He walked around the ship, cursing the fogging plastic visor of the protective suit, and finally removed the headpiece. The air was not toxic, just too low in oxygen. And for that he had the mini-SCBA. The fogging plastic was gone, but it only marginally improved his vision. The sun was a faint orange dwarf star, barely enough for a habitable zone around it, wide enough that years could not be measured in days with the fingers of one hand. Full sunlight still reminded him of a dark corridor on Cobasian. And it made it almost impossible to see the discolouration of the dark heat shield in the shadows.

Instead, he walked a bit up the small hill at the side to look at the ship from above. It was the first time he had seen the whole ship. It was so different from all the other ships he had piloted. No utilitarian, protruding shape, designed to fit into most docking adaptors while maximising the load. No, this ship was sleek, almost elegant, a blob with wings and two rudders in the tail. The 4D emitter structures sparkled as complex patterns of metallic bands on its top. And he realised how small it was. Most interstellar jump ships could fit this ship into their cargo holds. Now he wondered how this tiny ship could get off the planet, out of this gravity well. Back to the task at hand, there was no visible damage from the re-entry.

Beneath the ship, one of the natives carried a still-sleeping 'passenger' over his arms, as if it were a child. He carefully placed the 'passenger' on the orange plant carpet next to the runway in the dim sunlight and went to the next one. Two of the other four prepared a long table with all kinds of food. Poor Lalleli, if only she could get here and eat! He really wished he could connect her to his pad. Well, first he had to finish his checks. He marked the heat shield inspection as passed. Now for the engines.

All 'passengers' were unloaded before he had finished his checklist. The leader of the natives, Lart, approached him. "One is missing."

"Sorry, I was actually pressed into service. I was not there when they were brought on board. I have no idea," he delivered his lie. "Actually, I'm not even getting paid," he added.

Lart looked shocked. "They don't pay you? And you still deliver?"

"I was drugged, brought to the ship unconscious, and it was undocked by AI. When I woke up, the only possible destination for fuel was here. And the legal flight plan is only to Fallerian. So no choice. You never talked to a pilot before?"

"No, most ships were fully AI. But after the crash last year that killed all the passengers," he pointed to a black spot on the hill where he had just been, "we asked them for human pilots. But our world is too cold and humans need breathing masks. So the previous two just wanted to get off as soon as possible and stayed in their ship."

"They were probably afraid of being identified. But they should have done the checks. Well, I will report the company to the authorities."

"If you report the company, what will happen?"

"I don't know. Maybe nothing? But you know, your passengers did not volunteer, they were sold."

"Are you sure?" he looked to where the new arrivals were slowly getting up. "Let's ask the new arrivals. Do you want a ride?"

"No thanks," he stepped aside, "no offence."

Lart laughed. "Your loss," and then galloped back the short distance to where the first newcomers were standing, wobbly and certainly confused. He walked as fast as he could with his mask on, the constant pull of gravity, still feeling cold despite all the walking and the many layers of clothing.

Lart was just helping another of the newcomers up onto his new four legs. His comrade was handing out drinks in large cups. The newcomers stood off to the side in groups. As soon as the last of them was on their feet and holding a drink, leader Lart reared up on his hind legs and shouted.

"Welcome to your new home, Cauve. This is the spaceport. Tonight you will be guests in our capital, also called Cauve, just a short walk from here. Then, next week, you must decide where you will work for the next two years of your contract. After that, you can either renew your contract or choose a place to start your own farm, or start or participate in any other business like any other citizen of Clauve".

The newcomers began to murmur. But Lart was not finished. He just took a big swig from his mug. "Before we answer any questions, I have one. I heard a rumour that you did not volunteer. Is that true?"

Most of them looked at the ground. Then a woman raised her hand. "Yes, I signed up for five years of contract labour. An advance payment for my family and a piece of land to live on after five years. But I am beginning to remember, there was no mention of that! Shit, I was a man, my name was, I mean is Per, although somehow I feel it should be Petra. No, I woke up as a girl with too many legs and a botched fake memory." The well-endowed 'girl' threw her cup to the floor, where it just bounced off. Another threw his cup as well.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Stop, we are doing our best to help you. We had no idea. Please listen to me." Lart sounded desperate, though the four giants could easily handle them all. "Stop!" he shouted again at the top of his lungs. And again there was silence. "If you were brought here illegally, you can go. The pilot there was pressed into service and will sue the company."

Oh no. He went to Lart. "No, I can't. This ship is too small. The cargo hold must be filled with liquid hydrogen for take-off. And the crew compartment will only hold one human, I could not even fit one of you, no chance, sorry. I will go to Fallerian next, to the Fallerian officers. And I will try to charter a ship to come here and investigate. That is my promise." He gasped for air, it was hard to speak under the mask.

"Yes, you heard the pilot. We were all misled by the company."

