Sci-Fi-Rag (Shoot the Moon


	CHAPTER 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- “I wonder when room service is coming?” Keetrix asked loudly. His voice echoing off the metal walls of the space freighter. “Ssshhh!!!!” Mandro answered nervously, “they’ll hear you!” His dirty face appeared from behind a stack of polySteel crates. “Are you kidding? I’d wager there’s not a soul on this entire side of the convoy.” Keetrix said, jumping noisily to the grated floor of the space freighter. Anxiously, Mandro Rilon peered his head over the metallic containters. “Considering what’s at stake, I think we ought to be more cautious!” He scolded, calling out after his carefree companion. The cavernous interior of the space freighter was built for functionality not for asthetics. Stout metal beams ribbed the long walls and ceilings. Hundreds of metal crates arranged into tall stacks surrounded the two men. Like thick blocky trunks in a forest of steel. “I told you it would work!” Keetrix said, hoisting himself onto a drum cylinder. “Our prison guards weren’t exactly rocket scientists.” He crossed his arms and kicked out his feet in an awkward dance. His long legs gave him the look of an awkward marionette as his feet thumped up and down on the hollow metal drum. “What if they see we’re missing and send a ship out after us, or signal the freight captain to turn this convoy around?” Mandro said. The marionette came to an abrupt halt. “Look, my friend, we made it!...We’re free! No more of that stinking mining outpost, no more prison, no more guards! We did it! We’re out!” Keetrix said. “Still, I don’t think it will hurt us to be quiet. You never know what might happen.” Mandro warned. “Stop being so gloomy! Relax! You remind me of my mother.” Keetrix sighed. “What’s next anyway?” Mandro shrugged. His stained and greasy prison coveralls fell over his drooping shoulders. His once tall, stocky frame had thinned considerably after three hard years of slave labor. Nervously he peered around the dark confines of the space-bound freight transport. The smell of cold dusty steel filled the air, this new metal home felt unwelcoming. Mandro felt as if it's sharp edges and loud echos could never lead to the warm and happiness of freedom. Keetrix sprang down off the cylinder landing lightly on the grated floor. The years of hard labor had slimmed his form and stooped his back, but he still carried himself with a flash of recklessness. The tall dark-haired man sauntered across the grating to where his companion hid, crouched behind a metal crate. “So… Mandro! What are you going to do when we get to the space port?” Keetrix asked, turning his gaze upward. “I don’t know whether I’ll head to the restaurant, the bar or chase some girls.” A sly smile grew on his leathery face. His scruffy beard and tattered prison coveralls gave him the appearance of a man stranded on a desert island. “I should think you’ll need to head to the shower first” Mandro quipped. “Look who’s talking,” Keetrix said, pushing Mandro’s shoulder playfully.”If you want something to worry about, worry that your stench doesn’t drift ahead of us and give us away.” Mandro strode over to some crates and collapsed into a seat. He gave a sigh which rose up from the bottom of his soul. His shoulders loosened as he felt the tension begin to lift out of his tired body. He hadn’t slept at all the previous night. He’d been going over the escape plan again and again in his head. He’d almost chickened out several times in the weeks before. Ultimately he finally committed that he would go through with it even if it killed him. Even so, his nerves were so raw he could barely move this morning. Already this morning seemed like a lifetime passed. He’d wondered how Keetrix could do it. How could he remain so casual? How he could be so sure? From where did his endless confidence flow? Over time Keetrix had earned his greatest respect and his greatest disdain. Mandro knew Keetrix to be a creative problem solver, which made him a great companion. The flip side was that Keetrix was so reckless, that if he didn’t have a streak of luck a mile wide, he’d have been dead years ago. This, of course, was the part that Mandro could never swallow. With any problem, Keetrix always offered the most cavalier, flamboyant solution first. Mandro had long ago concluded that Keetrix must thrive on the thrill of the gamble. It’s no wonder Keetrix wound up in that Mining Slave Colony, no doubt some spectactular gambit went south and he found himself on the wrong side of a slaver’s scuttle. He'd often wondered why fate had thrust him together with this man who seemed hand crafted to be his exact opposite. Keetrix was an extravagently fateful man, Mandro had no doubt that Keetrix's life would one day be remembered in song. The only question was would the ending be happy or tragic. Mandro had benefited from Keetrix’s luck this time, but as soon as possible, he aimed to part ways and get back to his former life. He could barely remember the time before the slave mines. That part of his life had been hidden away in his memory. Drawing it out and remembering it proved too painful to bear. It was almost unbearable to revisit those memories now. He’d been a technical clerk on an industrial outpost convoy. The pay had lured him, and the promise of opportunity. Apparently the recruiter had failed to mention the possibility of space pirates. Three long years he rotted in the slave mines. He’d almost been lulled into giving up all hope when Keetrix arrived. Keetrix’s outlandish plans for rebellions and coups desperately needed Mandro’s dose of reality bring them within the realm of possibility. Now, three long years later, he almost didn’t dare to hope that this ordeal could be over. After several hours, the newly free pair began to investigate the huge space-bound freight container that was their new home. They