Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 457

The Enzentime Disaster
Shanghai American School (Pudong), Mahe, Leo - 12
“Congratulations, Enzentime Rescue Shuttle. You have left Earth’s atmosphere,” a voice announced. Zach
breathed a sigh of relief. He was now in space. It was time for phase two to begin. Zach took his first good look
at what the GBA looked like from space.
What he saw looked amazing. While most of the globe broadcast the dull gray of factories and residential
buildings, GBA was a mix of shades of black and much green, from solar panels and wildlife that dominated the
tops of GBA homes.
However, he couldn’t focus on that. He was leading a rescue mission for the scientists aboard Enzentime
Rocket ‘Marscraft.
“You are currently twelve miles away from the Marscraft,” the voice announced. “Please enter your
pods.” Zach space-walked into his pod and the door shut immediately.
“Commencing launch of Main Pod,” a new voice announced. “Crew, stay seated as you await your turn.
For your safety, I would recommend buckling up.” Zach had already done so and took another glance back
home. The pod was quickly ejected. Zach held on tight until it entered the Main Pod and the door opened.
Zach unbuckled, clambered out, and stayed aware.
“Rescue Team Leader, please listen to the following. You are currently within 10 miles of the Marscraft.
You have already been given the plan, and we would like it if you follow it,” a robotic voice said. “Stick to the
plan unless you no longer can.” Zach gulped. There was a part of the plan that he didn’t like. After the AIBot
opened up the plastic hatch, they would have to go into outer space.
“Commencing launch of AIBot,” a robotic voice said. Zach muted the announcements and got ready for
his part.
“Marscraft, this is the Enzentime Rescue Crew. For your safety, we will be entering the Marscraft
through the plastic hatch. Please enter the Entry Pod now. It will be ejected from the main vessel in fifteen
minutes,” he announced. Zach sat still and waited.
As the rest of the crew entered the spacecraft, Zach took another look at the GBA. He couldn’t help it. It
was his home, where his family was, where he lived. It looked wonderful up here. The oceans, too, looked as
warm and friendly as they were thirty or so years ago. It was home, maybe not-so-sweet, but still home.
A few minutes later, the Marscraft Entry Pod was ejected, soaring nearly four miles to arrive at the point
that the Enzentime Rescue Pod was now at.
The AIBot quickly began to cut through the plastic. It did the job very slowly, using given oxygen to
melt through it bit by bit for almost five minutes until the final layer was cut through.
“Crew, we are launching in five,” he announced happily. It was going as planned. Until he looked back.
The sight was horrific. The Marscraft crew had been pushed out of the Marscraft. They were floating in
space. He quickly made a new announcement.
“Change of plans,” he said sharply. “Marscraft crew has a code red situation. They are in space. Repeat.
They are no longer in the Entry Pod. They are in spa-“