Travelling on a ‘New Earth’(VI), by Vincent

Travelling on a ‘New Earth’(VI)

A Few Numbers

“Just forget about it. There’s still many things to do during this long journey. Come on…’ I say to Sunny. ‘But… I… think… this… sort… of… sound… I… mean, this… kind… of… language… is… both… familiar… and… strange… to… me.” He continues worrying. I can do nothing except talking with him about something else. “Hey, we haven’t got any time to travel around this spaceship since there’re always lots of things to do. Shall we go around now?’ I try to change the topic.” All…right. That’s… a… good… idea!’ So we go out of the door.

“Attention please. Here’s the newest evening report. 17 astronauts were killed during the accident happened just now. Their nationalities and names are under investigation. 2 of the 40 engines are broken and they’re probably impossible to be fixed. The time that our spaceship – Prospect may be delayed for 8 months. And…” Before Captain Paul has finished his words, all the microphones on the spaceship becomes quiet again. Everyone has stopped things that they’re doing and the situation is really embarrassing. “Ha… ha… ha… ha! How… embarrassing… the… situation… is!” Sunny suddenly starts laughing, and few seconds later, the whole spaceship is filled with different kinds of laughter.

Just then, a very sharp voice comes from the microphone and the spaceship becomes quiet again. Then, many impact sounds come from the microphones that connect our rooms and Paul’s. “Ok… News time’s over. Everyone, go back to your sleeping bags immediately!” Paul says.

‘Oh, my god! What’s happening? We can’t travel around the spaceship now. I say to Sunny as we enter our rooms again.

The following morning, I wake up very early. But I see that Sunny has already waken now. He’s staring at something. After noticing that I’m waken as well, he calls me quietly and waved to me to show me that he wants me to go there. So I get dressed quickly and walked to his bed. After I have sat on the edge o his bed, he pointed at the notice that seems to be pasted onto the wall a couple of hours ago and says: “Look… at… this!”