needed to figure out how they would sustain themselves until the next port of call. Then the question would be how to get off this transport. Soon Mandro located a data entry console in the freight control booth of the transport. Accessing the ships database, He began to sift through the indexed manifest of the ship’s freight containers. "Looks like this convoy is carrying 38 containers, 21 are owned by a company called InterGal holdings, and 17 are leased to private corporations." Mandro said, pointing to the small screen in front of him. "How'd you find that out?" Keetrix asked. "I told you, I used to be a clerk for an outpost colony." Mandro said, his fingers clicking over the keyboard. "Well why don't you find something useful, like which box has any food in it." Keetrix bent over and peered at the markings on a small crate. “Portal 17 has about a hundred year supply of dried nuts.” He said. Tapping through screens of data. “Sound’s great!” Keetrix said, “sometimes you feel like a nut.” “Sorry,” Mandro replied, not looking up, “that portal is equipped with motion sensors, must not like those warehouse rats coming along for the ride.” Keetrix entered a small room against the outer wall. The room doubled for a temporary office and contained some lockers, file cabinets and scattered office equipment. Keetrix rummaged through the room, while Mandro continued to query the database. ”Any idea how long this flight is?” Keetrix asked, examining the contents of a discarded shoulder bag. “I figure it’s got to be less than a week, based on the refrigeration and oxygen resources.” Mandro responded. “Although I may be mistaken.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Keetrix asked, opening a cabinet of cleaning supplies. “It’s just that some of these numbers don’t add up.” Mandro murmured. “Don’t think too hard, professor, you probably breathed too many mining fumes.” The two continued discovering their new environment and learning to cope with their new freedom. Even the freedom to choose any action was intoxicating. Keetrix continued to rummage through the abandoned office. Mandro continued clicking through screens at the wall-mounted data port. After some time, Mandro's brow became creased. “I don’t understand it.” Mandro said sitting back in the chair. “It doesn’t make sense.” “What?” Keetrix asked, standing up. “The fuel consumption, the tonnage, and the freight seals don’t reconcile.” Mandro explained. “So?” “So, there are space freight containers in this convoy that are not included in the database.” Mandro intoned. “Big deal, I’m sure these freight companies are all smugglers anyway.” Keetrix dismissed. “That’s the only way to make any real money anyway.” “Yeah, but not in their own records, “ Mandro paused. “I’m watching these numbers as they come in, these things are practically untraceable.” “Look, if it doesn’t contribute directly to me getting alongside my first hot meal in years, I’m not interested.” Keetrix quipped. "Uh-oh, hang on, what’s this?” Keetrix pried the door open to the first of three tall lockers. “Bingo!” Keetrix said, pointing toward Mandro, “My luck continues, computer boy. May I present to you our escape plan? … No need for applause.” “What is it?” Mandro asked, turning. “InterGal Employee uniforms. With ID badges.” Keetrix grinned. “Although I think I’d take clownsuit, as long as it was clean.” Keetrix lifted the blue jumpsuits out of the lockers. His toothy grin flashed across the small room. “I’d have found them sooner or later.” Mandro replied. “Oh why don’t you just say it!” Keetrix shuffled over, putting his hands on Mandro’s chair. “Say what?” “Say I’m the luckiest guy you’ve ever met!” Keetrix grinned. “I’ll say what I’ve always said.” Mandro said, folding his arms. “What’s that?” “I don’t want to be there when the law of averages catches up with you.” Mandro said with a grin. “You are the king of all pessimists.” Keetrix shook his head. “If you are so lucky, “ Mandro sneered, “Then what were you doing in a slave colony?” "All part of the grand plan.” Keetrix said smugly. CHAPTER 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------- The two companions explored their new habitat. The large cargo area was divided into three massive aisles of stacked metal crates, creating two corridors across the long floor. Multiple tracks criss-crossed above the crates. Enormous robotic arms sat motionless at the end of each track, waiting to zip to life, gliding effortlessly along the tracks to load and unload the countless crates and boxes. In the back sat the small room that held the data port and the lockers. The two stowaways had drug some crates together to form make-shift beds, and a crude living area. A small nest in the stark metal walls. There was an apprehensive calm that fell over the cargo hold. The quiet emptiness felt like a trap. Each man lingered near the other, subconsciously needing the other’s presence. “I haven’t heard this quietness in years.” Mandro whispered. “Just my luck,” Keetrix said, looking up, “you’ll probably snore like a jet engine.” “I don’t know if I can sleep with this quiet.” Mandro laughed. “How about I rattle a couple of crates to give you that old homey feeling of the slave barracks?” Keetrix asked. After an interminable eternity, the two finally fell asleep, apprehensive but hopeful. The next day brought a new sense of purpose. The two men scoured the manifest for useful items. After several hours of labor, the two had improved their situation considerably. Investigation and modest manipulation had converted some office equipment into a crude lock pick set. Close analyis of the bill of lading revealed a number of crates containing food, soft goods or other items useful to recently freed men. The two men discovered that the crates could be opened with their crude lock pick set, given enough practice and patience. As the days rolled