Paradise
Night fell on Xitic abruptly. It always did. It was the nature of the moon, which had a higher rotational speed that most planets she was used to. Netine dismissed the queasy feeling which overcame her every time she thought of the fast spinning moon.
She was a one of the bunch of 'settlers' who had landed on the moon. The authorities had said it was very Earthlike. They had said it would take some 'minor' terraforming to transform this moon into something close to paradise. They were right; except it would take thousands of years. And Netine was here now.
She surveyed the bleak landscape. It would require them to melt the polar caps, release the trapped Carbon dioxide and create moonwide warming. It would happen, but not in her lifetime.
Netine tested the strength of the rocks underfoot as she climbed up a steep cliff face. She was tasked with finding usable minerals. Her 'bot was strapped to her back for analysis and for retrieval of rock samples. She cursed under her breath as she adjusted her breathing apparatus.
Xitic was as close to hell as she could imagine. Dark and dusty landscape stretched before her as she climbed steadily. Standing on the lip of the cliff, she surveyed the unwelcoming landscape. She pined for home - it was too far away for them to ever return.
Science fiction writer
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