by A J Britnell
“Don’t do that, we’ll have vomit floating around our ears. Get me some suction – oh and turn up the O2 before our stupid friend passes out again.”
Within five minutes, the enthusiastic Medical Officer had John strapped to a bed in the tiny infirmary. It was a legal requirement that every ship carried at least one medically trained crewmember; Eileen was over qualified and most of the time – bored. She had other duties of course but she missed the excitement of a hospital and relished any opportunity to sharpen her rusty skills. All crewmembers were required to exercise four hours a day, split between the centrifuge and the gym. To pacify her, the crew agreed to in-depth testing.
Eileen took the health of her colleagues extremely seriously and intended on releasing a paper on the effects of zero gravity on her subjects over extended journeys. Therefore, fooling around was discouraged as muscle loss compromised her patients’ health and most notably; messed up her results.
Stefan and Herman came into the room and gathered by the bed. Herman patted John on the head affectionately and looked to Eileen for reassurance. She just raised her eyebrows in exasperation and continued adjusting the valves on his drip line. Herman was a socially awkward lad, but he felt relaxed with John who he idolized. His scrawny frame was lost under the folds of his flight suit, zero gravity not helping - he barely looked eighteen but was in fact twenty-four. His calm sing- song Jamaican - American accent soothed John as he recited words of encouragement.
Sitting up cautiously, John took hold of Herman’s arm for support and groaned like a man after a twenty-four-hour drinking session. He wiped at the caked vomit at the corners of his mouth and told Herman that that was why exercise was bad for his health.
Eileen had had enough and pushed him back down onto the bed to regain his equilibrium. “You do realize he brought this all on himself. You act like he’s some kind of war hero instead of the buffoon he really is.”
John leant in to Herman to whisper his suspicions, “She’s secretly in love with me!”
“Really?” Herman recoiled, “I think maybe it’s still a secret to her because she’s putting on a good act of loathing.”
Stefan guided Eileen away by the elbow and spoke in a low voice, “Hey Eileen, I’ve checked that passenger manifesto you asked me for.”
“He’s on it then?” Eileen could tell from his expression that it was not good news.
“Yes, a Professor Browning boarded the shuttle in French Guiana last Friday.”
The captain could see worry flood over the face of his Medical Officer and quickly added, “Hey don’t worry, he’s fine and Claus has arranged a video call for you both – it’s at 08:00 hours so you’d better get a move on.” Eileen, delighted at the chance to speak to her Uncle, beamed back at him and excused herself from the room.
Stefan watched Eileen leave and gestured for Marcus to follow.
John had been dozing but the sense of being watched jolted him awake to the sight of his captain, hovering above, “Jesus Stef.” He rubbed his eyes and noticed his vulnerability. Ripping apart the grip strapping around his chest, he sat up, his legs still pinned down on the table. His head swam.
John spoke first to cut the uncomfortable atmosphere, “So, you not going to join them on that conference call?”
Stefan pulled himself down to John’s level, “Haruka’s down there; think she’s trying to avoid me.”
John nodded his understanding, relieved that he wasn’t the cause of Stefan’s angst. He looked back at his Captain, who was obviously waiting for some words of wisdom. “Crap,” he whispered. “Do you want me to talk to her?” His tone betrayed his reluctance but Stefan took the words at face value and thanked his friend in advance.
When the medical Officer arrived, Claus and Haruka were crowded around the monitor, deep in conversation and so she coughed to announce her presence.
“Hi there Eileen, hope you don’t mind us introducing ourselves. Your Uncle’s a fascinating man,” Haruka said in earnest, her voice muffled behind her face mask.
Eileen didn’t reply and just floated behind them, composing herself. She could see her Uncle’s kind face beaming back at her from the large screen on the control deck and she faked a casual smile. Neither said anything for a moment until Haruka nudged her friend into life. “You look well Uncle Tony,” she finally said in an unconvincing tone.
It was obvious to everyone that Uncle Tony looked far from well and judging by the occasional white, soulless face in the background he was not alone.
A streak of static danced over the monitor and the Professor’s features distorted for a moment. His lips began to move and then the sound came, “I’m looking forward to some good ‘home cooking’ and maybe a shower,” he added with a chuckle.
Claus put his head in view of the camera and said, “You might have to wait until we get you back to Earth for that if we can’t get the gravity fixed.”
Haruka elbowed him and joined the conversation. “I’m sure they’ll have a lovely meal ready for you, don’t you worry.”
There was silence for a moment. Haruka sensed Eileen's discomfort and with a tilt of her head indicated to her colleague that it was time to go.
Eileen strapped herself into a seat and began chatting about family and friends. The conversation was forced, both avoiding the man's obvious peril. It was only towards the end of the conversation that her Uncle showed signs of worry, but the worry seemed directed at her. "So, Eileen I hear your crew are coming to rescue us. Are you sure you're able? I thought you were engineers and shuttle crew.”
“Exactly, Uncle – engineers, some of the best I might add. We do stuff like this all the time- only the other day we saved Haruka from a fiery inferno.” She laughed awkwardly; she probably shouldn’t have mentioned that, she thought. Anticipating further questioning Eileen quickly added, “Don't you guys worry up there; we'll have you out before you know it.” As the words left her mouth, she stroked the side of her nose - her tell, that her uncle was fully aware of.
