A monitor above the console lit up and displayed a list of options.

“Here we go, active shuttle scan.” She clicked the button decidedly.

Shuttle bay is empty

“I know it’s empty, we had to pawn the shuttle, do the scan anyway, you stupid machine.”

The console flickered at her attempts.

“Damn it. Override and scan the bay!” She pounded the keyboard.

The little monitor flickered and a ‘scanning commencing’ message flashed over it.

Lana straightened her shirt. “That’s right, I’m the Expert, so you do as I say.”

Scan complete. Shuttle bay is empty.

***

A scream pierced the bridge, coming from the direction of the quarters.

“It’s Lana!” Nori exclaimed and the ship veered off course as she fumbled the controls.

“On it!” Bulco shouted. He jumped off his chair and was about to run when Lana returned to the bridge.

“Everything’s alright,” she grumbled. “Sorry if I startled you.”

“What happened?” the large man demanded.

“It just …” she hesitated. “I think we’ll need to visit Alzigo to analyze the meteorite piece.”

“Sit back down, Lana,” Nori said. “We’ll reach our target soon, and I’ll need you to find me a place to land.”

The young Expert returned to her seat, and they continued flying the rest of the way in silence, each preoccupied with his own consoles.

“We’re nearly there,” Lana said, checking one of her side monitors. “Hmm, looks like the terrain is pretty rough. A lot of hills, cliffs, and fissures. I detect an open spot about ten klicks away from the target.”

“Klicks?” Bulco chuckled.

Lana blushed. “It just felt the right thing to say … you know in the movies--”

“Hey, it’s fine by me, girl. Used to be a Marine, remember?”

“I’ve got the location.” Nori sounded strained. “Following course.”

Unity veered left and right, avoiding towering cliffs and protruding boulders until finally reaching an open expanse of land that was barely large enough to accommodate her size.

“Phew, that was intense,” Nori said wiping a bead of sweat off her forehead before disengaging from the holo-controls.

“Nice flying, Ace.” Bulco patted her shoulder. “Alright. Same drill as before? Nori will stay here while the rest of us--”

“Oh, hell no,” the tall woman said. “This is the last location; you’re not leaving me behind this time.”

Bulco frowned. “We went over it. You should stay on the ship.”

“No, I won’t. In all probability, this is the site we’re looking for, and I’m not about to miss visiting an alien base. Besides, the terrain out there is harsh, so you’ll need a competent Navigator to drive.”

“Listen, kiddo,” Bulco said impatiently. “You’re the only one who can fly and bail us out. You’re staying right here and that’s final.”

“Oh?” Nori raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Who made you team leader?”