Planet in Reverse

Darrel Bond is a veteran pilot who has watched his once‑thrilling craft become a machine of buttons and autopilot. Tired of the endless routine, he slips his massive freighter past the legal limit of Uranus’ orbit, drawn to the legend of Neptune—a planet that has swallowed every expedition sent its way. When the ship’s radio and gravity plates suddenly fail, he decides to land for repairs, only to find the alien landscape dotted with a lone, ethereal figure whose backward walk and tear‑streaked kiss defy every rational explanation.

The encounter throws Darrel into a bewildering mix of wonder and dread, as the mysterious girl seems to belong to a world where time and direction run in reverse. As he grapples with the impossible sight, the story pits his seasoned instincts against an unknown force that may be warning—or luring—him deeper into the forbidden zone. The first act sets a tense, otherworldly mood that invites listeners to wonder what lies beyond the known stars.