“Thank you, my darling,” the professor reassured, “I have every confidence in you. Just don't dawdle now!” and he smiled broadly, his eyes shining in the dimly lit cabin.
Eileen leant forward, kissed her fingers and placed them gently on the monitor, right over her Uncle's heart, just as he touched the end call button.
“Well there’s no getting away from it,” Claus began, “time to face the Bug.”
Haruka laughed, “You speak like she’s going to hold a grudge. You did save my life…”
“Actually, I saved our fortune, the others saved your life. Now I have to patch her together.” Claus ducked down to fit through the hatch to the hangar; he was lean but his six-foot three height made maneuvering tricky even when floating around on his belly. “Auf Wiedersehen.”
“Yes, see you later.” Haruka shot through the opposite hatch to meet up with Herman in the suit room. She was beginning to feel more like her old self and shot through the corridor with renewed vigour, looking forward to getting stuck in to some menial work.
To her surprise, John had joined them. “Are you fit for work John, I heard you took a tumble?”
John did not look at all embarrassed despite the face pulling of his crewmates; he had a debt to pay. On cue, Herman left a room for the second time that day but only went as far as the next bay so he could catch the interaction.
“Hey that was nothing, I’m as tough as a mule.”
Haruka moved over to her suit bay.
“But before we start prep I thought you might need to talk, you know - after your narrow escape – apparently, Herman had to drag you out of bed.” John could tell she suspected nothing - everyone opened to John.
Haruka warmed to his concern and blushed, “It was just a wobble, I’m over it now.”
John got to the point, “Well you know you can talk to anyone here if you…. ‘wobble’ again,” he said, drawing quotes in the air, “especially Stefan.”
The penny dropped. Haruka twirled i
n the air enraged, “He’s got to get over me!” she spat, “I can’t work properly if someone’s mooning over me.”
John grabbed her arm rather roughly and swiveled her to face him, “Don’t flatter yourself Haruka, it’s not your love he’s after it’s your respect!”
Haruka steadied herself and allowed John to explain.
“Look I know Stef will always have a thing about you,” he conceded, “but he’s our Captain and if he feels we can’t go to him – be honest with him, then he’s….” John struggled to find the word, “ineffective…. and we might as well pack this in.”
Haruka’s lip trembled ever so slightly.
John moved close and smiled. “I can tell you this, if we had traded places and I was trapped in that freighter I would have cried like a baby in that big Norwegian’s arms.”
She returned his smile and countered, “Well you have always had an unnatural relationship. Some kind of bromance, is it?”
“What can I say – we’re complicated guys.”
A suitable amount of time later, Herman casually re-entered and pretended to check the space suits that he readied earlier.
Haruka patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, I’m not mad.”
Herman appeared visibly relieved and responded business like, “That’s good to hear as I’ve no intension of going out there with you in a mood.”
“Noted.”
Ever organised, Herman briefed Haruka of the inspection route and transferred a copy to her wrist computer. “EMO is already out there securing an antenna. He should be finished soon so I’ll send him to hatch B. He’s loaded with the usual toolkit.”
It amused Haruka; Herman’s attachment to the robot.
“So, from hatch A we’ll make our way around to check starboard thruster pod and then on to the port.”
“Okay I’ve got it, it’s basically a full hull inspection and it’s going to take hours.”
Haruka was already wearing her ventilation garment and she wriggled into the lower torso of her EMU which Herman had lay before her. She pulled the rigid waist up, pushing her feet to the ends of the soft boots.
Herman did likewise, still talking, “Well hopefully we’ll cut it down as EMO is recording his route – Stefan’s looking over the live feed.”
John helped Haruka duck under the torso section; temporarily disconnecting her oxygen tank to allow her to push her head through the collar. He tugged the trouser section, lifting her up until he could fasten the two together.
He turned his attention to Herman.
“Thanks man. Hey, can you pass me my cap.” He pulled the communication cap over his head, removing his mask momentarily before continuing to prep his crewmate. “Predicted duration is 4 hours - but just let me know if you’ve had enough,” he added tentatively.
Haruka resisted biting, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She positioned her hydration tube within sipping reach and clicked her communication cable into place.
“Sure, it’s like getting back on the horse,” John teased.
“Bad analogy – horses hate me!”
Herman just smiled blankly.
“Okay – helmet time,” John sang.
“Hey, you haven’t finished my gloves.”
“Sorry Haruka. Why haven’t we got two people in here?”
The group quietened down, focusing on the final checks. The astronauts took a final draw on their oxygen and plunged their helmets over their heads, cocooning their bodies within their artificial worlds.
As always, a feeling of excited trepidation crept over the astronauts as they waited for the pressure to equalise. Haruka took another glance at her life- support display and exhaled, “Ready.”
“Ready”
Haruka spoke on the open link, “Caspian – O’Brian and Palmer leaving hatch A, EVA starting 09:48 – duration four hours, comm check ten minute intervals.” She shot Herman a determined nod and opened the hatch.
