They claimed their bunks and lay down. The impromptu kitchen silently retracted back into the floor as thin partitions rose around each bed, giving them a little privacy.

***

As always, Nathan’s dreams haunted him.

He thrashed weakly in his bed, beads of sweat sprouting over his body as he, again and again, watched the Warped tear people apart while calling to him to join them, become one with them.

And as in every other night, the brave young man resisted their call.

He would not succumb to those base desires; he would not let the Tec deprive him of his humanity.

***

A sharp whistle cut through the air, making everyone jump out of bed.

“Ugh, my ears,” Lana squirmed, covering her ears. “Make it stop.”

Nori ran to the bridge and the terrible noise died out.

“Sorry about that,” she said when she returned. “I didn’t think of checking the default alarm sound. I guess it sounds normal for the Inthidlon.”

“I know a great app for that,” Lana said with a smile. “Think the ship can run Android?”

“Worth a try.” Nori smiled back at her. “We’ve nearly reached the moon. We’ll enter orbit in ten minutes.”

The partitions around Bulco’s bed lowered and the large man appeared, putting on his shirt. “I’m ready for some moonwalking.”

The four stepped to the bridge and each assumed their seat in the amazingly comfortable chairs. The three large view screens reflected the moon in all its immensity, completely filling up their view.

Nori’s hands blurred at the console. “Reducing power to thrusters … entering an orbit vector … and … done. Alright, Lana, it’s your show now.”

The young woman frowned as she poured over her own console. “I’m getting strange readings from the surface, it’s … ugh … the ship’s sensors are the worst. I got three marked locations. I think they’re energy signatures, but I can’t say what they are exactly.”

“Ships?” Bulco asked sharply.

“I …I don’t think so. I had no trouble identifying Alzigo’s station, but maybe it was just because it was so big?”

“Can you zoom in on one of those points?” Nori asked.

“I can try,” Lana said without too much confidence. She worked her console and the moon’s view became bigger.

“That’s it?” Bulco asked gruffly. “It’s only twice as big.”

“I’m doing the best I can,” the young woman said defensively. “I’m starting to get the feeling that this ship was only meant to haul equipment from one point to another and nothing else. The previous owner obviously didn’t invest in anything other than the bare necessities to keep it running. It doesn’t even have landing gear.”

Nathan concentrated and a multi-layered light console appeared before him. He moved both his hands over the keys and the moon’s picture zoomed in some more, displaying a large crater.