Dione wasn't a very pretty moon, even in the summer, but it looked even more desolate during fall and winter. Winter had set in with a vengeance from last year's rather subdued one. Or rather, the weather man who was working the controls was in a really bad mood.

Hotarou left his shop closed and decided to sleep in. Too freakin' cold to do anything, he growled to himself as he finished putting in his report and turned to shuffle back to his bed. But before he had even reached halfway a little buzzer went off. He turned, confused, but mostly irked at the sound. It was the little box he had just typed his request into. A little light flashed on it, telling him something. It had been a long time since that had happened. He scooted back over and pressed the receiver button then listened without saying anything.

"Your request has been denied. Return to your daily habits," a robotic voice chirped out at him.

What? That's never happened...maybe it's broken? He adjusted the blanket over his shoulders then pressed another series of buttons.

"Repeat?" he said stiffly, a theory forming in his mind.

"You request has been denied. Return to your daily habits," it repeated.

"Reason?"

"Not specified."

"Cause?"

"Not specified."

"Purpose?"

"To urge you to return to your daily habits," it informed him. "You question limit has been reached. Good-day."

"Smart-aleck little robots..." he mumbled scratching his stomach and yawing. It beeped at him and he gave a backwards glance. "Yeah, yeah, I got it. I'm going..."

He began to change into his work clothes then went to eat breakfast. As he chewed he pondered what had happened earlier.

They're refusing time off...hmm. That hasn't happened before. I guess they're moving around faster than I originally thought. I have to hide things better or they'll catch on too quickly. I guess I should make that trip sooner then...but what about Satoshi and them? Are they getting the same treatment too? I think we'll have to limit Chitanda's contact time with us; if we don't it could be dangerous for everyone involved.

He sighed and finished off his coffee then gathered several jackets and braved the biting cold.

Anymore, if he was good enough at electronics and hardware he could program his watch to sync with the nearest station and teleport him there, but he only worked with what he knew. He didn't like to bother people to teach him how, especially when it didn't matter that much.

Besides, it's not snowing it can't be that bad...he crunched along the dull icy path then to his non-astonishment, it began to snow. He cursed under his breath and flipped his hood over his head. Today is not a good day, today is not a good day...

As his mood grew fouler, the outdoor temperature dropped and the snow fell faster. He finally reached the station and slid into the car. Unlike the rich folk's cars, the poor folk had no air conditioning and certainly no heating. Just cold, hard metal with an uncomfortable seat. And by the time that he arrived at his workshop he was so irritated with life that he had an idea to just quit. Never mind what the Organization would do, he didn't care! He went in and sat on his work bench and brooded.

But after about seven minutes he felt very cold. So with a harrumph he fetched some firewood and started his furnace. Still wrapped in his jackets, he slowly made his way over to his schedule. Today's task would be crafting a silver chest with matching necklace and earrings. Who needs a box with matching jewelry? The rich piddle away their lives and assets so carelessly...he turned and looked at his supplies. I only have a enough real silver to make the necklace and the earrings. I guess I need to order some. He paused and reflected. Or perhaps I should go buy some myself. Yes, that's a good idea.

He quickly maneuvered to put out the fire and write a note saying that he would be out for the day then packed a few necessities. He headed straight for the station, his pass in hand. He stepped up the stairs onto the platform. He was about to type in his destination when his watch went off in his pocket. He flipped it open and heard Ibara's voice.

"Oreki! I saw you go past! Are you not going to work today?"

"Well I have some things to pick up somewhere..."

"What? Why? Can't you just order them? You'll get it in a matter of hours."

She won't get it even if I explained it to her. "It's something specialized. Anyway what are you doing out so late? Don't you need to be at work at this point?"

"No, Miss Eru called and told me she was sick and that she didn't feel like eating."

"I see," Hotarou glanced around as if expecting something then noticed a familiar person.

Eru.

"I see..." he muttered again as the girl saw him and began moving towards him.

"Oreki? Is something wrong?" Ibara asked.

"Your sick patient is walking toward me as we speak."

"What?!"

"Oreki! Is that your watch?" Eru chattered as she stepped lightly over to Oreki's side. "It is very pretty! Who are you speaking to?"

"Ibara."

"Oh! I mean...I guess I should explain..." Eru fidgeted a little, blushing.

"Not with me being stuck in the middle," Hotarou announced. "Take out the watch I gave you." Eru did so and opened it. He tapped twice on the watch face then tapped Eru's watch. The little holographic screen that once was on Hotarou's watch flashed off then flashed back onto Eru's watch. "Go chat." He waved his hand dismissively then turned to type some numbers on the station's plaque.

"How did you learn that?!" Eru exclaimed, eyes shining with curiosity.

"I messed around on it," he replied backing away as Eru lurched forward. "Even the oldest software does that automatically. Ah, it's here." He turned to slide into the car, but was stopped by Eru.

"What else do you know?" Eru's eyes were still alight.

