How This Came Together
In Escort Two, a political science fiction short story, Beatrix and the crew of Escort Two scan the moons of a distant gas giant for future colony sites. What begins as a routine survey uncovers viable worlds, valuable mineral deposits, and unexplained readings that raise questions the crew cannot ignore.
As Lora pushes to finish the assignment and return to Aurora, Beatrix keeps searching while Quinn and Olyver clash over how far the survey should go. Their findings could reshape the colony ship’s expansion plans, but the deeper they look into the system, the harder it becomes to assume these moons are simply waiting to be claimed.
Music Pairing
Twirling Foliage accompanies Escort Two with a lively, spiraling blues pulse that fits the crew's banter and constant motion. Flickers of tension beneath that lighter energy mirror Beatrix's growing unease as an ordinary survey begins producing questions the crew cannot answer.
Behind the Scenes
After introducing the first Escort Ship, I needed to swing through and introduce the second ship. This entry provided me with a chance to layer in some of the history of the Larian Federation in a natural way. While the crew provided me a fun diversion from the political struggle to shape Aurora's future, Quinn and Olyver kept that at the forefront of my mind.
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Excerpt of Escort Two
“Are the outer moons within sensor range yet?” Beatrix asked.
With a sigh, Lora turned her chair away from her console and buried her face in her hands. “We’ll call you when we arrive at the gas giant.”
Beatrix’s glower hardened as she kicked the doorframe. “We don’t have to reach the planet before I scan its satellites.”
Zander rested his head in his hand. “You’ll be able to inspect all the moons soon. Can’t you just wait till we get there?”
Beatrix walked into the cockpit and claimed the last station. “You’ve kept me out long enough. All the equipment is here.”
Lora adjusted her controls before flicking the display. Leaning back, she dropped her head into her hands. “Whatever, Beatrix. Why are we scanning these moons?”
“After what destroyed Laria, the triumvirs refuse to anchor us to one world,” Sarra said.
Lora twirled in her chair, sighing and shaking her head. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Previously, the Federation would only settle a single planet in a system.” Zander grabbed his canteen and took a sip. “It didn’t care if there were multiple planets that might support a colony.”
“But why are we wasting our time with the satellites?”
With a smirk, Sarra tapped Zander’s shoulder. “Does it matter?”
He capped the canteen and offered it to her. “Not when the triumvirs tasked us with scanning anyplace that might sustain life.”
Lora’s eyes closed as her head fell back. “But the moons…”
Beatrix activated the console. “Those can support an atmosphere. And we know nothing about what’s already there.”
Her fingers worked the dials while she hunched over the display. With a sigh, she glanced over her shoulder. “That said, three of them aren’t large enough for the purpose.”
Lora gripped her station, stopping herself. Her head whipped towards Beatrix as a smile grew. “Can we leave?”
Sarra tsked at the pilot. “Not yet, Lora. Four more satellites orbit Aurora Three.”
Lora slammed her hand to her forehead, muttering, “Aurora Three?”
“Don’t you like the name?” Zander asked.
Lora’s face scrunched as she leaned toward him. “It’s a little lazy.”
“I think Olyver chose the names,” Beatrix said, adjusting her console. “Can you alter our heading?”
“Why?”
“Based on the preliminary scans we took upon arrival,” Beatrix said as she transferred the adjusted bearing to Lora’s display.
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