Arrival of a Ruby

First sighting of a Crimson Rocket

Engines hum as an adjustment in altitude is routinely made by a mechanical giant orbiting an inhabitable, yet desolate planet.   Creaking and popping of plating and bulwark expand and contract due to temperature changes as portions of the station shift between light and dark. With the revision of course complete, a reversing flare came from a thruster completing the adjustment needed to settle the behemoth on course.

The La’zen, a once jewel of the empire, home to all types, had fallen out of reach of those that commissioned her.  Due to her size none could fully claim the station as their own; no one group had enough population to inhabit let alone police the activities therein.

A crimson ship shifted course to respond to the changes made by the La’zen.  An elegant maneuver spun the tail of the ship around the nose of the vessel to be in line with one of the less used docking stations offered. 

Automated clamps and mechanisms reached out to gently pull the airlocks of the ship and station together.  Steam flowed out of the newly wed portals.  The visiting portal opened with equal flair displayed by the ship that just arrived.  A twirl of panels contracted in unison revealing a clean well kept interior.

A handsome well groomed man emerged from the red vessel.   His clothing appeared perfectly tailored for his build.  Accessories amongst his hip and back seemed to all have a purpose and each on its own provided as much intrigue as the entirety of the individual wearing them. 

As steps passed through the conjoined portals the portal ship side closed and locked.  Lights turned from green to amber as the sliding of metal could be heard transitioning into position confirming security in place. With determined steps the groomed man marched across the bay and onto more populated portions of the station.

Steam dissipated, lights dimmed and all sound ended in the passageway between ship and station.

The corridor opened up into a larger cargo hold that was cluttered with artifacts no longer valued by any.  There were large windows from which the hold allowed for inhabitants of the station to view the comings and goings of ships.  A cluster of containers conveniently placed into position allowed for the concealment of one doing just that.

Echoing footsteps dissipate in the distance a mousy young girl emerges from beneath the collection of relics positioned in front of the window.  In contrast to the figure that disappeared down the hall this one lacked the sophistication and consistency in appearance.  Clothing was clean, well kept, but showed their age and size did not reflect or match the one wearing them.  While one might notice the condition of the clothing they would be quickly distracted by the radiating energy of youth coming from the blossoming beauty beneath them.  Observing the entire ensemble - attire and girl - one would come to the conclusion that the availability of resources, not that of choice, had dictated her wardrobe.

Roz’lin dreamed of having her own ship.  She longed for the freedom of the stars.  The adventure of being everywhere, yet nowhere all at once.  The bay she was in was perfect for viewing most vessels that ventured to the La’zen.   Here was a place she could clearly visualize her adventures far from here.

Rarely did a vessel dock here and get left for her to investigate closer.

With silent abandonment of caution the young women approached the recently closed portal.  With cheeks puffed out in excitement Roz’s arm extended, with palm hovering slightly over the door letting her fingers lightly touch the elegant design etched into each of the panels.   A language she had never seen scrawled out before her in glyphs that excited her and filled her full of wonder.

A nick of her index finger against the shining finish and Vromb!  A field of energy, barely visible, slid between her and the door.  The newly found obstacle pushed her fingers back gently and without harm.  Simultaneously with amber lights flickering there was a transition to red in an obvious warning for her not to continue.

With a frown of disappointment on her face  Roz’lin slipped back into the shadows and away from the bay.  Better not be caught, she thought, if the ship was that sensitive who knows what the owner might do witnessing my curiosity.