Prisoner Six

Part 7

Day 743 13:40 Hours

While Dave prepared for the EVA on the prisoner observation deck, Sam returned to the control deck for one last task. It was supposed to be a quick errand, but she now found herself staring at the winking red light, willing herself to turn the camera on. She knew there was a high probability that this alliance with Dave wouldn't work. If that happened, and the repairs were unsuccessful, she would most likely die. While that had been a risk throughout the mission, circumstances were different now.

Weren't they?

Sam had missed so much of her 'normal' life back home already: birthdays, holidays—even her own sister's funeral. Would her niece actually notice if she were gone? Would anyone?

Perhaps not, but there were still practical matters to be dealt with. This was not a question of family, guardianship, or even friendship; this was strictly about money. Whether Sam left the prisoners behind on Externo, or died along with them, her mission—per her contract—would be complete. And, in light of this new bonus, she wanted the Director to carry out her wishes accordingly.

With that pragmatic goal in mind, Sam switched the camera on and squared herself in front of it.

"Hello, this is Commander Samantha Sterling recording on Day 743 of the Externo Asteroid mission. As Vox's weekly records will show, we encountered a micrometeoroid storm on day 740 and sustained considerable damage to both power compartments, posing a significant risk to the reactor's stability. I've replaced the damaged converters in PC1, but until the hull is repaired in PC2 and a proper coolant system is restored, the reactor remains unstable."

Sam paused here. Outlining further details would require her to mention waking Dave and requesting his aid in the repairs. Deciding this was not the best forum for that information, she returned to the main purpose of her message.

"I will leave further details of this incident to Vox's weekly report, since time is of the essence," she said. "The purpose of this message is to outline my last will and testament should my efforts be unsuccessful. If I do not survive the EVA, the prisoners will also perish, and therefore, I request that the five million bonus—upon settlement of my sister's debts—should be left to my niece, Margaret Sterling."

There. That was done. Sam reached forward to switch off the camera and paused. On impulse, she leaned back again and added a final thought.

"Margaret... you may not remember me, but I helped raise your mother when she was about your age. And I failed her," she said suddenly, surprised not only by these words, but by the ones that followed, "which is probably why I didn't come around to visit you very often. If you're lucky enough to find a new family, don't be like me... Don't run from them."

Sam switched the camera off, anger rising at herself. Why did she say that? It wasn't true. She'd never run from anything in her life. She'd done her best and built her own life from nothing. It wasn't her fault her sister screwed things up and couldn't make it on her own. She made a mental note to erase this message and make a new will upon her return.

Because she would return. That was certain now.

With newfound determination, Sam made her way towards the airlock to meet Dave.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you so much for reading Prisoner Six!! I really appreciate the support and I hope you have enjoyed these chapters. If so, please consider letting me know with a vote or comment below. I would love to hear feedback from you!  

I would also love to know:  What do you think will happen on Sam's spacewalk?