on, apprehension turned to impatience. “Geez, this place is driving me crazy.” Keetrix said, closing his eyes. “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Mandro quipped, “maybe next time we should have snuck onto a luxury liner.” “I have no idea which space port we’re headed for.” Mandro sighed, “but I don’t think we have the fuel for more than another week or so.” “For months I rotted in my cell dreaming of breaking out, but this journey seems like it will never end.” Keetrix said. “You know, we don’t even know if they’re going to open this cargo hold when we get to the port.” Mandro warned. Keetrix closed his eyes, exhaustion clear on his face. “If they don’t open it, I’m going to go ballistic and cut a whole in the side myself.” “We’ll figure something out,” maybe we can set off a pressure sensor or something to get someone to check it out. Someone will have to come check out this freight container sooner or later. ” Mandro offered. “Maybe we can make a break for it and somehow melt into the crowd at the space port.” “That’s your plan?” Keetrix quipped. “Hang out on the space port? I’m not going to sit on some backwater space port and hope some space bus shows up. We’ve got to commandeer some ship or bribe some captain to take us home.” “And wind up right back in prison?” Mandro retorted. “Are you crazy, we’ve got to stay off the radar for awhile. We need to be about as vanilla as they come. I think if we can pick up a little work, we can save up for a ticket out.” “Work?” Keetrix said distastefully, “I thought we just escaped the life of forced labor. Look we just got a second lease on life, what good is it if we’re going to pump gas on some backgalaxy space port?” “Don’t you get it?” Mandro jabbed his finger at Keetrix. “Not all of life is a circus ride. You don’t have to take unneeded risks just to get your thrills. Some of us just want a simple life with a little security. I’m not going to let you run off and do some fool headed stunt and endanger my new freedom.” “You can’t tell me what to do!” Keetrix snapped, exhaustion turning to anger. “I don’t know why I brought you on this stupid trip anyway. I should have left you to rot in your cell with your simple life and security.” Turning away, he slammed his fist into the wall, echoing through the cargo hold. The hours passed like years, crawling into days. Mandro spent hours at the data port in the cargo hold's freight office. Scanning and rescanning every portion of the database, scouring for any information that might be useful. "Anything useful?" Keetrix asked? "Maybe." Mandro mused. "I've just read the logs from some transmission from the port authority." "Yeah?" "It looks like some of the cargo holds, including ours, are going to be culled out and brought to a staging area. All the cargo traces back to this company called InterGal Holdings." "Probably a front." "Exactly. But the question is for who? The unusual thing is the cargo is being culled out BEFORE the port inspection." "What kind of cargo is it?" "Well, who knows." Mandro shrugged. "I can pretty much guarantee the cargo isn't what's on the bill of lading." "So what do we do?" Keetrix asked. "Not much we can do." Mandro pushed away from the console. "We'll never dock at space port, we aren't technically even entering the space port. Our only contact with the outside universe will be when some tugShip ferries us to the new staging area." "Is it a manned tug?" Keetrix asked grinning? "Probably not," Mandro asked, eyes narrowing,"Why, what crack-pot scheme are you dreaming up?" "Nothing special, it's just that I've been bullied and bossed around for a few years, I'd just like to be behind the wheel again for awhile." Keetrix explained. "Well, judging by the change in gravity, you should get your chance pretty soon." Mandro said, looking up reflexively. "I'd say this little freedom train has just hit the station." "What's your plan to get onto the tugShip?" Mandro asked, arms folded. "I figured after all the time you've been studying that computer you'd know what the secret key code was by now." Keetrix grinned. "Well, nothing as glamorous as all that," Mandro motioned, "but I've discovered how to bring this cargo hold into a diagnostic self check. I think it will probably cycle the locks as a part of the self check. If we time it right, we can get the access panel open during the lock cycle." "That's the best you can do?" Keetrix's eyebrow's lifted. "That's the computer-whiz's crack plan?" "Well, if that doesn't work out, there's always plan B" Mandro said, rubbing his neck. "What's plan B?" Keetrix asked. "That's where you come in." Mandro smiled, holding up a length of pipe. "You can bring the access panel around to your way of thinking." "You've got to be kidding me!" Keetrix winced. "All part of the grand plan." Mandro replied. CHAPTER 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- "OK! Get ready" Mandro shouted from behind the computer monitor. "Locks are next.... and...NOW!" Keetrix snapped the latch down as the lock bar receeded with a thunk. Deftly he pulled the lever down and slid the panel out as the lock bar clunked back into place. "Got it!" Keetrix yelled. Light streamed in from the access panel. The brightness from outside lit up the cargo hold, silouhetting Keetrix in sharp relief. A beam of light shone into the dark room, flooding it with light. "Whoa!" Keetrix lifted his arm to shield his eyes. "I sure hope there's air out there." "Great time to ask." Mandro responded. "We're within the artificial atmosphere of the space port. Air's probably a little thin, and probably a little cold too." "You got that right." Keetrix said, stepping back from the panel. The access panel was halfway up the back wall of the transport. Standing on the first rung beneath it, Keetrix looked out the open panel. "Looks like we've just entered an atmospheric docking sequence." Mandro