Only I never imagined seeing them quite like this. We glide toward the landing area, and I can make out a dozen figures on the heliopad hovering beside it. With only a narrow walkway connecting them, the heliopad seems to float in the air. “They figure we have nowhere else to go,” Lex says. “We land and they’ll have us surrounded.” We’re even closer now. I can make out their blasters; definitely unfriendly. “What shall we do?” I ask. “Land, of course.” Lex is grossly determined. She takes a beating, literally, and pushes for more. She probably thinks it’s her turn to hand one out. “Coming in now. Steady and smooth, just like I taught myself.” “You taught yourself?” “I know the rules. Far be it for me to break some.” The engine squeals. My head whips back as we accelerate forward. We slam down on the heliopad with a horrendous metal-on-metal screech, our bodies plastered against our seats. The PCF scatter. It appears they’re not prepared for the unexpected.
