Europa:The New Age

 

Prologue: Emma

As I walked on the path onto the hovercraft, I turned back and gave a look to the bare land that used to be earth. I   remember the green trees, the beautiful flowers, and the river that used to flow through my backyard. I remember picking flowers in  the springtime, jumping into leaf piles in fall, and trying to find the perfect christmas tree.  I remember the way earth was before all the resources disappeared.  I’m going to miss this place I think as the doors closed behind me. I go over to friends and try to hold back my tears. This will be better and I hide my sadness with a smile and greet my friends.

 

Chapter 1: Gabby

Six years later…                     

I got out of my bed, after hearing Teresa, our computer pilot, say there is  20 minutes until we land on Europa. I've grown quite used to this hovercraft but I'm excited to stretch out my legs and look at the stars. People say that there is an underground sea, which I think is cool, but still, earth is my home.  I quickly get dressed grab my slippers and race down the tight hallway to see my best friend Emma, but when I get to her compartment I see everything is already packed up and Emma's not there.

“Everyone please get your things together we’re here!” Teresa  says.

 

I grab my things which is not much. My teddy bear my pillow and a few bland outfits. I head into the front room and I see Emma. When she sees me she lunges at me and hug tackles me to the floor. We get up dust ourselves off and speed out of the hovercraft.

“6 years.” I say

“6 years.” she responds. It's hard to believe that just 6 years ago we were 18 year olds preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.  Scientist think that there are vents that have thermal protection for humans.  Europa has a layer of Oxygen but  we need 300 people to help build the dome, and I know who some of those people are. My best friends, and of course I’ll be the leader and there will be a few extra workers. Emma will be my right hand woman, duh. Skyler, Mckenna and Caleb will help with the minor details. Skyler will plant and Caleb will drill through the clear glassy hard icy surface to get to the salty ocean underneath for water. After 18 hours we’re finally finished.  Tomorrow we still need to get the ice and create granite of how hard it is for uses.  We head into the big house meant for me, Skyler, Mckenna and Emma. I share a room with emma of course. Tomorrow is Emma's birthday so me Skyler,and McKenna are planning a big party for her.

“ALERT ALERT ALERT STRANGE MAN APPROACHING!!!”

“Strange man,” Emma says “who else would be here that Teresa doesn't know?”  

“I don't know, we should just stay here.” I say nervously.

“Are you serious you don't wanna go see?” Mckenna says.   

“Maybe it's an alien” Skyler says excitedly.

“Yeah that's exactly what I'm worried about.” I said.

“Skyler and Mckenna go check with me  and Gabby will stay here.” Emma says.

 

Chapter 2: Skyler

 

Emma and I walk out into the cold night and we see a big shadow immediately. We jump back and try not to be seen by ducking behind a cart and sqatting down. Then Emma  and I sit up and look around cautiously.

“I see Mr.Credle our janitor!”  Emma  and I say at the same time. We start walking back into the house.

“Surprise!!!” Gabby screams at us.  “Happy birthday Emmaaaa!!”

“Aw thank you guys.” Emma says happily.

“Come blow out the candles!” Mckenna says.

“A party without me?” A tiny squeaky voice says from behind us.

“Hello my name is Mr. Pee on rice.” the strange man says. “What? Who are you? And what are you doing here?” Mckenna says.  

“I just told you I was wondering if I could be the leader of your colony?” Mr. Pee on rice says. “Um… NO! Sorry I’m  not sorry.” Skyler says.

“Excuse me I am Mr. Pee on rice, leader of the pee pees and the poo poos.”

“That's great, get out!” says Gabby.

“I will become the leader! And I will get my revenge on ALL OF YOU!”

“Sure you will, and lock the door on your way out of here!” I said.

“I’ll remember this!” Mr.Pee on rice yelled. I look at all my friends.  

“What was that all about?” I said.

“I don't know,” Mckenna says “probably nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah let's get on with this party!!” I say.

We didn't know what Mr. Pee on rice was planning though.

 

The next morning we wake up and I can already tell something has changed, I could smell it in the air. I quickly wake everyone up and we head to the door that leads outside. But when I try to open it up it's stuck and it won't budge. I ask Gabby, Mckenna and Emma to try to open it but it's not worth it, it won’t budge.

“We’re stuck.” I finally say.

“Really I didn't notice!” Gabby says sarcastically.

