Stranded (CH1 of Finding Home)

The gravitational fields strength must be similar to that of Earth’s, as my boots weighed heavily in the mild atmosphere. I quickly had Sam check the area for life or forms of toxic gas in the air.

Sam didn’t respond for minute, far longer than a simple scan should have taken. I peered my head back into the space craft. Sam’s wide eyes staring unblinkingly at the screen in disbelief is all that managed to catch my attention before I looked down at what had shocked him so much.

The test that had come back concluded that the air on this planet was almost the same as that on earth, the only difference being that the nitrogen levels here were slightly higher. However, it was so little a difference that we could breath safely here. It was unbelievable, ridiculously unbelievable, but that was the case.

I tapped Sam on the shoulder and at the click of a button the screen displayed the gravitational force of the planet. 9.5 Newtons, only 0.3N less than that of our own Earth. We would be stronger here, lighter as well. No wonder the spacecraft had taken such a hit when coming into the atmosphere. I looked back to said spacecraft and suddenly a feeling of dread enveloped my being.

What if life wasn’t as developed on this planet?

With the damage our engine had taken, there would be no telling how long it would take to repair, and that’s with easily accessible parts. What if we were stranded? We would run out of food. The vegetation on this planet seemed edible, but what if it killed us?

Poison ivy looked harmless.

My breath came out faster, heavier, than before as I began to panic. What if I never saw Hannah again? Or Jane, my precious, little, perfect Jane may never see her father again all because of a stupid information mission! One that wouldn’t even reach a conclusion as we would never see earth again!

I felt the weight of a firm hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Sam’s eyes, swimming with concern for me. Surely he had also noticed our situation? How could he not have?

“Brandon, take a deep breath. That’s it, in and out. Repeat it now. Good, that’s very good.” The deep gravel of his voice managed to calm me, something that’s always stumped me, how he could be so calming when he sounded like that. I slumped my shoulders, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

He smiled, gazing around at the forrest we seemed to have landed in. Surely, if there was life, it would have either scattered or come to investigate. We would just have to scour the small planet with our current supplies for now, and make it back with the hopes of finding a means of transport back to Earth.

I thanked my luck that this planet was only slightly bigger than Pluto. That meant we had a chance.

Thanks for reading! :relaxed: you can also find this story on Wattpad under the same title with the author’s name as L_tries_to_write (me)