Last Ship Out Arkon II wasn't much of a planet. It's atmosphere was barely breathable and it's land vegetation was minimal. It had dust the texture of talcum powder. Whenever the wind blew--which was almost all the time--the dust got into everything and the worst place of all was in one's lungs. Humankind had hung onto Arkon II for nearly a standard century, using it mostly as a necessary military outpost to guard against the B'lin Empire. Recent battles in the contested quadrant had seriously reversed the Earther's fortunes. Humankind had begun a slow withdrawal from this part of the galaxy; and what they left, the aliens appropriated for themselves. Lt. Commander Lola Stravinski has glad to be leaving this abominable planet after having been stuck on it for nearly eight Standard Years. Behind her, she could hear the last loaded shuttle lifting off into the gathering dust. Lola felt a prickle of anxiety upon the back of her neck. That meant that she and her Comm-Mech, Sargeant Evinna M'bosi, were the last two people on Arkon. It wasn't a comforting thought. "Is she ready, Evinna?" "Yep! Believe she is." She flashed Lola a big grin. "What do you say we get the heck outta here, Commander?" "Sounds good!" retorted Lola as she turned to climb into their ship. ____________ Not a great story, but what the heck? At least it is a respectable illustration. Thanks to all who stopped by to look and to those who took time to comment or add as favs. All is appreciated. Jeremy CREDITS: Vue7 Pro Studio, Poser6, and PostShopPro5. Originalmoron created all buildings and vehicles. Vehicles are: "Wasper," "Fatso," and "Stinger" (all can be downloaded from his site.) Figures: DAZ's Victoria 4.2++; KookNfat "V4A4 J-Suit" (DAZ) with Orion1167 "Azusa Boots." Oddoneout's "Evinna " morph (ShareCG) with moonbunnie's "Yaana and Anya" skinmorph (Renderosity), Neftis's "Ceazarius Short Hair" (DAZ). Ecosystem created from Vue7's Plant folder.