3-244: Aboard the Aerostat XI
Oliver seems to have convinced Dicard that it is OK to leave Pristine and return to GRRAS; he obviously wants to go.
Dicard says, “Alan, can you bring us in near the ship? Don’t go back to the Charter Hire place yet.”
Alan grunts something that could be a yes or could be a no, he’s obviously tired having wrestled the damaged aerostat back through the darkness. However, he talks over the radio to traffic control and eventually wrangles permission to bring the craft in to a private air landing zone not too far (about 500-600m) from the hangar where the ship is parked. He puts the craft down heavily, but in one piece. Planetary gravity returns as he cuts the plates.
Dicard says magnanimously, gesturing to the captured boxes and computer, “You and Chris head back to the ship and find Dr Fromm. I’ll find a luggage cart for this stuff.”
What will Oliver do or say?
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
Oliver will double check his bag, put the notebook back inside and head with Chris to the ship. Then he’ll look for the doctor.