"A lot, apparently. I'm leaving now." He put one foot in the car then felt has hand grabbed.

"Where are you going?"

"Places."

"Where specifically?"

"Do you have to know?"

"I am curious!"

"Why do you care?"

"Because I care about you!"

Hotarou was slightly taken aback by the sudden outburst. He froze in place, but still narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"Oreki..." he heard over the watch. Both had forgotten that Ibara was on the phone.

"Oh! Sorry Ibara..."

"Well, I'm walking up the platform to join you, so why don't we all go to wherever you're going?"

"Why are you helping her?" Hotarou grumbled into the phone.

"Because, it's part of my job to assist Miss Eru." Ibara appeared on the edge of the station then walked towards them, switching her watch off. "Let's go." Ibara shoved Hotarou into the car then she and Eru followed suit.

The lid closed squishing the trio inside. "Do you realize that this car was made for two at most?!" Hotarou puffed as he tried to find room to breathe.

"Yep," Ibara replied casually. She had found herself a comfortable position on one of the chairs. Hotarou and Eru still squirmed around trying to find a comfortable position which finally resulted in Hotarou being partially sat on by Eru and the rest of his body leaning heavily against the glass walls.

While these rides never lasted long, Hotarou was in the most uncomfortable state that he had been for a long time. And when it finally did stop at the ship port he rolled out of the car with a sigh of relief. I'm never doing that again...he said, breathing freely at last.

"Why're we at the ship port, Oreki?" Ibara asked looking around.

"Because I'm taking a short work-trip to Saturn."

"What? Why there?" Ibara asked, slightly bewildered. "Only the extremely poor live there!"

"They have the best silver in this region. I can get is per-purified for cheap from there!"

"That doesn't even make any sense! Saturn doesn't have silver on it!"

Hotarou ignored her from that point. He walked into the building that held the offices and up to the counter.

"Good morning!" the woman behind the counter greeted. "How can I help you?"

"I'm here to rent a jet to go to Saturn," Hotarou informed her. "My name is...Fukube Satoshi."

Ibara grabbed Hotarou's arm. "What are you saying?!" she hissed to him.

"I know what I'm doing, so shush up."

"Very good," the woman said. "Verification ID number?"

"F24-S9687."

"Okay Mr. Fukube, you have two guests?"

Regrettably, "Yes."

"Right this way please," she stood and the group followed her out into the hanger. Many ships of various sizes rested while awaiting the day they could spread their wings and fly as they were intended to. The trio followed her until she stopped in front of a light blue jet named "Sutādassu."

"This is good jet for first-timers, nice and easy to pilot. How long did you say you'd be gone?"

"A day and a half, maybe two."

"Righty then, here's your temporary license. Have you piloted before?"

"Yes, I have taken courses."

"Funny, on your paperwork it says you haven't."

Ibara and Eru started with fear at being found out for something they didn't understand. Hotarou just went easily with the flow, catching a quick glimpse of the sheet.

"Ah, I see it hasn't been updated."

"Oh! You're right it was updated yesterday! I'm very sorry about that! We're a little delayed because of the weather recently. Let's get you set up."

Once inside the jet Ibara looked around, having never been inside of one she was keenly interested. Eru almost seemed the same way looking around with gleaming eyes.

"It should be good on fuel for the trip there. To be safe, though, get some on the way back and we'll reimburse you," she explained.

Hotarou acknowledged her comment while scanning across the instrument panel. "Does she go into hyper-drive?"

"She's an old one, Sutādassu. She might be able to for a couple of seconds, depends on the area of space."

"Do you have a map of the system?" she held one out. He took a look for a moment then returned it with a nod of gratitude.

"Shall we do a check?" he nodded again. The woman descended the ladder while Hotarou began to strap himself in and start-up the jet.

"Ibara," Hotarou called and the engines began to roar. The two girls quickly moved towards the seats and strapped themselves in. Hotarou motioned to the seats then to his head. The girls understood and strapped on their headsets.

"Test-can you all hear?" came the woman's voice over the head sets.

"Yes!" The girls exclaimed with excitement.

"Roger," Hotarou replied stoically.

"All runways are clear, turn right on the strip and proceed until you reach the first left. That will be your runway for departure."

"Understood." Hotarou maneuvered the jet backwards then began directing that ship according to the commands. Once on the runway he lowered the wings and began testing the flaps on either wing.

"Be careful, due to the snow the visibility is fairly low until you get out of the atmosphere," said the woman with a friendly tone once Hotarou had completed this. "Once you have liftoff I will turn off my connection to the headsets."

"Right."

"Wonderful, you are clear for takeoff. See you in two days!" Hotarou pressed the ship forward and slowly increased the fuel intake to the engine. The speed built up and the group felt pressure from the speed forcing them back against their seats. The tires pulled off the ground then the ship rocketed forward and upward. The force grew, minute by minute, until they could barely stand it then suddenly released in a matter of seconds. They had broken through the atmosphere.

