Ringside View

Ringside View
(originally "Sheppard View" on Renderosity and published as cover No. 488 on Sci-Fi Weekly)

“Ok, we’ve got the core samples. Can we move on to the next system now?”

“I think we’ll sit here and wait for the sunset, at least.”

“But it’s just another ringed gas giant, Captain. We’ve seen dozens.”

“Just to be clear, Doc, you don’t tell me how to fly this ship and I don’t tell you how to ... um, grind up little things and figure out if they’re alive and ... whatever else you do down in the lab.”

“That’s not – ”

“Shut up and enjoy the sunset. It’s a long walk home.”

“Yes sir, Captain, enjoying the view.”