Asteroids surround us. Some are massive pock-marked boulders and others are harmless chunks of debris. The MRRs deflect the asteroids in gradual arcs above and below the Ember. On the platform below Orcher’s, a panel displays the full range of the MRRs, which extend more than one hundred yards around the Ember. Whenever an asteroid comes into contact with the MRRs, a patch of light radiates on the panel at its exact location. The pilots fire the thrusters to compensate for the slight change in course.

“Normal patterns achieved,” Officer Remmit’s voice announces. “No anomalies detected. Velocity is as predicted. Forty-seven hours, and we’ll be out.”

The intercom goes silent. Down in Station Control, Captain Fallsten walks over to Glacia and says something. Glacia points at an empty control panel, Captain Fallsten nods, and Glacia sits down. She didn’t train last night so she would be awake for this, and Orcher told me Captain Fallsten agreed to adjust her schedule after we clear the Perihelids.

“Nice change of scenery,” Orcher says from his desk. His hands are clasped behind his head, and I can see the movement of his fingers as he plays with his watch.

“Could use some color though,” I say.

He chuckles. “Yes, yes it could. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of color on Belvun.”

I look up when more asteroids arc over the Bridge, matching the magnetic contours of the MRRs. Two boulders crash into each other and chunks of rock spray out, a dusty explosion that fogs the floodlights as the Ember passes through. Chinks rap against the windows as smaller rocks bump the station, rocks that don’t have metal composites in them.

“I don’t miss the plasma shields,” Orcher tells me, his eyes following another boulder as it sweeps overhead. “All they did was protect the hull and maybe dulled the impacts. But you still felt them. Some of the larger hits could knock you off your feet if you weren’t careful. Lucky Larson was here to think up the MRRs.”

I’m only half-listening, and nod when I hear him stop talking. Down in Station Control, Glacia switches seats with Captain Fallsten, who must be showing her a maneuver. Glacia’s first practice run is after lunch, and her second one will be tomorrow morning.

“Lieutenant Hofhen told me that you and Miss Haverns used the StarPad last night?”

“She wanted to teach me some constellations to show Ladia.”

“I see.” Orcher leans his head toward me. “Speaking of which: did Chancellor Green give you Miss Purnell’s address?”

“Yeah.”

Orcher bobs his head but doesn’t say anything else. Shadows glide over us, specks of light flicker in the windows. It’s kind of peaceful, even if our lives are in the hands of a small group of people in Station Control.

Orcher’s holotab buzzes and he taps its speaker.

“Go for Orcher.”