“It's a blue!” Omi practically shouted as he broke out in some sort of awkward, shuffling dance. The surrounding Rach froze for a moment at the exclamation before excited chatter rang out through Bay 7. Even the rather taciturn Umi was bouncing in place at the news.
A piercing whistle cut through their impromptu celebration, and all eyes turn to the source of the sound- Oliver.
Oliver swept a stern gaze across the shocked crowd, meeting each of their eyes for just a second before moving on. “The planet may have a suitable atmosphere, but that doesn't mean it is safe for you to move in. For all you know, there could be some hidden danger down there. Until we check it out, we won't know if it is actually safe for your people.”
“Focus on the job, and save the party for after.”
With the joyous atmosphere crushed beneath Oliver's scolding, the Rach quickly went back to their preparations- though with a bit of grumbling, and quite a few unhappy looks directed at him, which he promptly ignored.
“That was a bit... harsh... Don't you think, friend Silk? I agree it was somewhat necessary, but...”
Oliver glanced at Omi for a moment before he shrugged indifferently. “Just because the planet is viable, doesn't mean it will work. And if there really is something dangerous down there, the last thing we need is them distracted by fantasies of a new home. The last thing I want is to get killed because they were busy daydreaming.”
“And if, for whatever reason, this place doesn't work out... It will already be a blow to morale. Better for me to be the bad guy and cut it off early before they get carried away.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver could see Umi nodding along with his words, already back to her usual reserved self. He definitely appreciated how grounded she was... it almost made him wish he wasn't an only child. Almost.
“Fair enough, friend Silk. The shuttle will be back shortly to take you all down. Good luck, and be safe. Ah...and...”
“I'll do what I can to look after Umi... and Vadrin too, honestly. He's nice enough, if a bit scatter brained...”
----------------------------------------
With the atmospheric check, and everyone loaded, the shuttle headed towards the planet. Oliver watched their approach through the window, once again marveling at the fact that he was about to set foot on another planet. Even if this was the fifth one.
Two moons orbited the planet: one was significantly smaller and far enough away that Oliver couldn't make out many details about it, while the nearer moon was massive by comparison. Perhaps an eighth the size of the planet itself, it was likely an asteroid or dwarf planet that had been caught by the planet's gravity and ended up orbiting it as a moon.
Rust red, with a pattern of craters that reminded Oliver of the gaping maw of some fierce beast... A superstitious person would likely label the moon an ill omen. While not particularly superstitious, it was enough to remind Oliver of his own warnings to the Rach and refocus him on the planet they were approaching.
“Vadrin, I know you're a smart guy, but just for clarification... How much have you studied the effects a Moon can have on a planet?”
Vadrin tore his gaze away from his tablet for a moment, blinking at Oliver, before he chuckled softly. “While I would not consider myself an expert, I am aware of the possible impacts for such a large moon. More severe tides and storms in coastal areas, increased tectonic and volcanic activity... The slowing of the planet's rotation and the effect on the tilt of its axis are likely less of a worry for us, at least for the time being...”
Vadrin paused, tilting his head in thought. “Ah, you are concerned with how it affects us. Well, needless to say, we will be avoiding the coast. And any active volcanoes we see.”
Oliver nodded at the answer, having expected the intelligent Rach to have considered those factors- better to be safe and double check anyway.
As they drew closer to the planet, Oliver began to make out the barest hint of a glow, almost like a halo, around the planet's equator. After a moment, he realized what it was: a ring! Kind of like Saturn, he understood, only substantially less prominent. It was possible the ring had once been much larger, as he knew that even Saturn's rings were slowly diminishing over time...
Not that he was here to study celestial phenomenon.
Multiple large continents were scattered across the planet, each dotted with numerous mountains- likely some, if not most, of them volcanoes. Storms and waves crashed against the coasts in places, the oceans shifting under the influence of the moon's gravity...
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Not that the ocean, or the storms, really mattered to him... Because they were heading towards what looked like desert, though one littered with dormant volcanoes.
“Take us to those coordinates. I believe it to be a good place for us to start, as it is far from any volcanic activity... And I believe there is a river there, which is most promising.”
