The Cosmic Coffee Cup

Ch. 3 "Saturn, a Thriving World"

Then she covered my eyes with a piece of black cloth and began to convert me to a Zornian! I felt some strange liquid that came down on my face, then my arms, then my legs. Then I heard a loud sound and felt something on my head. Then I felt my hair slowly failing. "Wait, are you cutting my beautiful hair?"

"Be patient," she said.

I didn't say a word; don't ask me why, but after a few seconds, the loud sound has stopped, and now I feel cold on the back of my neck. She removed the black cloth and said, "Ta-da! What do you think? You're now a Zornian!"

I flinched when I saw the mirror. Who's that? I asked myself. It really is me! I was covered in all red, and for my hair, she dyed it dark pink and even cut it as a temple-fade cut. Then she gave me red glasses and told me, "Do not ever take them off during our journey."

"Yes, ma'am," I politely said.

"Hey, drop down the honorifics; just call me Lia; wherever you came from, here on my time, I'm still a student."

"Alright, Lia," I said, adjusting my new glasses. "I'm ready to go."

Lia led me outside and to a nearby launchpad. There, I saw a massive spaceship, unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was sleek and silver, with a long, pointed hull and two massive wings. "This is it," Lia said. "Our spaceship."

We boarded the ship and made our way to the cockpit. Lia took the pilot's seat, and I sat next to her. She flipped a few switches, and the ship's engines began to roar.

"Ready for liftoff?" she asked with a grin on her face. I nodded while smiling.

Lia pushed the throttle forward, and the ship exploded into the sky. I felt my stomach drop as we accelerated into space. "Wow," I said, gazing out the window at the earth below. "This is amazing."

"I know, right?" Lia said. "It's even more beautiful than up here."

We flew through space for hours, passing by planets and moons. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the cosmos. "We're approaching Saturn now," Lia said. "Get ready."

She flipped a few more switches, and the ship slowed down. We entered Saturn's orbit, and I could see the ringed planet looming ahead of us. "It's so beautiful," I said.

"It sure is," Lia said. "And it's about to get even better."

She brought the ship closer, and we flew through the rings of Saturn. It was an incredible experience. The rings were made of billions of tiny ice particles, and they sparkled in the sunlight. We landed on Saturn; it was really full of people and vivid!! I didn't except that I'll see Saturn as a livable planet! Lia and I stepped out of the spaceship and onto the surface of Saturn. I was amazed by what I saw. The planet was teeming with life. There were lush forests, towering mountains, and crystal-clear lakes. The sky was a vibrant blue, and the air was filled with the sound of birdsong. I couldn't believe that I was standing on Saturn. It was a dream comes true. I had never imagined that the planet could be so beautiful and livable.

"How is this possible?" I asked. "I thought Saturn was made of gas."

"It is," Lia said. "But it also has a solid core. And that's where we are now."

We walked through the forest, and I saw all sorts of amazing creatures. There were giant butterflies with iridescent wings, furry creatures with six legs, and birds that could sing in multiple languages.

"This is incredible," I said. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Saturn's solid core is a strange and wonderful place," Lia said. "It's a world where gravity is lower than on Earth and where the atmosphere is rich in oxygen and other life-sustaining gases. The planet's internal heat provides energy for a wide variety of plants and animals, and the rings of Saturn provide protection from harmful radiation."

"Whoa, but how did it evolve?" I asked,

"It's still a mystery how life on Saturn evolved," she said, "but scientists believe that it may have started in the planet's subsurface ocean. Over time, as the ocean receded, some of the life forms adapted to the new conditions on the surface. Today, Saturn is home to a diverse array of life. There are plants and animals of all shapes and sizes, from microscopic creatures to giant trees. The planet's ecosystem is complex and well-balanced, and it's a testament to the resilience of life."

After a long day of exploration, Lia and I returned to our spaceship. We were both tired but happy. We had seen so many incredible things, and we had learned so much about Saturn.

"I'm so glad you brought me here," I said to Lia. "This has been the most amazing experience of my life."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," she smiled.

We boarded the spaceship and blasted off into space. As we watched Saturn shrink in the distance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. I had never imagined that I would ever get to visit such a beautiful and amazing planet. Thanks to Lia.

"Has your mood changed?" Lia asked.

"Yeah, totally! Thanks to you."

"Glad to hear that!" she smiled, "Now be ready to face death."

"Wh-what?"