into a low orbit wouldn`t it be possible, though we are at different altitudes, to figure out a way to get it to you? If we matched our direction and speed maybe we could stretch the limits of the spaceplane. It should be possible because it was built for commercial aviation and they make stuff used by the public extra safe so they won’t get sued. You’ve got smart people on board can’t you guys figure this thing out?” she said exasperated.
“Sara what you are saying makes sense but we don’t believe it is worth risking your lives. This is such an extreme long shot that we all believe you and Jack should just hunker down and wait it out. Things are bound to improve you are young and you have lots to live for,” said Steve.
“Steve, it’s me Jack, I agree with Sara I don’t want to sit around doing nothing waiting for the world to get better. This is our shot to change things and we want to try it. If you have a better idea tell us but if you don’t then it is time to “get with the program” we are offering you a chance at survival. Don’t you think that is worth a few risks?” “Okay Jack, we’re about to go round the corner, so here’s what we’ll do. We’ll brainstorm this and do some rough calculations but in the meanwhile I want you to get some rest and stay safe, we’ll talk again in the morning. Okay?”
“Okay,” Jack said.
“I promise that we’ll seriously check out your plan,” Steve said.
The evening sky had darkened with rain clouds as they were talking and Jack closed and locked the skylight as the first drops started to fall. They made their way through the dark house to the basement. There was an awkward moment before getting into bed but it did not last long because they were both exhausted. He turned off the flashlight and with the light gone he lay listening to her breathing in the darkness. He knew she was not asleep and he asked her, “Do you think we can do it?”
Her voice was soft when she answered, “I don’t know but I know I want to try,” she said.
“Have you ever saved the world before?” he said.
“Very funny,” she said giggling.
They lay in silence and soon he heard the steady even sound of her breathing and it lulled him into a deep sleep.
Chapter Six
When Jack woke he felt heat on his back. He thought it was the sunlight coming through the window but when he turned over he realized it was coming from Sara. Her tee shirt was soaked through with perspiration and her breathing was shallow and laboured, she looked deathly pale in the morning light. He tried to wake her and panicked when she would not rouse. Her skin was hot when he touched her face, he was convinced she was dying and he panicked. He checked the time it was twelve minutes before the ISS would be online again. He ran up the stairs and threw open the skylight jamming the whip antenna up through the opening.
“Jack to ISS Jack to ISS”, he said repeating it over and over.
“What is it Jack what’s wrong?” It was Wendy Randall, the ISS Commander.
“It’s Sara she is really sick. She is burning up and breathing funny I think she’s dying,” he shouted.
“Has she been injured? Did something happen to her?” she said.
“She has a gash on her arm where I think a dog bit her,” he said.
“It sounds like she has an infection can you get to a pharmacy?” she said.
“Yes, yes what do I get, what do I do?” he shouted.
“First calm down Jack she will be alright if you do what I tell you but you have to remain calm to help her. Have you got something to write on?”
Sinclair’s Pharmacy was on Porter Road in a small strip mall between Carter’s Country Grocers and Geni’s Hair Palace. He circled past it once and from the outside the Pharmacy looked normal. There was no way to park directly in front of the door but he found a place within twenty five feet which, because he was worried about Sara, was close enough. He was in a near panic, worried that she would die while
“Sara what you are saying makes sense but we don’t believe it is worth risking your lives. This is such an extreme long shot that we all believe you and Jack should just hunker down and wait it out. Things are bound to improve you are young and you have lots to live for,” said Steve.
“Steve, it’s me Jack, I agree with Sara I don’t want to sit around doing nothing waiting for the world to get better. This is our shot to change things and we want to try it. If you have a better idea tell us but if you don’t then it is time to “get with the program” we are offering you a chance at survival. Don’t you think that is worth a few risks?” “Okay Jack, we’re about to go round the corner, so here’s what we’ll do. We’ll brainstorm this and do some rough calculations but in the meanwhile I want you to get some rest and stay safe, we’ll talk again in the morning. Okay?”
“Okay,” Jack said.
“I promise that we’ll seriously check out your plan,” Steve said.
The evening sky had darkened with rain clouds as they were talking and Jack closed and locked the skylight as the first drops started to fall. They made their way through the dark house to the basement. There was an awkward moment before getting into bed but it did not last long because they were both exhausted. He turned off the flashlight and with the light gone he lay listening to her breathing in the darkness. He knew she was not asleep and he asked her, “Do you think we can do it?”
Her voice was soft when she answered, “I don’t know but I know I want to try,” she said.
“Have you ever saved the world before?” he said.
“Very funny,” she said giggling.
They lay in silence and soon he heard the steady even sound of her breathing and it lulled him into a deep sleep.
Chapter Six
When Jack woke he felt heat on his back. He thought it was the sunlight coming through the window but when he turned over he realized it was coming from Sara. Her tee shirt was soaked through with perspiration and her breathing was shallow and laboured, she looked deathly pale in the morning light. He tried to wake her and panicked when she would not rouse. Her skin was hot when he touched her face, he was convinced she was dying and he panicked. He checked the time it was twelve minutes before the ISS would be online again. He ran up the stairs and threw open the skylight jamming the whip antenna up through the opening.
“Jack to ISS Jack to ISS”, he said repeating it over and over.
“What is it Jack what’s wrong?” It was Wendy Randall, the ISS Commander.
“It’s Sara she is really sick. She is burning up and breathing funny I think she’s dying,” he shouted.
“Has she been injured? Did something happen to her?” she said.
“She has a gash on her arm where I think a dog bit her,” he said.
“It sounds like she has an infection can you get to a pharmacy?” she said.
“Yes, yes what do I get, what do I do?” he shouted.
“First calm down Jack she will be alright if you do what I tell you but you have to remain calm to help her. Have you got something to write on?”
Sinclair’s Pharmacy was on Porter Road in a small strip mall between Carter’s Country Grocers and Geni’s Hair Palace. He circled past it once and from the outside the Pharmacy looked normal. There was no way to park directly in front of the door but he found a place within twenty five feet which, because he was worried about Sara, was close enough. He was in a near panic, worried that she would die while
Similar Books
