7-159: Zebulon Station and Shuttle
Trolleys are in short supply as half the crew apparently have the same idea, but eventually he locates one.
He meets up with everyone at the appointed time – Chris also has a trolley loaded with gear – and when everyone is present Nanny leads the parade off the ship.
“Follow me, dears.”
At the airlock, a Warden covers their trolleys with Purple tape *** VIZIERATE SECURITY SEAL *** VIZIERATE SECURITY SEAL *** VIZIERATE SECURITY SEAL *** VIZIERATE SECURITY SEAL ***
Oliver has been on this station before, and Nanny leads them around the outer docking ring, which appears to have been secured from all other traffic by a mix of Wardens and Legionnaires, each standing on their respective sides of a partitioning rope.
In the next section about half the Illuminator’s crew and passengers are waiting in a throng. A Warden and Vizant are directing groups to various shuttles that have apparently been docked along this section, via some sort of amplification system.
“Illuminator Tech Group 6, Dock G4.”
“Illuminator Research Team Farlow-Grange 4, Dock G7.”
“Project Team Harrison 1, Dock G4.”
“Project Team Harrison 2, Dock G4.”
Oliver catches a glimpse of Mallory and her teams heading to their shuttle.
“Project Team Richards-Fiston-Harlow-Mcallum 1, Dock G6.”
“Illuminator Liberty Group 5, Dock G6.”
“Project Team Saden-Ejder 1, Dock G5.”
Nanny says, “that’s us dears,” and leads the way to the boarding tube.
As each person boards the shuttle, a pair of Legion customs officers scan their tags and apparently check them against their PDAs.
The shuttle itself has more of a feel of a military landing craft than passenger vehicle. They pass through an open cargo area, where a Vizant crewmember helps Oliver and Chris stow their gear, then proceed below to a functional seating area where they are all in a circle of 8 seats facing each other. Another group passes through and arranges themselves in a similar area below. A lone Vizant straps into the empty seat in their level.
When the shuttle is apparently full, the maneuver warning sounds and the shuttle undocks from the station. Dicard turns green but manages to maintain his stomach contents internally.
They feel movement as the shuttle boosts gently, ten are pressed down into their seats as the drives come on, unmitigated by any Grav Plates.
Zebulon station is in orbit around Zargonia’s moon, not Zargonia itself, and so the trip to the surface actually takes some time – about half a Shift, during which time there are alternate periods of acceleration, zero gravity and buffeting.
It’s GB07 before the shuttle is on the ground.
What will Oliver do for the duration?
Oliver will attempt to secure a seat next to Erin.
Would he be allowed to have his backpack with him? That’s a conversation I’d be willing to play out if someone insisted in taking it from him.
If he can have it, he will probably read his electro-engineering manual and maybe strike up some nerdy conversation with Erin.