Transformation: Planetfall

“Isaac, wake up,” Jasmine said as she shoved the pilot’s arm. “I’m awake.” The pilot ground his teeth as he cracked one eye open. He exhaled and swiveled toward his copilot. “My eyes needed a rest, nothing more. And you know from experience that poking me isn’t smart.” Jasmine shook her head and adjusted the controls at her station. She leaned back, rested her feet on the console, and laced her fingers behind her neck. “We’re finishing the last circuit, and the sun’s interference muddied three mineral scans. We need to update the triumvirs.” Isaac dismissed her comment with a smile. “You don’t imagine Quinn or Caitlin will be concerned with a trivial delay, do you?” “Those two won’t care.” Jasmine winked and waved him off. “But I’m sure Olyver would complain about it.” The cockpit door opened, and Britt walked to the third seat. “Are we ready to call the triumvirs?” Isaac grabbed his cup and peered inside. He drained the contents before tossing the crumpled cup at Britt’s head. “What are you doing up here?” The older man deflected the improvised projectile and glared at Jasmine. “Can’t you control him?” “Britt, he tossed you out of the cockpit already.” Jasmine clicked her tongue, lowered her feet from the console, and shrugged. “Isaac, we need to report, and Olyver insisted Britt is the communications officer.” “Whatever you say.” Isaac turned back to his controls. Britt adjusted his panel and opened a channel to the triumvirs. “Aurora, this is Escort One. Do you copy?” The comm line remained silent in the cockpit. Isaac glanced at Jasmine and winked before Quinn’s voice came through. “This is Quinn. What’s your status?” “Where are Caitlin and Olyver?” Britt asked. “They’re busy, but we don’t need them right now.” Quinn paused, then leaned closer to his device. “Can you tell me the planet’s condition?” Jasmine strode over to Britt’s station, batting the other man’s hand away. He bristled, but her glare kept him from moving. Jasmine jabbed the communications button. “Initial scans support a settlement. The atmosphere is stable, and the river basin holds enough water and cultivable soil to sustain one. But the solar interference keeps obscuring the northern mountains.” “Will the settlement require additional support?” Quinn asked. Jasmine took a shallow breath. “For the first year. But if the ridge contains what those distorted readings suggest, the settlement could supply resources in short order. Will you approve a landing?” Isaac released the controls, shifted in his seat, and swiveled toward Britt. “Orbital scans cannot tell us whether the landing site holds usable ore or unstable stone...