Transformation: Christened

“Aurora, are you there?” Olyver’s head whipped towards the comms. “Didn’t Escort One land?” “Yes,” Caitlin said. “This is Aurora.” Olyver rose and crossed the room, his eyes bouncing between the other triumvirs and the comm system in their shared office. He plopped onto the chair beside the unit with a sigh. “Who’s this?” “Escort Two,” Beatrix said. “Is everything okay?” Quinn asked, propping himself up. “You weren’t supposed to check in until you returned.” “We’re fine,” Beatrix responded. “We just wanted to give you all the information about the last planet in the system.” Olyver grinned, cocking his head to glare at Quinn. “Thank you, Beatrix. It’s nice to know that some people will follow the proper procedures.” “Save it, Olyver.” Quinn rolled his eyes and collapsed into his chair before groaning as he covered his face with his hands. “Beatrix, why are you calling in with an update?” “With what we found, we didn’t feel waiting until we returned would be all that beneficial,” Sarra said. “Sarra, you are not the comms officer for Escort Two,” Olyver said. “Shut up, Olyver,” Quinn said. Olyver’s lips curved into a snarl as his fingers wrapped around the chair’s arms. Quinn lifted a stylus and pulled a pad from his desk. He stared at the other triumvir until Olyver looked away. Quinn ran a hand through his hair and broke the tense silence. “Sarra or Beatrix, I don’t care which of you gives the update, as long as someone gives it to us.” “The last planet in the system has a pair of moons,” Sarra said. “Satellites, Sarra,” Beatrix said. “Of the pair, only one can be colonized.” “In only the loosest definition of the word,” Lora said. “Don’t sugarcoat the status of that toxic moon.” “Won’t the terraforming process clean the moon’s atmosphere?” Caitlin asked. “I mean, isn’t that the whole purpose?” “That would be the point,” Beatrix said. “Unfortunately, this environment is highly corrosive. It’ll eat through our equipment long before the surface is safe for colonists.” “Among other issues,” Lora said. “Don’t forget the laundry list of minor inconveniences that moon possesses.” “Yes, Lora, it will take a lot of work to colonize that satellite,” Beatrix said. “But that’s not the point behind our expedition.” “Thank you for the update, Escort Two. End the connection...