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d dropping around Hicks as he watched them return to
the lounge and chatting over more drinks. Christ, the largest part of ninety
minutes had gone quickly, watching them.
Moments later it was pitch black and time to resume his interrupted journey.
He put his hand out to pick up the tube. It wasn't there. Oh, he must have
put it back in his belt. Nope, it wasn't there either. Ummm, where was it?
His skin crawled.
He'd put it down. In zero gravity. He frantically looked around for it, but
it was nowhere to be seen.
Reluctantly he looked outwards, and quickly spotted the tube glinting in the
moonlight, dozens of meters away at least. It might as well be on the other
side of the Solar system, it was just as untouchable.
For a moment he hated himself like no other, then realised his mistake was
an entirely human one. He could replace the tube and try again, but he'd
almost certainly be posted before then.
No doubt there'd be another time.
Slowly he turned his back on the corner of the station and headed back to
the airlock. He'd refill the oxygen in the suit and re-enable the airlock
sensors to leave no trace of his presence. No close yet so far...
Ripley awoke two hours before dawn, and tossed and turned until Saki Aibu realised
she wasn't
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