Bits and Bytes

Fear and Courage

Fear keep us alive. bravery get us killed. be smart. observe. wait for opportunity. they don't know where are you. yet. they don't know what you even look like! sigh! yet. you can do it. breath. ok. now . don't breath too loud, they might hear you. ok. ok. ok. how to get out of here. they will come looking for me in a minute or so. damn it!

ok.ok... only one gate. what ??! why did you not warned me !! ok. calm down.... ducts. thank god they are here. they can't make station without ducts. tools. my trusty tools. ok, cover is held by only 2 bolts. yeah ....old station need more repair. they need to do maintenance frequently. silently..... yes. oh, shit! if i remove both bolts, cover will fall. umm... keep 1 bolt on. rotate cover out of way. then rotating it back, a bit of adhesive will hold it for few hours. by then i will be gone.

i should keep other bolt with me. maybe to throw in other direction as distraction. ok now i am in duct, i should change my face to something new. remove my jacket. oh invert my pants. good. nobody will know it is me. wait. invert pant AFTER getting out of air duct. Augh.... cramped here. so i should be using some other face. who's face ? ok nose like ...oh who care! ok changing it to Reena's face. she is authorised person to do maintenance and i have all her credentials copied. done.

how did they found me ? must be something they used. process of elimination ??? may be. I should have used someone known in area and then changed face again after getting out of sight. I will do that definitely this time. they will be searching duct by this time. supply closet will be that vent. no cameras. wait . where is my hacker ? oh, there it is. ok. now open nuts from this side. wait!! bolt will fall.... they will hear noise. ok... i need to catch them before that. but how .... oh wait... adhesive with.... thread, to cover itself . yes. there you go. now bolt will remain hanging. now hurry.

Ah.. finally! screw them back. ok. remove threads. now ... invert pants. good god ! i almost forgot. invert jacket too. or go out in basic only. basic it is. it is generic and everybody use them. but they are clingy, lets hope nobody stare at my b**bs. if anybody notice them, they will find me again. wish they were fake like my face. ok. jacket in backpack. backpack in .... maintenance trolley. what else ? huh tool boxes, take 2-3 types. ooh... electronic type, it will have components. i can use them later.

ok.... now.... log in to server... create a fake maintenance request for airlock. which one is least used ? logs.... yes... near 7rd level. no useful exit need other then emergency or maintenance of nearby area. wait ! why not create a maintenance outside airlock!! good, all the time they search for me inside, i will be outside. oh i need to hurry, they will be searching duct soon. key ring... done. now out !! wait! cap on head, no point getting noticed more. walk with a slouch. height will remain undetermined that way.

good... nobody to see me walking out of closet, without walking in. i need to corrupt all sensor logs of station. ok i will unleash my viruses on network, once i am outside. i will have time then. if i don't, they will find Reena and trace where i went. what else ? i will need a lift out of station. oh... i am screwed. nobody will take me on ship without creating conflict with Reena on station. they will know where i am then they will chase me again. ok. first thing first. out of airlock. i will have time to think then. maybe they will leave without leaving a lagging tracker. huh, who am i kidding, they WILL leave a tracker. i should move to station side away from star once outside. star flare will cook me alive and these cloths are not enough for 2-3 hrs. also dark side will hide me from naked eyes at least. they cant find me in no light.