Continuing the “-punk-” subgenre challenge I set for myself for this year’s WEP contest, I thought about what I could do with the April theme “Road Less Traveled.” While I originally considered doing an “Atompunk,” themed piece, I realized after a few paragraphs I would break the word limit. After a few days being stalled in the idea mill, I concluded “Raypunk,” would make an oddly good choice. Raypunk started out in the 1930’s as speculative ideas focusing on space travel, rayguns, robots, jetpacks, and rockets. Trying to focus on most of the key ideas behind Raypunk, I realized I could take some inspiration from the Space Race. Intertwining the ideas of the two, and the theme for this month’s challenge, I started writing. Managing to create a retro-inspired science fiction tale, I titled “Journey into Unknown Space.”
Journey into Unknown Space
The mission control room was busy going over last-minute preparations for tomorrow’s mission. Deputy Administer Smith had brought in every person he thought was necessary, filling the room with scientists, engineers, and, human calculators. Turning to ignore the chaotic crowd of people behind me, I peered out the window. Archimedes rested on the launch platform, bathing in the vibrant orange and red light from the setting sun. Contrasting the colors of the sunset with ivory and sapphire colored shell. The ground crew was running about the platform, walking over fuel lines and in-between passing vehicles. If things went well with the launch, this would be history in the making.
After an early morning test of my space suit, rocket pack and experimental ray gun, I walked over to the small stage where the press eagerly waited. My expecting wife and ten years old sat next to my boss. Setting my helmet down on the podium, I glanced at the media. Letting the flashbulb cameras and video cameras record me for a few seconds before speaking; “Various members of the press, I welcome you on this warm October morning. Today marks the end of years of work, and the beginning of my journey into the universe,” waving my family forward. Pulling my wife to my side, before taking my son’s hand. “There are a lot of people to thank, but first I want to thank my wife and son for the enduring love and constant support leading up to this day. Along with the numerous staff at National Space Exploration Agency for making this day possible,” kissing my wife on the cheek and ruffling my son’s hair. Grabbing my helmet, giving the press one last picture before walking to the launch platform.
Climbing up the stairs into, where the lid to Archimedes was hinged open. Stepping into the cramped red pilot seat with care, making sure not to start the launch prematurely. Securing myself to the seat with durable cloth straps that ran crisscrossed over my shoulders and chest. Reaching up and grabbing the lid’s handle slamming the top down. Feeling a slight pressure over my body as the airlock was sealed.
The in-helmet microphone crackled before the voice of Deputy Administer Smith came through, “You’re all clear on this end. Launch when ready, John.”
I said “Affirmative, Deputy Administer Smith,” grabbing both control sticks. Feeling mission control angle the platform holding Archimedes toward the sky. Pressing down on the ignition switch, just seconds later. The four secondary rockets were building up thrust against the clamps, making Archimedes tremor. “Releasing clamps now,” before pushing the second button on my right. Using the pent-up thrust to accelerate the rocket forward rapidly. The incredible g-force was pushing me back into the seat. Pressing down on the primary rocket’s ignition switch at my feet, increasing the g-force exponentially.
Breaking through the atmosphere, feeling the weightlessness all over my body. The moon and stars were bright against the darkness of space. A mesmerizing sight to behold this close up. Pulling both control sticks back, activating a prototype wormhole drive. Encapsulating my ship in a bubble of spacetime, protecting it as the ship rocketed through the universe.
Archimedes was slowing down rapidly as planetary designation Terrutius came into my view. The sphere was possessing an Earth-like appearance, except with a different layout. Deactivating the primary rocket, letting my ship go forward. Feeling the planet’s gravity pull Archimedes towards it nose first. Carefully rotating the wings holding the secondary rockets, using the thrust to turn the ship. Bringing Archimedes a whole hundred and eighty degrees feeling the ship begin to warm the more gravity pulled it downward. Quickly deactivating the secondary rockets to accelerate my descent.
Managing to land on Archimedes on a flat piece of land successfully. Releasing the lid with a powerful pull-back, breaking the airtight seal in the process. Undoing the straps before carefully getting out of my seat. Turning my jetpack onto a low thrust setting to land on the ground with ease. Glancing out at the surrounding land, seeing something had cleared this land in a perfect square. Dark brown twisting helix looking trees with broad hexagonal green leaves encompassed the cleared area. Unlike the sky of Earth, this place had a burnt orange hue to it. The temperature seemed mild enough for life to exist here somewhere. Taking a few cautious steps forward, my hand hovering above my raygun.
Pausing as something dropped down from the nearby trees. Keeping my raygun holstered, I saw a bipedal creature at the tree’s base. Its skin changing hues from green to a light blue color began to appear around its muscular body. A segmented tail was wrapping itself around the creature’s waist. Two arms of different lengths erupted out of the shoulders of the alien life form. Each was having almost claw-like fingers at each end. Two unblinking black eyes stared at me, as the one on the things slightly elongated forehead blinked rapidly. Hiding behind a series of pincher like attachments was a thin line, I assumed was its mouth. In silence, we studied each other with unflinching gazes. Seeming uncertain what would happen next, as more of them dropped out of the trees.
****
Two years have passed that historic day that changed my life. Improving the lives of the humanoid life forms on this planet. Feeling it was time for me to return to earth, confirming we weren’t alone in the universe. Stepping into Archimedes once again, looking out the crowd. Feeling saddened to leave yet optimistic about returning home to see my wife and child again.
Critique level: Full Word Count: 936
John has obviously had media training. I am intrigued at the consideration he shows for their wants/needs when he must be itching to start his journey. Love that he doesn’t use his ray-gun on the alien life form.
A minor quibble to finish up on – by the time he gets home he will have two children not one.
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Possibly assuming something hasn’t happened to them over the three years he has been away. That is a large reason I skipped ahead so far, things changed but the change is more than just him.
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Wow, that’s some beginning. Can’t wait to learn more. There will be more? I just have to know about his life on that new planet with the orange sky and the creatures…
Thanks, Christopher, very enticing!
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Thanks, honestly I’m not sure. There are a lot of possibilities to explore here. Glad you enjoyed it Yolanda.
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Interesting tale and a great hook for more.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
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It is always amazing to me to read others works. I love the diversity. Your piece is unique and spurs me to speculate as to what will happen next. I felt it was a little too short.
Excellent writing.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
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Thanks.glad you enjoyed it Pat
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Great take on the prompt. Just a little bothered that he travelled out when his wife was pregnant… probably had his reasons…
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Thanks. I never really specificed how far along she was. Given how particular a window of departure is, there wasn’t much choice.
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A trip he made
Then back again
He taught them
The ways of man
When others
Come back to see
They’ll die in a war
For supremacy
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You described those alien creatures well. I was a little worried they would attack the Earthman. You had a positive outcome in that he ended up helping them. It would be interesting if we could travel so far into the universe. Good story with many possibilities. 🙂
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I agree with that.
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I like scifi, so read this quickly. I’ve seen the NASA setup so I could see all the details you mentioned. I would like to hear more about how he helped the alien life he found on this new planet. A great entry. Do continue this one day. There are lot of possibilities here.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I will try and continue the idea at some point.
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Nice job! I loved the world-building description – on Earth, in space, and on the new planet. I think you did a nice job putting us into the scene.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
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Christopher, you hooked us with your premise. Some good descriptions here. I’m always a sucker for color, and you have used color well.
Thanks for writing this story for WEP. Many are asking for it to be extended. Is this a possibility?
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Thanks. Given the surprising desire to see that done, I will try to.
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Sure different aliens than those ready to go on the attack. Be interesting to see them delved into further.
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I debated how to do the “contact” scene for a few days, honestly. Torn between killing the astronaut, thus kind of ending the story; or continuing in more peaceful ways and see what happens.
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Always an intriguing subject, you handled it well.
You may find want to do a little more sentence structure editing in your drafts to save you doing a lot of work later.
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Thanks
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