“Probably best to turn off all systems except life support and an emergency beacon. Try and make the ship as small and insignificant as possible,” Luke added.
They nodded and Yvonne turned the relevant switches.
Over the next couple of hours, they watched mouths agape as the last vestiges of a living planet disappeared. The green of luscious forests, the deep blue of vibrant oceans and the grey of bustling cities all gone.
A buzzer sent a shudder of fear through them. It denoted that the ship was running out of oxygen to maintain life support.
“How did that happen?” Luke threw his hands up.
Yvonne spoke in a low tone. “The Alachins must have managed to damage the ship before take-off. We’ll need to use as little energy as possible before rescue.”
“And who is going to rescue us?” John said to nobody in particular, and without reply.
“We should go to the back of the ship and lay down with the others,” Luke added.
They took up their new positions to the rear. Lisa, who sat to Luke’s wrapped her little finger around his. A rush of endorphins flooded through his body. His only wish, that this wasn’t it and happier times lay ahead for them.
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