(The Silence of Ancient Light, continued)

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The darkness did not persist. Lights came on, dimly at first, then gradually brighter, to illuminate the embarkation compartment beyond the airlock, and Anna reached up to turn off her helmet light. She heard as much as felt a rush of warm air blow into the room from the wall vents, though it would take a while to displace the cold that permeated everything. At least that meant there was atmospheric pressure, so the safety systems must have sealed off the depressurized parts of the ship. A slowly pulsing red light over the far hatchway competed with the persistent alarm for her attention, and after each alarm tone, a cool, calm, female voice rang over the speakers.

“Attention. Hull breach detected. Safety interlocks engaged. All personnel don emergency apparatus and report to duty stations.”

Had that alert been sounding repeatedly for… how long had it been? Nine weeks? Ten?

“Attention. Hull breach detected. Safety interlocks engaged. All personnel…”

Read more at

Shattered Hopes

(1,254 words; 5 min reading time)

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Upon returning to the starship, a grim discovery awaits Anna and her crew, along with the realization that outrunning the oncoming Orta ship will be futile. With time running out, all options appear bad, but that has been the case since first being marooned on the alien world of Kepler 62f. Can quick thinking and clever strategies save them now, or are they about to find out what happens to prisoners of an alien species?

Go click that button to find out! And after you’ve read the scene, if you liked it, let me know! Hit that Like button, and to be notified when the next scene is out, hit that Follow button too!

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header image credit: Matt Fraser