The ship arrived at Vulcan a good hour after the whole of Firefly's database had been transferred. The red planet below loomed huge and strange against the windows in the hangar bay.
The Captain came down with Ray as soon as the ship had started orbiting. "Have you been in a transporter beam before?" the Captain asked as Ray began placing out a very specific pattern of strange looking poles and machinery around both Firefly and Rush.
"No, neither of us have," Rush answered quickly, watching Ray almost suspiciously.
"You won't notice much. It's just dematerializing your matter and rematerializing it somewhere else - in this case down to Vulcan's surface. Usually I wouldn't have to put this stuff out here, but we usually don't get visitors like you - large and mechanical. I'm not taking chances not using the transporter directly."
Firefly was quiet for a moment, blinking a couple times as if she hadn't registered what he was saying. "It's safe, isn't it?"
"Transporter accidents are few and far between, especially in these types of circumstances. There's not much danger centered around Vulcan. You'll be fine."
She nodded, almost purposely keeping her expression blank. "Is there anything else you need before we leave this ship?"
"Not that I know of," the Captain said quickly. "When you beam down you will be greeted by Vulcan officials, they will be aware of your status and needs. We will be beaming down shortly after. I do not know exactly when the Federation will be able to discuss matters concerning Earth, as there are several other critical situations at the moment as well, but I promise it will be swift."
"Okay… I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be, then."
"Here goes nothing," Ray said, and slid his alien fingers across the tablet he was holding. There was a shining light, and the two planes disappeared in a beam of sparkling light towards their destination.
xXx
"...They could've surrendered right then and there, but They didn't."
