Down South

[jammi]

19/07/816, 03:52

There was a significant force entering the system this time: two exploration Percherons and an escort of three Eagles. This time Bowex wasn't going to run. One of the Percherons was outfitted in a similar way to the Cook, with a shuttle contained inside. The other was standard edition, but filled with personnel instead of freight. Security forces, scientists and surveyors mostly.

"Lovewell, this is the Carteret. We're going to drop the Endymion for atmospheric survey. Eagles, cover our back." Shortly after the transmission was sent, the Carteret's cargo bay split down the middle and began to slowly open. After the bay was fully exposed, the survey Clydesdale Endymion dropped out.

Engaging its engines, the little Clydesdale closed the last five Ks between the convoy's location and the planets atmosphere, streaking towards the clouds suspended far below. Just as the first wisps of atmosphere juddered and shook the hull, they killed their primary engines, relying on directional thrusters to see them down.

The command crew on the Carteret looked on with bated breath as the Endymion's hull glowed red as the flames consumed it. It plummeted downwards like a small metal meteorite. Inside, the crew were thrown around by the G-force, the captain gripping the helm hard enough to turn his knuckles white. Atmospheric decent without docking ring assistance was pure hell. A few nerve racking moments later the demonic scream subsided and the flames receded. The captain glanced over at his co-pilot, who had her eyes shut. He was going to have to buy her dinner after this.

Far above there were a few ragged cheers from the accumulated crew as the tiny image of the Clydesdale far below stabilised. There were a few laughs as the little freighter turned a slow victory roll far below. The ship swooped down low, the scream of it's engines shattering the serine peace of Sydeny's rolling grasslands. A herd of shaggy black, three legged bovine looking creatures stampeded as the freighter shot past overhead.

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