Free at last from the protective womb of her dead mother: its vacuous shell, the husk orbiting the new-born, Carmen began her meticulous descent. Descent, for a space-child, was particularly dangerous, requiring constant adjustments for the elements of risk: heat, velocity, thrust, reverse thrust, changes in atmospheric pressure, electrostatic interference. Claire took it all in her stride, spurring Carmen’s unheralded arrival magnificently, using her matchless IQ and unassailable mental resources to make the miniscule adjustments necessary to safely guide her home. Carmen slowed. The flame on her radiant heat shield faded. She cooled. A gentle tug on her bib by Claire, the opening of her parasol, her eight stubby legs extending – shock absorbers taking the strain, and she landed, embedded up to her knees in Primordia’s earth.
Claire transmitted the message that would thrill the world telepathically, instantaneously:
MESSAGE: CLAIRE: 10:57: 25.08.2075: CARMEN HAS LANDED. CARMEN HAS LANDED!
The lights in the living module came on. Air was restored to the control sector, cabins, recreation and leisure facilities, a biodegradable toilet, the aquatub and dormant chrysalis. Once normality was resumed, Claire turned her attentions to her precious human cargo.
Tiernan hatched first.