said. Jumping down and heading for the panel. "What does that mean?" Keetrix asked. "Our ride's here. The tugShip is initiating the docking sequence." Mandro said. "Make sure the ID card is still on your jumpsuit." Carefully, the two climbed out of the access panel. The view was breathtaking. On all sides the gaseous clouds created wispy hues of oranges and reds. The cold crisp air was so clear and dry, they could see minute details up and down the long convoy of freight holds. Scale and distance were difficult to judge. Far below they could see the broken lines of freight containers, one after another in long succession. Keetrix tested the rungs as he climbed down to the access ledge below. "Careful, the first step's a doosie." Keetrix said stepping gingerly onto the metal surface. "The ice doesn't help either." "There should be a rail we can hang on to and make our way around to the front." Mandro said. The two men climbed down the rungs and stood on a small access ledge that outside the still open panel. Inside was the small drab room that had brought them into their new freedom, outside was an enormous bright expanse. Mandro felt a stab of fear as he looked out at the huge open scene. He felt insignificant and small. Turning back to look into the freight container he felt a longing. Closing his eyes he fought to control his fear. Freedom meant taking risks, moving forward required change, even if it was fearful. All at once he reached up and firmly closed the access panel. The latch clicked loudly into place, locking tightly, forever closing off the protection of the cargo hold. The two looked at each other, neither speaking. Their gazes locked. "The pressure change in the cabin would have set off an alarm." Mandro said finally, trying to sound convincing. "We had to close it or they might detect it." Keetrix nodded slightly and looked down at the next rung. Slowly, but deliberatly, the two climbed down the rungs until they were standing on the thin walkway below. The thin walkway completely circled the oval-shaped transport. The two steadily worked their way around to the front of the freight container. They knew the tugShip would pull the freight container by a series of cables that ran from the front of the freight container down to the back of the tugShip. A brisk wind greeted them as they rounded the front of the container. The tugShip finally came into view. It had already attached itself to the freight container and begun to separate it from the convoy. As they continued to inch along the walkway, they could make out three lines connecting the tugShip to the massive cargo vessel. "Just how are we supposed to get onto the tugShip?" Keetrix asked. "I was just thinking the same thing." Mandro asked. "Don't ask me. This was your plan. You were the one who wanted to get back behind the wheel, remember?" They knew there only chance for escape was to be aboard that tugShip. And the only way to get to the tugShip was to climb down those cables. It was a task they didn’t want to think about. "Well, we could try to climb or slide down the tow lines to the tugShip." Keetrix said, sounding more like a question than a statement. Approaching the front, the two took in every detail of the scene. Three flexSteel cables connected the tugShip to the cargo vessel. The cables stretched about 30 meters and decended at about a 45 degree angle. The taut cables connected to a raised perpindicular shaft at the rear of the tugShip. "Piece of cake." Keetrix said. "Lead on." Mandro replied. The cables rose up from the tugShip below, bent over the freight's edge and snaked into the connection assembly. Keetrix walked up to the ledge, kneeled down and straddled the cable, hugging it closely to his chest. Pulling his jumpsuit sleeves up over his hands he carefully locked his hands tightly around the cable and began to crawl slowly backwards towards the edge. Behind him the taught cables disappeared over the edge and down toward the tugShip. "Next stop... freedom." Keetrix said staring at Mandro as he slipped over the edge and began to slide down toward the tugShip. "I think you mean 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' " Mandro said as he began to repeat the procedure. Slowly, deliberately, the two slid their way down the huge cables and toward the tugShip. Mandro refused to look down. He tried to lock every thought out of his mind except the mechanical motions of his body. Finally he reached back his foot and set his heel on the firm metal of a cross beam. The two found themselves sitting on the beam above and behind the tugShip. Carefully, Keetrix lowered himself down to the deck of the tugShip. Bracing against the beam, he helped Mandro down. The firm surface of the deck came as a relief as they huddled next to the forward cabin of the tugShip. The doors were tightly sealed. "I don't suppose the keys are under the mat?" Keetrix asked. Sinking down with his back against the wall. "No such luck." Mandro said as he huddled next to Keetrix. The tugShip droned forward pulling the enormous craft behind it. The giant lumbering cargo vessel that had recently been their home filled their vision as they looked up. Shivering, the two waited while the peaceful giant was ferried away from the convoy and off into nothingness. "I see you're starting to trust me a little bit more. " Keetrix forced a smile. "How so?" Mandro asked. "My plan to board the tugShip." Keetrix replied. " I half expected you to put up a big fuss about riding out life in the cargo hold and winding up on some outer rim trading post. I guess you've finally seen that sometimes the best rewards in life often go to those who are willing to take the risks." "Well, not exactly." Mandro grinned. " I noticed that for the next leg of the journey, our old cargo hold was marked for de-pressurization. I didn't think I could hold my breath that long."

