The Hades Project

[Seth Karlo]

Saker sighed as the Peregrine gracefully slid into a nebula to lick its wounds.

He slid slowly out of the control chair, stretching his back slowly, and then yawned. Controlling the Peregrine was painfully tiring. He remembered the shuttle though, and forgetting he was only wearing shorts, made his way down the stairs and into the Nursery.

It was dark, like a giant cavern. Lights blinked around from the various Children sitting near the walls. Far below him (The platform he stood on was about half way up the room, leading out into the middle of the spherical room. At the end, and in the middle of this sphere, sits the shuttle that had arrived) he could hear the sounds of children being repaired by the fixing machines on the floor.

He slowly walked forwards, and each step he took brought on a new pair of lights, one on each side of the walkway. About 30 feet along, and about halfway there, he paused, and watched as the side of the shuttle slid smoothly open.

"Hello?" he called, cautiously.

A woman stepped out of the shuttle, and, seeing no weapons on her, he moved forwards to greet her. She took one look at him and a thin eyebrow rose at his state of undress.

"Oh... sorry about that, was in a rush earlier."

He blushed, and she giggled at him. She was about 5 inches shorter than his 6 foot 1. She cast her eyes over him, and he blushed again, realising that while he used to be in great shape, recent months of inactivity and a few too many drinks had left him not looking great topless. His hand reached up to scratch his stubble awkwardly. Finally, she opened her mouth to speak.

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Signature by Sleipnir.