"I say we lose the useless cargo here."

Orion and Reverend Shipping seem to turn toward Killa at the exact same time. Orion has a look of anger on his face, and the Reverend, one of disapproval.

Nicholas doesn't seem to notice either as he hops onto Eros' landing bay in his old, antique space suit. "You better not be making a dig at my suit again, Killa. Because where it goes, I go."

"An argument could be made that you're just as much useless cargo as your suit," Killa tells him flippantly before turning sharp eyes at Orion. "But you weren't who I was referring to."

Even through the thick space helmet, I can see the confusion in Nicholas's eyes as he squints them. "You're not talking about Rose, are you? Because I think she's been doing a good job of pulling her weight around here."

Killa rolls her eyes and mutters, "As I'm sure you'd know."

"Rose has proved to be a very helpful passenger," Orion assures, "and I'm glad she's volunteered to stay behind with Silas Shipping while we scope out the area."

Nicholas jerks. "Wait, are you calling the kid the useless cargo? Because that's just heartless, Killa-"

Reverend Shipping jerks.

But not as much as Killa does. "Wayta! Wayta is the useless cargo! Goodness, Nicholas, you're as thick as that helmet."

Nicholas frowns. "Hey, that's not very nice- hey, hey! Calling me thick is even more less nice!"

Reverend Shipping shakes his head sadly and leans toward Orion. "Has he always been like this, or is it the oxygen starvation?"

Orion studies Nicholas. "I think it's gotten worse."

Nicholas sticks his tongue out at them.

"Okay, that was kind of normal."

Killa marches past them. "Let's hurry and get the medical and ship supplies we need. The sooner we get to earth and take care of everything, the easier I'll breathe."

"You know," Nicholas says as he moves to keep stride with her. "I'd bet you'd breathe a lot easier if you were wearing proper protective gear..."

Even though I do not breathe, I can't help but agree with Killa.

Orion ignores all of them and continues marching toward the office of the gas station that will refuel my ship.

Killa and Nicholas keep walking forward, since they know the drill when we are on Eros. Orion gets fuel for the ship, and they get fuel for their human bodies.

Reverend Shipping glances between the three cops, looking confused.

I send a hologram after both groupings, but my body comes to stand beside the Reverend. "They will fetch the other supplies. We'll contact the medical professional."

Shipping nods. "Then let's get on it."

I quickly upload an updated map of Eros base, and scan for medical units.

Once I locate one that is actually registered, I direct Shipping to follow me past Killa and Nicholas.

Nicholas watches us go remorsefully. "If you and the preacher man go all kung fu again without me being there with popcorn, I'm going to be real upset."

Killa glares at him. "They'll probably have to go 'kung fu' on you."

"It'd be worth it."

-Banner by @cannibalisticnecro

-Signature by -krystallite