The reduced effective gravity made for good sleeping. Savanna’s back did not hurt when she arose after eight full hours in the sack, a welcome change. Her communicator was flashing with nonurgent traffic. She read the message and went to Medical. Maricia’s speech had regressed. She still had a fever. Otherwise, the surgical recovery was as expected. There was nothing Savanna needed to or could do other than spending time with her. They had breakfast together, puree for one and a burrito for the other. It was a happy moment for both.
Savanna savored a leisurely morning. She spent time on the treadmill but gave up quickly. The reduced gravity made it too easy, and sometimes she bounced a little high, hitting the ceiling. The bike was much better exercise, but the seat was not made for the gravid. She did part of a course around Lake Tahoe, a place familiar to Lucinda but one she had never seen. After the much-needed relaxation and a long, hot shower, she returned to CAC. She felt pressure and anxiety even though the computer would not allow an error that would compromise the mission. She wanted the orbit to be perfect.
The telescopes imaged the blue planet, so similar to the one she left, looming ahead. A spectral analysis showed an atmosphere primarily of nitrogen with about 20 percent oxygen as predicted. The surface was mostly water, huge blue oceans speckled with clouds. She magnified one area where small dots of land with tiny clouds, probably over peaks, appeared. Islands. Her excitement grew. The destination appeared to be perfect. There were large expanses of tan or red tinged cloudless land. Desert. Some mountain ranges were visible. The analysis showed no toxins in the atmosphere. There were huge expanses of green around the equator, and in the temperate regions, river valleys teaming with life!
She wanted to send the positive signal back to base, but the computer kept the room locked until orbit had been achieved and until a sequence of studies had been completed. At that point, most of the data would be in. It would take at least a few orbits to complete the process.
Savanna went to CAN and inspected the locked door. She polished and lubricated the lock and hinges. She then sat at the COM terminal and entered a message into the daily log.
Day 231 of deceleration. Yord is clearly visible ahead. Orbital preparation will be finalized in six hours. The planet’s appearance is compatible with human life. Abundant carbon-based life is present, as predicted. The atmosphere contains approximately 20 percent oxygen. Oceans appear to be large, but a great deal of habitable land is present. Mean planetary and regional temperatures are acceptable. A detailed life scan is lacking and should be completed after several orbits. Only one moon has been seen. It is relatively large, and significant tidal influences are predicted. It is anticipated that this planet could provide a habitat for humans. It is gratifying to see a hopeful sign in this difficult expedition.
Maricia, the only other surviving crew member, had surgery yesterday for gallstones. She has regressed mentally but otherwise is doing well. The two of us expect to deliver in six weeks as previously reported.
Back in CAC, Savanna went over the trajectory data once again. The slight course correction had them aimed for an orbit that was at a sixty-five-degree angle with the equator. This would enable a complete look at Yord everywhere except directly above the poles. She kept returning to images of the beautiful perfect planet ahead. She posted a few of them in a folder she could show Maricia.
Maricia looked at the screen but did not seem to appreciate the good news. Back in CAC, Savanna watched the moon enlarge. They were coming in fast and tight. It was good it had no significant atmosphere. The ship passed seemingly slowly by the moon, and the trajectory curved to conform to the moon’s surface. The slowing resulted in a sensation of gravity again. The force increased as the rate of slowing increased. Savanna was thinking about second derivatives from her calculus days. It seemed the spacecraft was grinding to a stop between New Earth and this moon. However, the measured velocity was still two hundred kilometers per minute. It slowed to less than half than before they began to fall toward the planet. She cut the engines, and weightlessness returned. Savanna floated up and away from her chair and wiped the palms of her hands on her pants. The approach had gone perfectly. The rockets would fire a few times, each preceded by a tone to alert her so she could secure all loose items including personnel.
She sailed to the stairwell and propelled herself down to Medical. She laughed as she frolicked weightless. A frivolous, outlandish thought led her to detour to her quarters, shed all her clothes, and summersault back to Medical. She felt free and happy. The sound of her laughter made Maricia turn her eyes to see a naked eight-month pregnant woman suspended in the air, making swimming motions, running in various styles, fast and slow, pushing off the walls in a surreal ballet. Maricia reacted with a smile. Savanna laughed even harder, exhilarated by this moment of ultimate freedom within the shell of captivity. She finally settled down and showed the pictures of their destination to Maricia. She thought it was pretty. After a while, Savanna tumbled to the stairwell, floated down a flight, and slid into her sheets. With her daughter kicking in delight, she was bursting with confidence that the ordeal was going to end well—if she could just make a good landing.