Descent

Crossing the border of the unknown brought the team into a new solar system. Previous excursions to this area of the galaxy had reported the presence of sentient life and Pioneer Team had the task of bringing back proof of intelligence. When Kiely, Firon, and Alexa stepped off the shuttle their feet landed onto some sort of rock-based surface. The composition of the atmosphere forced them to engage their nitrogen-regulation tanks. Luckily, the scouting party had alerted the trio to the conditions on this planet.

"How can these beings survive with so much oxygen in the atmosphere?" Kiely whined as she began the adjustment procedure. "Twenty-one percent is practically toxic."

"Just adapt Lieutenant, there's no time for complaints. I want to complete this mission and return home before the tri-lunar eclipse, next week. Gather your instruments and prepare yourselves for whatever this planet has in store." Firon ordered.

"General Firon, should I scan for humanoids?"

"Of course Alexa, scan for humanoid activity within a five-qarant distance. We need to try and determine if these creatures posses any measure of advanced intelligence."

"Kiely, begin a visual search of the perimeter. Limit your interactions with anything that is made of carbon, even their animal species are carbon-based. I will engage my infuedo so that I blend in with the local homo sapiens. I'm going to something called a bar, apparenetly these creatures frequent bars in order to imbibe in fluids and socialize with each other. If I am going to find evidence of intelligence it's best to go where they gather in groups. I will return soon."

"What do you want to drink?"

"Ummm...what do you have to drink?" Firon asked as he took in all the brightly-colored bottles.

"Beer, wine, and whiskey. Hurry up and choose, I want to get back to my favorite show."

"Beer's fine. What kind of show are you watching?"

"Wresting of course. I want to get back before the commercial's over."

"What is the purpose of wrestling?"

"Are you for real? Everyone knows that wrestling is two guys body slamming each other until one of them is too bloody to continue."

"Do you watch wrestling often?"

"You bet, my favorite is when they use the steel cage and abandon all rules. Now shut up the commercial's almost over."

"Commercial? Do you mind if I watch?"

"Whatever."

"Time to go Lieutenant." Firon said as he stormed into the scout ship.

"What do you mean it's time to go? We've been here less than five hours." Kiely stammered.

"I have discovered that these creatures are of very limited intelligence. They spend all day watching a box that places some of them in a cage to battle, then it lies to them and shows them unattainable realities. People then spend a third of their day working, then they use all their earned money trying to attain those things. Perhaps we should come back when these lifeforms have evolved more fully. Now let's go."



Flash fiction entry for the Writer's Cramp, using the prompt ..crossing the border of the unknown.

Word Count 494