Most of the newcomers were still confused or in semi-hibernation, swaying on their four legs. But four, led by the woman, went for Lart. But when they saw the size of him and his companions, they changed their target to him, seeing the pilot as a representative of the company and ignoring his previous statement.

But Lart was faster. He cut in front of them and grabbed him, throwing him onto his back. He lay flat, clutching the fur on his broad back as Lart galloped towards the ship. He had his eyes closed, which made him even more aware of the undulation of the wide strides. He opened one eye again. They were almost at the ship. "Sorry about that," Lart said, lifting him almost two-thirds of the way up the ladder with his hand. He quickly climbed the last few steps while Lart pushed the ladder up.

"Don't," he called to Lart, "the ladder will automatically retract with the hatch."

"OK, I understand. I will contact you later about refuelling and cargo. You best stay on board for now. I am very sorry about all this. I can assure you that volunteers built this colony. Our parents knew what they were volunteering for. And actually, being so small and wobbly, I could not imagine living like this."

"Nor could I," he said.

Lart chuckled. "You're a good guy. Close the hatch."

He nodded and closed it. The ladder retracted with a whine where Lart had probably bent it, but it still worked.

Lalleli was waiting for him at the inner airlock.

She hugged him. "You're safe!"

He patted her back. "Sorry, let me get out of this suit and I'll tell you everything. But don't worry, I think you can get out tomorrow if you want. Lart is a good guy. Only the company isn't."

Out of the suit, and after putting the breather into regeneration, he told her what had happened, and the live feed did not tell.

* * *

They ate soup and watched as all the newcomers finally followed Lart and his companions. The sun was already low, so it was unlikely they would return tonight. Due to their quick departure after the long discussion, the table and some of the food were still there. Lalleli would also prefer to relieve herself next to the runway before using the inside toilet again.

Unfortunately, Lalleli would not fit through the inner airlock. The lock on the cargo hatch was open. But the pressure differential was huge, so the whole cabin would have to be vented to outside pressure. And he would have to sleep with a breather.

He sighed and ordered Blackbeard to vent the inner atmosphere. He took the second breather and waited.

It took a long time, almost 0500, to vent. To pass the time, they watched the LHX inner tank filling instructions on the screen, more out of desperation than necessity. This had to be done automatically, as they had no cold suits or any of the tools mentioned in the instructions. But watching passed the time.

"Pressure equalised," the AI announced.

"Blackbeard, thank you, stop the instruction video."

The screen went dark.

He stood up, went to the hatch and unlocked it. "I can't move it, I need your help."

Lalleli stood on the side of the lock. And then she pulled. Her arm muscles swelled impressively. Then there was a fine breeze and the hatch slowly opened. Now open, she pushed the heavy hatch with ease. When the hatch was half open, she had to slow it down gently until it touched the wall. And then the way out was clear. She raced ahead, quickly disappearing down the still open ramp and to the side of the runway. He was much slower anyway, being out of shape. By the time he reached the ramp, she was back, almost jumping for joy.

He smiled weakly, the air was already bitingly cold and dry. The orange sun was a small, deep red ball just above the horizon.

"Come on," and she was already running towards the table.

"Blackbeard, do we have any outside lights?"

"Yes, shall I turn them on?"

"Blackbeard, yes, and leave the cargo hold lights on as well."

"Confirmed. Have a nice evening."

It looked like Lalleli was going to have one. She was happily tasting the leftovers, trying to decide what to eat first. He felt bad when he saw how fast she ate. She must have been starving. That was probably why they had greeted the new arrivals with a buffet.

The food quickly diminished.

As the sun set, it was getting dark fast. The thin atmosphere did not scatter enough light for a proper twilight, very different from Fallerian.

Lalleli ate until it was pitch black. The only light came from the ship's external lights and a few stars above. Both too dim to be more than a beacon to help them find their way back.

He was shivering, despite three layers of clothing. "Please, can we go? It is so dark and cold out here. The food is not going to spoil. With these freezing temperatures, it will be the same tomorrow."

"Oh?" She just turned to him. "You're right, it is dark. Just go on, sorry, I'll get a few last bites of this and then follow."

He hurried back to the ship, up the ramp and into the cabin. He could not close the hold, so he had to wear the mask inside. He went to the toilet and then to his cabin. "Blackbeard, can you pressurise just my sleeping cabin?"

"Yes, close the hatch. It is designed as an escape pod, so yes, it has its own life support. To open the hatch again, you must wait until 0010 to avoid bubbles forming in your bloodstream."

Great. No more sudden trips to the toilet. He closed the hatch and immediately warm air rushed in.

"Blackbeard, ok, wake me up at local sunrise and start the slow decompression at the same time."

"Confirmed. You can remove the mask now."

He took off his trousers and jumper too and was asleep in moments. He did not notice Lalleli's return or her knocking on his cabin hatch.