(… continuing)

Near on ninety minutes later, the rig was on its final approach to the space port in Mayfield.
The rig was currently racing towards the landing pad that sat in the valley adjacent to the resort and staff village.
The rig was pointed up at forty five degrees as it plunged into the valley. The combined efforts of the vertical and main hard burners kept the rig airborne as it approached the landing pad.
At the very last moment the rig went near vertical. The full set of thrusters engaged, in conjunction with the main hard burners. They all pushed against gravity. The rig came to a complete stop. Then before toppling over, the thrusters reverse to bring it back horizontal once more.
The rig was now hovering just above the pad.
As the rig touch down, there was silence in the cockpit.
If conscious, the passengers would have found this experienced to be quite unpleasant.

Dukk sat back in his seat and removed his helmet. The final stage was always a shock to the system.
Dukk looked around. Marr was staring out the windshield. Clearly in a state of shock.
“Going to semi-assisted control. Lets get into the hanger,” Dukk said as he interacted with the controls. “Ann, any chatter we need to know about?” Dukk asked.
“Nope, all clear.”
“Excellent. Marr, are you back with us? I’d like you back on comms and also watching that I correctly follow the directions to the pad.”
“Wow, that messes with one’s system. Yep, I think I am good,” Marr replied as she removed her helmet.
“Great, passing comms back to you. Ann, do you want to see to our passengers and commence the related set down protocols.”
“On it. Coming, Mentor?” Annee answered as she removed her helmet and unbelted.
“Yep,” Mentor replied.
“Systems and integrity?” Dukk asked.
“All good. We will check things first hand, once on our pad,” Bazzer replied.
“Marr, when you are ready, let’s put in the taxi request.”
“Right, on it.”

Marr interacted with her controls. “Mayfield port control. This is the Dinatha. We are on the landing pad. Requesting hanger access and taxi clearance.”
A moment later, the huge doors, in the cliff face before them, started to retract.
Marr turned to Dukk. “We have clearance. They said the direction markings are on the floor. Pad is unchanged. L7.”
Dukk interacted with the controls and then gripped the joysticks on either side of his seat.
The vertical thrusters roared as the rig lifted off once more.
Dukk nudged the joysticks and the rig moved forward gently in the direction of the opening.

As they moved towards the hanger, two AMPs with drivers emerged from the opening. They walked diagonally away from the doors.
“Are those for us or something else?” Marr asked as she watched the two soldiers in their heavily armed exoskeletons.
“I’d say they are for something else. But, I am sure they are just as effective at taking us out too, if they so desire.”

The inside of the hanger was impossibly large. It stretched away into the distance. Both left and right. As the doors closed behind them, Dukk turned the rig to the left and followed the markings.
They passed a number of smaller, but slick looking vessels.
On reaching the pad, Dukk spun the rig and reversed it in. He nudged the joysticks one last time and the rig came to rest on the pad.
He turned to Marr. “Let’s get back to port control and confirm that we are in place on the pad and request the stairs. Can you also request they leave the air wash barriers down for a time. We’ll get unloaded right away and the barriers will only get in the way of the nose ramp.”
“Will do,” Marr replied as she started to speak into her comms. “Mayfield port control. This is the Dinatha. We are set down. Please activate the stairs. We will unload immediately via the nose doors. Please leave the jet wash barriers in place for now.”
“Thanks, Marr. Bazzer, let’s power down.”
“On it,” Bazzer replied.
"Hello again. Thank you for your cooperation during descent and landing, “ Dukk announced into the rig’s broadcast channel. “I am expecting security personnel to be with us soon to check IDs and clear us for disembarkment. You are free to move about, but please make yourself available, with papers ready, when they arrive. Thank you for your patronage. Have a lovely rest of your day.”

On their left was a similar size vessel. It was not quite as tall as the Dinatha, but slightly longer.
“An Interceptor,” Dukk said as he looked out at the neighbouring craft.
“Armed, right?” Marr observed.
“Yes,” Bazzer replied. He had unbelted and dashed up between Marr and Dukk. He was now looking out the window with them. “These have less load capacity than that of the Dinatha, but they are fast and weaponised. Some even have stealth tech. They can also be fitted to carry troops. Perhaps two, six person squads. You’d typically find them working in war zones or places awash with pirates.”
“What would that be doing here at a luxury resort?” Marr asked.
“Good question,” Bazzer replied.
“What am I missing?” Luna asked as she tried to get a glimpse over their shoulders.
“Did you see the Interceptor?” Annee said, having just returned to the cockpit. She laughed at the sight before her. “I guess so.”

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 18 - Set down (Passage 4 of 5)]

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