<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1a/Dr._Madison_Chance.jpg)</div><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Character name:</strong></td><td>Dr. Madison Chance</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Location:</strong> </td><td>On the transport shuttle</td></tr><tr><td><strong>With:</strong> </td><td>Mission crew</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Doing:</strong> </td><td>Psychological observations</td></tr></tbody></table><hr/><br/>The ride aboard the shuttle was very smooth. After the initial start-up, hull vibration calmed down considerably, and apart from the view of the ever-changing terrain below, the journey seemed no different than a prolonged monorail journey back on Earth. Presumably, some of the other crew members on the mission felt the same way, as the looks of excitement on a few faces that had been present at the start of the flight quickly faded to mere contentment, then to mild boredom. I found it intriguing that even the most unique of experiences could so rapidly become ordinary and dull.<br/><br/>A short burst of static interrupted my thoughts.<em>Odd</em>. The communications systems usually weren’t subject to power fluctuations. Perhaps some sort of storm? I looked out at the skies, but they appeared no different than ever – no signs of even trace moisture that would cause any sort of disruption, no matter how slight.<br/><br/>No matter. I moved my head about slightly, cracking my neck. My muscles ached slightly from sitting and observing for so long. I’d updated files on just about all the personnel aboard … no major changes, but a few new observations that might require some psychological re-evaluations. Regardless, I found myself looking forward to our landing, if only for the opportunity to stretch and walk about again.