm no longer trembling in their arms. "Let's go see."
Emerging from the cryo-chamber into the ship's lounge, I gape at my first sight of Mars, blinking to confirm that what I'm seeing is real and maybe to get my bleary eyes and foggy mind to focus. The red planet looms, bright and alien, on the huge view screen before the gathered crowd. Some of the other soon-to-be inhabitants of Mars Colony 1 sit on long benches and even a handful of seats scattered around, but most have to stand in this already crowded, cramped room. I shiver so hard my teeth chatter. The thin fabric of my grey tunic and leggings does little to keep me warm even surrounded by the body heat of others.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mom and Dad staring up at the screen, too, their hands clasped together and Mom leaning her head against Dad's shoulder. They stand surrounded now by several high-ranking officers who have already drawn them deep into discussion, probably about all the work to be done in the coming days. Bright smiles light up their faces. As if sensing me watching, they wave me back to them.
Of course, they couldn't have spared one precious second of this first view of our new world waiting by my side while I fully thaw. I give a half-hearted wave and return my gaze to the screen. If I speak to them now before my brain wakes up all the way, I'll probably say something cutting and hurtful in front of the command crew, and I don't want to spoil this moment for them.
