Ch 1 P.7. Race To The Lab

The voice of the engineer came across the speakers. “Doctor Linden, this is Joel. If you're doing what I suspect, you'll only get an increase of point zero three three thrust.”

Marle answered, “Well, hell. But you know what? The shield is trying to meet me halfway. Listen. Is there a way you can open the bay remotely? I'm kind of in a hurry.”

Marle had to hold the connection; it was an effort to keep his hand in place without touching it to metal. He kept his eyes forward, noting that the bay door was sliding back.

“Thanks,” said Marle.

Felix spoke. “Not your smartest move, man.”

Marle replied, “This experiment means too much. I have to protect it.”

Hera spoke again. “Marle? We have a rolling wave. From all indications, we're going to get hit hard.”

“Yeah,” said Marle. “I thought as much. Just be there when I return.”

“That will depend on our orientation,” said Joel.

Marle felt his arm trembling to maintain the exertion. Even though there was no gravity in the jet, keeping his arm extended and his hand steady was a chore. “I understand that,” said Marle.

Hera said, “You may be stuck a while.”

Marle answered smoothly, “And I'll be thinking of you.”

Joel said, “We'll need to adjust from our final orientation before opening the shields.”

Hera said, “I'll be waiting.”

Marle could see the open bay just ahead. “I'm almost in,” said Marle, smiling with anticipation. “I have a birthday gift for you.”

Hera said, “Oh?”

Marle could imagine a smile on her face. “Yeah,” said Marle. “I've been hanging onto it for a long time. I've wanted to give it to you for a while, and I thought my birthday would be a great opportunity.”

Hera replied with a happy voice. “I see. Can I try to guess what it is?”

“You'll never guess,” said Marle.

He was close. Marle released the connection and flexed his hand. He was set to coast into the bay, but he needed to put the lead where it had come from to access the jet's braking. He reached inside and found the connection with his pinky. Marle discovered that putting the lead back was harder than getting it out. He was beginning to worry; if the jet hit the inner door without braking, it might bounce back out of the bay. Not a good place to be at the moment.

Hera asked, “Can you give me a clue?”

“Maybe,” answered Marle. “You get three questions.”

As he waited for Hera's first question, Marle was relieved to insert the lead. The braking jets fired, albeit somewhat late. The jet hit the inner bay door and began a slow drift back as the outer door began to close. Would he get caught in the door? Would the jet exit the bay and get pushed against the closing door? Would the jet settle in an odd position, causing further delay?

Hera asked, “Is it big?”

“Very,” answered Marle.

Hera laughed and asked, “Is it a personal item?”

Marle watched the drift of the jet. It struck the closing door and moved forward again. He was glad to see his orientation was true. He answered Hera's question. “It's been in the family for fifty years.”

Just then, the green wave struck. Marle's jet bounced around in the bay. The outer door was closed, the inner door was sliding open, the packs at the back of the jet opened, but the jet had settled awkwardly. Marle fell out and on the floor, scrambling to reach the inner bay door before it closed.