Page 41 of Into The Rift

“We’re still cloaked, but maybe they picked us up. If they did, they may have dismissed it as more of the random traffic coming back and forth to this moon. It’s so far out that traders use it often as a refueling stop. It’s the farthest moon from Pton, and we came in after sunset. I think we’ll be fine for a few days until I can have a chance to think about things.”

“What kind of plan?”

“One that will keep us both safe,” he said, rather ominously, I thought.

The outpost station he said he was looking for was one on the northern edge of the moon face, just a short distance from the “dark side” or the side that faced away from Pton. He said he remembered it as being the most well-built of all the outposts and the most comfortable. We came in over it low and saw no sign of any life anywhere near it. Beside him, I was still quiet, though I know my eyes must have been wide, as I was fascinated by my first look at this alien moon in another galaxy through the screens.

“I’m going to land just inside the so-called dark side, so our craft is hidden if anyone decides to look. It’s only a short hike from there to the outpost, but you’ll have to wear a spacesuit. I can help you if you need me to.”

“I don’t need help. I’m perfectly capable of walking in a spacesuit and don’t require any aid whatsoever.”

“Good.”

“Fine.”

“I said it was.”

He glared at me a defiantly, as if daring me to question him.

“I’m agreeing with you, Jago. I said it was good.”

“You had a tone—and don’t you dare roll your eyes.”

“I will endeavor to remain completely expressionless.”

“See that you do,” he huffed, and then he worked hard at biting the inside of his lips to keep any sign of a smile off his face.

We came in for a bit of a bumpy landing. It couldn’t be helped, because it had probably been a while since this landing pad had been used, and the lunar dust and debris, along with no protection from meteorites or radiation due to the sparse atmosphere had probably mostly destroyed the landing pads left behind years ago.

Niko managed to land successfully, and we both found our suits packed in the back storage compartments. One of these suits is pretty much like another, so I got mine on easily enough and glanced over at Niko who was ready too. I had a little trouble with my helmet, and he made no move to help me—as I’d instructed—but then as I continued to struggle and he didn’t help, I gave him a blistering look.

“Well? Are you just going to stand there? Help me get this damn thing fastened on.”

He did as I asked, checking to make sure everything else was done properly too. Temperatures could drop down between -400 and -250 degrees Celsius in this area, or so he said, so it was no joke if one of our suits wasn’t working properly. After reassuring myself that it was, we opened the hatch, he eased himself down to the surface. I decided to jump, forgetting that the moon’s gravity was only a quarter as strong as it would have been on the planet’s surface. I jumped down and immediately bounced upward, flailing my arms.

Niko managed to catch me in midair by jumping after me, and we flew some distance as we landed again and he managed to right us. He shook his head at me and switched on the speaker inside my helmet.

“Slow down,” he told me firmly. “You’re going to get hurt. Follow my lead.”

I nodded, feeling abashed. I was being uncharacteristically quiet, but he’d told me over and over that I talked too much. He also told me he didn’t think “the restful silence” would last long though, so maybe he needed to soak it up and not complain. He apparently fancied himself a comedian.

We made the fairly short walk over to the outpost and went to the entrance, which had a keypad to punch in a code that thankfully, Niko still knew. We got inside and he switched on the lights on our helmets and told me through the speakers to wait until he checked the life support systems. I waited, fidgeting only a little as he went outside and checked the systems that monitored temperature inside the structure as well as the proper mix of oxygen. After switching that machinery on, along with the lights, he was able to readjust the settings and close all the shades to prevent any light from showing outside. I guess he really was hiding. At least for now.

****

Niko

Once I’d reassured myself that we’d be safe until morning, I found Jago still waiting by the door and motioned him inside to go sit down. I gave it a full thirty minutes and checked the oxygen levels and the temperature, and then finally I was able to signal him that it was all right to take off his suit.

“It’s still a little cold in here,” he said and shivered hard, holding onto his arms.

“It should be warm soon. Wrap yourself in a blanket if you need to.”

“All the bedding needs to be aired out.”

“Why don’t you take care of that, and I’ll check on the food situation. Are you hungry?”

“Not right now, but I guess I will be later.”

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