Descending Road - TIME LEFT by Dana W. Paxson

TIME LEFT

0 NC, Day 1, Hour 15

It happened on Doug‘s third trip, when Enrique was moving into the now-crowded thrust-section cell array. “Shit! Doug, block it, it’s loose!” Enrique‘s cell, two of its handling stanchions snapped off, now tumbled slowly end-for-end toward Doug.

He released his own cargo with his left gripper, and extended it out to meet the oncoming cell. With a clank that sent a crunching vibration through his spine, the gripper soaked up some of the stray cell’s spin, sending his pod and his own cell turning slowly away. The stray went drifting out of his field of view, but now his right gripper could not control the cell he was carrying. Its free end began to pivot toward him.

Recalling Enrique‘s warning about the seals, Doug released the cell and started to back away to regain control with both grippers. He was too late. With an odd zinging crack, the cell’s cylindrical end rammed his pod at the edge of its hatch. The hatch seal hissed; a soft, urgent alarm chimed, and a red panel began to flash: AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 300 SECONDS.

“Enrique, I’ve got a leak!”

“Back to the pod bay, and hurry! Got to get you out. Yesha, track those cells for us, would you?”

A woman’s tired rasp. “Like I’ve got time. Okay. Just get him out of there, would you, and get back here.”

The hissing spread along the hatch seal. Frantically, Doug poked at it with a finger as he steered for the pod bay. “Shit, this thing is getting worse, fast.”

AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 39 SECONDS. The pod bay loomed.

AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 0 SECONDS. As he guided the pod into its socket, the space before him darkened, and there were no more stars.

Story List	SURPRISE ME	Author Page
USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	TIME LEFT 0 NC, Day 1, Hour 15 It happened on Doug‘s third trip, when Enrique was moving into the now-crowded thrust-section cell array. “Shit! Doug, block it, it’s loose!” Enrique‘s cell, two of its handling stanchions snapped off, now tumbled slowly end-for-end toward Doug. He released his own cargo with his left gripper, and extended it out to meet the oncoming cell. With a clank that sent a crunching vibration through his spine, the gripper soaked up some of the stray cell’s spin, sending his pod and his own cell turning slowly away. The stray went drifting out of his field of view, but now his right gripper could not control the cell he was carrying. Its free end began to pivot toward him. Recalling Enrique‘s warning about the seals, Doug released the cell and started to back away to regain control with both grippers. He was too late. With an odd zinging crack, the cell’s cylindrical end rammed his pod at the edge of its hatch. The hatch seal hissed; a soft, urgent alarm chimed, and a red panel began to flash: AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 300 SECONDS. “Enrique, I’ve got a leak!” “Back to the pod bay, and hurry! Got to get you out. Yesha, track those cells for us, would you?” A woman’s tired rasp. “Like I’ve got time. Okay. Just get him out of there, would you, and get back here.” The hissing spread along the hatch seal. Frantically, Doug poked at it with a finger as he steered for the pod bay. “Shit, this thing is getting worse, fast.” AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 39 SECONDS. The pod bay loomed. AIR LEAK — TIME LEFT 0 SECONDS. As he guided the pod into its socket, the space before him darkened, and there were no more stars.