Free Jupiter's Reef by Karl Kofoed

she was lying down relative to the Earth. But they hadn’t touched down and Alex didn’t have the heart to tell Mary that Diver ’s null-gee system was still operating at a third strength to help reduce the ship’s weight during landing. He figured she’d find out soon enough.
    Everyone was watching the viewscreen when they received clearance to land. Diver banked once, then descended through a thin veil of cloud.
    The scene and all its details, though common for Earth, was so verdant and full of life that it took Mary’s breath away. “Trees!” she said. “Thousands of pines ... all like the ones at the Isidis Arboretum. But they’re greener.”
    Alex and Johnny smiled, appreciating Mary’s excitement.
    The spaceport was a domed structure built into the base of a mountain. Alex saw it appear through the clouds.
    Professor Baltadonis pointed to the blue ocean about a mile away. “Hard to imagine that the water was several miles farther away, once,” he said. “Some still remember the way it was. Stubbs is one. He saw the melting start. Once the melting started, the oceans rose fast. And they’re still on the rise.”
    Mary peered into the distance and squinted. Her genetically engineered eyes could pick out subtle details. Waves and ships, like those in pictures she’d seen growing up on Mars.
    “It looks normal to me,” she said with a shrug.
    Alex lowered their landing gear as the runway loomed before them. Finally they touched down, rolling toward the distant domed structure.
    Alex looked at Mary apologetically. “I’m sorry, love, but I have to power down. Null-gee systems, too.”
    “I thought you had it off already,” protested Mary as the full gravity hit her. Everyone groaned and laid back in their seats.
    “This’ll be rough for all of us,” said Johnny.
    Alex steered to a designated docking area inside the spaceport’s huge dome and brought the ship to a halt. The docking bay was a large hanger and staging area that housed both air and space craft. Alex eyed it all dubiously through Diver ’s cockpit window while arrival and quarantine protocol scrolled across the console’s vid screens.
    “Everything’s inside the dome,” observed Johnny, peering out the window. “They can seal it off tight if there’s contamination. All spaceports are designed this way.”
    Alex unstrapped himself from the pilot’s seat and sat up with some difficulty. “Whooaa, this isn’t going to be easy.”
    A message alert flashed. Alex accepted the transmission and faced the screen.
    The monitor showed an unfamiliar face, that of an elderly man with thin grey hair and glasses. He squinted at them with a quizzical, almost bemused expression.
    “I assume,” he began, “that you wouldn’t mind meeting in one of the spaceport’s null-gee rooms. They turn my stomach, but I’m game if you are.”
    “You are Stubbs?” said Alex.
    “I am. Yes.” said the man. “And you’re Alex Rose. The miner with the soul of Darwin.”
    Alex smiled. “It’s been a while since we talked. I have a lot to tell you.”
    “Lunch at the Bradenton Arms, – Null-gee Suite 4. – Meet me, say, in an hour?”
    “That sounds perfect,” said Mary, still trying to get up.
    Stubbs’ image was replaced by that of a woman with brown hair tied tightly in a bun. She wore a blue uniform and an odd looking headset.
    “Crew of Diver , welcome to Earth,” she said. “Our records show that none of you has been to Earth recently. No doubt you would all welcome the use of wheeled assistance at the spaceport. Is that correct?”
    “I don’t need to be treated like an invalid,” said Alex. “I’ll deal with it.”
    The woman smiled courteously. “Many say that, Mr. Rose. Your mind may be ready for Earth, but your body might not be. There have been unfortunate incidents. Please try these carts. They allow full mobility and assist in arm movement. They are most helpful during lengthy customs check-ins.”
    “Sign me up,” said