Depression returned to Claus at the sight of his beloved Bug; lost in the cavernous hangar; suspended from arms like an unpleasant sticky child. “Oh baby, what have I done to you?” He floated over and patted its red hull; the paint chipped and a huge dent on its starboard flank. His eyes followed the scrapes to the rear and the un-retracted array; a few sails poked out of the casing like a damaged wing. Climbing inside he released the compartment and the buckled sails groaned as they unfurled to form an incomplete circle. Leaving the cabin for closer inspection Claus’s spirits rose; it was fixable, just two panels. He was sure they had spares; the array was a standard set up used by most small craft.
He touched his communication device attached to his ear, “Hey Marcus, you there?”
“Here, Claus”
“Can you check the manifest; see if we carry array sails?”
There was a pause, “Yes, we have six, they’re in bay five C. Do you need a hand?”
“Thanks pal, I’ll meet you there.”
It was ironic that in the immensity of space a habitation section little bigger than an apartment, became the universe to seven people. The majority of the ship comprised of a huge freezing hangar and several storage rooms jammed with supplies for any eventuality. There were engine parts, Lacecell habitation units, everything to do with oxygen processing and survival but little to do with quality of life. Claus poked around until he found what he was looking for; a three-metre long metal case. He flipped the catches and opened the lid; the sails were neatly stacked and wrapped in film.
“Hey there!”
“Oh, hi Marcus - I found them.”
“Never mind that, you won’t guess what I found on the manifest; a table tennis table – it’s in here somewhere.” Marcus started looking around the crates.
“Who needs table tennis?”
“It was ordered for one of the Mars colonies, apparently rescinded since we took it aboard,” he continued in his desperate search, climbing higher to get into the back corner. “It’s here!”
Claus shut the lid, “How can you play table tennis in space?”
“I don’t know, but it’ll be cool to find out. We could bolt it down in the hangar.”
“Okay but we’ve got to get the Bug finished first. Help me out with this thing.”
Marcus obediently bounded over and the two men released the strapping and guided the box into the corridor.
It did not take too long to install, Claus felt Marcus was rushing just to get to play with his new toy but he made him wait while he tried to polish out a few dings in the bodywork.
They found a suitable place to set up the table, away from the maintenance area but with enough room to float about in a game of doubles. Marcus started tapping a ball on the table before Claus had screwed in the last bolt.
“Come on, I want to play.”
“Okay, okay.”
Both players drifted above the arena, paddle and ball in hand, trying to fathom just how this was going to work. “Just hit it Claus!”
Claus cautiously tapped the ball in the direction of the table but it never made contact and simply drifted off in slow motion.
Marcus tilted his head in disappointment. “Let me try.” He motioned himself closer to the table and gave the ball a hefty whack. This time the ball ricocheted in a bizarre trajectory sending Claus spiraling forward in a vain attempt to receive. Both men reeled with laughter, Marcus spun off in search of the ball, “I think this will take some practice.”
“For sure; I want to be an expert before I let Stef anywhere near this – you know how competitive he is!”
Chapter Four
Captain Stefan Andersen, aboard the Caspian, gazed moon-eyed at the blue planet below. “Beautiful, isn’t it.”
“Sure is Captain,” Haruka replied as she joined him on the flight deck. She attempted to sit in a chair beside him and began to gently rock with her knees tucked under her chin. “Gosh it seems close!”
Stefan smiled, “even closer next month – we’ll be at perigee; Super Moon.”
“Wel
l I can certainly feel the pull.” She returned an easy smile; things felt different.
A re-entry pod drifted away from their hull, the power cells were on their decent back to Earth and if they landed intact, their cut of the proceeds would soon be in their empty bank accounts. Stefan monitored its progress to the rendezvous site.
Stefan tutted to himself, and his frustration intruded on Haruka’s daydream.
“Trust Healey to be late,” he said. The Caspian had only been in orbit for two hours and already their Captain was getting restless.
Haruka leant forward, “Look! Down there!” A tiny disturbance in the cloud cover over Europe, heralded the launch of a rocket. They watched expectantly until the craft punched through the cloud and reached the outer atmosphere.
Stefan turned to Claus who was busily tweaking with a circuit panel dangling from EMO’s outer casing, “Probably got about ninety minutes ‘til docking, Claus. Make sure the loading bay’s ready to receive.”
Claus hastily shoved the panel back into place and playfully batted the robot on the head.
Claus and Marcus were suited up and waiting for the signal to open the cargo doors, when Stefan came through on the radio. “Boys, wait until you see this thing- it’s dressed up like a Melee car!”
Hydraulics squeaked as the bay doors parted to reveal the magnificent gaudy rocket. Stefan chuckled to himself when he heard Claus wolf whistle his approval of Healey’s latest machine. “I know what I want for Christmas Boss,” he added.
The rocket was a least three times bigger than the average and shone silver and orange – the colours of Lacecell. Enormous rocket boosters with retro fins adorned each side of the hull, leading the eye to its gracefully curved nose cone. Decals and sponsorship logos plastered its length, which somehow added to the coolness factor, but most prominent were the metre-tall letters:
