Page 72 of Space Junk: Houston, We Have a Hottie
I still.
Flynn. Car. Wires.
Sweet Neptune.
I surge forward in my seat. “Bring up the schematics.” I may have shouted, because all eyes turn to me, startled.
“Of the Russian vehicle? They’re right there.” Ian points to the screen.
“No, forget the gyroscopes. The EXT-1—I need the schematics of the external wires running outside the station to the box.”
Sean nods, and interns run out of the room, presumably to get the schematics. I barely register the chaos, my mind on the wires. It’s a much a more complicated vehicle, but the fix should be just as simple...
Ian rests a hand on my arm, bringing me back to the room. “Okay, schematics should be up in a minute.”
“Good.” I look to Sean. “Get Jules and Bodie suited up.”
Vance Bodaway, a.k.a. “Bodie,” is a Flight Engineer astronaut currently onboard the ISS with Jules. He’s as much of a badass as she is, so what I have planned will be entertaining, if nothing else.
Sean raises both hands. “Wait a minute. What exactly are you thinking? I need more information before I tell some of the crew to stop emergency hatch procedures and take an hour to suit up in EVA gear.”
“We don’t have a minute. As you said, it’ll take them an hour to suit up, then another for the spacewalk I’m planning. And if what I tell them to do doesn’t pan out, they’ll still have two hours to get back into the station, de-gear and make their way to the Soyuz with the rest of the crew.”
“I don’t—” Sean starts.
“Come on, Sean. This is Jackie. Youknowthat if she’s this confident about an idea, it’s got to be good,” Ian says.
I nod at Ian in thanks.
“Worst case scenario, Jules and Bodie waste a bit of time messing around with their suits,” Ian finishes.
Sean looks from Ian to me. “Fine.” He picks up the phone and gives the order to the Flight Director on console. When he puts down the phone he sits back and stares me down. “So, Dr. Jackie Darling Lee. Just what exactlydoyou have planned?”
I take a deep breath. “We’re going to hotwire the station.”
Nineteen
Final Countdown
Flynn
My sister humswhile rifling through my kitchen pantry. Not at all like she’s just been arrested and almost jailed.
“I can’t believe this wasn’t the first time you’ve been arrested for beating up Beth,” I say to Rose. “Do I even want to know when that happened?”
Rose pokes her head out of the pantry, looking me in the eye. “You know when.” She disappears again for a moment, coming out with a bag of cookies. “That’s why I have my own lawyers.” She tosses the bag on the counter. “And why I paid Beth off the first time and made her sign papers saying she could never sue me. I knew she wasn’t done causing trouble.” She yanks open the fridge door, mumbling, “I’m not stupid.”
“That’s yet to be proven,” I say, but laugh softly, remembering the look on Holt’s face at the police station. “I thought Holt was going to have a conniption.” For an hour, Holt sequestered himself with Rose’s lawyer after he’d discovered Rose’s previous run-ins with Beth. Holt had been even more pissed when Rose’s lawyer wouldn’t tell him anything due to client confidentiality.
Rose retrieves the gallon of milk and clears her throat. “Speaking of Holt, you two seem to be getting along better.” Her voice is hopeful.
After our manly little heart-to-heart after dealing with Beth, my brother and Ihavegotten along better. Or at least a lot of the tension and resentment has lifted. Holt still moseyed back to the ranch after the police station. I think we’re both going to take this new reunion of sorts one day at a time.
I amble over to her, pushing her out of the way. “Yeah.” I grin, then grab myself a soda from the fridge. I realized today how much my anger had been controlling me. I’d been so consumed by it, I’d let it blind me to what’s important—family. And now, Jackie. So I’m letting the anger go. It’s easier than I thought it’d be. My brother is an idiot, but at least he was trying to help.
“That’s good.” She pours a large glass of milk and takes a healthy swig. “I was getting tired of playing go-between for you two asshats.”
“Nice mustache, dude,” I say, ruffling her hair.
