The hatch hissed open, ShiZhen had calmed down a bit, but it was clear she was still unable to completely stop crying.  "I keep telling myself that there wasn't anything I could do, but I don't know if that's true.  I-I just stood there...and watched him die..."

[hr]
"We can't let our emotions get the better of us!" Marco yelled, hardly able to control his own, overwhelmed with sadness and anger as he was.  But he was keenly aware of Leonard, whom Marco, at this moment, swore to protect.

"Well the ship hasn't moved yet," Rana began, "If you want, you and that little mouse behind you can get off right here."  Rana stared at Marco coldly.  The thought of remaining surrounded by death and destruction was unpalatable to Marco, who didn't say anything.

"I didn't think so," Rana concluded, "Ship, engage the course I set."

"U-understood," Stella said meekly.  The ship began to rise out of the atmosphere quickly, though its passengers couldn't feel it thanks to inertial dampeners that all space-faring vehicles were installed with.

Marco turned to Leonard, "Let's go find the habitation quarters, get some rest," he was softly, choosing not to continue arguing with Rana and Alice.  he tried to gently lead Leonard to the elevator.