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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Beautiful… like a paradise brimming with blessings.”
The captain’s monumental first words upon inhaling were, unlike his usual demeanor, quite lyrical and poetic.
His imposing physique and equally masculine appearance often cast him as a macho man, or even a male chauvinist,
But at least to me, his true nature seemed to be hidden within a girlish sensitivity.
“Crew! Breathe deep and enjoy! We finally did it. This beautiful planet is blessing us!”
Even if this strange planet’s atmosphere was deemed suitable for human respiration, I couldn’t quite grasp how he could inhale so boldly.
Still, as everyone removed their helmets, feeling a long-awaited sense of liberation and freedom, I couldn’t help but join in.
“…Haah.”
Clean air. In this pure source of life, something no longer felt on Earth, we cried out in joyous cheers.
I began to understand the captain’s reaction. We had finally found a beautiful planet comparable to Old Earth.
This was a blessing and a grace for everyone, a salvation offered by God, or so it seemed.
A miracle.
While I wasn’t fond of such a fanciful word, the ecstatic sense of accomplishment that made everyone laugh and chatter, even for a moment, warmed me.
Everyone danced and shed tears of joy at finally reaching the planet, but I, conversely, smiled as I watched them. Yes, we had finally done it. At the end of this long, arduous journey, we stood tall, legs firmly planted, holding the spoils that would save us all.
“Juho, what are you doing! Not laughing louder! Is that all you’ve got? You young whippersnapper?”
Someone clapped me on the back and shouted. My brief moment of introspection was broken.
“What was our young doctor thinking as he took his first breath on this strange planet?”
“I was just entertaining the pleasant thought of monsters, breathing the same air as us, hiding somewhere beyond the radar.”
“Very good. Nothing drives a man mad like imagination. Good or bad. Can’t you smile a little, even now? Hmm?”
No matter how happy I was, seeing everyone clamoring to start a drinking party dampened my spirits. It felt like forced joy.
I didn’t want to join the throng, slapping each other on the back, arms slung over shoulders, humming songs they couldn’t even sing properly.
“It’s too early to celebrate. The surrounding bio-scan isn’t complete yet.”
“Oh, this kid is always like this, isn’t he? Hey, it’s been five days. There are no hazards within a 10km radius! 99% certainty! If you’re anxious, come along on the next survey and see for yourself.”
Tenon Reyes. Biologist. Possessed of an astounding level of affability and sociability. Perhaps that very personality was what led him to love all living things.
A curious, always smiling, and positive scholar. At the same time, an explorer with an insatiable thirst for discovery. A humorous mood-maker.
Sometimes I envied him. He seemed like someone who lived without a single ounce of stress.
“Come on, crack a smile. You’ve been tense day and night, spinning that detector. There’s nothing more to find.”
Another bothersome person added to the mix.
This man, who came running towards Reyes and me with a giggle, was a member of the combat security team in his mid-20s, Dan Hallet.
Three years older than me, and considered relatively young among the crew.
Since we were close in age, he often approached me to chat. He seemed to find it easier to talk to me than to the other, older crew members.
“Take care of our youngest, Dan. How much do you have to haze him to make him so uptight?”
“Hey, me? I wouldn’t dare. I’ve already been conquered by our youngest. Juho, number zero in the ship’s hierarchy!”
Dan seemed to like the sound of my name, always remembering to say it. How many people had Korean names, anyway? They said there used to be many, but honestly, I had never met a single one in my life. Except for my dad.
A country that perished centuries ago still had its name carried on through generations.
In a way, this might be the ‘romance’ that Reyes talked about.
“Anyway, lighten up. We’ll be spending a few years here, so you can’t stand around with that sullen expression.”
“The planet will hate you, and so on… that again?”
“Hey! This kid thinks I’m lying. I’m being serious. First impressions are always the most important. How can you stand there with that gloomy face in front of such a beautiful planet?”
