by Gary Weston
'I don't like the sound of that,' said Morgan.
Dillow was through the hatch first, scurrying along the duct. She stopped at the hatch to allow Morgan to catch up to her. The sounds of banging were louder, something crashing around the section.
'I'll go in first,' said Morgan.
'The hell you will. My ship, my responsibility. Give me some space.' Dillow cracked the hatch and looked inside. 'Oil drums. A few are bouncing around. One looks like it's split.'
'Jeez. All that mess floating around.'
'Take care in here.'
Dillow lowered herself into section twenty. Three two-hundred litre plastic drums were floating around, crashing into one another, and making an impression on the inner shell. Fortunately, there were no breaches that she could see. Much more bouncing with the barrels and the hull would give in eventually. A full barrel bounced into her back. She wasn't hurt, but it had emphasised the danger and urgency. As soon as Morgan got down, they were grappling the barrels.
They grabbed one of the undamaged full ones first, and mauled it back with the dozens of others. Dillow put her body against it and Morgan wrapped the line about it. Globs of oil were glooping all around them, splashing into their suits, staining their helmets, making vision difficult. Morgan wiped his visor with the back of his gloved hand, making the smear even worse. Dillow grabbed the second full barrel, and Morgan had to work by touch to tie it down.
It left just the split barrel to deal with. With so much oil everywhere, it was becoming a nightmare. Even getting a grip on the oil covered barrel, still with over one hundred litres of oil in it, was almost impossible. Morgan had only a small patch he could see out of his visor with one eye.'
'Stay where you are,' said Dillow. 'I have the barrel.'
Even in zero gravity, the oily drum proved a challenge to manoeuvre. The drum was almost over to the open arms of Morgan, when Dillow slipped with the barrel on top of her, slamming her against the edge of the tops of the secured barrels.
'God almighty.'
'Captain Dillow?'
'I'm hurt, Morgan. Jeez, that hurts. No. Leave me. Secure the barrel.'
Morgan went by touch and what little he could see of the barrel and line. It was the last of the line and he barely had enough for the job. It didn't look pretty, but it would get them home.
'Come on. Can you get out of here?'
'I feel sick with pain.'
Morgan said, 'Let me help you out.' He went through the small hatch then turned around and held out his arms for Dillow. 'To me. You can do this.'
Dillow kicked against the floor and floated up to him. He grabbed her arms and eased her into the inspection duct. Her yell of pain hurt his ears.
'Take a minute. Anything broken. Ribs?'
'Jeez. Not sure. I don't think so. Hurts like hell.'
Morgan said, 'sorry, but I have to get you to your cot.'
They had to go the full length of the ship in the narrow duct, Morgan making his way slowly backwards, pulling the injured Dillow along after him. Every metre of progress was excruciating agony for Dillow, and Morgan had to ignore the yelps of pain to make headway. It took half an hour to make it through the hatch into the flight deck. He sealed the hatch, equalised the pressure and oxygenated the air. He took off his own helmet and then he removed Dillow's helmet.
'I'll fetch the first aid kit.' He found that, and took out a soluble capsule of painkiller. 'Here. Take this.' Dillow swallowed the capsule and Morgan got her a drink of water. 'How are you feeling?'
'Oily. Damn, this shit stinks.'
'How's the pain?'
'Like you wouldn't believe.'
'Let the painkiller work and I'll help you out of your suit.'
Dillow gasped. 'You undress me? I don't think so.'
'Just the suit so you can lay on your cot.'
'The painkiller's kicking in. Hurry, before I change my mind.'
It was the first time Morgan had helped a woman out of a suit. The sharp stabbing pains in Dillow's back were only partially reduced by the capsule, but eventually, she was in her one piece undies.
'One last push and you'll be on your cot.'
Dillow allowed herself to be manhandled into the sleeping compartment with the small cot. She lay down, writhing with the pain.
'I'd get you another capsule, but it said only one per hour.'
'I'll be okay. I just need to rest. Thanks, Morgan.'
He heard Cragg's voice over the radio. 'Morgan. What's happening?'
'The good news, we found all the buckles and made everything secure. The bad news, is Dillow's been hurt.'
