Like something I wrote?"Technician Peters, you are clear for re-boarding. Stand by."
My Captain's all-too familiar voice over that radio you'd swear is better fit for a McDonalds drive-through back on Earth.
"By the way . . . I have some troubling news. We've lost contact with Vessel 621 and all passengers on board. And the instruments are making some strange indications. I know I'm not supposed to ask this of you, with your personal involvements and all, but you're my best maintenence tech. If it's a problem with the equipment, I'd like you to be the one to figure it out."
This man. 'Personal involvements' is right. I ponder angrily at what a crass way to say my best friend and assorted family members are on board, but my time for that is cut short as the door back inside opens, bringing what was supposed to be a routine spacewalk to a close.
"What the hell are you saying?" I practically spit at him. "Peters, I'm sorry. Just . . . look."
Continue to Chapter Two →