CHAPTER 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------

“I wonder when room service is coming?” Keetrix asked loudly. His voice echoing off the metal walls of the space freighter.

“Ssshhh!!!!” Mandro answered nervously, “they’ll hear you!” His dirty face appeared from behind a stack of polySteel crates.

“Are you kidding? I’d wager there’s not a soul on this entire side of the convoy.” Keetrix said, jumping noisily to the grated floor of the space freighter.

Anxiously, Mandro Rilon peered his head over the metallic containters. “Considering what’s at stake, I think we ought to be more cautious!” He scolded, calling out after his carefree companion.

The cavernous interior of the space freighter was built for functionality not for asthetics. Stout metal beams ribbed the long walls and ceilings. Hundreds of metal crates arranged into tall stacks surrounded the two men. Like thick blocky trunks in a forest of steel.

“I told you it would work!” Keetrix said, hoisting himself onto a drum cylinder. “Our prison guards weren’t exactly rocket scientists.” He crossed his arms and kicked out his feet in an awkward dance. His long legs gave him the look of an awkward marionette as his feet thumped up and down on the hollow metal drum.

“What if they see we’re missing and send a ship out after us, or signal the freight captain to turn this convoy around?” Mandro said.

The marionette came to an abrupt halt. “Look, my friend, we made it!...We’re free! No more of that stinking mining outpost, no more prison, no more guards! We did it! We’re out!” Keetrix said.

“Still, I don’t think it will hurt us to be quiet. You never know what might happen.” Mandro warned.

“Stop being so gloomy! Relax! You remind me of my mother.” Keetrix sighed. “What’s next anyway?”

Mandro shrugged. His stained and greasy prison coveralls fell over his drooping shoulders. His once tall, stocky frame had thinned considerably after three hard years of slave labor. Nervously he peered around the dark confines of the space-bound freight transport. The smell of cold dusty steel filled the air, this new metal home felt unwelcoming. Mandro felt as if it's sharp edges and loud echos could never lead to the warm and happiness of freedom.

Keetrix sprang down off the cylinder landing lightly on the grated floor. The years of hard labor had slimmed his form and stooped his back, but he still carried himself with a flash of recklessness. The tall dark-haired man sauntered across the grating to where his companion hid, crouched behind a metal crate.

“So… Mandro! What are you going to do when we get to the space port?” Keetrix asked, turning his gaze upward. “I don’t know whether I’ll head to the restaurant, the bar or chase some girls.” A sly smile grew on his leathery face. His scruffy beard and tattered prison coveralls gave him the appearance of a man stranded on a desert island.

“I should think you’ll need to head to the shower first” Mandro quipped.

“Look who’s talking,” Keetrix said, pushing Mandro’s shoulder playfully.”If you want something to worry about, worry that your stench doesn’t drift ahead of us and give us away.”

Mandro strode over to some crates and collapsed into a seat. He gave a sigh which rose up from the bottom of his soul. His shoulders loosened as he felt the tension begin to lift out of his tired body. He hadn’t slept at all the previous night. He’d been going over the escape plan again and again in his head. He’d almost chickened out several times in the weeks before. Ultimately he finally committed that he would go through with it even if it killed him. Even so, his nerves were so raw he could barely move this morning. Already this morning seemed like a lifetime passed.

He’d wondered how Keetrix could do it. How could he remain so casual? How he could be so sure? From where did his endless confidence flow? Over time Keetrix had earned his greatest respect and his greatest disdain. Mandro knew Keetrix to be a creative problem solver, which made him a great companion. The flip side was that Keetrix was so reckless, that if he didn’t have a streak of luck a mile wide, he’d have been dead years ago. This, of course, was the part that Mandro could never swallow. With any problem, Keetrix always offered the most cavalier, flamboyant solution first. Mandro had long ago concluded that Keetrix must thrive on the thrill of the gamble. It’s no wonder Keetrix wound up in that Mining Slave Colony, no doubt some spectactular gambit went south and he found himself on the wrong side of a slaver’s scuttle. He'd often wondered why fate had thrust him together with this man who seemed hand crafted to be his exact opposite. Keetrix was an extravagently fateful man, Mandro had no doubt that Keetrix's life would one day be remembered in song. The only question was would the ending be happy or tragic. Mandro had benefited from Keetrix’s luck this time, but as soon as possible, he aimed to part ways and get back to his former life.

He could barely remember the time before the slave mines. That part of his life had been hidden away in his memory. Drawing it out and remembering it proved too painful to bear. It was almost unbearable to revisit those memories now. He’d been a technical clerk on an industrial outpost convoy. The pay had lured him, and the promise of opportunity. Apparently the recruiter had failed to mention the possibility of space pirates.

Three long years he rotted in the slave mines. He’d almost been lulled into giving up all hope when Keetrix arrived. Keetrix’s outlandish plans for rebellions and coups desperately needed Mandro’s dose of reality bring them within the realm of possibility. Now, three long years later, he almost didn’t dare to hope that this ordeal could be over.

