New world
As far as the eye could see there were rocks and barren dirt with patches of ice. Above was a pale sky washed and tired like sun-bleached laundry. Weight pinned Nick down into the seat. The rover appeared intact.
He scanned the holographic screens, which flashed and updated before his eyes. New readouts flowed. He recognized atmospheric readings. Oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere at near sea level pressure. Cold temperatures, but only negative 153°f, not nearly as cold as the temperature on Europa.
Outside alien reindeer team had come down to the ground, and they sprawled on their broad bellies like a colony of sea lions, flippers spread wide around them, energy antlers dim and hard to see in the sunlight.
“Are they okay?”
When Vibeke didn’t answer, he turned his head to look, alar
