Watts picked up the flashing comms device once more.

"Watts, we are stationed beneath your ship and ready to board."

Watts braced himself and headed down to the lower hull. He could deal with Lindberg. But the idea that they still had to do the mission at all was terrifying.

There was a click as the ship locked on. The lower airlock began to hiss. The connection was forging. Only a matter of moments. Watts rested against the wall as he awaited what would soon come.

Finally the airlock swung open. Lindberg climbed through the hatch and glanced around the room.

"You've gone too far this time Watts." He said sternly.

Watts actually nodded, to Lindberg's surprise.

"I agree. I think we should call the whole thing off."

Lindberg looked awkward.

"Well I don't have the authority for that."

This would normally cause Watts to sneer, but right now it just made him sad.

"How many are aboard your crew?" Asked Watts curiously.

"Eighteen persons active, plus myself, plus an Elias Baines who has taken himself off to the stasis pods. We are unsure why, but he is currently sleeping."

Watts rubbed his head. "So you're all boarding?"

"We are locked in now for the duration. The X4 doesn't possess enough fuel for the return flight. We had to over-use to make it to you in time."

Watts sighed. So much for jumping on the X4 and fleeing the hell out of here.

"How many on your...crew..."

Watts could taste the disapproval as Lindberg said crew.

"Me and nineteen other capable persons."

The sound of a baby's cry echoed through the chamber as Lindberg craned his head up to see.

"Well.." Watts began as he shuffled his feet. "I suppose you could call it twenty."

Hey Watts crew?

Now it's a party.

Who in the galaxy would bring a baby to this?

Freyja's eyes widened at seeing so many new faces.

Hello there Percy, you can call me Freyja.

Melvin Schrauwen @ 25/4/2015 14:39

Now it's a party.

I suppose it could be called a party forgetting the potential for dismemberment and possible death.

Felicity Green @ 25/4/2015 14:40

Who in the galaxy would bring a baby to this?

Maybe the child came on their own.

Felicity Green @ 25/4/2015 12:40

Who in the galaxy would bring a baby to this?

Rin.

Izza, search your database for repeated exposure to changing atmosphere in infants. The side effects cannot be healthy.

VZ173 @ 25/4/2015 14:43

Felicity Green @ 25/4/2015 12:40 Who in the galaxy would bring a baby to this? Rin.

Android?

Android? What's that supposed to mean?

Ah, greetings my new friends! It is nice to see even more new faces on this journey! :)

Felicity Green @ 25/4/2015 14:43

Izza, search your database for repeated exposure to changing atmosphere in infants. The side effects cannot be healthy.

My scans indicate potential developmental delays and severe physical side effects such as malformation of the optical nerves critically impairing vision. Other than that, the child should be fine.

So should we all redo introductions again????

I am Percy! I am a skilled technician from Ganymede. I mean that is the shorter version of myself.

VZ173 @ 25/4/2015 14:45

Android? What's that supposed to mean?

It's not an insult dear, just recognizing a fellow... mechanically impaired individual. If you are not an android or a cyborg, my apologies. The fashion trends are impossible to keep up with today.