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They spent months cold & starwoven, ice on their tongues. First they dreamt of the moon, but no: there are many things lurking in the dark.

When you think of research being performed in Antarctica, it’s rare that space exploration comes to mind. Yet this is the very expedition that inspired Hester J. Rook’s tale of starwoven explorers. According to the European Space Agency, the extreme conditions of Antarctica, including darkness, harsh cold and isolation, are a “unique testing ground” for what humans will experience on missions to the moon or Mars. This story was awarded 2nd Place in our ANTARCTIC FLASH FICTION CONTEST.

// Hester J. Rook writes poems, stories & starsongs, & edits @TwistedMoonMag. Say hi @kitemonster & read her work at hesterjrook.wordpress.com//