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Authors: Michael Burnside
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added that there should be an escape pod on our ship that we could use. I looked over at Hutchie. Lloyd and Sarah didn’t know about the life pods depleted oxygen supply. Hutchie leaned over to whisper to me. He reminded me that we set the distress beacon a few days ago, and there was a good chance that a rescue ship could already be on the way. I asked if there was enough oxygen for the four of us. Hutchie just answered with with a less than assuring maybe, before scooping Sarah up in his arms. I asked Lloyd if he was ready to move but he didn’t reply. I checked for a pulse or something but it was too late. He was gone.
We made our way back along the corridor leading to the huge chamber. Frank was beginning to stir but was knocked out again when Hutchie ran over and, without missing a step, kicked him in the head. ‘That’s for Lloyd’ is all he shouted.
I called for Hutchie to take the corridor nearest the container which contained the laser, hoping that it was the one that leads to the cargo bay of Hercules XXI. As we ran down the corridor, a humming noise came from all around the station. I figured it was the laser warming up. Time was obviously running out.
It turned out my suspicions were correct as the corridor turned into a boarding tunnel, and once we reached the end, we found ourselves inside the cargo bay of our ship.
Hutchie had already opened the life pod and lowered Sarah down into it. I opened the container were I stored the bomb and fortunately it was still there. I pulled one of the wires out and the bomb began to bleep. I looked closer and saw that the two canisters were beginning to mix. I took it over to Hutchie and asked where I should place it. He took it off me and told me to get into the pod. I could tell by the tone of his voice that something wasn’t right.
He asked me if it was fifteen minutes buffering time before the bomb would go off. I said that was what Lloyd told me. He then said that ten minutes ago Lloyd told us we had less than twenty-five minutes before the laser would fire. I was just about to ask what was he getting at, then I realised what he meant. The laser was going to fire before the bomb would go off. Hutchie told me again to get into the life pod but something about the way he said it made me think he wasn’t getting in himself. I climbed in and shouted at him to just throw the bomb away and get in.
I remember him just shaking his head and saying how he thought he could set the bomb off instantly. I started to protest but Hutchie told me I better get going while there was still time. He said he’d count to thirty as soon as the life pod is jettisoned and hoped we would see a good firework display. He added that with only two people the oxygen will last longer but the next time when in the bar together the drinks are on me. He gave a final laugh before closing the door to the pod. I pulled the release lever and we were shot out into space.
I looked out the window towards the Clarke and saw a silent flash of light. It cleared and I couldn’t see anything left of the Hercules but the Clarke began to rotate out of position. With a bit of luck even if the laser does fire, it will not be hitting the Aldrin. I think we’ve done it.
Log 0052
11:13 Friday 22 January 2178
Sarah has fallen asleep. She’s burning up quite a bit. I hope she’ll be alright.
Log 0053
14:23 Friday 22 January 2178
She’s still asleep. I’ve been doing some calculations with the oxygen readings and the distance we are from the soonest possible rescue.
We haven’t got enough oxygen. We’re both going to be dead before help arrives
Log 0054
15:14 Friday 22 January 2178
There is a way to make the oxygen last longer. There’s not enough for two but maybe one of us can get back.
There’s a compartment in the pod where waste can be placed, closed up and then dumped into space. I could fit a body into it.
Log 0055
15:33 Friday 22 January 2178
I’ve thought about it. I’m going to
We made our way back along the corridor leading to the huge chamber. Frank was beginning to stir but was knocked out again when Hutchie ran over and, without missing a step, kicked him in the head. ‘That’s for Lloyd’ is all he shouted.
I called for Hutchie to take the corridor nearest the container which contained the laser, hoping that it was the one that leads to the cargo bay of Hercules XXI. As we ran down the corridor, a humming noise came from all around the station. I figured it was the laser warming up. Time was obviously running out.
It turned out my suspicions were correct as the corridor turned into a boarding tunnel, and once we reached the end, we found ourselves inside the cargo bay of our ship.
Hutchie had already opened the life pod and lowered Sarah down into it. I opened the container were I stored the bomb and fortunately it was still there. I pulled one of the wires out and the bomb began to bleep. I looked closer and saw that the two canisters were beginning to mix. I took it over to Hutchie and asked where I should place it. He took it off me and told me to get into the pod. I could tell by the tone of his voice that something wasn’t right.
He asked me if it was fifteen minutes buffering time before the bomb would go off. I said that was what Lloyd told me. He then said that ten minutes ago Lloyd told us we had less than twenty-five minutes before the laser would fire. I was just about to ask what was he getting at, then I realised what he meant. The laser was going to fire before the bomb would go off. Hutchie told me again to get into the life pod but something about the way he said it made me think he wasn’t getting in himself. I climbed in and shouted at him to just throw the bomb away and get in.
I remember him just shaking his head and saying how he thought he could set the bomb off instantly. I started to protest but Hutchie told me I better get going while there was still time. He said he’d count to thirty as soon as the life pod is jettisoned and hoped we would see a good firework display. He added that with only two people the oxygen will last longer but the next time when in the bar together the drinks are on me. He gave a final laugh before closing the door to the pod. I pulled the release lever and we were shot out into space.
I looked out the window towards the Clarke and saw a silent flash of light. It cleared and I couldn’t see anything left of the Hercules but the Clarke began to rotate out of position. With a bit of luck even if the laser does fire, it will not be hitting the Aldrin. I think we’ve done it.
Log 0052
11:13 Friday 22 January 2178
Sarah has fallen asleep. She’s burning up quite a bit. I hope she’ll be alright.
Log 0053
14:23 Friday 22 January 2178
She’s still asleep. I’ve been doing some calculations with the oxygen readings and the distance we are from the soonest possible rescue.
We haven’t got enough oxygen. We’re both going to be dead before help arrives
Log 0054
15:14 Friday 22 January 2178
There is a way to make the oxygen last longer. There’s not enough for two but maybe one of us can get back.
There’s a compartment in the pod where waste can be placed, closed up and then dumped into space. I could fit a body into it.
Log 0055
15:33 Friday 22 January 2178
I’ve thought about it. I’m going to
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