Maasym Orbital Station, colloquially called ‘Mos,’ was more colorful than Mavriq anticipated. Even so, he considered it drab compared to Fenris, his verdant and almost exclusively agrarian birth-world. It was an impression he decided was best left internalized. Still, the station’s exterior certainly surprised him. Through the shuttle’s small oval window, he had watched the habitat engulf his field of vision. As it came into focus, it presented itself almost as an asteroid due to the thick layer of rocks that enveloped it in its entirety, added, he was certain, as a cost-effective buffer against cosmic rays; a necessary public work for any long-term stellar habitat. However, a vine-like growth, still green with life, unexpectedly enmeshed and transformed the jumble of rocks into a cohesive whole.

The shuttle, guided by a tensile laser array, docked within a shadow-darkened slit in the rock cluster, the vacuum seal hissed, and he with his troupe—thus far comprised of only himself and the Warrant Officer—passed through the telescopically-elongated gangway. Another vacuum seal protected Mos’ interior then, as the heavy door slid into the adjacent walls, customs came into view.

[i]“We’ll follow the green line,”[/i] Feurtes informed him, [i]“it is expedited for military personnel.”[/i]

Their optic RFID signatures were scanned by the automated system as they pushed their way through the turnstile. There they entered an enclosure and a young man in fatigues approached them with a wand. [i]“Welcome back, Feurtes,”[/i] saluted the enlisted, “Please assume the position while I make sure you don’t have any contraband.”

[i]“And if I did?”[/i] Feurtes taunted.

[i]“Bad time for both of us, Sir,”[/i] replied the soldier as he finished with the Warrant Officer and moved on to Mavriq, [i]“Please empty your pockets and put your bag on the conveyor belt, Lieutenant.”[/i]

[i]“Sure,”[/i] Mavriq said, and filled several plastic bins with items. Of course, as soon as they passed into the tunnel they set off an alarm. Feurtes stepped in and explained, “Specialized scientific equipment. He is going down into the belly of the beast to see if he can learn what it is and where it came from. There should be a manifest of the items synced to his RFID signature.”

[i]“Please wait here while I fetch some forms,”[/i] the soldier requested, then ran off, disappeared briefly around a corner, and moments later returned with a small contraption. [i]“Sync complete. You both need to sign the equipment authorization form. Each of you press your thumb against the bio-analysis pad and you can be on your way.”[/i]

[i]“Sure thing, Corporal Barnes,”[/i] Feurtes answered.

That bit of theater over and done with, Mavriq collected his equipment and followed Feurtes deeper into the station. After customs was a large transportation hub with electric trains and elevators. Of course, it was somewhat difficult to pick them out: the place looked like a bazaar, with lots of flashy signs, colorful textiles, and rainbows of fabric that rippled in the artificial breeze generated by the numerous ventilation shafts. He was so taken with the scene that he was only jarred back to reality when Feurtes shellacked a young hoodlum and said, [i]“Pickpocket! Try that again and I’ll snap your scrawny neck!”[/i]—then, as he turned to Marviq, asked—[i]“missing anything?”[/i]

As he collected himself, Mavriq openly wondered, [i]“Are we going to have to go through this every time?”[/i]

[i]“No. You’ll be able to take a shuttle from the Thunderclap down to Derelict. We’re just here to assemble your team. Ah, here we are,”[/i] Feurtes gestured toward an elevator. They rushed in to the crowded space, and Feurtes selected their destination. As they waited, the cramped space became less occupied until they were the only ones present. Finally, the door opened and they stepped out into an a-frame corridor with a low ceiling and bare metal walls.

[i]“Quite the difference,”[/i] Mavriq remarked, then followed Feurtes forward until they reached a secure door.

[i]“Try out your security card, make sure it works,”[/i] Feurtes offered.

Mavriq did and the door slid openly silently. He entered a large room with a wide variety of people within talking quietly amongst one another. Some defiantly lubricated unlit cigarettes in their mouth, others hung back in the shadows, and a few were playing a game of jacks. 

[i]“Officer on deck,”[/i] Feurtes shouted and, with that, the atmosphere transformed to one of anxious hush.