Skyreign

3: Dispersion

The distant sun finally crept below the last dune off the horizon, and the twin rings of ice and metal became more visible, refracting a dazzling blanket of rainbows across large patches of sand. The azure sky, dominated only momentarily by the reddish golden glow beaming over the faraway ridges, faded into darker and darker shades of blue as a multitude of stars shone through in ways that could never be experienced at any one point on Behraan. With very little to no cloud cover, and no light pollution, nearly the whole galaxy was visible from where the Skyreign had descended.

Sam found something soothing about this brilliant night sky, that he could not even find in the quietest regions on the industrious world of Francesca, from whence he came.

"Six metres off the ground and holding," Darrick reported. He began to decelerate the vessel to a halt, speaking out the side of his mouth to Olsein, "get the Captain."

As if already aware of the change in situation, Laura stepped out of the cabin, throwing on her green-on-black navy jacket but not bothering to zip it up, exposing a grey nano-carbonweave top underneath that covered up to her neck.

"Throw the anchors," She ordered, "determine whether the atmosphere is breathable to Behraanese."

"If it were," Olsein stared outward, "I would figure something should be growing."

"Have you looked at Behraan?" Laura retorted, if lightly.

"I can't tell until I fix the sensors," Darrick shook his head.

<Edge here,> came through the intercom, <I can tell you from all the fire that there's definitely enough oxygen on this planet. Likely higher than that of Behraan, actually. Oh, and there seems to be some small amounts of carbon dioxide and water buildup where the engines caught fire. Another sign of combustion.>

"So you're telling me we can breathe out here," Laura confirmed.

<I'm saying if you go out there, don't breathe more than you'll have to, or you'll knock yourself out from hyperoxia. And I'll laugh at you.>

Laura subtly nodded, "that will do, Edge."

"Inspection complete," Rose stepped onto the bridge alongside Miya, "a couple of crates got tossed around in the cargo hold, but we're in good shape otherwise. It really is just the bow and stern extremities that need seeing to."

"Well then see to the bow," Laura stated, "I want this ship operational by daybreak. Walson, get those sensors sorted out.

"Olsein, help Edge. Sam, guard the bridge. Miya, guard the cargo bay door. And if any of you see Grace, tell her to prepare some basic medical equipment for--"

Rose looked deeply into Laura with a suggestive note of sympathy.

"What, Rose?"

"We just about nearly died," said Rose, "and both Edge and myself are pretty beat up from being tossed around in the descent. And I can see it in every face here, including yours. It's been a long day, and we're fatigued, all of us."

"You suggest we just sit here defenseless all night and hope nothing happens," Laura assumed, "I suggest the opposite."

"The ship is hardly defenseless," Rose crossed her arms, "all the guns are working. We have the torpedo array too if needed. We're all armed and trained fighters--"

"Save Grace."

"Save Grace," Rose noted, gesturing aside, "the fact is, if we work overnight without lighting and without rest, we might as well be defenseless when a threat actually comes along."