Descending Road - ALONE by Dana W. Paxson

ALONE

0 NC, Day 0, Hour 13

Inside, everything fitted close around her. The inner hatch, once closed, left her floating in a tunnel-like cylindrical crawlway barely large enough for her suit and its bulky attachments. The crawlway had few protrusions, easing her movement. “Everything looks gray,” she reported. “It’s all smooth, and handles blend right in to the surface of this tube, like they’re part of it.”

“Just like that lock door handle we saw?” Elena.

“Yeah, like that.”

The crawlway led straight into the ship from the lock, then turned ninety degrees. “I’m moving along the axis of the ship, toward the center. This is maybe five meters in from the hatch we used, and I’ll give estimates of distance as I go. Hey. The walls look like they’re expanding around me as I pass.”

“Oh. Sounds like a macro-phasemetal. We’re still picking you up, but signal strength is down a lot. Check in every minute, and backtrack if you lose us.” Arnell.

“Passing some side hatches now, about six meters along this run. They’re awfully small, too small for me to get in.”

“Good thing it’s you and not me. Anything interesting?” Elena.

“Nothing yet. Should I check the air?”

“No. Do not remove your helmet.” Arnell‘s voice was strained.

Communication became more difficult; they patched Arnell‘s link through Elena‘s suit.

“I’m near the end of the crawlway,” Miriam said at last. “The hatch door there is almost big enough to use. I think it’ll expand by itself.”

Silence.

She backtracked and repeated the message, adding, “Did you hear that?”

“No. Out of range?” Arnell.

“Yes. Just give me ten minutes inside, and I’ll report right back.”

“All right. Go on local with your media recording, but watch the power. You’ve got about an hour now.”

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


	ALONE 0 NC, Day 0, Hour 13 Inside, everything fitted close around her. The inner hatch, once closed, left her floating in a tunnel-like cylindrical crawlway barely large enough for her suit and its bulky attachments. The crawlway had few protrusions, easing her movement. “Everything looks gray,” she reported. “It’s all smooth, and handles blend right in to the surface of this tube, like they’re part of it.” “Just like that lock door handle we saw?” Elena. “Yeah, like that.” The crawlway led straight into the ship from the lock, then turned ninety degrees. “I’m moving along the axis of the ship, toward the center. This is maybe five meters in from the hatch we used, and I’ll give estimates of distance as I go. Hey. The walls look like they’re expanding around me as I pass.” “Oh. Sounds like a macro-phasemetal. We’re still picking you up, but signal strength is down a lot. Check in every minute, and backtrack if you lose us.” Arnell. “Passing some side hatches now, about six meters along this run. They’re awfully small, too small for me to get in.” “Good thing it’s you and not me. Anything interesting?” Elena. “Nothing yet. Should I check the air?” “No. Do not remove your helmet.” Arnell‘s voice was strained. Communication became more difficult; they patched Arnell‘s link through Elena‘s suit. “I’m near the end of the crawlway,” Miriam said at last. “The hatch door there is almost big enough to use. I think it’ll expand by itself.” Silence. She backtracked and repeated the message, adding, “Did you hear that?” “No. Out of range?” Arnell. “Yes. Just give me ten minutes inside, and I’ll report right back.” “All right. Go on local with your media recording, but watch the power. You’ve got about an hour now.”