Theos spacecraft – Asteroid beltA multi-coloured bird was chirping merrily, while the twig on which it was resting trembled gently in the light breeze. Azakis was watching this with fascination. It seemed almost impossible that so sweet and melodious a song could issue from such a small being. Slowly, however, the soft singing began to grow more gloomy and graceless. The melody changed into a rhythmic pulsing, which became ever louder and more maddening.
“Warning. Arriving at outer limits of asteroid belt in ten minutes.”
The proximity alert had been activated and the warm, feminine voice of the central system was informing the crew of the ship’s position.
Azakis slowly opened his eyes, but all he could see was the control panel a few centimetres from his face, its coloured buttons arra
