The pinhole stars winked beyond the blue sheen of the planet below. The viewport shimmered slightly, but otherwise was invisible, cleaner than it ever had been in Snipes memory. The cacophony raised by the handful of deck personnel going about their business was unusual to Snipes, as was their presence. They moved this way and that way, carrying boxes and crates. Each gave him a respectful nod as they passed, he returned the gesture politely but quickly, not wanting to hold them up. They were not uniformed exactly, but they still managed to all look basically the same. Most wore a decent pair of black or gray pants and a double breasted jacket that fit well, most wore it open. Each carried something different for armaments, although DL-44's and Power5's were popular, each hung from the hip on similar brown holsters. Some wore more exotic weapons shoved into a belt, or a vibro- hung from the side, many wore no weapons at all.

Snipes couldn't decipher exactly how they were organized, how they could tell who out ranked who, their clothes were more or less the same, although in varying degrees of  wear and decoration, the degree of decoration seemed to vary, but looked to be based almost entirely on personal taste. There was a definite structure, some gave orders, some took orders, others ignored everyone. Snipes sighed and sat down.

He'd had something of a throne installed into the bridge since it had lacked anywhere for him to sit down. Most ships this size and larger lacked a chair for the captain, there was a running tradition of navy personnel that demanded they stand so as not to appear weak in front of their crew. Snipes thought it was complete balderdash and had since had a somewhat large rotating chair installed. The steel base and structure shined brightly with a recent polish and the worn out leather had been oiled, returning it to the original black. Snipes leaned back in it and surveyed his bridge.

Fury paced incessantly, the large cat equally confused by the recent flurry of activity surrounding the ship. He looked this way and that, sniffed some of the new equipment. Sometimes he would try to follow one of the people entering and leaving the area, but become confused on which one exactly he should be following. Eventually the cat gave up just like Snipes did and curled itself at his feet. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, making a sad attempt to relax.

His relaxation was not to last though. On his shoulder a hand rested, and a voice spoke, " 'Thias, she's ready."

Snipes eyes opened and he looked over, the human female next to him had a wry smile across her dark face, her brown eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Snipes turned his head back to the viewport. He nodded, excited himself.

"Now, Duren, take us out of here." She gave the order in a clear, crisp voice that was saturated with dignity and confidence in her command.

Snipes leaned forward as the ship began to move, the bridge had been cleared before he'd been disturbed, now it was just him, Visha, Fury and the seven or eight people in front of them at the controls. It glided effortlessly out of the docking clamps, leaving the makeshift station behind. It picked up speed slowly and took them over the planet. Snipes spoke a command and the ship began to spin, slowly, gracefully, moving the planet above them, to their side and finally back to where it had been. A pleased smile, hidden by a hand holding aloft the chin, spread across the estranged sergeant's face; his baby was ready.