''Captain Delas Fotrin, Special Reserves, Project Wooden Rancor. On a routine circuit of mining moon above target, encountered atmospheric disturbance." He moans, and the moan is very familiar. ''Engines gave out. Brought ship in for landing, punctured crust. Crashed through multiple layers. Stuck far below surface, pinned in. Attempts to extricate self have failed.
''Pursuant to Order 1138, have avoided activating homing beacon. No chance of escape. To aid in recovery of ship, will activate beacon soon.
"Believe mining moon... good location... no one looks at it. Atmospheric disturbances... only... problem..."
Then there are several painful moans, a
long silence, and the recording ends.