Log 23, Crossing the dunes. We’re crossing the Sun Strip to explore the south desert wall. The dunes here are massive; most are the size of a house. Life hasn’t been all too common, just the occasional sermi, I’m sure we’ll find some life beneath the dune’s shadows. Progress is steady, Ming is still learning how to sand surf.
I’d rather be safe than get a mouthful of hot sand again. How long till we reach the wall again?
Good few miles, it’ll take a day or two of travel.
Great. At least the last two places had things to look at: it’s just the sun and more sand here.
Yeah, even for me this place is pretty bland. Barely any life, we must be in the middle then, it’s too hot for anything to get close to the surface for long.
So how come we’re just hiking through it?
Humans can survive standing directly beneath a rocket engine; we’ll be fine. Just be glad we’re on solid ground; I had to walk 10 miles through lava on the last planet.
Your file said you’ve completed 5 planets. That’s a lot for someone who’s only worked at I.L.O for 3 years.
I’m dedicated to my job like you are.
Yeah, but I don’t have friends like you do. You have people who want to be around you. Doesn’t this job take you away from them for a few months?
Well, I take like a month off after I finish an expedition. Sometimes I’ll go back sooner though. Plus, I’m not gone for that long.
Your friends don’t live as long as you will though.
Larine’s species last for over 1000 years, I don’t even know how long David’s been alive, and Gercule will make it to 90. A few months isn’t a lifetime for any of them. I’ll worry about outliving my friends when that happens. Wait do you not have friends because you’ll outlive them?
No, I don’t have friends because they’re too much of a hassle. I set a goal in my life, and am following that path; friends would just get in the way.
So when you get back to your job after this you’ll just stop talking to me and Droid forever again?
I’ll make Droid the exception.