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Description
A new illustration and passage for my science fiction novella.
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Track and Field

There’s no party like a tracking party.

Our trek began when a trail of elephantine footprints appeared while we rested our tired muscles after spending a second full day setting up camp. I say “rested” because most of us were too keyed up to fall asleep. Landing on a planet six lightyears into the depths of space will do that to you. Doesn’t matter if you’d done it before.

The three of us were anxious to begin some real field work. A cursory analysis of the prints was all it took to set our course. The tracks disappeared into a nearby glacier, though their origin was untraceable. I wanted to set a hard limit on how far we would follow the tracks, but Alex was difficult to argue with. Once he got the idea into his head to catch up to the beast, there was no reasoning with him. If the danger proves to be too much, Caroline or I can always assert our authority as heads of safety. It wouldn’t surprise me if the position was created solely to keep Alex in check.

We carried with us three days of food and oxygen, a weatherproof tent with a built-in air handler, a plethora of devices for mapping and recordkeeping, and plenty of humor to go around. Even Alex was in good spirits:

AWO: Don’t worry about the map if my tablet runs dry. Erin’s an excellent navigator.
ESC: Oh, so it’s on me, then? I see how it is.
AWO: We just need someone to blame if we get lost, that’s all.

***

This tent is not as weatherproof as advertised. It keeps us breathing through the night and that’s about all I can say for it. My gloves and coat are staying on until I’m warm enough to fall asleep. I think I’ll just close my eyes now and pretend the sun is setting for real. That should do the trick.

***

This morning, Caroline stole out of bed with our radio in hand. Curiosity dragged me from my early morning torpor and I found her sitting on a blackbush, chatting away with Nemo. Personal stuff. I didn’t care to eavesdrop, so I covered my tracks and headed back to the tent.

***

Today is our final chance to meet our quarry. If the glacier only presents us with more tracks, we’re turning around. If not, we can afford to spend an extra night observing…whatever it is we end up finding. Even though that dips into our way-back rations, our supplies should last just fine if I take us on a direct path home. Prior reservations aside, I want to see what’s on the other side of that ridge. I want to find that monster.

- Erin Carellos

_____
What did they find? Well... fav.me/d5foajj

Soluble pen on bristol, 9x12in

Description
A new illustration and passage for my science fiction novella.
______________________________________________
Track and Field

There’s no party like a tracking party.

Our trek began when a trail of elephantine footprints appeared while we rested our tired muscles after spending a second full day setting up camp. I say “rested” because most of us were too keyed up to fall asleep. Landing on a planet six lightyears into the depths of space will do that to you. Doesn’t matter if you’d done it before.

The three of us were anxious to begin some real field work. A cursory analysis of the prints was all it took to set our course. The tracks disappeared into a nearby glacier, though their origin was untraceable. I wanted to set a hard limit on how far we would follow the tracks, but Alex was difficult to argue with. Once he got the idea into his head to catch up to the beast, there was no reasoning with him. If the danger proves to be too much, Caroline or I can always assert our authority as heads of safety. It wouldn’t surprise me if the position was created solely to keep Alex in check.

We carried with us three days of food and oxygen, a weatherproof tent with a built-in air handler, a plethora of devices for mapping and recordkeeping, and plenty of humor to go around. Even Alex was in good spirits:

AWO: Don’t worry about the map if my tablet runs dry. Erin’s an excellent navigator.
ESC: Oh, so it’s on me, then? I see how it is.
AWO: We just need someone to blame if we get lost, that’s all.

***

This tent is not as weatherproof as advertised. It keeps us breathing through the night and that’s about all I can say for it. My gloves and coat are staying on until I’m warm enough to fall asleep. I think I’ll just close my eyes now and pretend the sun is setting for real. That should do the trick.

***

This morning, Caroline stole out of bed with our radio in hand. Curiosity dragged me from my early morning torpor and I found her sitting on a blackbush, chatting away with Nemo. Personal stuff. I didn’t care to eavesdrop, so I covered my tracks and headed back to the tent.

***

Today is our final chance to meet our quarry. If the glacier only presents us with more tracks, we’re turning around. If not, we can afford to spend an extra night observing…whatever it is we end up finding. Even though that dips into our way-back rations, our supplies should last just fine if I take us on a direct path home. Prior reservations aside, I want to see what’s on the other side of that ridge. I want to find that monster.

- Erin Carellos

_____
What did they find? Well... fav.me/d5foajj

Soluble pen on bristol, 9x12in