Ibara sighed with relief then suddenly felt sick from the release of pressure. Hotarou recommended that she go back to the bathroom and try to straighten herself up. Eru joined her for support. Hotarou also felt a little queasy, but had long since gotten over the feeling.

He reflected on the first time he flew in a space-going jet. He was four at the time and his parents decided to go on a vacation on some other moon. He was under the recommended age to go into space, but his parents dared to try it anyway. He was struck by how much pressure the jet put on him, but once he got into space the huge lack of gravity and pressure made him very sick and gave him a nose bleed. He was miserable the entire trip due to entering, exiting, and re-entering atmospheres over and over, but had eventually gotten used to it.

When he was at the still tender age of five his trip to the orphanage began as a ride on a space-jet. It was a huge luxury and passenger ship that was filled with many other rich folk. Hotarou sat quietly on a chair on the side of the room, having been told to wait until the woman he was traveling with returned from 'powdering her nose.' A dance was going on in the main hall of the area where he sat and everything glimmered and shone like he had never seen, and would never see again. When the ship landed, it was on Dione. And while the other rich folk walked down a brightly lit corridor to their next pleasurable activity, the woman took him off to the side. Though most details of the trip were a blur, he remembered that the woman stopped to make sure he wasn't too sick to move on. Then they proceeded down an old hallway which seemed never-ending and was shrouded in eerie shadows. From there they took another 'in-terra' jet and arrived at his future home.

Unusually, despite all the bad experiences he encountered on those space-going jets he still enjoyed riding in them and driving them. Driving them was second nature to him, having been taught by his old mentor.

A voice suddenly broke into his memories, bringing him abruptly back to reality.

"Have a safe trip, Oreki-kun."

Hotarou suddenly became a little nervous, but didn't let it show on his face. Then headset beeped to show that it had been disconnected. Hotarou began racking his brain, that was the old term...no one except the old rich folk ever use honorifics anymore, so who in the world could that be? And why did she know my name? Hotarou sighed, mentally flustered and worried over the simple message that rang in his ears.

"Oreki?" he heard Eru's voice. She emerged from the back where Ibara was refreshing herself. "Where did you learn to pilot a jet?" she sat down in a seat directly behind Hotarou's.

"Oh, I don't really remember," he muttered trying to pull himself away from sorting out his frazzled thoughts. "I guess I learned when I was twelve or so. My old mentor taught me..."

"Oreki, it there anyway you could stop rolling the jet?!" Ibara yelled from the back, interrupting him mid-sentence.

"I'm not rolling the jet!" he yelled back, irritated at her blatant distrust of his flying abilities. "Seriously, that girl..." he grumbled turning back to focus on flying.

"You and Mayaka seem to know each other quite well. Fukube as well," Eru commented looked at Hotarou from behind.

"Yeah, we're almost childhood friends."

"'Almost?'"

"Well, I don't know what age you could describe as still being 'childhood', but I met Satoshi when I was something like eleven years old, I think. Ibara has followed him around since he was six or seven so I met her around the same time, too."

"So you are all very close?"

"Some are closer than others," Hotarou remarked vaguely.

Eru cocked her head to one side with a confused look. As if Hotarou could see her movement, he continued, "Anyway, if we're going to talk, come up here. I don't like talking to someone I can't see." Eru stood and made her way to the seat and looked out of the front.

She let out a breath of amazement as she sat, gazing through the front pane. "It is lovely!" she whispered.

"'m."

Hotarou gazed out of the window as well, looking for what Eru thought was so 'lovely'. He glanced down and noticed the orb that they were flying away from. While on the moon it wasn't much to look at, but away from it it had its beauty. The gray-blue landscape, scraped with deep rifts and valleys adding character to its face. The large domes built to protect certain areas where there was population looked like brown warts on its surface, with little hairs coming from them. Those 'hairs' were the pipes that shot people across the plains from one city to another and were steadily becoming smaller as they moved away from the celestial ball.

Hotarou then realized that he was veering off course and make a quick, sharp correction. He heard a small squeak from Eru and a yelp from Ibara in the back. She's still back there? Hotarou wondered, What in the world is she doing back there? She can't still be sick...he sighed and clicked a few buttons.

"Chitanda, I'm going back to check on Ibara, stay up here with the controls. It's on auto-pilot so you shouldn't need to do anything." Hotarou scooted back his chair as he said these words then stood and began to move towards the back.

"B-but what if something goes wrong?!" Eru worried.

"Then I'll come right back up, don't worry about it."

He walked back towards the cabin and saw that the restroom door was closed. He knew better than to just waltz in so he knocked lightly on the door.

A weak 'what?' came from within to which he replied, "Are you still sick?"

"What do you think, idiot?" came the muffled reply.

This is one of the reasons why I didn't want anyone else to come! He thought with a sigh.

Hehe, kind of an abrupt cut-off huh? I don't want it to be too long! ^^ Anywho, do leave comments!