(… continuing)
For the descent, Larinette took the seat next to Dukk. She had her sandy blond hair tied back, thus he could take in fully her fine features and light blue eyes. It felt odd, but nice to have his companion at the controls with him for this maiden descent. It was odd because usually he or Rachelle sat there as the other was at the helm.
As second, Larinette’s role was to monitor the thrust and pitch controls. Annee sat at the console behind her and was tasked with monitoring other traffic and handling communications. Bazzer sat in the back of the cockpit monitoring the reactors and other rig systems. Dukk would keep an eye on the Nav, autopilot and oversee everything else, ready to step in if something didn’t feel or sound right.
Whilst all automated, systems weren’t infallible, and this rig was old. Knowing what was happening just before something breaks, helped reduce the chances of overreacting and making it worse.
“Dukk, make it a good one,” it was Rachelle on the comms.
“Will do, Captain,” Dukk replied.
“I don’t want anything getting in the way of my celebration this evening,” Rachelle added.
“Where are we going, Shell?” said Bazzer joining in the comms.
“Not the Auld Dubliner again, I hope,” piped Annee.
“Cheek of you! You suggested it for old time’s sake!” Rachelle retorted.
Annee chuckled to herself at her console.
“Well at least no-one will get lost again, hey Bazzer,” Larinette joked.
“So, who’s buying the drinks, you or Dukk,” Annee added.
“Don’t look at me, every EU I have is committed to putting the captain happily into retirement,” Dukk replied.
“You buy the first round, and the rest is on me, how’s that Dukk?” Rachelle said.
“Deal! Now time to focus or no-one will be doing any celebrating later,” Dukk concluded.
The comms went quiet.
With everything in place, Dukk engaged the descent sequence on the autopilot. This started with the port bow thruster pivoting the rig one hundred and eighty degrees.
The rig shook and groaned. Even Dukk felt his stomach turn. The necessary maneuver and the resulting g-force push the g-suits to their limits. Being familiar with the feeling didn’t make it any less unpleasant. He was glad as always that he wasn’t sitting in the back with the passengers.
Next the main engines gave a quick burst. This slowed the rig so it would drop out of orbit. Another burst of the bow thrusters brought the rig back one hundred and eighty degrees again.
Now a final burst of both tail and bow thrusters pointed the nose into the forty-degree angle needed for re-entry.
The re-entry alerts sounded just before the colour of their view changed to bright red. Then a thunderous noise engulfed them as they entered the atmosphere. They were now committed and at the mercy of their preparation.
It was a moment Dukk loved and hated equally. It was terrifying but also comforting. For a brief time, there was nothing further he could do but wait. Things were just as they were and will be as they will be.
Soon the view and the sounds changed. They were in the atmosphere.
(to be continued...)
[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 1 - A routine descent (Passage 5 of 5)]
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Dukk opened his eyes. It was dark.
“A dream. It must have been a dream,” he muttered as he tried to fathom where he was. He tried to digest the pre-dawn excursion with Craig.
He swung himself out of bed. Marr was gone.
He checked the time. Mid-afternoon.
“What in the world is going on?” Craig demanded as the doors to the south banqueting hall, closed behind them.
Dukk, Marr and Emeelie stood before him. Beyond was the atrium bathed in orange light from the setting sun.
On the opposite side of the atrium the doors to the north banqueting hall were open. Music and chatter could be heard from within.
The noise from the others disguised the deathly silence that engulfed the four.
“I am going to need a shower and change of clothes,” Marr announced as she put her helmet and goggles back on the rack in the garage.
“Yes, the dust gets in everywhere,” Emeelie replied. “There are showers near the pool. Change of clothes too if you don’t want to go back to your suite all dusty.”
“That is a good idea.”
“Have you seen the pools below sea level yet?” Craig asked.
“Nope.”
“I was going to shower and change down there. Then use the sauna and take a swim. The pool up here can get quite hot in the afternoons.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Dukk said.
“Absolutely, lead the way,” Marr added.
