“That’s why we brought the Hummer, kiddo,” Bulco said. “It’s about time we put the fancy new paint job to the test.”

Nori stood up, her chair disappearing back into the floor. “We’ve landed.”

One by one the members of the Earth Force stood up. They walked into the hangar and approached the large vehicle.

“Shit,” Nori cursed. “I just realized we don’t have an airlock to exit the ship. Damn, why didn’t it occur to us before?”

“We can close the door to the bridge, then we can open the main cargo door,” Lana said.

Bulco shook his head. “That’s not a great idea. The cargo hold contains about half the ship’s air supply and with the current state of our life support system I wouldn’t trust it to refill it easily.”

“Nathan, can you raise a force field, like you did on the bridge, to hold the air in when while we open the main door?” Lana asked.

Nori looked sharply at the young man.

Nathan shook his head.

“The normal doorway has a force emitter so we can pass through on foot, but it won’t do for the Hummer,” Lana said disappointedly. “Apparently, the main cargo door was only meant to be opened when the ship is docked. It was never designed to open directly into space. He’ll have to bypass some security measures to even make it happen.”

“I don’t want us on foot out in the open in case something goes wrong,” Nori said. “Maybe after we’ve made sure the area’s safe.”

“I’m pretty sure life support can recover the air after we emptied the hangar, at least once,” Bulco said.

“Good enough for me,” Nori walked to the vehicle. She stopped abruptly as the large Engineer held up a thick arm to block her path. “What are you doing?”

“You should stay here,” he said. “You’re the only one who can fly this ship, in case something goes wrong and we need Unity to come pick us up.”

“Hell no, I’m not staying behind,” the tall woman said. “Besides, you need me to drive.”

“I can drive the Hummer just fine,” he insisted. “Maybe not as well as you, but I can get us there.”

“He’s right, Nori,” Lana said quietly. “Someone has to stay on Unity, and you’re the only one who can fly it if something goes wrong.” She tapped her ear lightly. “We’ll stay in contact; you'll know everything that happens instantly.”

“Damn it,” Nori said, visibly deflated. “I guess you’re right. I’ll stay on the bridge and try to monitor your movements. You be careful.”

Bulco touched an imaginary hat. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Nori grumbled and headed toward the bridge, sealing the door behind her.