"Descension Control to Leo," crackled the comms. "Final check. Bio-signs?"
He didn't answer. He was counting.
Above, the purple sky waited. The comms crackled: "Leo? You're ascending early. Report." ten789
Leo didn't grab the crystal. He opened his suit's sample pouch and let it float inside on its own. Then he fired his ascent thrusters and rose, not looking down, not listening to the boy in the mirror. "Descension Control to Leo," crackled the comms
Ten seconds to the first ledge. Seven minutes to the surface. Nine years until he could forgive himself. "Descension Control to Leo