After several hours, the newly free pair began to investigate the huge space-bound freight container that was their new home. They needed to figure out how they would sustain themselves until the next port of call. Then the question would be how to get off this transport. Soon Mandro located a data entry console in the freight control booth of the transport. Accessing the ships database, He began to sift through the indexed manifest of the ship’s freight containers.

"Looks like this convoy is carrying 38 containers, 21 are owned by a company called InterGal holdings, and 17 are leased to private corporations." Mandro said, pointing to the small screen in front of him.

"How'd you find that out?" Keetrix asked.

"I told you, I used to be a clerk for an outpost colony." Mandro said, his fingers clicking over the keyboard.

"Well why don't you find something useful, like which box has any food in it." Keetrix bent over and peered at the markings on a small crate.

“Portal 17 has about a hundred year supply of dried nuts.” He said. Tapping through screens of data.

“Sound’s great!” Keetrix said, “sometimes you feel like a nut.”

“Sorry,” Mandro replied, not looking up, “that portal is equipped with motion sensors, must not like those warehouse rats coming along for the ride.”

Keetrix entered a small room against the outer wall. The room doubled for a temporary office and contained some lockers, file cabinets and scattered office equipment. Keetrix rummaged through the room, while Mandro continued to query the database.

”Any idea how long this flight is?” Keetrix asked, examining the contents of a discarded shoulder bag.

“I figure it’s got to be less than a week, based on the refrigeration and oxygen resources.” Mandro responded. “Although I may be mistaken.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Keetrix asked, opening a cabinet of cleaning supplies.

“It’s just that some of these numbers don’t add up.” Mandro murmured.

“Don’t think too hard, professor, you probably breathed too many mining fumes.”

The two continued discovering their new environment and learning to cope with their new freedom. Even the freedom to choose any action was intoxicating. Keetrix continued to rummage through the abandoned office. Mandro continued clicking through screens at the wall-mounted data port. After some time, Mandro's brow became creased.

“I don’t understand it.” Mandro said sitting back in the chair. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“What?” Keetrix asked, standing up.

“The fuel consumption, the tonnage, and the freight seals don’t reconcile.” Mandro explained.

“So?”

“So, there are space freight containers in this convoy that are not included in the database.” Mandro intoned.

“Big deal, I’m sure these freight companies are all smugglers anyway.” Keetrix dismissed. “That’s the only way to make any real money anyway.”

“Yeah, but not in their own records, “ Mandro paused. “I’m watching these numbers as they come in, these things are practically untraceable.”

“Look, if it doesn’t contribute directly to me getting alongside my first hot meal in years, I’m not interested.” Keetrix quipped.

"Uh-oh, hang on, what’s this?” Keetrix pried the door open to the first of three tall lockers.

“Bingo!” Keetrix said, pointing toward Mandro, “My luck continues, computer boy. May I present to you our escape plan? … No need for applause.”

“What is it?” Mandro asked, turning.

“InterGal Employee uniforms. With ID badges.” Keetrix grinned. “Although I think I’d take clownsuit, as long as it was clean.” Keetrix lifted the blue jumpsuits out of the lockers. His toothy grin flashed across the small room.

“I’d have found them sooner or later.” Mandro replied.

“Oh why don’t you just say it!” Keetrix shuffled over, putting his hands on Mandro’s chair.

“Say what?”

“Say I’m the luckiest guy you’ve ever met!” Keetrix grinned.

“I’ll say what I’ve always said.” Mandro said, folding his arms.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t want to be there when the law of averages catches up with you.” Mandro said with a grin.

“You are the king of all pessimists.” Keetrix shook his head.

“If you are so lucky, “ Mandro sneered, “Then what were you doing in a slave colony?”

"All part of the grand plan.” Keetrix said smugly.

CHAPTER 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------

The two companions explored their new habitat. The large cargo area was divided into three massive aisles of stacked metal crates, creating two corridors across the long floor. Multiple tracks criss-crossed above the crates. Enormous robotic arms sat motionless at the end of each track, waiting to zip to life, gliding effortlessly along the tracks to load and unload the countless crates and boxes. In the back sat the small room that held the data port and the lockers. The two stowaways had drug some crates together to form make-shift beds, and a crude living area. A small nest in the stark metal walls. There was an apprehensive calm that fell over the cargo hold. The quiet emptiness felt like a trap. Each man lingered near the other, subconsciously needing the other’s presence.

“I haven’t heard this quietness in years.” Mandro whispered.

“Just my luck,” Keetrix said, looking up, “you’ll probably snore like a jet engine.”

“I don’t know if I can sleep with this quiet.” Mandro laughed.

“How about I rattle a couple of crates to give you that old homey feeling of the slave barracks?” Keetrix asked.

After an interminable eternity, the two finally fell asleep, apprehensive but hopeful.

The next day brought a new sense of purpose. The two men scoured the manifest for useful items. After several hours of labor, the two had improved their situation considerably. Investigation and modest manipulation had converted some office equipment into a crude lock pick set. Close analyis of the bill of lading revealed a number of crates containing food, soft goods or other items useful to recently freed men. The two men discovered that the crates could be opened with their crude lock pick set, given enough practice and patience. As the days rolled on, apprehension turned to impatience.

