Desert Planet 1.

"The stars are out tonight."

She looked at his face as she said it, searching for a flicker of recognition or acknowledgment, but, getting none, returned her gaze heavenward. The slight phosphorescent pinpricks fascinated her, something very rare these days, since last year anyway.

Her hair blew slightly in the dry breeze, and she closed her hand over his, hoping for an answering squeeze, but again, there was no response. "Oh, Michael," she whispered, "what are you doing in there?"

A brief kiss on his scarred left temple, and she retreated back down into the sanctuary.