Adrift III
The mageíamatic cannon was pretty standard fare. Most chose to launch singly, but the platform could easily fit two. Three if they were wee folk. The navigator assured them of the stable history of the transport, but Grom took the lead as precautionary custom. He was thrown into the emptiness well above their target and caught a draft with powerful ease, the webbing of his sailsuit rippling taught with his progress.
Jorey launched next with Sputter. Her angst was lessened knowing she could keep an eye on him. After the incident near Singer’s Crossing, she wouldn’t let him sail alone. Her mind dipped into that painful eddy of memory with ease.
The law at Singer’s Crossing had decreed single launchers only. They had lost a pairing to misfire earlier in the season and were running gun shy. Jorey didn’t think much of it at the time. Her crew ran single when necessary, though she did worry more with them strung out so. Still, Grom was a solid point and Barrik was a crafty tail, so she could let it slide.
Her heart sank when Sputter plummeted.
She didn’t know it at the time, but Singer’s Crossing had been named for the Sirens which had fancied the scenic lookout throughout the ages. There hadn’t been a Siren sighting in years. Sputter saw one of course, and collapsed his sails to seek her out.
Everyone had fleshed out in time, and no real scars had come to pass, though they killed the Siren. Jorey didn’t take life wantonly and to destroy something so rare, well, she learned just how much her family meant to her that day. She consoled herself that the choices were so limited, but she still heard the song in her dreams some nights.
She smiled at Sputter as they clasped hands in preparation for launch. He smiled back and said, “Shall I sing to you?”