Goings and Comings

Abstract

Taina continued to monitor all activity aboard the warcraft that lingered near the access to Atlantis West. For a shuttlecraft, it was a behemoth. It lounged on the ice like a beached beluga with talons, and those talons were sharp: laser cannons, electronic weapons, and an assortment of missiles primed to assail any unsuspecting prey. She detected periodic radio transmissions from the ship, which had increased once the background static had died down. Now, the ship seemed to be checking in regularly with those in orbit overhead. Taina listened in on their transmissions, mostly routine and boring communications. Then came another missive, this one directed at her. It was not from the shuttlecraft. It was from below.