Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write in the SCIENCE FICTION genre (05/10/07)
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TITLE: Going Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By Benjamin Graber
05/11/07 -
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Going Home
“Captain, I think we’ve discovered something big.”
The voice, rippling with excitement, immediately snagged Phillip’s attention. He bounded from his seat. In two strides he joined Mark, the head scientist of the expedition. Just as they were leaving the room, his steps were stalled by another voice, which he knew as Marci’s, the communication officer.
“Captain, sir, you got a message – it’s from your mother.”
A single glance displayed his disgust. “When is she going to stop treating me like a child?”
“I don’t know, sir.” A grin crept on her lips.
“Bring it here.”
Was that a faint aroma of apple pie he smelled? No, his imagination was just playing tricks. The message was short, but it bled reminders of home.
“Miss you. Come home soon. Love, Mom.”
Phillip stuffed the message in his pocket and turned his mind back to more important matters as he led a jog to the science lab of his ship, the Ponce de León.
Phillip and Mark were soon staring at the hologram display of the recently invented LifeMeter device. Marci, too, was peeping over their shoulders to see what the commotion was about.
“Where is the line-thingy?” she asked. The other two rolled their eyes.
“The ‘line-thingy’ is at the top of the display,” explained Mark, “which means this planet that we are orbiting is 86 times more suitable for life than the planet earth is.”
“I name this planet ‘León’,” pronounced Phillip. “I believe we may have finally found the fountain of youth.”
~~~
The next day, on the planet León, Phillip, Mark, and five soldiers set out to explore the thick jungle blanketing the planet, using a smaller LifeMeter device to guide them to the most vivacious location on the planet.
After a couple hours’ march, Phillip motioned for the group to stop.
“I hear something.” A few moments’ silence confirmed his suspicions. “It is running water!”
A few steps later, the jungle opened into a beautiful valley. A small stream danced its way through the valley, sparkling with life. A glance showed the group that it was generated from a small spring on the southern slope of the valley.
“It is the fountain of youth!” Mark said, awe lacing his voice.
Phillip pulled a canteen out of his pack and stepped forward to the stream. Turning to face his men, he declared, “7000 years of world history have culminated in this day. Let this day be remembered forever!”
He dipped the canteen in the water. But as he lifted it to his lips, he paused as a scream shattered his confidence. “Don’t do it!” shrieked a woman who dashed out of the jungle on the other side of the stream. She was dressed in hides, and looked like a witch, with her hair scattered to the whims of the wind. Her face was scarred with years upon years of terror.
“If you taste that water, you will experience the despair of hundreds of years of hopelessness. Hate will consume your soul, until you can’t bear the sight of a human face. You can try to kill yourself, but you cannot die! You cannot die!” On this last phrase of dread she screamed again, and turned around and fled in fear.
Phillip threw down his canteen. “Head for the ship!”
The party turned and sprinted for the jungle. “I think I just got a glimpse of hell!” exclaimed Mark.
When they reached the cover of the jungle again, Phillip paused. “Mark, what are we doing, turning back on the culmination of history, because of a nutcase who warned us off?”
“Did you see her face?”
“What has that to do with us?”
“Just this: life that never ends is a nightmare if there is no meaning within it.”
Brooding over this, Phillip remained silent for a minute.
“But what is the meaning in life?” Phillip finally said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Feeling a piece of paper, he pulled it out of his pocket. It was his mother’s note from the day before.
“Love…” He answered his own question.
The memory of the aroma of apple pie filled his mind, along with the reminder of the warmth of a hug. Love – the power which gives meaning to day, peace through the night, vitality to life, and even… could it be?… Victory over death! Hope filled his heart again.
“Let’s go home.”
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Wonderful theme concerning the truth about immortality outside heaven. Reading this reminded me of the movie "Tuck Everlasting."
I also enjoyed the humor inserted--Marci's unprofessional use of "line-thingy" and the smell of Mom's apple pie. Great job!