Space Rescue One
Page 37
Alex answered, "Right. That doesn't do us any good."
"Yes, it does. It means we can lock onto it," Jimmy said.
"There's too much damage for the SRO to sneak up and lock onto their airlock," Alex said.
"True, but there isn't enough damage to prevent us from having a life pod towed over and locked into place to evacuate them. We can get all these people out in one shot!"
"It could work if we can get a life pod out."
"We don't have to. One of the freighters already recovered one. They can jettison it. Then a space tug can shove it into place for us," Jimmy replied.
"You're right!" Alex exclaimed.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's check out that airlock and send a message."
***
"Nice idea, but the airlock doesn't work," Alex said.
"It's got to be the power. Head for the lock we came in and we'll try this anyway," Jimmy said.
"What if you're wrong?" asked Alex.
"I'm not, but we'll ask for suits to be sent over at the same time. If we can't power the airlock open with the life pod power supply, then we can still give them suits and take them out the other locks," Jimmy answered.
"Okay, I'll sign on then."
"Good!" Jimmy exclaimed.
***
Alex watched the space tugs approach the liner. One towed the life pod beside it. The other had numerous suited figures on its hull. In their arms were suits donated by crew members from other ships that surrounded the stricken liner. He watched as Jimmy jetted toward the life pod and glided to a stop beside its built-in airlock. Jimmy entered the airlock and waited for the pod to be locked against the liner.
Alex waved for the suited figures on the other tug to wait as he watched to see if Jimmy was right. The pod inched its way until it came into contact with the liner. He moved in close and drew a power cable from the pod and plugged it into the airlock. Then Alex said a silent prayer that the idea worked. He moved back to a portal and watched through it.
Jimmy radioed, "It's working! The airlock is opening!"
"Yahoo!" Alex screamed into his radio, forgetting radio etiquette completely for the moment in his excitement.
"Calm down, Alex! You nearly busted my eardrum. I'll close up as soon as they're all inside. Stand by to break the connection when I call you," Jimmy said.
"Understood, Jimmy!"
***
Jimmy ordered, "Break the power connection!"
Alex moved in close and yanked the cable from the airlock. He radioed, "Cable free!" as he jetted himself out of the way to land some distance away on the hull. "I'm clear!"
Jimmy radioed, "Pod disengaged! She's all yours, Tug 312!"
"Affirmative, Space Rescue. Tug 312 taking over now."
Jimmy opened the airlock outer hatch as the pod came free from the liner. He stepped out and closed the outer hatch to protect the people inside as much as possible. He never knew what hit him when the cabin ruptured outward behind him from which he and Alex had saved so many people only minutes before.
"Jimmy! No, God, no! It's not right! It's not right!" Alex cried out as he saw the debris burst outward and crush his friend. "Jimmy, speak to me! Are you all right?"
Alex broke away from the section of hull he stood on and jetted toward the pod. He used his powered, armored arms to pull away the debris tangled about his friend's body. Finally reaching Jimmy, he saw that the suit was broken open. There was no need to check the life sign gauge on the suit. He knew without question that Jimmy was dead. Taking him in his arms, Alex gently jetted away from the pod while tears streamed down his cheeks inside his helmet. Clear of the pod and debris, Alex shifted about until he spotted Space Rescue One. He aimed himself at her and gently triggered his jet pack as he radioed, "Technician Alex Knight returning to ship with one crew fatality."
The FO responded, "This is Space Rescue One receiving you, Alex. Is it Jimmy?"
"Affirmative. Jimmy is dead."
***
Sheila gagged as she saw the dead bodies floating around her.
"Are you all right?" Ashika asked.
"Give me a moment. I didn't expect to see this here," Sheila answered.
"They panicked. It happens when the victims are trapped with nowhere to go. They lose their common sense and grasp at illogical solutions. There's nothing you can do about it except know why it happens and then prepare yourself as best as you can beforehand. Remember, it's not your fault that they panicked. There's no way you could have made it here any faster. The panic that took hold of them usually takes place as soon as they realize what their situation is. We're usually just then learning of their situation so there's no way for us to stop or prevent it. If you've composed yourself now, then we should begin checking on their life signs. We might find some of them are still alive. If so, we'll get them suits," Ashika said.
***
Sheila and Ashika re-entered the airlock with empty suits clutched in their arms. They waited patiently for the airlock to cycle itself before they finally went past the inner hatch to suit up the survivors they found earlier.
"If this was under some other circumstances, I could enjoy undressing them to put them in suits. Instead, I'm just having trouble enough keeping from crying so I can see what I'm doing," Sheila said.
"That's how it is sometimes. You just have to fight back the tears as best you can since we can't open our helmets. I'll hold the suit while you stuff them in. Remember, take it slow and easy so they don't snag the suits," Ashika said.
"Right, I'll start on this man since he's nearest," Sheila said.
***
Outside on the hull, suited figures from other ships waited patiently with suits donated from the freighters for use inside the doomed passenger ship.
Chapter 23
"There's not much I can say that everyone doesn't already feel in their hearts. We've lost a dear friend who died in action while saving others. I don't think he would have wanted it any other way. I'm only glad that he knew he saved so many people before he lost his life. At least he went out with a gladness in his heart and soul and the sounds of success on his lips. I'm sorry for a lot of reasons just like all of you are. He so much liked being a part of everything that was happening around him. He so much wanted to see other stars up close. It's a pity that he died now without knowing that we'll soon have FTL space craft. I can only hope that God permits him to visit all the stars he wanted to see. After all, Jimmy was a good man and he deserves the opportunity. . ." Richard sobbed for a moment as a lump gathered in his throat. He finally said, "I'm sorry, I can't talk anymore without getting too emotional. Goodbye, Jimmy."
Chief Laumer stepped up to the intercom and read softly:
In blackness of space, sailed the human race
On its way to unnatural disaster
One thousand souls unaware of the shoals
When the comet pressed God's hand upon her.
The deaths were many, the carnage took any
Whose luck ran out on that fateful day
Most of the crew were lost, in the initial cost
Leaving the passengers to learn how to pray
From the void far beyond, the limits of song
Sailed the SRO to answer their need
Only a few stalwart men and just as few women
Risked all they possessed, even to bleed
Through darkness they struggled, reaching victims who huddled
Saving them no matter the cost
Their gallantry stands, against eternal sands
And the bell tolls for those who were lost.
Chief Dickson spoke into the intercom, "Toll the bell once for Jimmy."
A moment later, the somber sound of a bell tolled over the intercom and out into space over the ship's radio to be repeated over and over again on other ships out of respect.
END