Tasha was the first to walk out of the cave, followed by everyone else. Maurice couldn’t help but notice Kimberley’s slow walk. He knew something was wrong with her. With the enemy gone, this was a good time to calculate the next step.
He stopped Robert and Tasha to get everybody on the same page. A quick huddle, he thought. He looked at his handheld instrument scanner. It beeped several times.
“Okay, gang, here’s what’s up. The only fertile land on Topaz is about twenty-five miles in that direction.” He pointed east. “We still have Merek, but with this radioactive sandstorm brewing, we’ll have to walk. By now, Tony and Linda have probably had contact with human natives, and with any luck, they’ll help us. We need all the help we can get.”
Just then, Kimberley blacked out for a second. But Maurice caught her and prevented her from falling to the ground.
“What’s wrong with her?” said Tasha.
Maurice’s mini scanner was analyzing her.
“Wow.” Maurice said. “Apparently, Kimberley’s magic over plants is working against her. She’s been poisoned by Topaz’s radioactive soil. In fact, we all are, but slower than her. The wind is starting to blow and the wild weather is starting to brew. We need to start moving to the only other safe place on this planet. East. Let’s start moving. Tasha, I want you and Robert to take the lead. Your magic powers can protect us best. I still have my pistol, and I have at least two shots left. Let’s move.”
Robert felt good to be accepted into their group. In fact, he took Tasha’s hand and began to walk ahead. She felt so safe with him.
Kimberley felt weak. She tried to keep up with Maurice, but she lagged farthest behind the first two miles. Maurice could sense she needed help, so he extended his hand. Instantly she held his hand. Her hands were ice-cold as the rest of her. Maurice’s other hand touched her forehead. She began to feel hot and cold. He knew she was sick.
At that moment, he didn’t care about Steve or Linda. He put his arm around Kim’s waist, if nothing else, to comfort her and hold her up. She did the same and felt better, a little stronger.
After the tenth mile or so, the clouds started to thunder and rumble. The temperature dropped ten degrees every hour.
The sand blew harder and harder. Maurice’s eyes began to burn. It didn’t feel good.
Another hour and another mile later, Maurice began to carry Kimberley on his back. He felt he had to prove himself as a leader. They hadn’t even reached the halfway mark yet. It was uncomfortable.
“Maurice, let’s rest,” said a tired Tasha.
Robert was tired too. He knew Kim was tired. He was outvoted.
“Hey, Maurice,” Robert spoke, “it’s starting to get cold. What’s the temp?”
Maurice looked. It was forty degrees.
“The temperature must get way down. This planet doesn’t have an ecosystem to regulate itself.”
“Can’t we do something about it?” Tasha said. “Kimberley’s about to freeze to death.” Her teeth were chattering.
“How about some magic?” said Robert, “like maybe we need a change of threads?”
Maurice butted in, “That’s an excellent idea. Didn’t you say we could change these uniforms to any clothing we wanted? How about hazmat suits to combat the radiation?”
Tasha changed her clothes first, followed by Robert, then Maurice. The magic wave worked fine. Kim was weak, so Tasha waved her arm for her, and they were all in their protective suits.
After a little rest, they had reached the halfway point at the top of a hill. They could see their destination far away. It was still about twelve miles or so away, but it was so pretty to see the purple, red, and green vegetation, especially to Kimberley. Over in the distance, Maurice saw some large boulders, two of which were perfect for an encampment. He went over to the boulders and shot them point blank with his pistol. The rocks were hot, and it was just like a furnace. He picked up Kim so she could bask in its heat.
“Come on, everybody. The heat should last a few hours.”
They all huddled around the rocks as the temperature kept dropping.
The storm was fierce, but it finally let up. It was almost morning as the Topazian sun began to rise. Its quick nine-hour night was fast, and soon, the four were on their way. They changed back to their uniforms.
After walking down the bottom of a basin and up yet another hill, Maurice was the first to peek over the hill. And there at the bottom was the unexpected . . . a starjet!