The Blue People of Cloud Planet by Brian Wolfenden

entered the cloud collar directly above a large estuary, estimated at 1 kilometre across, but the two astronauts could not see this as rain and cloud had reduced visibility to 150 metres at best. The mimic display on the dome showed their position and the increasingly sloping land to either side. After about 200 kilometres the estuary had narrowed considerably and the mountains towered above them on both sides.
     
    ‘Both sides are thickly carpeted with forests of huge trees,’
     
     Zec-1 informed them as they watched the dome display.
     
     ‘My initial estimates are that many of them are up to 300 metres high and between 3 and 4 metres diameter. We are now half way to our destination and 2 kilometres above the river below. My analysis of the river water shows that it is exceptionally pure but with high chlorine levels. Air and river temperatures are 5 degrees.’
     
    Travelling at 500 kilometres per hour, ROL 1 soon approached the edge of the plain where speed was reduced to 100 kilometres per hour. The lander was now 1 kilometre above the river and dead ahead of them the mist and rain seemed lighter and their horizon took on a strange light.
     
    ‘Passing midway between first two light shafts,’ Zec-1 continued , ‘significant interference on certain instruments already being felt – applying low level force shield - contact with LifeSeeker 1 now lost.’
     
    ‘We’re on our own,’ Scott said to Olivia, ‘look at this unusual light and it’s still raining out there.’
     
    ‘Reducing lander forward speed to zero and adjusting for hover conditions over diagonal intersection. We are now approximately 35 kilometres from each light source with interference increasing. Confirm command to descend to 500 metres.’ Zec-1 requested .
     
    Both astronauts confirmed the decision in the usual way.
     
    ‘Approaching 500 metres, interference increasing rapidly, probability of successful landing now 60-65 per cent – warning!’  Zec-1 urged , ‘Applying more force field.’
     
    Olivia and Scott knew they were approaching a critical position in the descent. If probability remained above 60 per cent, they could make the decision to continue the descent but it was now touch and go. Below 60 and Zec-1 would take control and abort descent. The astronauts looked at one another and Scott nodded.
     
    ‘Descend to 400 metres.’ Scott instructed. But before this altitude could be achieved Zec-1’s voice boomed in the command dome.
     
    ‘Emergency! Emergency! Probability less than 60 per cent and falling! Abort descent! Abort descent!’
     
      And with that the lander turned its nose upwards at 45 degrees and the four thrusters underneath surged to full power. The huge g-force pushed them back into their seats and the skin on their faces was drawn back tightly into a severe grimace which matched the mood and disappointment of the two astronauts.
     
    LifeSeeker-1 regained communications with ROL-1 just after it passed the line of the outer light shafts and there was immediate consternation as Zec-C immediately signalled the emergency withdrawal from the cloud. As they stared out of the dome, ROL-1 shot out of the cloud.
     
    They were all seated in the command dome of LifeSeeker-1 analysing the failed landing attempt when Scott asked Zec-C.
     
    ‘How far apart would those light shafts have to be for a successful landing?’
     
    ‘According to my estimates and based on the lander’s information at 400 metres, we would need to be a minimum of 50 kilometres from the light shafts and there is nowhere on that plain where they are more than 35 kilometres apart.’
     
    ‘And what more did we learn as we travelled up that valley?’ queried Olivia.
     
    ‘The forests are dominated by one species of giant tree. Most are in excess of 100 metres high with girths varying from 3-5 metres. Huge fleshy leaves are clustered at the canopy and the trunks are perpendicular and remarkably straight sided. Further, there is