As the cargo bay creaked open, I wondered what awaited us. Tabitha and I went one way, Tabitha and the smuggler the other. We set up a communication link between us and the group remaining on the ship. Communications were to be kept to the absolute minimum, as habitat security would almost certainly be listening in.
The habitat was bright. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. Lush trees and grass surrounded the ship parking area. The air was clean and easy to breathe.
There was nobody else within view. I looked into the hazy blue sky to see the barely hospitable Earth in the distance.
I had studied the map before leaving and told Tabitha to follow me along a narrow pathway.
She held my hand. “It’s like heaven.”
I stopped and kissed her on the mouth. “It does feel like that. This habitat has pheromones in its atmosphere that give you a happy feeling.” I winked. “But we have to remember that this is a business trip.”
She nodded, and we continued on our walk.
After another few minutes, white pyramid-shaped structures appeared in the distance. Drones were darting from one to the next.
I clenched my jaw.
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