Nickels and Nails

[Zapp]

Omicron 90

The brightness of the system required that they activate the polarized blinders on their cockpit shields to be able to see. Radiation alarms were ringing left and right, and they both set a random course. It was as good as any, considering that they had no idea where the next jump hole was... or if there even was one.

We could die in this God-forsaken system... Nickles thought to himself, trying hard not to hyperventilate.

They went on in silence for a few minutes, then...

"Jess, you see that?" crackled over his comm line, and after a moment he saw it. Like a lone island in the midst of a rolling sea, a Liberty Cruiser sat at attention next to a jump hole. It was odd, not only out of place but almost... sinister. Despite the brightness of the system, the ship seemed to be enveloped in shadows, as if it emitted an aura. And somehow, it beckoned. Whispers started crawling around the back of Jess' mind, and by the faster breathing he heard over the comm line, Josh was hearing much the same. Then, an automated hail was sent...

This is the LNS Tundra to approaching ships, you are cleared to dock.

Without even a word between them, they both began maneuvering to the docking ports.

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