“Lets just ask Teresa to open it for us.” Mckenna says, but I could tell by the look of doubt on her face that she wasn't sure that it would work.

“Teresa,” I call out.

“What can I help you with, Miss Riggs?” she says.

“Could you open our door for us please.” “Sorry miss no can do.” she says.

“What Teresa, why not, you're linked to all of our houses.” Mckenna says.

“I don't take orders from you anymore I now serve Mr.Pee on rice. He is my leader and he is going to use me to take over.”

“WHAT! Teresa, No!” Emma says.

“Sorry bye.” she says.

“No Teresa! She's gone.” Gabby says.

“Great.” I sigh and flop down on the couch. “What are we gonna do? We can't let pee pee take over.”

“You're right.” says Gabby,

“We need to do something but we can't if we’re stuck in here. Let's try the window!” Mckenna says.

“Yeah, good idea Mckenna! We’ll try the window!” I say. Surely enough the window opens.

“ One flaw in your plan, pee pee.” I say. We all jump out of the window.  None of us managing to land on our feet, of course.

“Ok,” I say “we will need some help.” While we’re walking around I see a guy who was on the hovercraft with us. I never really talked to him well because he was very quiet and stayed by himself.

“Hey, what's your name?” I asked him

“Caleb, we went to school together.” he says.

“How'd you get out of your house?” Emma ask.

“I went for a walk early this morning and couldn't get back in my house.” Caleb says.  

“Yeah long story but a urine alien is trying to take over and we need your help.” Mckenna says.

“Um ok?” Caleb says, confused.

“Alright let's go show that alien who's boss!”

 

Chapter 3: Mckenna

 

We start running towards the hovercraft. We burst through the doors and head to Teresa's main frame. I find it first.

“Guys! I found it!” I say. Sure enough Mr.Pee on rice is sitting in a chair and  controlling Teresa.

“Hey poop head get up!” Gabby says.

“No I have been on this planet for 4 and a half billion years and it's time for me to leave.” Mr.Pee on rice said.

“What! this place has tons of oxygen, water and it´s shiny, what's not to love?” I say.

“Also, the planet is just the right distance from the sun and earth. It’s not too far away, but not too close.” Skyler says. Everyone nods their heads in agreement.

“Yeah, and there is an underground sea here.” Emma says with excitement.

“Oh, and also, Europa has twice as much water as earth and it’s slightly smaller than Earth’s moon.

“What’s earth?” Mr.Pee on rice says.

“This guy needs a science lesson.” Caleb mutters.

“Anyway,” I say, “Europa is amazing. It can support life! So please stop so our colony can function.”

“I won’t stop, I’m so close to leaving and causing terror on other planets!” Mr.Pee on rice says. He presses keys like crazy on Teresa’s keyboard.

" Cutting of oxygen supply in T- minus 30 seconds.¨ she says.

" No! We have to stop him!" Gabby says. Mr. Pee on rice laughs and evil laugh. Whoosh! All of a sudden Emma runs in and picks up Mr. Pee on rice and throws him in a toilet.

“There now you're exactly where you belong Mr.Pee Pee Poo Poo head! Goodbye!” Emma says.

“NOOOOOOO! You can't do this to me!” Mr.Pee on rice said.

“Just did” she says and closes the lid.

“Good idea” I say “but what do we do now?”

“Let’s party!” Caleb says.

“Good idea!” everyone agrees!

 

Epilogue: Emma

Two years later...

I sprinted to the hovercraft so I wouldn’t be late. There was a mob of people surrounding it, and they weren't too happy about me elbowing through them. Finally, I got to the top of the hovercraft. Everyone else was already there.

“Wow, look at all those people!” Mckenna says.

“I know, can you believe it?” I asked while I sat down.

Everyone got quiet after Ms. Johnson came on stage.

“Today I want to honor five individuals who, two years ago, saved our colony from Mr. Pee on rice and lack of oxygen. For three hours we lost all connection with earth, but these young people helped restore that connection. They are, Mckenna Andrew, Emma Fisher, Gabrielle Jeffers, Caleb Kronstad and Skyler Riggs. Please come up here.” she said. All five of us exchanged smiles. It was happening.

 

Sometimes I still think about Earth and what life would've been like if I'd never come on this hovercraft and if Earth had never died. I would’ve had a normal life. I guess I did, for 18 years of my life. Maybe one day I can go back to Earth, but for now, Europa’s the new age.