As It Was

The story opens on the alien world Thisbe II, where dawn paints the sky lavender and the sun glows crimson over magenta horizons. A massive chrome‑plated vessel, the Apollo, hovers like a flaming sword, its reflective hull scattering light across the barren plains. As the ship’s landing platform unfurls, the explorers step onto a landscape of polished hills, jagged rock spires and fragrant, feather‑like foliage that feels almost paradisiacal after the cramped confines of their craft.

At the center of this tableau stands Pritchard, the galaxy’s most celebrated big‑game hunter, briefing a band of eager cadets. Each young man displays his specialized gear—rocket‑tube “snappers,” a hybrid hatchet‑matchet, portable radios, cam‑recorders, and even miniature flamethrowers—while the seasoned guide tests their resolve. The air hums with anticipation, hinting at the dangerous quarry that awaits on this mysterious planet.