THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1376 words) [6/12] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 12 2016	Views/Reads: 1811/1269	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 3 - CH 6

SIX 

Sarah and Kane had walked down the rugged coast by the sea away from the
Ship then cut across to another small forest and strolled along the 
side of it. The sky was still grey but the rain had stayed off and the 
wind had died down completely. 

Kane was still unimpressed with the place but Sarah was strolling along
with a half-smile on her face all the time. 

“So what the hell has this achieved?” Kane asked as they cut back across
the broad moor towards the Falcon. 

She smiled at him and took his arm. “Don't you notice it? The change?” 

Kane looked round at the wide empty moor. “All I notice is that the
rain's off and the wind's dropped. We probably landed during a storm 
and now it's blown itself out.” 

Undeterred, she shook her head. “I've been to lots of planets, Frank but
there's something different about this place. I'm beginning to like 
it.” 

Kane laughed. “You like it!? Take a look round. What the hell is there
to like? It's a goddamned uninhabited wilderness.” 

“It's not a wilderness,” she said, “and it's not uninhabited – we're
here.” 

She brought them to a stop and they kissed. 

“Can we stay one more day?” she asked. “Please?” 

He sighed. “I'll think about it.” 

She smiled and they strolled on, skirting a couple of marshy pools and
reaching the Ship. 

Back on board Sarah peeled of her jacket and looked round the Bridge for
Blaze. There was no sign of him then she noticed the blanket lying on 
the floor beside the couch. 

“Maybe he's in his cabin,” Kane said. 

“I think he may have gone out,” the Computer informed them. 

“How long ago?” Sarah asked. 

“One hour.” 

“You're sure he's not hiding somewhere?” Kane asked. 

“Quite sure. Sensors detected him in the Bubble about an hour ago then
he disappeared. A scan of the Ship was negative.” 

Sarah bit her lip. “God, he'll get lost or fall off a cliff or
something,” she said and started pacing up and down the Bridge. 

“I tried to track him when he went out,” the Computer said
apologetically, “but he kept dematerializing and I lost him.” 

Sarah started to pull on her jacket. 

“Where the hell are you going?” Kane asked. 

“To look for him.” 

“Forget it. He could be on the other side of the planet by now.” 

“I can't just sit here,” she said, wringing her hands. 

“Didn't he leave any message at all?” Kane asked. 

“Negative,” replied the Computer. “Apart from some unrepeatable
cursing.” 


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