Evening Mood painting

Well," Owen mused, uncomfortable but with nothing to really hangimprecations on, "he'd better have those ridge units repaired by midday or there'll behell to pay." An unseen face shielded by smooth white metal emerged from the half-buriedlife pod that now formed the backbone of a dune slightly higher than its neighbors.The voice sounded efficient, but tired. "Nothing," the inspecting trooper muttered to his several companions. "Notapes, and no sign of habitation." Powerful handguns lowered at the information that the pod was deserted. Oneof the armored men turned, calling out to an officer standing some distance away."This is definitely the pod that cleared the rebel ship, sir, but there's nothing onboard." "Yet it set down intact," the officer was murmuring to himself. "It could havedone so on automatics, but if it was a true malfunction, then they shouldn't have beenengaged." Something didn't make sense. "Here's why there's nothing on board and no hint of life, sir," a voice declared. The officer turned and strode several paces to where another trooper waskneeling in the sand. He held up an object for the officer's inspection. It shone inthe sun. "'Droid plating," the officer observed after a quick glance at the metal fragment.Superior and underling exchanged a significant glance. Then their eyes turnedsimultaneously to the high mesas off to the north.