Descending Road - TAKING A BREAK by Dana W. Paxson

TAKING A BREAK

0 NC, Day 1, Hour 17

Miriam turned from the vacuum case; he was fine, much better than she’d thought anyone could be after getting sucked out the way he’d been. As if he’d been used to vacuum work – not like anybody else she’d seen on this ship.

If only she’d been able to save Carrie like this. Or Allan, especially Allan. She looked at the clock. There was just time, now. “Elena, I need a battery lamp.”

“What for?”

“I’ve got to have a break.” She scanned the clinic; with MacNee up and running, there were no cases to watch, at least for the moment. She hoped Elena and the others would be able to cover everything.

MacNee. Now she remembered — that was the name welded on the bulkhead. But that MacNee was dead. This couldn’t be the same Doug MacNee.

“It’s almost shift end. Go ahead. But why the lamp?”

A wave of guilt came over Miriam. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to see Allan one more time.”

Elena shrugged. “There’s a pair of lamps in that locker. Take one. Check back as soon as you’re done, just in case we get hit with a load.”

“I will,” Miriam said, wondering whether she was lying to Elena or telling the truth. She retrieved the lamp, picked up the self-powered warmer she’d dug out of a supply closet, and headed for the ship’s improvised mausoleum.

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


	TAKING A BREAK 0 NC, Day 1, Hour 17 Miriam turned from the vacuum case; he was fine, much better than she’d thought anyone could be after getting sucked out the way he’d been. As if he’d been used to vacuum work – not like anybody else she’d seen on this ship. If only she’d been able to save Carrie like this. Or Allan, especially Allan. She looked at the clock. There was just time, now. “Elena, I need a battery lamp.” “What for?” “I’ve got to have a break.” She scanned the clinic; with MacNee up and running, there were no cases to watch, at least for the moment. She hoped Elena and the others would be able to cover everything. MacNee. Now she remembered — that was the name welded on the bulkhead. But that MacNee was dead. This couldn’t be the same Doug MacNee. “It’s almost shift end. Go ahead. But why the lamp?” A wave of guilt came over Miriam. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to see Allan one more time.” Elena shrugged. “There’s a pair of lamps in that locker. Take one. Check back as soon as you’re done, just in case we get hit with a load.” “I will,” Miriam said, wondering whether she was lying to Elena or telling the truth. She retrieved the lamp, picked up the self-powered warmer she’d dug out of a supply closet, and headed for the ship’s improvised mausoleum.