Read Online Space Station Crisis: Star Challengers Book 2 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, June Scobee Rodgers - Free Book Online Page B
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could forget they were on an emergency footing.
The intercom crackled. “This is Lieutenant Kontis. We are in the Equipment Module, suiting up now. We expect to egress in fifteen minutes.”
“Don’t slack on safety, Lieutenant,” Ansari said.
“Sounds like my Uncle Buzz,” JJ murmured to Song-Ye. “Safety first.”
“We’re not taking any shortcuts, Stationmaster, but time is of the essence,” Kontis replied. “However, Kimbrell and I are moving a bit slower than usual. That lunch isn’t sitting well with either of us.”
Dr. Romero was very concerned about the other two members of the satellite team. “Both of you look gray.” She placed her palm against Major Rodgers’s forehead, then pressed her fingers against the side of his neck. “You feel clammy, and your pulse is fast.”
Rodgers waved her away with false cheer. “I can hold on until they seal off the breach. Plenty of time to give us all a once-over later.” Romero mumbled something resigned about military officers needing to look tough.
Concerned but all business, Ansari suggested the crew return to Central in order to see and communicate with the outside team.
“I’ve got a full view from my observatory module,” d’Almeida offered. “I can keep a lookout from there. Any of you are welcome to come along.”
Major Rodgers decided to stay posted beside the controls for the ISSC’s robotic arms that were mounted to the exterior of the station, in case the two space-walkers needed any assistance. As payload specialist for the satellite, Rodgers was the most proficient in using the complex remote-controlled robot arm.
Bronsky said, “I will also suit up if necessary. Aside from Lifchez, I’m the only EVA-trained backup.”
Ansari led them through the maze of modules, through hatches and node rooms, bypassing Hab 1, which was sealed because of the leak. Song-Ye was glad to be moving again, because it distracted her from her unsettling space-sickness. She was pretty sure her own queasiness wasn’t the same thing the five members of the satellite team were suffering. She was particularly worried to see the troubled look on Dr. Romero, who was normally very calm and cool.
Hovering beside her, Dyl reached out to poke Song-Ye gently on the arm, a teasing gesture that sent her floating toward the opposite wall. She pushed herself back in the right direction and made a face at him, but she could read his concern. “You all right?” he asked. “You look like you’re about to take a final exam you haven’t studied for.”
“I’m fine, Junior.” She realized she sounded testy, but she didn’t mean it. “I never realized how much I appreciated gravity. This is like being seasick in three dimensions.”
Pi arrived in Central first and clipped himself with a flexible strap to the communication station; he floated in midair, as comfortable as if he were sitting in a chair.
Over the intercom, Lieutenant Kontis reported, “Kirnbrell and I have completed our suit-up procedures and are prepared to exit the hatch. Decompression complete in the chamber.”
An external camera showed two bulky suited figures emerging from a large bay. JJ and Tony drifted over to one of the wide viewing windows in Central. “We can see them from here.”
Dyl and King joined them. Song-Ye moved a bit closer, but felt unsettled by looking out into the starry blackness. The two figures outside moved forward, painstakingly making their way across the ISSC’s hull. They pulled themselves along by handholds, tethered to the station like floating mountain climbers.
Tony’s voice sparkled with excitement. “Don’t you wish we could be out there?”
Song-Ye felt it best not to answer, but JJ sounded just as excited. “It could happen—just wait.”
The two space-suited figures attached their tethers to another external hook, then moved forward again. “We see the leak now, Stationmaster—a tiny spray of atmosphere,” Kontis said.
Her partner burped
The intercom crackled. “This is Lieutenant Kontis. We are in the Equipment Module, suiting up now. We expect to egress in fifteen minutes.”
“Don’t slack on safety, Lieutenant,” Ansari said.
“Sounds like my Uncle Buzz,” JJ murmured to Song-Ye. “Safety first.”
“We’re not taking any shortcuts, Stationmaster, but time is of the essence,” Kontis replied. “However, Kimbrell and I are moving a bit slower than usual. That lunch isn’t sitting well with either of us.”
Dr. Romero was very concerned about the other two members of the satellite team. “Both of you look gray.” She placed her palm against Major Rodgers’s forehead, then pressed her fingers against the side of his neck. “You feel clammy, and your pulse is fast.”
Rodgers waved her away with false cheer. “I can hold on until they seal off the breach. Plenty of time to give us all a once-over later.” Romero mumbled something resigned about military officers needing to look tough.
Concerned but all business, Ansari suggested the crew return to Central in order to see and communicate with the outside team.
“I’ve got a full view from my observatory module,” d’Almeida offered. “I can keep a lookout from there. Any of you are welcome to come along.”
Major Rodgers decided to stay posted beside the controls for the ISSC’s robotic arms that were mounted to the exterior of the station, in case the two space-walkers needed any assistance. As payload specialist for the satellite, Rodgers was the most proficient in using the complex remote-controlled robot arm.
Bronsky said, “I will also suit up if necessary. Aside from Lifchez, I’m the only EVA-trained backup.”
Ansari led them through the maze of modules, through hatches and node rooms, bypassing Hab 1, which was sealed because of the leak. Song-Ye was glad to be moving again, because it distracted her from her unsettling space-sickness. She was pretty sure her own queasiness wasn’t the same thing the five members of the satellite team were suffering. She was particularly worried to see the troubled look on Dr. Romero, who was normally very calm and cool.
Hovering beside her, Dyl reached out to poke Song-Ye gently on the arm, a teasing gesture that sent her floating toward the opposite wall. She pushed herself back in the right direction and made a face at him, but she could read his concern. “You all right?” he asked. “You look like you’re about to take a final exam you haven’t studied for.”
“I’m fine, Junior.” She realized she sounded testy, but she didn’t mean it. “I never realized how much I appreciated gravity. This is like being seasick in three dimensions.”
Pi arrived in Central first and clipped himself with a flexible strap to the communication station; he floated in midair, as comfortable as if he were sitting in a chair.
Over the intercom, Lieutenant Kontis reported, “Kirnbrell and I have completed our suit-up procedures and are prepared to exit the hatch. Decompression complete in the chamber.”
An external camera showed two bulky suited figures emerging from a large bay. JJ and Tony drifted over to one of the wide viewing windows in Central. “We can see them from here.”
Dyl and King joined them. Song-Ye moved a bit closer, but felt unsettled by looking out into the starry blackness. The two figures outside moved forward, painstakingly making their way across the ISSC’s hull. They pulled themselves along by handholds, tethered to the station like floating mountain climbers.
Tony’s voice sparkled with excitement. “Don’t you wish we could be out there?”
Song-Ye felt it best not to answer, but JJ sounded just as excited. “It could happen—just wait.”
The two space-suited figures attached their tethers to another external hook, then moved forward again. “We see the leak now, Stationmaster—a tiny spray of atmosphere,” Kontis said.
Her partner burped
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