Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3

“There it is,” Blake Panther said, spinning and pointing at the 3D holographic screen in the middle of the lower bridge. Planet Fabar shone like a rescue beacon, still small in the window, but now dominating the display.

Ambassador O’Bien rose eagerly from where she’d been stretched out on her observation divan outside of her office at the right of the upper bridge. The soles of her slipper-like shoes firmed up and formed a raised heel that started clicking by the time she arrived in front of the holo and spoke.

“It feels a bit like we’ve arrived home.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Captain Walsh said. “I look forward to some friendly, familiar faces. I sure hope they can help with our repairs.”

O’Bien nodded. “I was just messaging them. They’re certainly willing to try. The trade-off is, they get to see all the technology they’re helping to fix.”

“We don’t have much choice,” Walsh said. I trust these baris anyway. If there willing to mostly take our tech knowledge as payment, it’s fine with me.”

“We can send a party down in an hour. I think you and engineer Roed should both come, to efficiently discuss our needs and their restitution.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Walsh said “I’ll be ready! Roed will enjoy being allowed to leave the ship, but I think we should leave his monitor on as a reminder to behave.”

“Agreed. See you on the hangar disc soon!”

*   *   *   *   *   *

Down on Fabar, Councillor Wanva’s personal transport pod stopped at the end of a lane. Karen looked around. “We have another transfer here?” she asked.

Wanva laughed. “No, this is my place. I went with blended living.”

Karen examined the tall trees. After a minute she said, “Ok, that one seems to have windows. Very realistic bark-like exterior.”

“Normally I’d swing up to the main entrance, but we’ll use the lower level with the elevator.”

“Thanks for accommodating my lack of a tail! Are there other houses near?”

“Scattered here and there. It’s a bit expensive to put up an ‘arty,’ in a forest.”

“Arty for artistic house?”

“Actually, it’s short for artificial tree; but I like your thinking.”

“So you can buy part of the forest to live in?”

“No, what a strange idea. If you have the resources, you can have a kit hauled into a spot you choose, and put up a place to live. No one owns the wild forest.”