Reunion

DATE: Year 308-B, Sol 528

LOCATION: Io Spaceport (Pad 9 – Arrival)

The Mighty Sparrow hit the tarmac hard. One of its landing struts didn't deploy fully, leaving the ship listing to the left. It looked like a bruised prizefighter.

Behind it, gently lowered by the tractor beam, the silver HAK Stardust settled like a feather.

Steam poured from the Sparrow’s cooling vents.

The airlock opened.

Phoenix walked down the ramp. He had his helmet off. He was exhausted. His flight suit was stained with grease and dried blood.

Himalaya climbed out of the silver ship. He walked over to Phoenix, looking at the ground.

-So this is it, Himalaya said.

-This is it, Phoenix said. He pointed to the terminal building. Go inside. Find the JLF rep. Tell him you have a Class-A starship to trade. You’ll live like a king.

-I don't want to be a king, Himalaya said. I’m going to Venus. To the refugees.

-Not with me, you aren't, Phoenix said. I’m done. I’ve got to back to my business, you know?

-With the condition you’re ship is in, Himalaya argued.

-You offering the Stardust? Phoenix scoffed.

-I could tow you, Himalaya started to say, to Venus---

Then, a screeching sound.

The maintenance rover drifted around the corner of the fuel depot, tires smoking. It skidded across the tarmac, cutting directly across Phoenix’s path.

Phoenix jumped back, dropping his hand to his holster.

-Whoa!

The rover slammed to a halt. Clara jumped out before the wheels stopped moving. She marched up to Phoenix. She was small, covered in yellow dust, and vibrating with rage.

-Where is he? she screamed.

Phoenix blinked, looking at the furious girl.

-Who? Who are you?

-Small! Clara yelled. She tried to shove Phoenix. You took him! You put him on your ship! Where is he?

Phoenix looked at her. Then he looked at Dr. Murray, who was climbing out of the rover, winded.

-You’re the sister, Phoenix realized. Bit’s sister.

-Small! Clara snapped. Just tell me he’s alive.

-He’s alive, Phoenix said, holding up his hands. He’s on Venus.

Clara froze.

-Venus?

-Sky City 7, Phoenix said. With the refugees. He’s fine. He’s safe. Probably.

Clara stared at him. She looked at the battered ship. She looked at the strange pilot.

-You left him there?

-I left him safe, Phoenix said. I had a job to do.

-You kidnapped him, Clara said, her voice shaking. You took him away from me.

-He latched on to me, Phoenix corrected gently. And now I’m going back to work.

He adjusted his bag.

-Go with Market, he’s headed there.

Clara stepped into his path. She was half his size, but she looked ready to fight him for the keys.

-No, she said.

-No?

-You took him. You take me to him. Now.

Phoenix sighed. He rubbed his face with a gloved hand.

-Look, kid. I’m not a taxi service. The Sparrow is barely holding together. I’m not going to Venus. I’m going outward.

-I’m going to Venus, Himalaya interrupted. I could tow you.

Phoenix turned. The Saganite boy had stepped up beside Clara.

-Stay out of this, Himalaya. He was your kid.

-No, she’s right, Himalaya said. You broke it. You fix it.

He pointed to the silver ship.

-I’m going to Venus. I’m towing the Sparrow. If she wants a ride, she comes with us.

-I'm not going to Venus! Phoenix shouted.

-Then unhook the tow cable yourself, Himalaya challenged.

Phoenix looked at the massive magnetic coupling holding his ship. He looked at his busted thruster. He looked at Clara, who wasn't moving.

He made a defeated sound.

-I hate teamwork, he grumbled.

-We leave in ten, Clara said.

Dr. Murray stepped forward. She adjusted her spectacles. She held a data-chip in her hand.

-I’m afraid I won't be joining the convoy, she said softly.

Clara turned.

-Doc?

-I found something, Clara, Murray said. She gestured to the massive JLF tower.

-The Archive. It has records from the West Mars Republic. Things I thought were lost forever.

She smiled.

-They offered me a position in the deep stacks. Cataloging.

Clara walked over and hugged the older woman. Murray patted her back awkwardly.

-You go find your brother, Murray whispered. He needs you.

-I will, Clara promised.

Murray walked over to Phoenix. She handed him the data-chip.

-Some WMR codes, she said. Updated. Just in case you need to open any more doors.

-Thanks, Doc, Phoenix said. He shook her hand. Stay out of trouble.

-I’m just an archivist, Murray said with a smile.

She turned and walked back toward the terminal.

Phoenix looked at his new crew.

-Alright, he said, kicking the dirt. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.

He pointed to the silver ship.

-Himalaya, you’re the engine. Keep the tow tension steady. You...

-Clara, she said sharply.

-Clara. Get in the Sparrow with me. Don't touch the buttons.

-Where are we going? Himalaya asked, walking back to the Stardust.

Phoenix looked up at the sky. At the small, bright star of Venus.

-To drop off a passenger, he grumbled. And then I'm gone.