
Fog lay over the valley as the glider slowly worked its way forward. It quickly lost height and stayed between the two mountains. When it approached the volcanic crater, it rose again. It overcame the rim of the crater and started to land as the large door opened. Although “door” was certainly the wrong word. “Entrance” was more appropriate. The huge metal hatch slid aside, revealing the inside of the crater.
Sayo Takigawa, the pilot of the glider, knew: I am back home.
“Be ready for the standard procedure,” said Besu Kaza-Wan’s computer voice over the radio.
Sayo knew what was meant: After the earth was quarantined due to the Corona virus, all gliders, shuttles and spaceships were disinfected immediately after landing. Routine precaution. That would take another five minutes.
But Sayo didn’t care. She was home again …