Shattered Skies Book 1: Embers (WIP)

Ch. 5: Arrival

Date: 3/22/2159

Location: Orbit over New Eden (Trappist 4)

"Rescue ship 12 to Reliant, ETA 15 minutes to station contact."

"Reliant to rescue ship 12, we read you. We are ready to dock when you are." Walker says into the comm system.

"Acknowledged, Reliant. Beginning station approach." The ship rotates as the rescue tug reorients itself for docking procedures. And Trappist 4 Station slides into view of the viewport. The station, called Eden's Gate by the locals, is distinctive in shape, a long rod with a thick cylindrical structure on the end. The cylinder spins constantly, creating artificial gravity for the residents. The rod stayed stationary, acting as a point for ships to dock with ports lining the entire structure.

The station is old, built almost a century ago. It has been remodeled and rebuilt many times over, but interestingly never with modern artificial gravity systems, instead relying on centripetal force for station gravity. Whether or not it was too expensive or mechanically infeasible to make the switch never concerned Walker. Especially not now with other things on his mind.

The station grows larger in view as they approach, the evenly spaced docking ports lining the bottom rod. Walker grips the edge of the pilot console tightly. Whoever's piloting the rescue ship is approaching a slight bit too fast for his liking. It's making him slightly nervous. Better not be a fresh flight academy graduate. He's seen too many rookies fly recklessly for his liking. Enough that he doesn't like to rely on them with his property.

A loud, muffled clunk echoes through the hull as the magnetic locks connect, the Reliant now firmly attached to the station. A quieter thunk indicates the rescue ship has decoupled. Out of the corner of his eye, Walker spots the sleek, red ship drifting away.

"Rescue ship 12 to Reliant, docking complete. You may depart at your leisure."

"Thanks for the help. Reliant out." Walker switches the comm system off before letting out a brief sigh. "You coming with, Jurril?"

"I am. I would like some time outside of cramped ship compartments."

"Fair enough. Rojiss said he wanted to work on trying to salvage some of the ship systems. He says he wants to sell the working parts to give us a few extra credits."

"I see. I worry about his mental state at times. It is not beneficial for one's mental health to constantly be in claustrophobic spaces."

"You forget, he's a Rinar. They used to be born, live, and die in cramped caves without ever seeing the sun."

"A valid point. Now, we should go. I believe there is a fee for being docked longer than necessary."

"I think your right." Walker stands up, turning out the door to the hall. "Let's go." He walks to the lower deck and to the airlock on the ship's side. He reaches out and flips the switch to open the inner door, which squeals as it moves out of the way. "You know, I can't tell if I'm going to miss this ship."

"I never understood the Terran predisposition to grow attached to equipment and vehicles," Jurril comments as she walks inside the airlock with him. "It provides no rational benefit and only causes emotional stress upon the object's inevitable expiration."

"It's just one of those things we tend to do without good reason" Walker replies quickly, not in the mood to have another conversation on Terran psychology.

The inner door closes with a screech, followed by the outer door opening. Outside the docking port is one of the many tram lines leading to the main station, currently connected to their docking port. Outside the ship there is no gravity. Walker takes hold of a railing to keep still while Jurril simply uses her gecko-like toe pads to stay put.