Black Hole Heartbeat

Elizabeth - 9

Elizabeth stepped into the next room of the shuttle. The jar slipped through

surprised fingers. Her blue leather jacket floated there, limp on a peg. Haunted by a

three year old ghost, it swayed as the ship turned. Her black boots were waiting for

her in the corner, her cargo trousers folded up on a bench, white pistol lying on top.

Ana had even left out a clean vest, bra and underwear for her. She picked up the gun

and checked the chamber. Empty.

She needed a shower. She threw on the bra, vest and underwear. Her hand hesitated

on the jacket. The leather was cool in her hand. She picked it up and the ghost

washed away, exorcised. It was like slipping on old skin.

She sat down and her skinned knee stung. The pain felt like guilt against the memory

of Sam's foot. Bones crushed to powder. The salve on the floor was a translucent

pile of goop with curled fangs of broken glass poking out from it. She dipped her

hand in, scooping a glob onto her fingertips. She massaged it against her knees until

the hurt turned numb.

She wiped her hands down her thighs, trailing clear slugs of salve on her skin. The

trousers stuck to the wetness of the salve as she tugged them up her legs. Her

empty gun slotted perfectly into the empty holster at her hip. Having her weapon

within reach again felt good. She sat down on the bench and pulled on the socks.

Pink nail varnish glowed through the white fabric. Finally, she grabbed her boots and

pushed her feet inside, lacing them up tight. Her toes wriggled into their familiar

grooves. Her hair fell down across her face and she blew it away. It would be

chopped short at her first opportunity.

She was dressed like Elizabeth Ranger again. Memories flowed back into her. She

moved back to the flight deck and watched Ana fly, recognizing the buttons and

dials. Her long hair fell into her eye line and she flicked it away. When she looked

back to the control panel, it seemed distant again. Her hair would have to go to.

The shuttle rocked as the ripegs fired at them. Ana swerved away from the barrage

of missiles, hands frantic at the wheel.

"These guys don't quit, huh?" Elizabeth said.

Ana didn't answer. Her fist hit a green button and the ship jolted forward. The ripegs

couldn't get close.

"I thought this was an ambulance?"

"It is," Ana said, "Most of the time."

Elizabeth saw white shooting beams off in the distance. A meteor shower zipping

through space. Ana's hands yanked the wheel into a hard starboard, diving straight