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Read Ebook: In the Earth's Shadow by Chapman John L John Leslie
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Ebook has 78 lines and 5177 words, and 2 pages
He removed a metal space suit from a locker, donned it and clumped awkwardly up a stairway leading to the upper level. He crossed to a second airlock, advanced through, and stepped lightly onto the top of Siegal's ship. He dropped flat and crawled to the supply lock, through which a ship's food bundles were loaded. He grasped the latch firmly, and waited.
A minute later the little cruiser moved into space. Behind, Fuel Station 12 continued its Earthward fall. Ferris watched it go, his heart heavy. All his belongings went with Station 12, all the things he had called his home for six long years. He wondered about Brooks. The fellow's cruiser was drifting lifelessly to one side, no doubt having been cut free by Siegal. There was no evidence of Brooks' whereabouts.
Ferris clung to the heavy latch as Siegal's cruiser slipped away in space. Above and all around him hovered the vast outline of Earth, the continents and oceans showing dimly through the deep shadows. To the left was the Moon, drifting aimlessly along the great star-curtain.
Ferris tugged at the latch. It moved a little. He tugged again and it sprang free. Ferris stood up, straddled the circular lock, and pulled back the cover. Air rushed out. Through the narrow hole he saw the tiny storage compartment. Satisfied, he let himself through and dropped to the floor, pulling the cover back in place as he did so.
The room was small--only a few feet higher than Ferris, not much longer. The sound of the oxygen pumps grew louder for a moment, as the semi-vacuum was being replaced.
Ferris waited several minutes, then removed the space suit. Finding the air suitable, he stepped to the compartment door, opened it a crack, and peered out.
Steps led downward to a brief corridor. Beyond the corridor, a portion of the control room was visible.
Ferris moved out, went down the steps and proceeded cautiously along the corridor.
He put a hand to his forehead; a sudden dizziness swept through him. He leaned against the wall, rubbing his eyes. There was blood on his sleeve.
He couldn't remember how long he waited there; it may have been a number of minutes. He could feel his sickness overcoming him. He was weakening.
A footstep sounded, and Ferris tried to open his eyes. Then he turned to go back, but a voice stopped him. It was Siegal's.
There was no use resisting. Siegal still had the drop on him. The convict led him into the control cabin, forced him into a seat.
"You're a good man, Ferris," Siegal said, "but not good enough. I might be able to use you, though--more or less as a shield when I get to the Moon."
Somewhat revived, Ferris looked up. His head still hurt him, but he was able to recollect his surroundings. He thought of Fuel Station 12--it would be nearing Earth now. Soon it would strike, and then Galsworth would be notified. Things would begin to happen.
"Brooks reporting."
Siegal swung, shouting angrily. But the youth was on him, knocking the beam gun away, pinning him against the wall of the cabin. Ferris watched dazedly, wondering where Brooks had come from. Nauseating sensations swept him again, and things went black for a moment. He heard Siegal's yells. A blow was struck, and Brooks tumbled back.
Ferris pushed himself from the stool and fell over the beam gun. As Siegal bore Brooks to the floor, Ferris rolled over, brought up his arm and pulled the trigger. His aim was bad, but the beam did its work. Siegal simply went limp.
For a long minute Ferris lay there, looking up at the youthful form of Brooks over him. He grinned.
"Good work, Brooks. You make a better stowaway than I do."
"This is the first time," said Galsworth, "I've ever seen bandages on you, Ferris."
"I came to talk business, Galsworth. At least, you called me here for that reason, didn't you?"
The company head placed a pudgy fist against his palm. "Of course. I thought you'd like to know why you were called in from 12."
"Because you wanted to send Brooks there. Well, that's okay. He's a good man--"
"No, not just that. We've a passenger pilot's license for you, if you want it. Something we've been planning for some time. You're the only one of our station operators who has passed the exams."
Ferris grew red in the face. "Then, all this was just a--promotion?"
Galsworth nodded. "When the new Station 12 is situated, Brooks will take over. We've better things for you. Willing?"
To Ferris, it was overwhelming--more so than it had been aboard Siegal's cruiser. He felt suddenly as if he would faint--the wound--
He did faint right there in Galsworth's office, but when he revived Galsworth was still smiling. It was all right--after six years!
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