Page 36 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space

“Which do you prefer?” I asked.

“There are several seats in the back row that swivel away from the window,” he stated. “I will take one of those. I will show you the others if you wish. But if you would prefer to watch, then I suggest you take a seat in the outer row.”

I glanced between the two. I didn’t want to leave him alone, but this was something I’d never get to see again.

A hand on my shoulder. I turned to see him smiling at me.

“Take a window seat, Gene. I can see you want to. It will only be a couple of minutes before we reach the surface.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want you to enjoy your time here.”

“Ok,” I nodded. Then I headed toward the seats closest to the window and picked one that seemed to have a good view.

A few stragglers strolled in, then the doors closed.

I glanced around for a seatbelt, and was starting to worry that it was something I wouldn’t recognize. Then I noticed that nobody else was wearing anything or even seemed concerned about it.

I swallowed my nerves and hoped I wasn’t mistaken.

The drop was sudden, but I didn’t feel it. While part of me had expected a sensation similar to free-fall carnival rides, it almost felt like we were stationary and the scenery outside thecapsule was moving. The docking ring of the elevator rose above us while the planet loomed ever-larger.

We were engulfed by the teal-green clouds—wash eddies forming as we passed through. Then the surface of Lyll spread out before us.

Whatever sci-fi vision I’d been expecting, Lyll wasn’t it. Instead of cities of gleaming towers, sprawling towns spread across the land, surrounded by farmland, and interspersed with what appeared to be blue forests.

“Wow…” I breathed.

One of the men next to me said something.

“I’m sorry,” I replied. “I didn’t catch that.”

He paused, then nodded. “Welcome to Lyll.”

I grinned. “Thank you.”

“You are human, yes?”

I nodded. “I am.”

He smiled, teeth white against mint-green skin, and inclined his head in a single nod. “It is an honor to have met you, however briefly. It is my sincere hope that our planets find our arrangement mutually beneficial.”

“Me too.”

The scenery outside slowed as we approached the top of a building that reminded me of the stem of a wine glass, narrow at the top, then curving to a wide base. Darkness engulfed the outside of the capsule as we entered the building, then several seconds later, we came to a stop in what appeared to be some sort of terminal.

“Enjoy your time on Lyll,” the man next to me said as he stood.

“Thank you.”

He smiled, turned, and strolled to the exit.

I followed and met up with Eashai where the seats ended.

“Did you enjoy the view?” he asked.

I couldn’t help but smile. “It was incredible.”