Selene checked the unfolding battle. “You should drop to the planet now.”
They embraced for a moment, Hessia having to stoop slightly. Her body was lithe but powerful in Selene's grasp.
“Your forebear, Magdi,” said Selene. “She must have been formidable.”
“I think she was. And I think she might have approved of what I'm doing.”
“Take care down there.”
“I will.”
Hessia climbed off the control deck while Selene assumed full executive control of the tiny ship's AI. Above her, in orbit, the Falling Fire responded, decelerating hard to descend into lower orbit. A swoop all of its own.
The drop chute, a cylinder barely larger than Hessia's body, reported that it was prepped and ready for release. Wishing her a final good luck, Selene released the pod. Through the ship's sensors she watche
