Just Imagine

By Sam Slattery (C)

You are far out in space, on a mission to explore the outer reaches of the known universe, when your spacecraft develops engine problems.

You are forced to abandon your expedition, and crash land on a tiny planet that is the second satellite of a largely unknown and uncharted star.

On impact, your ship is completely destroyed.

All of your colleagues perish, along with any means of interstellar communication.

The nearest manned outpost is ten weeks away.

Due to cosmic interference, and the remoteness of your position, the last time you could make contact with them was six and a half weeks ago.

Just before you crash land, no one has time to put out a distress signal.

However, due to its small size, there is enough time to do a survey of the planet.

Readings detect an atmosphere that is breathable and a climate that is tropical.

There is no sign of animal or plant life.

There are no rivers or oceans, or any traces of water.

The surface is covered in endless deserts of sodium bicarbonate – salt.

As well as your colleagues, your ship and any form of communication, ninety nine point nine percent of your supplies are also lost.

All you have left, to last you (until the remotest chance of rescue) is a small beaker of water.