The Ark sat in high orbit over the planet, and from the transport window it looked like somebody had taken a city and hung it in the dark.
Noah had seen it a hundred times on screens. It was different through glass. It was enormous. Ring after ring of steel and light, docking arms reaching out like fingers, little transports moving in and out of it in steady lines. Behind it, Earth filled half the window, blue and white and so bright it made his eyes water a little.
He'd been gone six months. He'd seen a dozen planets. None of them looked like that.
The transport docked with a low clunk. An officer was waiting for him at the bottom of the ramp, a young lieutenant with a very straight back and a datapad tucked under her arm.
"Mr. Eclipse. The Supreme General is expecting you. This way, please."
"Just Noah's fine."
"Yes, Mr. Eclipse."
He gave up.
