Searchers by J J Mathews

Author:J J Mathews [J. J. Mathews]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J J Mathews

The sick bag carefully secured in the lift and Miya feeling a little better, Thomas led her along the round central shaft slowly, working from hand hold to hand hold in zero gravity. Fortunately, the handholds were all over, easy to reach but inset between thick pads, so you didn’t injure yourself if you ended up banging up against a wall.

“Better now?” Thomas looked at her with concern. “Did you need another sick bag?”

Miya began to shake her head, then thought better of it. “I’m fine. I forgot that there wouldn’t be any gravity up here.”

“We’re on the axis. Of course, there’s no gravity.”

Miya nodded as Thomas pulled himself into a brightly lit room. He tugged a bulky suit away from the wall and began to undo parts of it.

“What are those?”

“Space suits,” Thomas wriggled out of his clothes until he was just wearing his underwear.

“Space … suits.”

“Yes, of course. How else do you think we’re going to be able to go outside?”

Miya’s face paled. “We’re … going outside? Out there?”

“Yep,” Thomas slid his legs into the bottom half of the suit.

“Out into space?”

“Yep.”

“But there’s … no air out there.”

“Nope. And it’s cold, too, really cold.”

Miya’s eyes darted around the room. “Um … I’m not sure we should be doing this.”

“Why not?” Thomas pulled the upper half of the suit down over himself.

“Maybe we’re not allowed.”

Thomas sealed the bottom half of his suit to the top. “Of course we’re allowed. We’re Searchers, and this is part of our job. And I’m your supervisor, and this is a training session. Now, suit up.”

Miya suddenly found it hard to breathe. “Um…”

Thomas floated over to her and gripped her arms. “Just take it slowly. You’ll be fine, really. I promise.”

Miya looked at him doubtfully. “I’m sorry for teasing you earlier. I really, really mean it. You don’t have to do this.”

Thomas shook his head. “This isn’t a joke, and I’m not getting back at you for anything. This is really part of our job. Usually, the new recruits take a while to build up the courage to come up to the platform. Heck, I tried to put it off for nearly a month, until my supervisor forced me to come. But you, you came right up here, bold as blazes, on your very first day. But that’s just you, Miya. Bold and brave.”

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

A freshly opened sick bag miraculously appeared in Thomas’ left hand. “In the bag.”

Miya nodded and covered her mouth with the bag, but she didn’t throw up this time. Gradually, her stomach settled, and she pulled the bag away. “I’m okay, I think.”

Thomas looked at her with concern. “Are you sure? Better in the bag than inside your suit, if you’ve got anything left to throw up. Vomit in your visor means a real emergency. You could die.”

Miya quickly pulled the bag back to her mouth and emptied the rest of her lunch into the bag, then carefully sealed it. “Wipe.”

Thomas shook his head. “Sorry, not in here.

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