One Week Later

"Hang on!" Jay yelled over the sound of the ship entering the moon's atmosphere. "This might be a rough landing!"

Cinnamon squeezed Liza's hand. It really did look like a hard landing was imminent. The hull of the Carolina was on fire, and the rumbling filled her head, rattling her molars. A bump of turbulence hit the ship, and, despite the straps holding Liza to her seat, she flew upwards, only to be slammed back down onto her chair.

"It's no use!" called Wayne. He was the only one standing, and he was anxiously staring at the dials that monitored the heat and speed of the ship. "Even if we do survive through to the atmosphere, we're going too fast! The impact will crumple the ship, and we'll be going the same way if we don't get out of here! We need to take the escape pod!"

Jay gritted his teeth. His knuckles were white from gripping the wheel so hard. "Fine!" He answered. "But I'll go last! We can't afford to lose control of the ship now!" He risked a glance back. "What are you all waiting for? Go!"

Quince, who was sitting in the back with Rachel, was the first to react. He unbuckled himself from his seat, and ran to the escape pod dock. He punched in a code, and the door opened. They hit another bump of turbulence, and he was flung into the pod. "Quince!" Rachel screamed. She hastily unbuckled herself, and ran into the pod. The rest of the crew, with the exception of Jay, followed her.

"Jay!" yelled Cinna. "You are the last one! Come into the pod!" Jay ripped himself away from the helm, and ran full tilt into the escape pod. Liza was closest to the eject button, so she punched it. The doors closed, and the pod was launched.