'Bloody hell. Is she bad?'
'It could be broken ribs. Hard to say. She's had a painkiller and is on her cot.'
Cragg assessed the options. 'Obviously Dillow can't fly the ship.'
'I can't land this bird, Craggy. What do we do?'
'Leave it with me. I'll think of something. You look after Dillow.'
Chapter 78
Cragg called Rocky. 'Rocky. We need you to swap over with Morgan. Dillow's hurt and he hasn't enough experience to land that bird.'
'Think he can handle a freighter okay?'
'I think so. We don't have any choice. I can keep an eye on him, but you need to get Dillow to Mars for medical attention. Now, pull along side.'
It took twenty minutes to catch up with Big Bird and pull along side the ship's airlock hatch. Cragg took his freighter above the two ships to see things hopefully go well. Rocky wasted no time in jumping over to the hatch. Through that open airlock came Morgan. The two did an awkward shuffle as the safety line was unhooked from Rocky, and fastened to Morgan.
'No fooling around with my girl, okay,' said Rocky with a laugh.
'I wouldn't dream of it. Good luck.'
'You too, Max. See you on Mars. Don't break my ship.'
Rocky entered the ship through the airlock as Max Morgan pulled himself along the safety line to join Amethyst Bouquet. Craggy only started breathing again when both young men were safe.
'Rocky. Break some speed records. Get Dillow to Mars. We'll see you in a few days.'
'On our way.'
There was a blast from the rear thrusters and the big ship became a blue speck in the distance. Cragg knew they were putting a lot on the shoulders of young, inexperienced pilots.
'Gotta be an easier way of making a living,' he told himself.
Chapter 79
'Stella. Rocky Ramshorn calling.' It took a few minutes of time delay to have a conversation.
'Things are getting interesting, by the sound of things. When do you get to Mars?'
'Sixteen hours at full speed.'
'How's Captain Dillow?'
'In a lot of pain. No blood coming out yet, though.'
'Look out for that. Craggy's already told Mars to be ready for her. Now. You landed that bird on a fairground ride on your first landing in her. She can land on any flat surface. You can do this.'
'Thanks. I'm going to get Captain Dillow another pain capsule. I'll call you again nearer Mars.'
'I'll be here.'
* * *
Cragg said, 'Morgan. Are you okay?'
'Yes. Amethyst has a grip on this freighter already. Between us we'll get there. At least it has proper controls, not those old things on your ship.' He watched as Amethyst almost doubled up stifling her laughter.
'Is that right?' snorted Cragg. 'You just waggle your fingers over them bloody sensors and get Rocky's girlfriend back to him. And Amethyst, too.'
Craggy let the computer do the “boring” bits. He still hadn't much respect for computers. He couldn't see them throwing themselves off one ship to float out in deep space on a thin line to another. They couldn't even feel a ship and know if it was happy. People gave computers too much credit. He got himself a beer and let himself be carried through the empty vast ocean, thinking about Misty Rivers.
He took a slurp of his beer. 'They'll need a crowbar to get us apart this time. I'm on my way, Misty.'
C
hapter 80
Mars Commander Potts had all department heads to the meeting. 'We have Big Bird and a freighter being piloted by rookies. Ramshorn has flown the big ship before, but it's still a big ask for him to pull this off. On the freighter, are two out and out rookies. Max Morgan and Amethyst Bouquet.
Freighter Captain Cragg is alongside them. If anyone can get them down safely, Craggy can. It will be daylight when Rocky and Dillow get here, so that's a blessing. The landing strip is ready for his ship. Morgan will be here in another three days, as will Craggy. I want Morgan first on the cradle. I want him unloaded in record time so we can get Craggy down. All fire and rescue teams need to be flexible. Twelve and a half hours, people. Make us proud.'
* * *
'Don't be ridiculous, Captain Moore,' said an exasperated Moon Commander Forbes. 'I have no intention of accepting your resignation. Why should I shoot myself in the foot? You are one of the best department leaders on Moon. You are amazing at what you do.'
'Sir. With respect. We could have lost the ship. We could have lost Fawn Dillow. All because I wasn't doing my job right.'
