Red Planet, Pt. 1

The landing sequence has begun
Anticipation fills the artificial air
Twenty of us man the deck
While hundreds more fill the bowels of the cruiser

I can almost taste the red sand
With how often I've dreamed of this day
For nearly a year we've trained
And for nearly another we've been in route
Still, this moment seems to have caught me unprepared

We travel on the third of eleven cruisers leaving the world behind
Robotics and scout teams have prepared the planet for the arrival of thousands
Indoor cities where sustainability and safety are elegantly balanced
With dramatic views of the host world as a reminder of the dangers outside

My breath draws tight with anxiety and fear
As we hit the thin atmosphere
The cruiser strains and vibrates as we head down to the surface
Greetings, and welcome to the red planet

The reverse thrusters fire while artificial gravity fades
Feeling lighter and unsteady triggers my training
It's time to put on my spacesuit

The door hisses with escaping gas as the hatch retreats
The red world comes slowly into view
Unforgiving terrain, mountains in the distance
Lights and snowglobe-like cities down here in the valley
One foot leads another out of the ship

The arrival tunnel passes our inspection
We pass through the airlock as the first wave of passengers stream through
Eyes wide with wonder
Men, women, and children
I allow myself to succumb to the enormity and wonder of this place for only a moment
Then I fall in with the crowd

I reach the door of my new home and raise my hand to the panel
The door recedes and a familiar face turns my way
A lone tear falls from her eye as we run to each other
And embrace after nearly three years apart
After an almost eternal moment, she slowly pulls away and takes my hand
We cross the room and look out at the sun setting slowly over the red mountains

One journey has ended, and another one begins