“Pearl?”
“Huh--oh! Yes, Iolite, do you have a report?”
“The arrival time has been recalculated. If our current speed continues, we will arrive in the solar system within the desired time zone’s evening.”
> You stare, for a moment. Just the concept of arriving--of facing what you’d asked for--makes your gem vibrate like it was trying to rip right out of your chest.
“Pearl?”
“I..understood. Thank you, Iolite.”
> You begin to pace the room, your fingers knitted over your gem. You had to face your fear. You had to get this over with.














