2.11 - Sands of Tedriskeer

[Transcript]Zery’s more familiar with Morobian customs and rites than Hamark, Ruthin, or myself. Though, given Ruthin’s fallen back into hypernation, that ain’t sayin’ much. Zery says the Morobians are an adventurous type, brave, and courageous and all that. The one in the cargo hold is rechecking that suit of theirs for the fortieth time. Morobian anatomy is mainly crystalized exodermis shielding the botanical membranes that make up their guts. I notice their suit ain’t got any slots for their wings. Gossamare things. Two sets that can beat faster than Pojket Jet Piston. Yep, no wing slots, but they do have a CO2 canister.Tedriskeer is half way out into the Drelneigh Quadrant. Bodaclorian Xenogeologists reckon its dune covered surface is from the aggressive winds and the merciless meteorite bombardment it gets on the other side of its star. I release the metaphysic diaphragm and enter atmo above Tediskeer. You can see the vortexes sand from here. Beyond the wind and astroids, Tediskeer is dangerous for another reason. Those xenogeologists still aren’t sure why but something deep in the planet vibrates. The whole surface shifts and undulates to the rhythm, the sand melts into currents from the oscillations.30 meters from the shifting sands, our Morobian pal hooks their safety line into the fuselage with one hand, checks their CO2 with their other, finally tightening their equipment belt with the third. They raise a hand in a fist: go time.Cargo bay hatch drops. Morobian doesn’t even look, just leaps, the sitrisine cable scratching as it reels out. Hamark’s colony synthesizes a telescopic eye. Through it we all watch as our friend makes the planet fall. And then dives into the sands.The cable reels out fast. Too fast. The spindle thins aggressively. We wait. Then…it catches. Moments pass. And all at once the ground below our hover gives way, emptying into a massive concave bowl. At the center is our friend atop some construct. At it’s center is a massive tangle of what look like feathers vibrating to beat back the sands.We reel in the Morobian. As they stumble back on board and we put par secs between us and Tedriskeer, I see our friend clutching something. A small statue. Humanoid. Child-like. A figure encased in volcanic tephra.