Return to Dark Earth (Phoenix Adventures #6)

~ Official Document ~

Galactic Institute of Historical Preservation

Subject: Dark Earth

Today the starship, Endeavour Horizon, entered orbit around the planet Earth. The most recent recorded visit since the planet’s destruction during the Great Terran War.

The planet is covered in dense clouds, but what could be glimpsed through the cloud cover showed the seas are as black as space.

Radiation levels are off the charts—consistent with records that experimental nuclear weapons were used in the war and have decimated the planet’s surface.

Radiation levels are too high for the Endeavour Horizon to risk landing.

Scans of the surface are also hampered by the radiation, but show no human life signs. There are large and confusing biosigns, and the science team can only speculate that they belong to mutated animal lifeforms.

There have long been rumors that many valuables and pieces of Terran history remain on the planet, but it is the conclusion of my best advisors that it is far too dangerous to attempt any recovery. Possibly in the future, bold explorers may risk the journey.

I report that the planet that seeded much of the life in our galaxy is nothing but a dark Earth.

Captain James P. Darra

Endeavour Horizon

Out of Australia II Colony

~ END DOCUMENT ~