'You had no way of knowing those buckles were faulty.'
Moore said, 'I never thought to have them tested. How stupid is that?'
'You were never required to. We can write that into the procedures to stop it happening again.'
'But...'
Forbes waved his hand at her. 'Go get some sleep. Sleep knowing you have my full support and backing. I want you back doing what you were born to do. Go. Sleep.'
* * *
'You wanted to see me, Anton?'
'Lance. What's the latest on Fawn?'
'No blood. Rocky doesn't think she's punctured her lungs. She just took a hammer blow to her ribs. She has painkillers and Rocky's doing all he can to take care of her. Fawn will be okay.'
'I'm sure she will be. Lance. You don't hold Jay Moore responsible do you?'
Surprised at the question, Dillow shrugged. 'Jay? Some buckles broke, didn't they? Supposed to take three times the maximum load. No way was Jay to blame. Those buckles were made on Earth, many years ago. I blame those idiots if anyone.'
'Jay seems to think she is to blame. I tried to put her straight. Lance. If it came from you, maybe she'd believe it. I don't have to tell you how brilliant she is at what she does. With everything going to Mars, she is a key to that being a safe and successful enterprise.'
Lance agreed. 'We need her more than ever before. I'll go talk to her. We need her doing what she does best. This relocation will take all the expertise we have, and that includes Jay.'
* * *
Jay Moore threw her arms around Armour Dillow. 'I am so sorry. I should have come to see you. I was too scared.'
'Oh, Jay. The rumour I eat people whole is a malicious lie. Fawn will be fine. She's a Dillow. She's tough.'
'It was my fault. I could have...'
'Jay. Nobody blames you. I don't, Fawn doesn't. It was an accident, pure and simple. Do you think we can do this move to Mars without you? No way.'
Moore wiped her tears away. 'Thank you. I think I can live with myself again.'
'Sleep. Tomorrow is a new day for all of us. Goodnight, Jay.'
'Thanks, Lance.'
* * *
'How are you doing,' Rocky asked.
'Better for that.'
It was hard work in the cramped single cot room, tagged onto a minuscule wash-room, but when nature calls, she has to be obeyed. Rocky assisted Dillow onto her cot.
'Need another capsule?'
'Not just yet. I'm a little easier. Are you okay with the ship?'
'I'm fine. Stella will help us down.'
'Good. Has my father been told what's happened?'
'Of course. Everyone knows. Mars is all geared up for our arrival. Thank God I can get a beer there. I'll need one.'
Chapter 81
Rocky poked his head into the bunk room. 'Fawn? Are you awake?'
'Hmm. I am now.'
'Sorry. I just wanted you to know we're just one hour from landing.'
Dillow tried to sit up but the pain in her back hit her like a bayonet being rammed into her. She fell back on the cot. 'I'm going nowhere.'
'Just relax. I'll land like a butterfly.'
He took the one and only seat by the controls. Ahead was the red planet. He slowed to one quarter power. He imagined the activity down below as he remembered the words of wisdom from Craggy. 'There's no hurry, Rocky. Land when you're good and ready.'
The marsillium coated hull was barely affected by the atmospheric entry. As he passed lower and levelled out, he could make out the Bases and the mines. Another orbit at one tenth power and he could see the cradle ready for the freighters. This time he was looking for a purpose built landing strip. At two miles long and a quarter mile wide, it would be hard to miss.
'Coming in, people. Coming in.'
A final slow pass and he powered up the landing thrusters.
The time delay on the radio signal had Stella several minutes late in contacting the ship when she'd said. 'Rocky? Need anything?'
Realising they would have landed before she got the reply, he told her anyway. 'I can handle it, thanks Stella. Landing now.'
Back on Moon, Fawn's anxious father asked, 'Is everything okay, Stella?'
'I was a little out on my time calling them. But it's going perfectly, Lance. Nice and gentle, Rocky.'
Lance Dillow bit his lower lip as the ship landed. With just radio to communicate with, he had to close his eyes to imagine Rocky Ramshorn at the controls of the ship, landing in the iron oxide sand. Then he heard the delayed words over the radio.
