Planet JL
David stared out the window into the vast star-spotted blackness. Planet JL was a bright, colourful speck in the far distance. He looked back from the window to the chaos of flashing dials and buttons that Herbert frantically stabbed at in desperate hope.
“How’s it looking, Mr Wells?” David asked, both of them still relaxed despite the picture of chaos surrounding them. They had experienced worse.
“Planet JL looks promising, Mr Bowie. I see signs of life on the sensors. Maybe they are so significantly developed that they have material for repairs to the ship.”
David nodded, “Groovy Herb. You just tell me what you need me to do.”
Herbert pulled a lever hard, and the ship lurched. “If we land, I need you to do the talking, Mr Bowie. You’re far better with people than me.”
David started humming to himself, “Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong”, and sighed. He enjoyed this new life with Herb. If this was the end, he was prepared for it, but he hoped it wasn’t over yet. Herb would figure it out. He always did. They would be back on another adventure soon.
A new light started flashing, accompanied by a new low-pitched beeping. Herbert suddenly looked delighted and flicked another switch.
“There is hope, Mr Bowie. They’re trying to communicate with us!”
David stood up, moved towards the main control console, and picked up a large brass contraption with two large round pads at each end of a round band, and a small bauble sticking out from an arm in the middle. David knew exactly what he needed to do as he placed the pads over his ears and positioned the bauble in front of his mouth.
He listened carefully and intensely. So far, just static. Herbert looked up at him hopefully, and David reached for a large round dial with dozens of etches around it. He twisted and turned it gently in each direction, listening for any change.
He heard only static and shook his head with disappointment.
“Keep trying, Mr Bowie. As we draw ever closer, maybe the signal will get stronger.”
The green-purple planet grew ever larger in the ship’s viewfinder, showing its swirls of colour in clearer detail. There were large groups of black and grey gathered together. Typically, this meant some kind of civilisation. Despite the desperation, this filled them with hope.
David twisted and fiddled the dial with ever more frantic motions. Then suddenly he detected a quiet noise buried within the static. Was he imagining it? It wouldn’t be the first time. He gave Herbert a cautious thumbs-up and waited patiently, listening harder.
The noise slowly grew and emerged from the static, and a broad smile grew across David’s face.
“Hello?” He whispered cautiously. Was that a reply? He tried again and heard the same again. It was a response!
David enthusiastically thumped Herbert on the shoulder. There was hope!
Herbert grabbed the controls of the ship with renewed enthusiasm and vigour, and the ship began its careening, rattling descent to the planet’s surface.
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