[ IP ] Red

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 We were flying low over the inhospitable terrain, which glowed with a blazing heat barely contained by the obsidian surface of the planet. The official designation for the planet below us was designated M92 Alpha Hermes IV ( colloquially known as Planet Hell among some of our more colorful team members ), and it was an unusual specimen of a planet. The entire surface was obsidian, with occasional flows of lava breaking through. It was dark as well, as the only light that reached the planet for most of the year was from the heat of molten rock. A nearby celestial body, M92 Alpha Hermes III, despite astronomical odds of against such a thing happening, maintained an orbit around the system's star that blocked most of the light from M92 Alpha Hermes. Planet Hell was always cast in shadow.. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; We were on our third survey mission. Our third attempt anyway. Our first attempt ended in failure when the vessel could not reach the surface safely, due to the excessive temperature. The second one ended in failure as well, as the shielding on the refitted science vessel was n't enough to protect it from the immense heat from the surface. Both were forced to abort before landing. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; The newest vessels seemed to be up to the task, however. We were operating at an altitude lower than we'd ever managed to get to the surface. As soon as we found a clear place to land, we were to do so and take samples from the surface as best we could. We did n't have suits that could withstand the temperature, so we were to use the vessel's manipulator arms to collect them. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Our partner for this mission, the USDSV Chadnuzzar announced that they had found a clear area to land. There was a field of smooth obsidian wide enough for both our vessels. They went in to land there, slowly making contact with the surface, with us observing by camera. Angry red cracks formed around the vessel's landing area. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;'' Abort!'' I shouted as the cracks spread. The comms officer echoed my command and announced, `` Abort the landing!'' but it was too late. The ground beneath the USDSV Chadnuzzar shattered, revealing a lake of molten rock. They launched, the bottom of the ship scorched by molten rock. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;'' We need to evacuate! Internal temperature rising rapidly! Hull integrity is compromised! We have a breach!'' came the transmission. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; I took over comms, `` Fly up to the Karman line we will follow and dock. Put on your atmospheric suits, hopefully that will protect you long enough to dock with us.'' 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;'' Acknowledged,'' came the response and the Chadnuzzar flew up into the atmosphere, with us following close behind. I just hoped that the Karman line would be far enough from the planet for the suits to survive exposure. The Chadnuzzar shuddered as the engines thrust through the atmosphere, protective plating peeling off as it rose. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; We reached the Karman line, synchronized speed, and docked. I had our roboticist engage the manipulator arms for additional stability, and quickly unlocked the outer hull airlock gate for the Chadnuzzar crew. The crew made there way over, stumbling as the ships shook Parts of their suits were melted. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Once everyone was aboard, we jettisoned the Chadnuzzar, which flew off wildly and was soon rendered a fireball by the heat of the atmosphere, and crashed into the surface shortly, sending an impossible geyser of lava shooting up. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; We set course for the nearest starbase, while the former crew of the Chadnuzzar was treated by our medic as best we could with the supplies at hand. It became apparent that they were suffering from multiple burns and would require surgery to remove the parts of the suits that had melted. One unlucky member of the crew appeared to have lost an eye from part of his helmet melting, but amazingly enough managed to survive exposure to the planet's atmosphere. 
 & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; We hoped we'd make it in time to save all of them.