Oliver glanced for a moment as Vadrin addressed the pilots, before turning his attention back to the planet. It sounded like a good enough spot... Of course, water meant animals, if there were any. Or people, though he hadn't seen anything that resembled a city yet. Or even a village...
Atmospheric entry went smoothly, and the pilots began to bleed of their speed even as they continued to descend... But some sensation kept tickling at the back of Oliver's mind, like an itch he just couldn't scratch...
Which is why he was the first to spot trouble.
“Turn around!” He nearly roared, shocking everyone. When even the pilots turned to stare at him uncomprehendingly, he pointed out the window. “We've got trouble! Get us the hell out of here!”
As one, everyone turned to see what he was talking about.
From the side of a dormant volcano, dozens of winged figures poured out and took to the skies- all headed in their direction. Oliver ground his teeth as the shuttle, which could only be described as ponderous, began its slow turn away. Their altitude continued to dip, as they still had quite a bit of speed from entry... And the figures grew closer, giving Oliver his first decent look.
And, much to his surprise, they looked eerily familiar. It almost felt like he was watching a documentary... about World War 2.
The similarities to the fighter planes he had seen in history books was the second most alarming thing about the situation. The wings, front propeller, even the nose art that was popular at the time... Each one had what looked like a roaring dragon head painted on the nose of the plane. It was honestly kind of impressive, and cool.
Or it would be, if they weren't shooting at the shuttle- that fact was the most alarming thing about the situation.
The ping of bullets ricocheting off the shuttle nearly sent the Rach into a panic, and the vessel shook under the unsteady hands of its pilots.
“Everyone be calm!” Vadrin shouted suddenly, a hint of relief clear in his tone. “Their weapons cannot penetrate the hull. They are simple projectiles, and we should be safe from them.”
“And, based off my scans, their...ah, what were they called? Planes? Yes, their planes... are not capable of leaving the planet's atmosphere. Once we reach sufficient altitude, they will be unable to pursue us further.”
Seeing the small Rach's confident nod, a collective sigh went up from the crew. As they all began to chatter away, trying to ease their own worries, Oliver leaned close and whispered under the general clamor. “Vadrin, keep checking your scans. These planes are similar to something my people once used... And it is possible they could have explosives on some of them. Would the shuttle hold up under something like that?”
Vadrin shook his head slowly, even as his eyes were once again riveted to the tablet. “No, I am seeing nothing of the sort... Though it does appear that the fuel that they use is combustible. I suppose, in sufficient quantities, it would be enough to damage the hull and perhaps penetrate it, but that seems unlikely. They would basically have to crash-”
“Brace for impact!”
“It's heading right for-”
Oliver and Umi's simultaneous shouts cut Vadrin off clearly just seconds before they were all deafened by the impact and explosion. Thrown violently against the safety straps that held him secure in his seat, Oliver could only watch in horror as a hole was torn in the side of the shuttle- which wasn't as much of an issues for them leaving the atmosphere, as the Rach all had hazard suits that should protect them... he was fairly sure...
But his racing mind jerked to a halt as, thanks to the violent rocking of the shuttle, Umi was thrown from her seat... and out the hole in the shuttle. Without her parachute.
“That is why I wear my parachute AND strap in...” He nearly growled to himself.
A decent person, lost just like that. All because the Rach felt safe enough not to take those few extra steps. He had even warned her. Hell, he had warned all of them. And now Omi would be heartbroken-
Oliver's mind screeched to a halt. He had told Omi that he would try to keep the girl safe, though he had always cautioned that he couldn't control every situation... And this was definitely out of his control, right?
Right?
“Of course I'm going to be an idiot... because they call me a friend... God damn it...” Oliver muttered to himself as he unclipped the straps holding him in his seat.
“Friend Silk!? What are you-”
“Tell Omi to watch for my signal, then come pick us up!” Oliver sighed softly as he stared out of the open hole. “Damn, I really wish I had that flight spell... But even if I had put up the bounty, it wouldn't be here yet.”
“Never imagined I would experience a HALO jump...”
As Oliver leapt from the hole in the shuttle, Vadrin's voice carried across the radio in a shriek of panic. “Friend Silk! Wha- what signal? What is a HALO jump? I- I don't understand!”
“Yeah, I'm still trying to figure it out myself!” Oliver chuckled as he plummeted, eyes locked on to the falling Rach below.