'We're safe and sound, safe and sound. Medics. Injured captain in here. Come get her.'
'Rocky did it,' said Stella.
'Never doubted it for a minute,' said Armour Dillow, a man whose prayers had been answered.
Chapter 82
Rocky got out of the airlock to let a single medic in. With the airlock sealed back up behind him, the medic injected Dillow with a powerful relaxant and painkiller. He was then able to suit her up and attach her helmet. He opened the airlock and half carried her to it. Strong gloved hands outside the hatch took her, strapped her to a stretcher and onto a buggy in which Rocky was waiting, which hurried away to the medical centre, leaving clouds of red dust in its wake.
Max Morgan, relieved at the big birds safe landing, hugged Amethyst Bouquet. 'See? Rocky's a natural.'
'I'm never leaving his side again.'
'Then he's the luckiest man on Mars. I'd better get you over there.'
* * *
'One down, two to go,' said Cragg to himself. 'Two days to go.'
'Craggy?'
'Is that you, Misty?'
'The one and only. God, I've missed you.'
Cragg said, 'Well, you'll be pleased to know I'm done being a freighter pilot. I'm a land lubber from now on.'
'Yeah, right.'
'I mean it. I'm keeping both feet firmly on the ground from now on. Time to make an honest woman out of you.'
'Dixon Cragg. Was that a proposal?'
Cragg had to think about that. 'I guess it is.' He turned the radio to the open frequency so anyone could hear his declaration of love. 'Some might think Old Craggy isn't romantic. But for the record, I am hurtling along in a tin can, across the heavens, to be with the woman I love. And if she'll have me, we will do the old fashioned thing and get married.'
'Craggy...'
'Don't say anything yet. That was just us getting engaged. I haven't asked you properly yet. Tell me your answer when I do.'
'Okay. I'll be waiting. Goodnight.'
'Goodnight.'
He sat and smiled. Now the whole of Mars new his intentions. It wasn't the way he had anticipated broaching the big question, and he knew why he had said it when he had. If his landing went wrong, he might not survive. He wanted to leave Misty knowing how proud he was of their love, proud enough to want for everyone to know about it. If he didn't su
rvive, he would die knowing Misty knew how much he loved her. Little consolation, but at least it was something.
Chapter 83
Two days flew by as did the freighters. It was time for Max Morgan to land a freighter with ten pods on the cradle for the first time in his life. It helped to have Craggy riding shotgun.
Morgan said, 'Mars is coming at us pretty damned fast, Captain Cragg. I'm not sure the heat shield is opening.'
Anything was possible, thought Cragg, but he couldn't let that concern creep into the rookie's mind. There was no room for doubt when landing a freighter for the first time.
Cragg whispered, hardly aware he was vocalising his thoughts. 'Bloody heat shield. Come on, damn it. Open for God's sake.'
'Craggy...'
Cragg kept the tension out of his voice, trying desperately to add a smile to his tone. 'It'll happen. Relax.'
All across Mars, the others could feel the drama being played out above them. They all watched the heavens, willing the freighter to open its shield and glow a cheery, cherry red. That much mental projection couldn't be denied.
'Shields open,' said Morgan.
Cragg remembered to breathe. 'No big deal. It was supposed to. One more time round the block,' Cragg told him.
'Block? What the hell is he talking about?' asked Morgan.
'I think he means do another orbit,' said Amethyst.
Morgan said, 'It must be an old person thing. He's got like a whole strange language of his own.'
'Hello,' said Cragg. 'I am still here, you know?'
'Nice to have your company,' said Morgan. 'Okay. Once more round the block.'
Cragg kept a safe distance out of Mars' atmosphere, keeping a lid on his nerves. 'Power down to one tenth, Morgan.'
'Powering down.'
'As you approach the cradle, ease back and increase landing thrusters.'
'Coming in, people. Powering down, increasing landing thrusters.'
Cragg was holding right back, beads of sweat on his brow. Yet, like he had done it a thousand times, Max Morgan set the pods on the cradle, and the freighter kissed the ground with the tenderness of a long lost lover.
