[h2]John[/h2]

John turned slightly, just enough to grab a fistful of Velia’s jacket and help haul her inside the shuttle. Once he saw her boots clear, his free hand slapped the control panel; the hatch securing in a rush of disturbed air and the hissing of hermetic seals. 

The whine of servos from the rear of the bay showed the rear ramp mirroring the smaller hatch. Clanging shut and replacing the station lighting with the shuttle’s interior lighting. John paused to hit another button on the doors panel; engaging the combat locks. The only way the hatches and ramps would open now was either a pilot override or blowing them for an emergency exit. 

“Ship’s sealed. Grab a helmet and survival rig from a locker.” John patted a pair of compact heavy duty cases bolted beside the path to the cockpit. “Just in case. I’ll get the ship spun up.” 


John quickly clambered up the short ladder well and pulled himself into the pilot’s seat that sat above and behind the co-pilots station. Hand’s dancing as he brought the shuttle to life. The thrum of engines shaking the frame and John felt a slight grin dance to his face. Buoyed by the buzz he still felt and the air grip he always got when he got to fly.