As the native girl went off back to her home, Marcus and Arcturus had an inner debate that raged from the implications of ripping someone away from their life for a calling that might get them killed, to the insane imagination that native people have, because Marcus really doesn't see how the drop pod looks like a skull. Along with other small talk and conversation that the author is too lazy to remember what they said and italicize everything.
The sand was already pulling the drop pod down into the dune, very slowly, but in time it would be swallowed whole. Marcus took the time do wonder about this planet's mineral deposits as he wandered along the wasteland. The heat was intense, sand was already getting everywhere, the black material of his duster not helping. Internally he cursed his poor decision making skills as he wondered how he'd manage to survive the sweltering hot temperature and lack if food.
This was going to be a long ass week
----------four days later------------
Marcus gobbled up the last bits of snake he'd caught. The texture was all wrong and the flavor was bizzare, fishy chicken was the best he could come up with. Night had fallen and a refreshing chill set in along the sand. It amazed him how quickly a desert went from one extreme to another. He was just about to go off in search of more food when a figure appeared in the distance; heading towards where Raiden sat in the sand.
Think it's a thief?
Could be, or perhaps its the girl
Regardless, he needed to get over there anyway, so he headed back until the figure became clear. Sure enough it was the girl, her hand gripping the hilt of the blade. He dusted himself off as he trekked down to her, prying her grip gently from the weapon as he lifted it back out of the sand. With a smooth motion he sliced the thin air behind him, a thin white line immediately appeared as the rift formed, it quickly expanded to reveal the interior of the Leviathan's medbay. Without a word he encouraged her to move forward through it, finally gently taking her hand and walking through. The rift closed behind them as soon as they were through, leaving them in the sterile, cold, steel colored interior of the ship.
He never felt so happy to be back home
Marcus! Arcturus barked
What
You never even bothered to check if she brought her weapon!
oh shit
He looked down at the primitive girl for the first time, she was shivering.
Why is she.. Oh, right, native to a desert planet, metal floor and A/C that makes sense
This is your chance to act like an actual person for once, offer her a blanket
Almost at once he jolted forward towards the supply closet, digging through it for a short while before finally finding a standard stark white linen blanket. He turned about with it in hand and offered it to her, trying to find what to say in his mind, the language was still new to him.
"Did your.. Father or mother keep a weapon with them? Not bone but metal" he finally asked bluntly