The orange planet always threw him a little. Some kind of mineral in the water turned it a peculiar hue, giving the entire planet an orange cast. Combined with the white clouds, it looked like an old-fashioned desert he’d once had. The shuttle jarred as it hit the air. Like a rough road but his ride took it well and soon he was flying above the city. He was alone in the shuttle. Both David and Fakzi had wanted to accompany him but he didn’t want to risk them. As he’d told David, “Someone has to stay on the ship just in case this is a trap. I want some backup that command doesn’t recognize as such.” “You will need me,” Fakzi said aloud for David’s benefit. “A vision?” Gage asked. “Truth. You will need me at some point in the future.” “Here? Now?” Fakzi closed his eyes and waggled his head from side to side. “I am sorry. I cannot tell the time when I will be needed. All I know is that I will be critical to your success.” “Take him with you,” David said.
