Arik's hibernation sickness, thanks to his size and the medications, was wearing off well. Now it was mostly the injections that were bothering him. Arik had never liked needles, so being forced to get them for the sake the job was a difficult process for him. Falling through atmosphere toward a new planet, the only thing on his mind was the pain in his arms. He needed to take his mind off it.

Arik noticed one of his crewmates, Jack if he was remembering correctly, reaching under his seat to pull out a cigar. Reaching under his own seat Arik could feel the leather cover of one of his axe blades. He pulled both his axes from the storage, as well as his chess piece. Placing the piece in his pocket, Arik kept the axes on his lap, running his hands over them. The landing craft rocked, breaking Arik's attention away from his tools and toward the job again. They would be on the ground soon, and he would be ready.