The Quarry

[Rage Menelas]

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]They made it to the frozen moon without any mishap and located Saar'floe easily enough, the homing beacon that Ryan had placed there being instrumental to the task. He began running through the systems check to make sure she was still operational. Ma'areol came over the communications system, her voice sounding appropriately like the goddess she was.

“She seems to be lighting off well enough by the radiation signature I'm receiving. Does everything check out on your end?” She was hovering just over the other ship, functioning as over-watch until he got airborne.

“Yep, all looks green and go for lift-off.” Ryan had always wanted to say that, ever since he had heard one of the shuttle astronauts use the terminology on a newscast. Hell, what would one of those guys give for an opportunity to fly this baby? He smiled with self-satisfaction as he gripped the command console of Saar'floe and lifted her gently out of the encrusted snow and ice of Hei'a 12. She came alive, shook off the fetters of frost and sprang into the air.

“Looking good from up here,” Ma'areol acknowledged. “Sweep her around a little, make sure she responds well to your commands.” Ryan did as instructed and felt like he had regrown wings that had been clipped; it was great to be back at her controls again. His smile slipped away as a melancholy blanket suddenly descended on him; he had just realized that Charlie was missing from the crew. The bridge of Saar'floe was the last place he had seen the little guy alive. He sighed. You never know when mourning will set in. He had experienced the same thing with Shell—to a much greater degree, of course.

“Everything checks out,” he said.

“Good, then I am homeward bound. The Kogeera will arrive in the Pella'agrene system within a day or two. She will be the initial warship on-station there. Make contact with her captain.” She paused for a moment and then added. “Have a good life... I hope this Pella'agrene woman appreciates what a fine man she has.”

“You take care of yourself, lady,” he retorted. “Watch your back for mad ninjas.”

“I will.” She didn't know what a ninja was but, by context, could easily extrapolate his meaning. She put her ship around and headed back toward the vortex, back toward Urtyre.

Saar'floe hovered for a moment, watching her departure. Ryan was in no real hurry to leave. He knew that once he pointed his ship's bow away from her, their relationship was truly concluded—or at least diminished to an extreme. He would be finishing off a chapter of his life, starting a fresh one. His mind went to Leurraij'ha, his Laura. His heart started to ache for her, to see her again, to hold her, smell her... He smiled, decided (as his other lady-love faded to a mere point of light in the distant night sky) that it was finally time—time to go to Laura.

As he began to put the ship about he saw a second point of light join the other. And now they were dancing around each other, looking for all the world like two fireflies performing some type of elaborate mating ritual. Ryan watched amazed for a second then shook himself; those were no fireflies—that was a firefight! She was being attacked! He accelerated toward them at maximum speed, praying he would get there in time...