“Geez, this place is driving me crazy.” Keetrix said, closing his eyes.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” Mandro quipped, “maybe next time we should have snuck onto a luxury liner.”

“I have no idea which space port we’re headed for.” Mandro sighed, “but I don’t think we have the fuel for more than another week or so.”

“For months I rotted in my cell dreaming of breaking out, but this journey seems like it will never end.” Keetrix said.

“You know, we don’t even know if they’re going to open this cargo hold when we get to the port.” Mandro warned.

Keetrix closed his eyes, exhaustion clear on his face.

“If they don’t open it, I’m going to go ballistic and cut a whole in the side myself.”

“We’ll figure something out,” maybe we can set off a pressure sensor or something to get someone to check it out. Someone will have to come check out this freight container sooner or later. ” Mandro offered. “Maybe we can make a break for it and somehow melt into the crowd at the space port.”

“That’s your plan?” Keetrix quipped. “Hang out on the space port? I’m not going to sit on some backwater space port and hope some space bus shows up. We’ve got to commandeer some ship or bribe some captain to take us home.”

“And wind up right back in prison?” Mandro retorted. “Are you crazy, we’ve got to stay off the radar for awhile. We need to be about as vanilla as they come. I think if we can pick up a little work, we can save up for a ticket out.”

“Work?” Keetrix said distastefully, “I thought we just escaped the life of forced labor. Look we just got a second lease on life, what good is it if we’re going to pump gas on some backgalaxy space port?”

“Don’t you get it?” Mandro jabbed his finger at Keetrix. “Not all of life is a circus ride. You don’t have to take unneeded risks just to get your thrills. Some of us just want a simple life with a little security. I’m not going to let you run off and do some fool headed stunt and endanger my new freedom.”

“You can’t tell me what to do!” Keetrix snapped, exhaustion turning to anger. “I don’t know why I brought you on this stupid trip anyway. I should have left you to rot in your cell with your simple life and security.” Turning away, he slammed his fist into the wall, echoing through the cargo hold.

The hours passed like years, crawling into days. Mandro spent hours at the data port in the cargo hold's freight office. Scanning and rescanning every portion of the database, scouring for any information that might be useful.

"Anything useful?" Keetrix asked?

"Maybe." Mandro mused. "I've just read the logs from some transmission from the port authority."

"Yeah?"

"It looks like some of the cargo holds, including ours, are going to be culled out and brought to a staging area. All the cargo traces back to this company called InterGal Holdings."

"Probably a front."

"Exactly. But the question is for who? The unusual thing is the cargo is being culled out BEFORE the port inspection."

"What kind of cargo is it?"

"Well, who knows." Mandro shrugged. "I can pretty much guarantee the cargo isn't what's on the bill of lading."

"So what do we do?" Keetrix asked.

"Not much we can do." Mandro pushed away from the console. "We'll never dock at space port, we aren't technically even entering the space port. Our only contact with the outside universe will be when some tugShip ferries us to the new staging area."

"Is it a manned tug?" Keetrix asked grinning?

"Probably not," Mandro asked, eyes narrowing,"Why, what crack-pot scheme are you dreaming up?"

"Nothing special, it's just that I've been bullied and bossed around for a few years, I'd just like to be behind the wheel again for awhile." Keetrix explained.

"Well, judging by the change in gravity, you should get your chance pretty soon." Mandro said, looking up reflexively. "I'd say this little freedom train has just hit the station."

"What's your plan to get onto the tugShip?" Mandro asked, arms folded.

"I figured after all the time you've been studying that computer you'd know what the secret key code was by now." Keetrix grinned.

"Well, nothing as glamorous as all that," Mandro motioned, "but I've discovered how to bring this cargo hold into a diagnostic self check. I think it will probably cycle the locks as a part of the self check. If we time it right, we can get the access panel open during the lock cycle."

"That's the best you can do?" Keetrix's eyebrow's lifted. "That's the computer-whiz's crack plan?"

"Well, if that doesn't work out, there's always plan B" Mandro said, rubbing his neck.

"What's plan B?" Keetrix asked.

"That's where you come in." Mandro smiled, holding up a length of pipe. "You can bring the access panel around to your way of thinking."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Keetrix winced.

"All part of the grand plan." Mandro replied.

CHAPTER 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------

"OK! Get ready" Mandro shouted from behind the computer monitor. "Locks are next.... and...NOW!"

Keetrix snapped the latch down as the lock bar receeded with a thunk. Deftly he pulled the lever down and slid the panel out as the lock bar clunked back into place.

"Got it!" Keetrix yelled. Light streamed in from the access panel. The brightness from outside lit up the cargo hold, silouhetting Keetrix in sharp relief. A beam of light shone into the dark room, flooding it with light.

"Whoa!" Keetrix lifted his arm to shield his eyes. "I sure hope there's air out there."

"Great time to ask." Mandro responded. "We're within the artificial atmosphere of the space port. Air's probably a little thin, and probably a little cold too."

"You got that right." Keetrix said, stepping back from the panel.

