Faith never liked going planetside much. She preferred to stay on ship in orbit whist the captain conducted whatever business was needed on planet. But this time she got the shuttle duty and had little choice. No sooner had she landed and off loaded the passengers and doing her post flight checks she got told the shuttle had been grounded for a random level 1 maintenance inspection by port authority. Worse still, the planet was celebrating some annual thing and the inspectors and techs were all enjoying thier two cycle time off. This meant Faith was stranded on whatever planet this was for at least eight full watches, not counting the time it would take for the actual inspection. The captain was not that concerned as in these cases it just meant the shuttle crew would get a free shore leave. This didn't bother Faith's co-pilot as he still pretty new to the crew and seemed to thrive planetside with all it's noise and chaos. He had said something to Faith before skipping out with a "Back soon!" Faith finished the post flight and checked out the areas that the inspectors would be eventually looking. She knew in short order the shuttle would pass. After she found a beer vendor unit as she wasn't going to be flying for a bit. Then she climbed on top of the shuttle and stared up at the sky hoping the planet would quickly revolve enough to change this sickly light blue of a sky into that which she loved best. The void above. Faith was nearly finished with her beer when she heard the sound of an air raft pull up and set down next to the shuttle. Seemed the deck cadet was at least partly successful doing whatever he'd run off to do. She heard him jump down from the raft. Faith prayed he would only get his bailout bag and tell her where he'd be in case he was needed as the captain had already given both of them shore leave. But she could hear he was drawing to much breath for that. "Ma'am, Mister Jakcobsen called me from the ship. He told me to get you set up with quarters and to remind the Third Officer she's not authorized to berth on the shuttle while it's impounded....Ma'am." The young man said nervously. "Oh joy.." faith said flatly. "Then I suppose you's better get me there Mister." she said as she secured her beer and smokes. She looked up at the sky once more and closed her eyes and she imagined the black with it's billions of stars. If only to remind herself that soon she'd be back..up there.. Home...