1
Twenty-four hours later, the Dinatha had just arrived into the Kaytom 6 system and the location of the Kaytom Beach hub.
“Kaytom Beach have given us docking clearance,” Marr shared on the crew comms. “However, it is busy, so it will be near five p.m. before a bay is available.”
“Did they send on the approach plan?” Dukk asked.
“Yep, I am sharing it with you now.”
“Let’s have a look,” Dukk replied as he interacted with the console. “They want us to take a wide and slow approach. That figures. They aren’t taking any chances that we might scratch their shiny hub.”
“How long before we start the deceleration?” Bazzer asked.
“It is seven a.m. now, they suggest a six hour slow down, so we’ve got four hours of cruising at this speed.”
“Great, I’m going back to bed. I want to be in top form for the bars and clubs this evening.” Bazzer shared.
“Thank you, Bazzer, for illuminating your plans for us,” Dukk answered cheekily. “Would you mind engaging slow running before you hit the bunk?”
“Of course,” Bazzer replied.
Dukk enabled the broadcast mode. “Good morning. Welcome to the Kaytom 6 system, the home of the very popular Kaytom Beach hub. As expected, it will take much of today to get docked. Hopefully, that will happen near five p.m. We’ll stay overnight and aim to be preparing for departure at five p.m. tomorrow. As for this morning, at this stage we are aiming to start deceleration near eleven a.m. I’ll ask that you take your seats again at that time as we start that process. For now, enjoy your morning.”
A little while later, Marr and Dukk were sitting alone in the crew mess. The rig was quiet as most had gone back to bed. Dukk was at the console. Marr was reading on the couch.
“Damn it,” Dukk said aloud.