Reyes never tired of saying such things. Of course, I also wanted to learn that positive and cheerful attitude, but opening my heart and welcoming everything with open arms was madness.
A proper distance.
That was what mattered.
“Well, would kids these days even listen to what you say? Do as you please, promising biologist.”
…Still, perhaps we were drawn to each other because we were so different. Partners in life, striving for the same goal, yet with completely opposite approaches.
He longed for active exploration and investigation, while I yearned for detailed and meticulous analysis. He belonged out in the field, and I belonged in the lab.
Perhaps that’s why he brought me along on this beautiful project.
For him to fill what I lacked,
and for me to fill what he lacked.
“Anyway, this planet is even more magnificent than I expected. Such places are extremely rare. There are some large lifeform readings, but it’s quiet, peaceful…”
“And strange.”
“Hey, we should call it ‘mysterious’.”
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A cozy night.
As Reyes had said, perhaps this planet truly was a miraculous place.
No matter how much we scanned with the radar, no threatening life forms were detected.
Maybe next time, I could ask to join the survey team. The possibility of this being a safe planet was increasing.
According to Reyes’s descriptions, this place was inhabited by fascinating fish and insects.
They didn’t attack the survey team; instead, they followed them around as if welcoming them. It was a truly wondrous planet.
“Juho, still messing with that? Should I ask Luke to drill a hole in the monitor for you?”
“Stop teasing and get me a beer.”
“Whoa, you actually want a beer? Now you’re finally coming around?”
Dan grinned and walked towards the external freezer.
A few nearby crew members grumbled at him, but Dan, with a playful shrug, managed to bring back an entire pack.
“Ta-da!”
I laughed,
Dan laughed.
Everyone laughed.
The campfire was roaring. A little distance from the Paradise, a pile of wood burned brightly, and the crew gathered around, enjoying drinks and songs.
They said a change of pace like this was sometimes necessary. Of course, I felt bad for the three or four security personnel who couldn’t join in, but Dan just teased them and chuckled.
“Hey, that’s the best drinking snack. You should drink while watching them.”
“That’s morbid.”
“Hey! I almost ended up standing there myself! This is… like, a victor’s privilege.”
I played along with Dan’s morbid humor for a moment. They glared at us, flipped us the bird, and jeered.
Dan just laughed louder. I didn’t know what he would do if they decided to fight later.
Still,
Seeing him laugh made me laugh too.
I felt good.
Perhaps because I had been so tense, a few sips of beer amplified the feeling.
“Nice, nice…”
Sorry, Dan,
But my real focus was the expanse of green trees in the distance.
The vast, fertile land and its vitality captivated me. Pleasant images danced in my head. Maybe someday I would go there and enjoy the forest.
“…”
But then, I had to rub my eyes.
“Huh?”
I thought I saw something.
When I opened my eyes again, it was gone.
“What’s up?”
“Uh… over there, just now…”
I definitely saw it.
A little girl, dressed in what looked like a white dress.
“Where? What? Is someone getting it on?”
“Near that tree…”
But I quickly reconsidered.
That tree was at least as tall as the Paradise.
If she had been standing at its base,
She would have had to be twice my height.
“Already drunk?”
“Maybe.”
Dan teased me with a laugh. I laughed too.
“They’re the drunk ones.”
“True.”
People stumbling and dancing.
Among them,
Someone screaming and staggering.
“…Lumi looks too drunk.”
Lumi, from the supply team,
Lover of Vergo, from security.
“Vergo! Vergo is…!”
We both instinctively set down our beer mugs.
Something was wrong. Even the dancers stopped and stared at her.
Lumi ran straight into the ship,
“Outta my waaay!”
She pushed past the security personnel inside,
And headed straight for the cockpit, slamming down on the glowing red switch as if she would break it.
Beep!
…SOS signal re-transmitted.
Estimated time until it reaches headquarters: 32 years.
Estimated time until the rescue ship arrives…
93 years.
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93 years ~Only