Collateral Damage by K.S. Augustin

Author:K.S. Augustin
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780987317438
Publisher: Sandal Press
Published: 2013-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

The approach to Waryd’s habitat, when it finally flashed into view, was full of anxiety and excitement.

Knowing that she wasn’t up to the task, and mindful of the old machines that had sped past her, Meyal had taken advantage of her waiting time to command Waryd’s satellite-hopping protocols to connect her suit’s system to that of her orbital. There were a tense few minutes when she heard nothing but static, then the station chimed an acknowledgement and she was logged in.

Spinning slowly, thousands of kilometres away, she closed her eyes at that moment, thinking she was running more on luck than ability. After a few seconds of quiet, she took a breath and, punching in the relevant details, used the final hour of waiting to have the orbital calculate the most optimal approach vectors.

When her sensors beeped that the target was within range, Meyal switched propulsion controls to the computer, said a swift prayer and saw the orbital approach at terrifying speed, its hull gleaming a dull silver grey. Every instinct in her screamed to override the autopilot and slam on reverse thrusters. She was going to hit the station! Her helmet would impact the metal and crack open!

Meyal clenched her fists and watched, in dread, as she heard her suit’s power units continue its staccato rhythm of firings. Then, miraculously, the orbital seemed to slow. She put out a hand as the hull swam into reach. Five metres…four…three….

The magnetic pads on her gloves touched and held as the final jet finished the firing sequence, and Meyal hugged the metal, resting her helmet against the finely scored panels. She stayed in that position for several minutes, waiting until her breathing steadied and her heart slowed to its normal rhythm. When she thought she had herself under control, she leant back to get a better look of where she had landed. In a stroke of luck, the edge of an emergency hatch appeared on the curve of the hull, about ten metres away.

Securing the spare suit so it was only trailing a metre behind her, Meyal sidled her way over to the hatch. She asked her suit for details on the power situation within the orbital but was told that results were inconclusive.

“I wonder what that means,” she muttered.

Being an emergency exit, the hatch had its own independent power source. Meyal spotted the lever for the portal in a dip of metal and grabbed it firmly. She squatted over it, placing her feet and other hand squarely on the hull to provide some counterforce, then pulled it with a jerk. There was no sound, but Meyal felt vibrations as the hatch’s locks disengaged. Breathing a sigh of relief, she moved back to the exit and levered the door open with an elbow, entering the orbital and dragging the spare suit in with her. After a moment’s reflection, she unlatched the tether with relief and secured the spare to a nearby hook before looking around.

It was almost completely dark inside. Meyal

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