
Subj : New Beginnings(22)
To   : All
From : Skyhawk #1
Date : Wed Jul 26 1995 01:10:17 PST

                           New Beginnings
                         By Daniel C. Harrison(Skyhawk)

     "Candar can I see you a moment?" This had come from Grayson as she
started to leave. She looked down at Kevin who had slumped back on his
pillow. Candar nodded. "Good." Grayson indicated a small room he had set
up as an office. They entered and he closed the door.
     "Is this important, we don't have much time." Candar was impatient.
Impatient to accomplish what needed to be done and get the ship back on
course. But,. would it all be for naught?
     "I need to talk about you, Captain." He watched her reaction. "I have
noticed your getting more short tempered. Any headaches yet?"     
     "A few." she admitted. "I've been fighting it. Don't have time to get
sick, none of us do."
     "Your tumor is getting worse. I didnt ant to say anything to the others. I
know we dont have much of a chance right now. Will you be able to continue?"
     Candar stared at the floor and balled her fists up. "I have to. I cant go
under..I cant die. Henry doesn't have the ability to do this. I want to operate
on me as soon as possible. Get my eyesight back."
     "It'll only be a temporary measure," Grayson said quietly. "You do know
that? I can't fix the damage. Eventually the tumor will overcome it and you'll
go blind again. After that, it's only a matter of time."
     "God." She slammed her fist on the table. "I dont need this shit. I've put
too much into my career, my life for this! I dont deserve it!" Surprisingly,
she felt Grayson hug her and, she buried herself in his arms. Her sobbing
filled the room as he stroked her hair.
     "The good ones never do, Candar. There isn't any justice in this life. I
know that for a fact. I can get you through long enough to do what we have to.
Will the ship make it to Mirinda III?"
     She pulled her head away and gritted her teeth. "It will. It will if I
have to get out and kick it all the way there! Thanks Doc..I'm ok now. Let me
know when your ready to operate, I'll be on the bridge.." She turned and moved
quickly through the door. Her emotions were in full force. Her life was ended.
All that remained was for her to see to the safety of her passengers. Get them
to a new home where they could build their lives. Her's didnt matter anymore.
She had fulfilled her role in life. She had been the best. Now, her sun was
setting. Soon, it would all be gone..
     
     Candar felt the walls back up to the bridge. She could hear voice above
her as she climbed the ladder and listened as she heard someone turn to her.
"Hey babe." It was Jerry. "I'm setting whats left of the computer to control
the systems. That way..."
     "Scrap it." she spat out. "Kevin told me what we need to do. Here's his
plan..." She rattled off what Kevin had told her watching his expression as she
continued. At last she finished and waited for his reaction.."Well?"
     "It sounds feasible." Jerry chuckled. "Sounds like an pold fashioned
rocket out of 20th Century Nasa days. But, the concept is good. The maneuvering
thrusters still operate so, we can turn manually. If the network holds up, we
can use the network to effectively run the whole shabang. I'll get ready to go
eva and weld the a frames. Henry are you in shape to help?"
     "Grayson said not to over do it." Candar cut him off. Henry looked up from
his chair and nodded. "You'll have to manage Jerry, I'm sorry."
     Jerry grunted. "Yeah. Been everything on this trip but a pilot. No
problem. I'll keep you informed of our status."
     Suddenly, the intercom crackled, "Candar, this is Grayson. I'm ready for
you now."
     Jerry looked up. "Ready? Does that mean your going to have your eyes
fixed?"
     Candar smiled. "Yes, Jerry. It's gonna be okay now. Get on those A
frames."
     Jerry grinned. "That's great honey. I'll do that. See ya." He gave her a
quick kiss and clambered down the ladder."
     Candar looked where she knew Henry was sitting. "You okay?"
     "Yeah. Tired as hell. That blood helped. I think I can work."
     "Simple job," Candar sat down facing him. "I want you to get to those two
shuttles and fire em up. Pre-set all the systems we need and have the computers
ready to network. If you can, find a way to put those heavy fuel tanks inside.
If you can do all that, all that remains is for you and Jerry to fly them out
and lock them into the A frames. From then on, it's a straight shot to getting
this ship ready for the boost."
     "No problem." Henry got up and cursed as his pain hit. "Damn knife wound.
If those guys werent dead, I'd kick their ass."
     "This bridge smells like a meat factory...rotten meat at that. Did you and
Jerry get it cleaned up?"
     "Yeah..told you I'd have to do it."
     Candar laughed. "Okay. I'm scheduled to get my vision repaired. I'll see
ya later."
     "Good to hear that." Henry confessed. "I've never flown anything under
these conditions. I hope we can make it work. In theory it should. In
practice...." his voice trailed off.
     "It will." Candar waved and felt her way over to the ladder, as she moved
downward, she could feel the tears starting again..."It must!" she whispered.


