Julio-Lacerda

Holly pressed her forehead against the observatory window. Her hands left smudges on the cold glass. "Daddy, I can see it! Is that where we're landing?" "That's our new home, yes. We'll be there in no time." "How soon? I want to go now." The colony ship silently careened at a cool 80 percent of lightspeed. Only a handful knew about the meltdown that had wiped out the deceleration engines two months ago. The globe swelled at an alarming rate. Within minutes, the backdrop of black was no longer visible in the triangular window. Blue and white, then red, then a blinding white. Holly took her hands off the hot glass. "Close your eyes, Holly