How Big is the Universe?

Hearing LaRee's shout, Ayse dropped his seriousness and put on a smile. 

He kicked the thruster back on and set it to a steady output. Then, Ayse grabbed a lever beside the steering wheel. As Ayse slowly pulled the lever back, the hover pads whirred and lit up. The ship tilted upward as it began to climb higher. 

*... I either trust him. Or I don't.* 

While Ayse stared at the open space in front of the ship and the blinking screen of the radar, his mind was elsewhere. *At least this gives him a shot. I hope there's actually a message there. If not… It'll take a lot longer and cost a lot more to find her.

*But I get it,* Ayse thought, encouraging himself. *If my mom was still alive, I would do everything possible to find and meet her. Regardless of who else I need to piss off along the way.