The access panel was halfway up the back wall of the transport. Standing on the first rung beneath it, Keetrix looked out the open panel.

"Looks like we've just entered an atmospheric docking sequence." Mandro said. Jumping down and heading for the panel.

"What does that mean?" Keetrix asked.

"Our ride's here. The tugShip is initiating the docking sequence." Mandro said. "Make sure the ID card is still on your jumpsuit."

Carefully, the two climbed out of the access panel. The view was breathtaking. On all sides the gaseous clouds created wispy hues of oranges and reds. The cold crisp air was so clear and dry, they could see minute details up and down the long convoy of freight holds. Scale and distance were difficult to judge. Far below they could see the broken lines of freight containers, one after another in long succession. Keetrix tested the rungs as he climbed down to the access ledge below.

"Careful, the first step's a doosie." Keetrix said stepping gingerly onto the metal surface. "The ice doesn't help either."

"There should be a rail we can hang on to and make our way around to the front." Mandro said.

The two men climbed down the rungs and stood on a small access ledge that outside the still open panel. Inside was the small drab room that had brought them into their new freedom, outside was an enormous bright expanse. Mandro felt a stab of fear as he looked out at the huge open scene. He felt insignificant and small. Turning back to look into the freight container he felt a longing. Closing his eyes he fought to control his fear. Freedom meant taking risks, moving forward required change, even if it was fearful. All at once he reached up and firmly closed the access panel. The latch clicked loudly into place, locking tightly, forever closing off the protection of the cargo hold. The two looked at each other, neither speaking. Their gazes locked.

"The pressure change in the cabin would have set off an alarm." Mandro said finally, trying to sound convincing. "We had to close it or they might detect it."

Keetrix nodded slightly and looked down at the next rung.

Slowly, but deliberatly, the two climbed down the rungs until they were standing on the thin walkway below. The thin walkway completely circled the oval-shaped transport. The two steadily worked their way around to the front of the freight container. They knew the tugShip would pull the freight container by a series of cables that ran from the front of the freight container down to the back of the tugShip. A brisk wind greeted them as they rounded the front of the container. The tugShip finally came into view. It had already attached itself to the freight container and begun to separate it from the convoy. As they continued to inch along the walkway, they could make out three lines connecting the tugShip to the massive cargo vessel.

"Just how are we supposed to get onto the tugShip?" Keetrix asked.

"I was just thinking the same thing." Mandro asked. "Don't ask me. This was your plan. You were the one who wanted to get back behind the wheel, remember?" They knew there only chance for escape was to be aboard that tugShip. And the only way to get to the tugShip was to climb down those cables. It was a task they didn’t want to think about.

"Well, we could try to climb or slide down the tow lines to the tugShip." Keetrix said, sounding more like a question than a statement.

Approaching the front, the two took in every detail of the scene. Three flexSteel cables connected the tugShip to the cargo vessel. The cables stretched about 30 meters and decended at about a 45 degree angle. The taut cables connected to a raised perpindicular shaft at the rear of the tugShip.

"Piece of cake." Keetrix said.

"Lead on." Mandro replied.

The cables rose up from the tugShip below, bent over the freight's edge and snaked into the connection assembly. Keetrix walked up to the ledge, kneeled down and straddled the cable, hugging it closely to his chest. Pulling his jumpsuit sleeves up over his hands he carefully locked his hands tightly around the cable and began to crawl slowly backwards towards the edge. Behind him the taught cables disappeared over the edge and down toward the tugShip.

"Next stop... freedom." Keetrix said staring at Mandro as he slipped over the edge and began to slide down toward the tugShip.

"I think you mean 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' " Mandro said as he began to repeat the procedure.

Slowly, deliberately, the two slid their way down the huge cables and toward the tugShip. Mandro refused to look down. He tried to lock every thought out of his mind except the mechanical motions of his body. Finally he reached back his foot and set his heel on the firm metal of a cross beam.

The two found themselves sitting on the beam above and behind the tugShip. Carefully, Keetrix lowered himself down to the deck of the tugShip. Bracing against the beam, he helped Mandro down. The firm surface of the deck came as a relief as they huddled next to the forward cabin of the tugShip. The doors were tightly sealed.

"I don't suppose the keys are under the mat?" Keetrix asked. Sinking down with his back against the wall.

"No such luck." Mandro said as he huddled next to Keetrix. The tugShip droned forward pulling the enormous craft behind it. The giant lumbering cargo vessel that had recently been their home filled their vision as they looked up. Shivering, the two waited while the peaceful giant was ferried away from the convoy and off into nothingness.

"I see you're starting to trust me a little bit more. " Keetrix forced a smile.

"How so?" Mandro asked.

"My plan to board the tugShip." Keetrix replied. " I half expected you to put up a big fuss about riding out life in the cargo hold and winding up on some outer rim trading post. I guess you've finally seen that sometimes the best rewards in life often go to those who are willing to take the risks."

"Well, not exactly." Mandro grinned. " I noticed that for the next leg of the journey, our old cargo hold was marked for de-pressurization. I didn't think I could hold my breath that long."