Into the Night

Posted on Sun Jun 7th, 2020 @ 11:34pm by Skyplex Administration Scarlett Wilson

Mission: Bright and Shiny things
Location: Deck 17 Oversized Ship Docking Facility.
Timeline: Closing Bright and Shiny things.

The speakers in the waiting area near the egress tubes relayed the chatter between the departing ship and Skyplex flight control.

"Greenleaf Control, this is Blue Horizon, requesting permission to shove off. We greatly enjoyed your hospitality." the chipper voice of the co-pilot called.

"Copy that Blue Horizon, As always it has been a pleasure having you here. We are awaiting final clearance from the Dockmaster."

Scarlett rolled her eyes at the formal platitudes. This pleasurable visit had cost the lives of nearly a dozen people with more still recovering in the medical center.

Her Cortex buzzed. She held the bulky device up to her ear. "Boss you got any last instructions before we get this thing outta here?"

He cool blue eyes blinked, thinking of the turmoil of the past few days. She took a quick swig from the tin decanter she kept in her pocket. "Nah, tell em happy voyages, yílù píngān. Get em out of here."

"Copy that Ma'am." the voice on her Cortex responded.

The speaker crackled again. "Blue Horizon this is Skyplex control. You are cleared to the outer marker. Safe journeys and good fortune."

"Thank you Skyplex, we are detaching umbellicals and all moorings. Looking forward to our next visit."

Scarlett could hear the hiss of the machinery surrounding her as it disconnected from the massive vessel. Out the view panel the ship began moving forward, away from the station. Scarlett stood almost mesmerized watching the ship slowly pull out and shrink in size. Finally the dim silhouette turned bright blue as its fusion drives came online as it steered into the shipping lanes and got underway with its load of goods from farms and shops all over the sector. Scarlett moved closer to the window, placing her palm up against the transparent panel. The crew was bound back for the Core. Back to worlds where the petty rivalries and drama of the skyplex had no sway. "Good luck." she said almost a whisper, a tear welling up in her eye.

Minutes later the lights in the waiting area dimmed, their function for the moment no longer needed and power was diverted to other parts of the station. Scarlett stuck her hands in the pockets of her jeans and slowly walked back toward the lift. Back to the world she knew.