#that's my attempt at the “fake comic cover” genre by the way :D

[taigarrryen]

On board of spacecraft Sheriff-2, the mood is shifted slightly from what it used to be like for the last couple of weeks. They are approaching their final destination. Jimmy looks at the man tenderly combing his honorary co-pilot's fur and thinks to himself what a shame this is: he had never had a passenger as pleasant and entertaining as Skizz.

JIMMY: Are you sure you want to go there, Skizz? Norman and I can take you to Leonida or Pandora or something...

SKIZZ: Of course I want to go there, man! It's my first job away from the Solar system! And my buddy is waiting for me.

JIMMY: That's... An interesting choice for the first time outside. Satellite hermits are weird fellas.

SKIZZ: Wha... "Satellite hermits"?

JIMMY: You've never heard that?

SKIZZ: No, what's that?

One of the lamps on the control panel lights up — someone's trying to communicate.

[???]: (static)

[???]: Minecrea Central — Sheriff-2, I've got your ping, see you orbiting. Landing pad is free, you're clear for landing. Hi Tim!

JIMMY: ..Well, you're about to become one, apparently!

Skizz raises a brow. Jimmy puts on his headgear and turns on the microphone.

JIMMY: Sheriff-2 — Minecrea Central, got it, preparing for landing. Hi Griaaan.

JIMMY: Imma need to turn off gravity simulation, do me a favor and go lock yourself in a passenger cabin. And bring Norman with you, please!

SKIZZ: Ay-ay captain!

SKIZZ (after a pause, in a small voice) : Is it gonna be as bad as take off?

JIMMY: No. (smile) It's a bit worse.

SKIZZ: Oh...

["Satellite hermits" is an unofficial nickname for people working on Europa, Callisto, Titan and many other satellites of big planets. There's a certain pattern of finding life and/or useful resources on moons of gas giants, and the job can be quite isolating.]

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I finally have time to talk about my hc AU, yaaay!! :D

Check out the info post about the setting and Part 2