Impossible Journey, A Tale of Times and Truth

At last, they have enough light not to have to hold on to one another. They run as fast as they can, but their pursuers' footsteps can still be heard behind them. The metallic steps of the robot seem very close. Walt motions for the others to follow his lead and suddenly all three duck behind a huge tree. The robot, unable to follow fast enough, crashes into the tree with a bang and breaks wide open in the middle, sending sparks flying in every direction. This gives our friends some advantage, but their human pursuers don't let up. Enabled to see better by the moon's red glow, they pick up their pace.

Although out of breath, our friends force themselves to keep running as fast as they can, expecting to reach the ship soon. Finally, in the glow of the red moonlight, they can see its outline.

"Come on, guys!" encourages Walt, between breaths. "Not much further, now!"

Reaching the cylinder, they quickly open the door and run breathlessly inside.

"At last!" sighs Daniel.

"Ah, but we’re not home safe yet," insists Walt. "Let’s try to fix the damage and set the coordinates so we can get th' heck out of here!"

Daniel goes to the controls and works wildly at setting the coordinates, while Walt and Kerry go back outside and work just as wildly at fixing the slight damage caused by the crash. Daniel finishes setting the coordinates first. He then goes over and checks the fuel supply. Opening the window, he yells to the other two: "We’ve got almost a full tank of fuel. That transmat beam pulled us here mostly on its own energy."

"Great!" answers Walt from outside, as he and Kerry hurriedly replace the few outer tiles which were damaged. "But, better fill it the rest of the way up with the liquid fuel just to be sure."

Daniel walks over to the supply dump and picks up one of the big bottles of liquid fuel. "These things sure are heavy." He carries it over to the fuel tank and pours out the contents until the tank is full. After taking the partly full bottle back and setting it down, he runs over to the window and looks out.

"Just a little more an we’ve got 'er," says Walt, regarding the damage.

"Hurry!” From the window, Daniel has caught sight of the pursuers in the distance. "They’re coming!"