
Subj : New Beginnings(30)
To   : All
From : Skyhawk #1
Date : Fri Aug 11 1995 01:11:14 PST

                            New Beginnings(30)
                            By Daniel C. Harrison(Skyhawk)

     Candar stared at the floor a moment. "I am the captain of this ship
doctor. It is my responsiblity to do this."
     "And it's mine to make sure we get to Mirinda and don't drift off
into deep space because the captain's ego got in the way of common sense!
Be reasonable Candar! You know I'm right. Give control over to Jerry.
He's perfectly capable of handling the ship for the time we're in cryo. He
can bring us out and, three of you can find a safe way to land us. After
that, it's up to the elected government the colony set up before they left
earth."
     "Yeah..your right." Candar swore again. "I'll let Jerry know. I'm
afraid. Afraid that if I do go under, I wont wake up. My left side is
numb and, although I can use it with some difficulty, it's only a matter
of time. I don't want to die. I'm not ready."
     "I know." Grayson sat down on the desk. "I've done all I can. I
bought you some time. I just don't know how much. If we could return to
earth there's a chance you could be saved. But, I don't have that ability.
I can sustain you a bit longer. However, I'd be lying to yu if I said I
had a miracle cure in my bag."
     "Of course." she whispered. I'll tell Jerry the changes." She walked out
feeling the tears stinging her eyes. It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair damn it!
There was so much more life. Assuming they survived the landing, there was a
whole new colony to help build. There were lives to lead and cities to build
and a land to call home. None of it would be her's. She'd be lucky to see
Mirinda at all. Likely die in cryo. Informing Jerry he was going to be in
command was the toughest thing of all.
     Fourteen hours later...it had come too fast. She smiled at Jerry as
he stroked her hair and helped her into the cryo tube. "You alright,
Candar?"
     She smiled grimly. "As well as I can be. Don't overshoot Mirinda.
Itr's going to be a long time for you. Over a year by yourself. I hope you
wont be bored to death."
     Jerry shrugged. "I'll get through it. The fuel is gone, we're
coasting on course and, everything appears fine. I still remember how to
play solitaire and the computer can still play chess. I'll be fine."
     "Keep an eye on that rerouted console. And make sure that the cryo
systems dont break down. Your our only hope."
     "I know." Jerry smiled. "Quit treating me like a greenhorn. I've been
through just as much as you. There's something I want to ask you again and
I want your answer when you come out of cryo."
     She hesitated. "Uh..yeah what's that?"
     He lowered his head a moment. "The circumstances are different now.
It isn't like I have a career to continue and your leaving. We're going to
be in the same place. Not much chance of a rescue. I want to spend my life
with someone I love there. Candar, will you marry me? Please? Give me your
answer when you awaken. Okay?"
     She stared at him flabbergasted. "I...I don't know what to say."
     "Then don't. See ya in a year." He hit the panel and she watched in
fear as the cryo tube slowly closed in on her...like a coffin. "Jerry
wait! Jerry!" He was gone. The tube was sealed. And it was filling with
the anestezin gas..soon she'd be under. And maybe never wake up. She could
feel the sleep closing in on her..her fear rising. But, it was done. For
good or ill, she was committed. She had to trust in Jerry that they would
reach Mirinda safely. She had to trust in god that she would live to see
it. A chapter in her life was closing...would a new one begin?

     
