Explorers! by HansApplegate on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Adora and Astrid stood on the rocky knoll next to the landing site of Colony Ship G497. The sisters were eager to embark on their first mission on planet M6-PK-12. The planet would officially get a name instead of a numerical destination later, after the colonists had some time to explore. And that is exactly what Adora and Astrid had trained for!

“Ready to go, sis?” asked Adora.

“Sure am! Been waiting more than my whole life for this!” Astrid answered, making both girls giggle.

They had been in cryosleep for a little over sixty years, as had all the colonists aboard their ship. It was viewed as the best way to set up human colonies once cryosleep was perfected. Some had thought that faster than light travel would replace the generational ships of old. But, faster than light travel had still eluded the scientists working on it. Still, ships now could go much faster than previous generations. But, the colonists would on average spend 50 to 100+ years in cryo sleep with the ship on autopilot. They would only awake at the destination and start their lives anew.

“Ok, let's go over the list; water, minerals and local life forms… That is, if there are any lifeforms.” Adora read off her pad.

“Yep! Just like our training!” Astrid chimed in as she checked her data pad and started walking off into the unknown.