FORTY
ONE DAY LATER
“Imaging underway,” Rex said, as he stared out at the planet orbiting the red dwarf star. It was nondescript, with mountains and oceans, but no signs of observable life. On the horizon, a dim star cast its glow across the solar system, two more distant glowing orbs of light increasing in luminosity somewhat, bathing the ship in a yellow glow. Shimmer050 hung in the planet’s orbit, two-hundred miles from the surface, its numerous hull cameras collecting data as storms rippled across the planet.
“Okay, Rex. I’m going to check on the ship. Once you have all the data, upload it all to the cargo bay.”
“Okay, Captain. Do you want some graff?”
“You stay here, my friend. I will bring you some.”
“I could get used to this kind of service,” the diminutive hominid said, winki
