The Desolate Frontier

-Milky Way Digest [MWD} vol 13 pg. 20 –

It had been months since Captain Alex Taylor set foot on solid ground. As he gazed out at the barren landscape of the alien world, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease. The planet’s surface was covered in a thick layer of dust, and the sky was a permanent shade of blue-gray. The only signs of life were the occasional tufts of scrub brush, struggling to survive in the harsh environment. Alex had been sent to this planet on a mission to search for water and food sources. With the Inter-Planetary Alliance facing a growing food shortage, they needed to find new sources of sustenance. Alex was one of the best planetary explorers in the Alliance, and he had been hand-selected for this mission.

As he stepped off his ship, Alex felt the crunch of sand under his feet. He set out towards the largest of the nearby mountains, hoping to find a water source at its base. He had brought a small collection of tools and supplies, including a handheld scanner to help him search for signs of life. As he made his way through the desolate terrain, Alex couldn’t help but think about all the dangers he might encounter. The planet was known to be inhabited by a variety of dangerous creatures, and the atmospheric conditions were far from hospitable. But Alex was a seasoned explorer and determined to complete his mission.

Hours passed as Alex trudged through the sand, and he began to feel the effects of the planet’s harsh environment. His skin was dry and sunburned, and his mouth felt like sandpaper. He was just about to turn back when he saw a blue glimmer in the distance. Excited, Alex sprinted toward the source of the light, his heart pounding in his chest. When he finally arrived at the base of the mountain, he couldn’t believe his eyes. There, nestled in a small valley, was a shimmering blue lake. Overjoyed, Alex ran towards the lake, eager to taste its water. But as he reached the shore, he was stopped in his tracks. The water was surrounded by a dense wall of thorns, so thick that he couldn’t even see the other side.

Frustrated, Alex turned back to his ship, determined to find another way to reach the water. As he worked to find a way around the thorns, he noticed a small, gnarled tree growing on the lake’s edge. Curiosity getting the best of him, Alex approached the tree. As he got closer, he saw that its trunk was covered in a thick layer of moss, and its branches were heavy with fruit. A smile spread across Alex’s face as he realized that he had found not only a source of water but also a source of food.

With renewed energy, Alex spent the next few days exploring the area, gathering as much fruit and water as he could carry. He knew that he would have to leave soon but was grateful for the discoveries that he had made. As Alex prepared to depart from the planet, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. This desolate world was a harsh and unforgiving place, but it had given him a glimpse of hope in a time of great need. And he knew that, no matter what the future held, he would never forget his time on the Desolate Frontier.