The commodore lay peacefully within his cabin, thinking about his ship and the residents that were his responsibility. As his mind meandered, he felt a pull to port and decided to check the bridge.

“Anything the matter?”

“We don’t know sir. Thrusters appear ineffective at present.”

Upon the immense screen, a brightly coloured whirlpool suddenly appeared from nowhere.

“Crikey! Hard a starboard.”

“We are trying sir.”

As the ship lurched, the crewman called out.

“We can’t pull free sir.”

“Increase the stabilisers by fifty percent.”

He tapped the intercom and barked, “All stations, prepare for impact!”

As crewmembers dashed to their quarters, the great ship lurched violently.

“Stabilisers failing sir!”

“We can’t lose those,” the commodore hissed. “The ship will be torn apart.”

“We are being pulled in sir!”

The great ship heaved and began to list at an alarming angle.

“We have no choice now. Thrusters to full and point the bow directly at the centre.”

“But sir?”

“Just do it crewman. It’s now or never.”

The bridge crew snapped to carry out the command, as the starship swung into the whirling pool.

It seemed only moments that the sickening ride lasted. Those who failed to reach their cabins were tossed against the walls and in the pool, the water smashed against the port wall. Thankfully, the swimmers made it out in time.

As emergency lights clicked on, the commodore picked himself up from the floor.

“I need full damage and casualty reports now.”

“Aye sir.”

“Any power for the viewer?”

“The mains are down sir.”

The commodore shook his head.

“Engineering?”

After a few minutes, the new chief came through.

“We just got back sir. Battery power only I’m afraid.”

“How long will that last?”

“Approximately twelve hour’s sir. Don’t worry though. We’ll have the drive system up and running by then.”

The commodore was rather relieved.

“We can still use thrusters at least.”

He gazed at the blank screen in consternation.

“Strip every ounce of emergency power and divert it to the viewer.”

Moments later the screen flickered into life.

“That is a surprise.”

He found himself gazing at a series of large planets circling a distant sun.

“Seems as though we have crossed the galaxy. Can we scan?”

“Trying sir.”

Moments passed and the report came in.

“You are looking at an E1 sir. We are close enough to take a look.”

“At least it is Earth like. What about life?”

“Readings indicate animal life and thick forests sir. The north hemisphere is covered in deserts.”

“Looks like we’ll be checking out the forests then. What about those damn reports?”

“All stations read no serious damage sir. The pool has been trashed though.”

“Casualties?”

The crewman looked grim.

“Two hundred with cuts, bruises, and broken bones sir. We got off lucky. What was that thing?”

“A rip in space son. Summon a team to the landing pod. I’m going down.”

The bridge crew were shocked.

“That’s against protocol sir.”

As he headed for the lift he quipped, “Then arrest me.”

When he stepped onto the pod, the four-man team were waiting.

“Coming along Mike?”

“I fancy a change of scenery sir. Surprised to see you here.”

“If we are to settle here I need to see it for myself.”

He paused a moment.

“Please don’t quote regulations either.”

Mike smiled.

“As if I would sir.”

The pods were soon falling through the atmosphere before the thrusters cut in. As they soft-landed, the team stepped outside.

“I hate those things,” the commodore admitted.

“Looks friendly so far sir.”

“Yes it does Mike. Check for signs of toxins.”

“You heard the commodore. Snap to it.”

As the team dispersed with their scanners, the commodore and Mike gazed upon the huge, lush trees.

“Reminds me of the old tropics sir.”

“Me too. After a hundred generations who would have predicted this?”

“It had to happen eventually sir. After all, this was the mission plan.”

The commodore smiled.

“Our ancestors were hustled aboard my boy and this ship was fired into the abyss. A huge blank bit without stars. The scientists of the day thought it would be safer that way.”

“Some plan. Why did they leave? We all know about Earth being doomed of course.”

The commodore smiled.

“That information is still classified. Has been since we left.”

“You have not read it?”

The commodore shook his head.

“Not allowed to. At least not until we reach landfall.”

“Seems daft to me sir.”

“Me too I’m afraid.”

A call from the wild drew their attention. When they responded, they found a team member staring at a vast lake.

“Sorry sir, just a huge fish.”

“What’s the salinity level like?” the commodore asked.

“Slightly above normal but it is safe to swim.”

Mike nudged him.

“Unless of course the fish bite.”

As they laughed the remaining member returned carrying a large fruit.

“I don’t know what it is sir, but readings indicate that it is safe.”

“Looks like paradise,” a crewman muttered.

“Sometimes paradise can be deceptive,” the commodore
whispered. “We’ll stay the night to make sure. It’s time to make a camp.”

As they sat around the roaring fire at the centre of a large clearing, hoots and calls came from the deep forest.

“I wonder where the birds are sir?”

“They may not have evolved here Mike. It would be nice to see a parrot again though.”

A sudden swish was followed by a scream and a crewmen keeled over.

“He’s got a spear in his back!” the commodore hissed. “Draw your weapons now and put out that damn fire!”

As the three survivors pulled their sonic blasters, Mike spotted a dark shape nearby. Taking careful aim, he fired.

The target screamed and he dashed forward.

“Reminds me of an American Indian sir.”

Lying prone was a naked individual wearing a brightly coloured headdress.

“Obviously the inhabitants are hostile Mike. Let’s not end up like Custer eh?”

“Back to the ship?”

“Not until daylight. We’ll hold our position till then.”

They returned to their dead comrade and lay still as darkness continued. When the sun rose, they breathed a collective sigh of
relief.

“Come on,” the commodore hissed. “We can’t live here.”

As they approached the landing tubes once more, a sudden squawk brought them to a halt. From the thick undergrowth, a large ground feeding bird stalked into view.

The sharp beak and intelligent eyes were complimented by savage claws.

“It’s around seven foot sir,” a crewman warned.

“Reminds me of a Moa. Note the black head feathers,” the commodore replied.

“It’s between us and the tubes sir.”

The commodore shook his head.

“I really don’t want to harm it. Our remote ancestors wiped the Moa out.”

“Let me try something sir.”

“Go on then Mike but be ruddy careful.”

The security guard looked around and spotted the rotting lizard like animal by the trees. He dashed forward and picked it up. As he did so, the fearsome predator watched with interest.

“Go and get it.”

He tossed it across to their right and the bird sprinted in pursuit.

“Now move it!” the commodore shouted and they reached their tubes safely. Moments later the thrusters activated and the return trip began.

As they stepped onto the landing pod once more, the commodore tapped the intercom.

“How is the repair going?”

The engineer quickly responded.

“You have full power sir.”

“That’s great. Bridge, ahead half thrust.”

A surprised crewman replied.

“That’ll take a week sir.”

The commodore glanced at Mike smiling.

“What’s a week out here?”

“Aye sir.”

When Ep 10 arrives, please don't read if you are easily offended..I'm pulling out the stops for the grande finale...

bring it on, :)