
Subj : New Beginnings(27)
To   : All
From : Skyhawk #1
Date : Mon Aug 07 1995 18:43:45 PST

                            New Beginnings(27)
                            By Daniel C. Harrison(Skyhawk)

     "Henry, I need you now." Jerry's voice crackled over the intercom. Henry
grinned and, Candar shrugged.
     "You better head for the shuttles. I told him to get with you when he was
ready,. I'll finish up here then, we'll link up."
     "Roger, Captain." Henry moved past her and exited down the ladder. Candar
turned and stared out at the endless sea of stars. Currently, the Outlander was
adrfit, it would be tough getting the alignment set up, even with the right
math. She sighed and collapsed in her seat. It had been too long. Slowly, she
ran her fingers over the console, reveling in her nerw sight. It was almost as
if she had been reborn. The light seemed brighter, the instruments newer.
     "Candar, were ready. Shuttle one, exiting Lock Two."
     She put on her headset and keyed the comm. "Roger, Jerry. I have you on
visual." She panned the camera to zoom in as, Jerry brought the small shuttle
out. For a moment, he drifted the box like craft then, a short boost from the
maneuvering jets turned it slowly into position. "Your alignment looks good.
Turn pitch two degrees starboard."
     "Turning." Jerry came back. "This thing handles like a, piece of shit.
They didn't buy anything new, did they?"
     "You should know, most colonists don't. They can't afford it. Your angle
is too steep, pick up the nose."
     Jerry fired a short boost and, the shuttle changed direction, moving
slowly into place. "Approaching A frame. I should have allotted for more room.
This is gonna be tight."
     The small ship moved slowly forward, Candar carefully watching. It's nose
cleared the first rails as it entered the steel cage. "Your looking good.
Extend maintenance arms."
     "Extending." Two small panels opened on each side of the vessel and,
slowly a pair of mechanical arms were deployed. "Standing by to lock into
position." Candar's eyes were glued to the screen. Inch by inch, the ship moved
forward. "Shutting down and locking." Jerry locked the arms into place on two
steel frames, at the same time shutting down the engines. Candar smiled. For a
moment there was a silence. Then, the airlock began to open. "Going eva to weld
arms into place. We don't want this thing to fly apart on us once we hit full
thrust."
     "Looks good." Candar grinned. It was working. Or, at least so far it was.
She had been feeling doubtful about everything..her life..any of their futures.
Yet, things seemed to be coming together. Sighing, she shook her head. This was
the easy part. They had yet to survive the landing.
     "Shuttle Two exiting Lock." Henry's voice came on. She looked at the
screen and saw the ship exiting. "Moving into position. I have a clear view. I
used to fly these things, this should be a cinch."
     "Don't get cocky!" Jerry shouted over his suit comm. He was currently
welding the arms to the frame. "If you screw up, it could ruin it for us. Be
damn careful!"
     "I got it." Henry said confidently. Candar watched amazed as he expertly
used the thrusters and brought the craft into the frame. Firing jets,. he
decelerated and deployed the arms, grabbing the rails. "System shut down..arms
locked..anything else?"
     Candar laughed. "Jerry, he should teach you how to fly."
     "Smart aleck young punks! I've been flying big ship's too long." Jerry
began putting away the welder. "I'm done..coming in port airlock."
     Henry opened the airlock. "I'm getting ready to weld the arms. Do you want
me to secure the rear section as well?"
     "What the hell do you think?" Jerry answered sarcastically. "If we lose
one of these baby's it will either send us spinning or maybe the engines will
point right at our hull and blast us off course. Either way, weve no room for a
screw up. I welded two support rods to the stern, port and starboard. I want
you to do the same. Is your computer set for link up?"
     "Of course." Henry laughed. "I want to get this hulk moving as bad as
you."
     "Coming in." Jerry reported. "I'm heading for the infirmary to see if we
forgot anything Kevin can tell us."
     "Come up here when your done." Candar asked. "I'd like to talk to you
before we launch." She winced as a slight pain hit her head. No! No not now.
Damn it! Her vision blurred a second. But...Grayson had said she had some time.
This wasn't happening. She shook her head and concentrated on the job. "I'm
setting the link-up. Networking looks good."
     "Finished welding the arms." Henry moved himself carefully to the stern of
the ship. "This damn suit is bulky. I haven't been in one for awhile."
     Candar's head felt like a tidal wave. She slammed back against her seat,
the pain coming in waves. What was happening? She watched as Henry welded the
rear support rods. Her vision wasn't going out. What the hell was...it suddenly
hit her. Her whole left side felt numb! "God." She whispered. "God, please help
me. I need to get these people to a new home. I don't have to live to see any
of the children grow...but I need to at least get them there. Please, help me."
The pain felt like a knife in the back of her head. She gritted her teeth. She
had to do this! She heard what sounded like footsteps and turned her chair as
Jerry exited the airlock.
     "Okay, what's up?" 
     Candar squinted her eyes slightly. "I...I want you up here with Henry and
I. Take Kevin's seat."
     Jerry nodded. "I had planned to be but in the co-pilot's seat. He can sit
where Kevin is, you need the best."
     Candar sighed, ignoring the pain. "That's why, Jerry. I hate to say this.
Henry is better."
     "Excuse me?" Jerry stared at her, his eyes narrowing. He brushed the hair
from his eyes. "I don't think I heard you right, Captain. I have years more
experience on that young punk! Hell, you threw him off your bridge once!"
     Candar nodded. "Once. But he handled a shuttle better than you. This
will require precision piloting. I'm sorry."
     "Fine." Jerry slammed his fist against the bulkhead. "Your the
captain, you do what you damn well please! He sat down with his back to 
her. 
     Candar turned away, her head pounding. Time, was getting shorter....

