Star didn't like leaving like this. It almost felt as if she was somehow betraying or abandoning her friends and patients alike at Riverview. Still, it couldn't be helped; the Ambrosia's biomechanical hull was aging, and might soon die if Star Runner did not take the ship home for repairs and refit.

Whistling forlornly, Star logged into the computer network of the Clinic through the ship's datalinks. Her avatar swam through the simulated environment within the network, coming to Anya's personal terminal in her office. There Star Runner left a message, and Anya could decide what to do with it after.

~Dr. Valkonan,

No, Anya, that's better. I wanted to tell you this in person, but things are progressing faster than I expected, so this will have to suffice. I haven't been at the clinic lately because my ship is dying. I've been doing what I can to keep things in running order, but without a full crew, it is just a matter of time. Just in case you didn't know, the Ambrosia is a biomechanical life-form, and she's nearing the end of her service life. I need to take the Ambrosia home to try and regenerate her, or else refit into a new bio-hull. I don't know how long this will take, but it may be as long as several months.

I don't like leaving like this, but if I want to save my ship and my home, I have little choice. Would you kindly give my farewells to the other staff, and especially the children in the recovery wards?

Your friend, Star Runner~

That night the Mobius link to the ship was shut down and the medical cruiser broke orbit from Rhydin...