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I nod

“Shh,” Bartie snaps

Date: 328603

Ship Status: Orbital

Ship Record: A way of life has resu stability The crew is onceour numbers In the event that communication can be resumed with Earth or aid otherwise received, we can still co Until that point, with conservation and careful production, the internal functions of the ship should subsist for countless generations

Orion sets the papers down on the control panel at the front of the bridge in the exact same spot Bartie found them

ORION: So, that’s e can’t land I’ue Eldest was right to keep us on board the ship I’ve seen the armory—you’ve seen it too There are weapons there

Orion shakes his head in disbelief My eyes are on Victria

ORION: Amy, surely you know that those weapons aren’t norue Eldest says that there are monsters on Centauri-Earth that those weapons can’t kill

He shakes his head again

ORION: And besides, think about it Think about those weapons

Orion leans forward, closer to the camera All four of us lean in closer too

ORION: You think those frozens in the cryo cha to use ’em? Frex, no That’s e’re here for

Orion stands up, walks to the , stares a

minute, comes back