PROLOGUE: A Song for Aram

"Riya, of course I have some concerns about traveling to a planet with an acid atmosphere, however, even an acid atmosphere is less dangerous for me than the hard vacuum that we will be traversing as part of the journey. I also have an exo shell, so my concerns are minor. Our visit must be brief as Khadija is impatient, but Riyad is far more acid resistant than my exo shell and so we will be fine."

Brahim is not trying to calm or manipulate Riya, he is just answering her question.

to Sa'id "This project is an engaging and novel challenge and it will be a pleasant way to pass our journey to Jina."

Tarek looks up from his screen and glances over at Zahra. All pre-flight checks are showing green on my screen. Just say the word and I'll takes us up.

Riya narrows her eyes on various monitors throughout the ship. It’s hard to tell if she’s thinking on everyone’s words, or if this is a leer of suspicion. She spends a moment seemingly computing the different variables, and then you hear an exasperated sigh over the comms. It’s her typical way of conveying that she’s going along with the crew’s judgment... at least for now. But the data-djinn sounds less than pleased. She grudgingly assists to complete pre-flight checks and echoes Tarek’s assessment.

"All crew present and accounted for, Captain. All systems at optimal. Fusion reactor output is 10 to the 9th watts, and power distribution is steady. Exit trajectory has been plotted and verified. Coriolis flight control has cleared us to disembark."

As Riya finishes relaying the ship’s status, you observe all dock personnel vacating the bay and sealing the hatches behind them. A minute later, the lights in the docking bay change to a deep red and begin flashing. You hear an announcement over the station speakers warning that depressurization is commencing. The industrial vents in the room begin to draw out the atmosphere, and the Riyad’s sensors confirm that oxygen levels and pressure are dropping outside of the ship. Once the bay has been fully depressurized, the massive hangar doors begin to part, revealing the black void of space beyond.

With a lively hum and rumble of the reaction control thrusters, the Riyad slowly rises above the floor. The landing struts fold and retract into the undercarriage of the ship, making a familiar metallic thud as they lock into their housing wells. Tarek creeps the ship forward carefully, keeping the ship’s disembarkation speed within station parameters.

As soon as the captain anounces the departure, Sani leaves the arboreum and rushes to the command center to take her place. She enters the room smiles and looks at RIYA as she gives up in face of the crew's reassurances. She sits down at the sensor's computer and puts her bag of little icon statues in a safe compartment "Reporting for duty. All sensor online. " she lets the others know and she texts RIYA: It's gonnabe ok. If it hurts, I can give you an anesthetic. She offers a quick prayers to the Traveller as the engine start.