I’ve got the extra medkits and I’m coming towards you now. Cory updated us.

The flight plan has been programmed and I’ve approved it from the base. Cas thought from inside Frida.

Peg, has anyone on the base noticed us yet? I asked as I double-checked the thrusters and engines.

They looked to be fine, no signs of damage or anything concerning but this was a real mission. We would be saving real people instead of just a simulation. I needed to be sure.

Not yet, we’re still quiet. Don’t forget lights off in three minutes when crew 664 lands.

What were they doing? Gem queried.

From what I can tell, they just were testing a new recruit for their crew. As if twelve people isn’t enough already.

It does seem excessive. Other crews have more though. They weren’t anywhere near Irision so I don’t think their actions are suspicious. Peg informed us.

Cory, do you need help getting the medkits on?

I’ve stolen a hover tray but I’m going to program it to go back to the MedBay before I come into the garage. Do you have time to come help?

I finished checking the engines and closed the hatch, ensuring it was sealed before walking towards the door.

You’re sure the cameras aren’t recording? I asked, glancing up nervously at the camera pointing right at the door.

Do you really doubt me after all this time? Gem demanded.

I breathed out a huff of laughter. No, I guess not.

I stepped through the door which opened with a quiet whoosh and looked down the corridor, listening carefully. It was silent apart from the gently brushing noise of the hover tray and Cory’s footsteps coming closer. I forced myself to hear more, my breathing quieting as I listened intently. I could hear the gentle hum of electricity in the engineering labs but no signs of people. I blinked forcefully, my eyes showing me the heat signatures. I looked around, checking for anything suspicious, like heat where there shouldn’t be any or a complete lack of heat where there should be some but I couldn’t see anything of concern. Satisfied, I flared my nostrils, breathing deeply. I could smell the traces of our flight instructor who must have passed through here, I breathe again, two hours ago. Probably on her nightly check of the ships.

Cory rounded the corner and I blinked rapidly to change my vision back to normal. Well, mostly normal, enhanced night vision was as close as we got to normal after our last set of mods.

Hey. I greeted him as he approached, taking in the piles of medical supplies on the tray.

Do you think this is enough? I decided not to bring a ventilator, we should be able to use Frida’s oxygen tanks if needed.

Yeah, that should be good. How many blood packs did you bring?

I only brought four but I brought blood regen pills. Is that okay, do you think?

That should be fine. I started lifting the bundles of medical supplies off the tray, careful not to take more than I could carry so that I didn’t waste time having to run back and grab the ones I dropped.

Stay here and keep an eye on everything. If anyone comes, you’ll have to think of an excuse.

Cory nodded as he turned away, blinking hard to activate his eye mods.

I rushed to the ship, gently dropping the supplies on the seats just inside the doors before running back to get more.

Forty seconds until the other ship lands. Peggy warned us.

Nik. I pushed my body to run faster, hating how close we were cutting this.

Grab what you can and send the tray back, we can’t risk this. I ordered at Cory.

He placed the last couple of bundles gently on the floor before typing on the screen of the tray.

Can you get this last one? He asked, struggling to carry everything.

I shuffled everything around in my arms and picked up the final bundle, rushing towards the ship.

Ten seconds.

Nik.

The bundle slipped, anxiety making my hands slick but I caught it with my fingertips, refusing to let it fall. An engine roared above me as the other crew’s ship entered the atmosphere. I dived aboard Frida and slipped deeper inside, hugging the walls to hide from view.

Landed. Peggy warned us after a pause.

I waited, barely daring to breathe and hoping that the other crew didn’t notice anything. Their engine turned off and I strained my ears, trying desperately to hear more. The ship doors buzzed gently and for a second there was silence before a laugh exploded out. The lights in the garage flashed on, blinding me through the windows and illuminating the inside of our ship.

“I can’t believe you managed to do that entire search and rescue alone!” Frannie shouted with a laugh. “You landed it and everything!”

My eyes flitted around the now brighter cargo hold of Frida, taking in the rest of my crew’s position. Peggy was standing against the wall next to me already in her flight suit, trying desperately to not move. She would be safe there.

Where are the others? I asked, my heart pounding.

Peggy moved her head minutely, gesturing to the cockpit. A flash of movement caught my eye. Cas was huddled under the console, his dark skin blended into the shadows. He smiled, his teeth glinting in the light and I couldn’t help but smile back.

Where are Cory and Gem?

In the bathroom. Gem replied.

Okay. We’re good. We shouldn’t have been seen when they went past.

We’ll be okay. Gem reassured us.

They don’t have any mods, do they? Peg asked.

I ran through my knowledge of the crew and how I’ve seen them perform. They aren’t top 20 and their performance last testing was unremarkable. I’d assume not.

Cory, do you know if their doctor has any mods? Gem asked.

I’m not sure, he’s older and isn’t in my class but I know from around.

I think we’re probably okay.

Yeah, I wouldn’t think he has any. It’s still quite rare at his age.

I held my breath as the crew left the garage. They didn’t say anything or act any differently so I assumed they hadn’t seen us. Maybe if they had, they’d think we were just another crew going out for a joyride or a late night trip to a Council-approved dark planet.

My eyes roved the now still garage.

I think we’re safe. I thought. You can come out.

The bathroom door opened and Gem and Cory emerged as Cas crawled out from under the console.

Now what? Peggy asked.

Store all the medical supplies and get seated. No talking until we’re in the air, I’m leaving Frida’s door open and the lights off for as long as possible so if anyone does come out, they won’t immediately notice anything suspicious. I commanded, changing quickly into my flight suit and scanning the garage constantly.

Cas dropped into his seat and began completing his checks.

It’ll be okay. He thought without looking up as I dropped into my chair and started on mine.

I smiled at him anxiously.

All done back here. Cory thought.

Alright. I took a deep breath.

We’re all harnessed in. Ready when you are. Gem told me.

I locked eyes with Cas who nodded at me. Turning Frida’s engines on, I hit the door lock and quickly steered her towards the departure area.

Clear so far. Cas told me, his eyes scrutinising the screens and the garage.

I pushed the thrusters up, checking the screens on all sides for any sign that we were being watched but seeing nothing. This had to go smoothly. We didn’t have time to be stopped or chased by anyone. We needed to get to Irision before things got even worse. I pushed the thrusters even higher. We had the chance to make a difference and save people. We had to help.