Olivia Newport's Story

"Planet Unknown"

Matt stared, he felt confused, his eyes blurry. He pondered whether he landed on a new planet. Something was heading towards him; he focused and saw what looked like aliens. They appeared to be wearing clothes. As they approached, it wasn’t clothes; it was mud! Some were carrying things. Weapons? No, it looked like vegetation. Matt fearfully stepped forward. The leader spoke, but Matt didn’t understand. The aliens carrying the vegetation presented the offering to him. Matt thanked them in English. The leader nodded, then smiled; he seemed to understand. He made hand gestures, like sign language. Matt understood the message and felt safe. He wished people on Earth accepted others,like these aliens accepted him.

One alien, very interested in Matt’s airship, opened the door. “Beep-beep!” went an alarm. Nothing worked after the crash, so Matt was excited as A.M.O.S.—Astronaut’s Management Oppel System beeped.

“Cruse, you there? You alright? Your T.T.A.P.—Transporter Tracking Alarm Program sent a distress signal; you’ve been out seven hours. Where are you? I’ll send a shuttler for you.”

“I’m not sure, my T.A.P.P. is smashed. Hang-on.” Matt asked the leader, “What planet is this?” The leader and all aliens pointed to one thing, the ground. Earth? Matt was confused.

What happened?

Was it the crash?

Yes! Almost to his destination, a meteor smashed the airship, leaving him unconscious. The collision affected the controls and sent the airship back on an arid desert on Earth.

Matt explained what happened, then launched the tracking beam. Matt figured this tribe was unknown to the rest of the Earth. He pointed to the caves covering his eyes with his hands. The chief understood and nodded. Matt waved and watched the mud tribe vanish into the caves.

A few minutes later the shuttler landed. Matt knew this was the start of a wonderful Earthly friendship!

 

Olivia Newport is from Hamilton, Ontario