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protective clothing appearing out of the lift and dragging the crew member away.
    The clear embellishment was the offenders being fired out of the waste disposal hatch into space. How could any of the shift know? Besides, it seemed these stories were passed down through the decades. He’d never met anyone who had physically witnessed it or knew a person who had.
    “There’s a comments section at the end of the test. You’re supposed to report any strange behavior from other crew members,” Maria said.
    Ethan frowned. “Like what?”
    “We’ve got an agreement to leave it blank,” Ben said. “It’s sort of a tradition—”
    A loud scream echoed along the corridor. Erika.

Chapter Three
    Charlie stopped a few doors away from The Rusted Shovel and waited for Greg, whose voice was cutting in and out through Charlie’s cell speaker, to stop moaning about the cancellation of the trip.
    Eventually, his old friend from Charlie’s time as a National Guardsman stopped for a breath.
    “I know it’s super last minute, but something’s come up at work, and I’ve got to stay over the weekend.”
    “You know we’re psyched about this one. We won’t have another chance until next year. This was the last weekend they’d keep the place open to visitors,” Greg said, the disappointment all too clear even over the crappy line. For the last few days, Charlie had noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to make a solid call. There was something on the news about increased electromagnetic interference in the atmosphere these days.
    “I’ll make it up to everyone,” Charlie said. “Next trip is all on me. With this work we’re doing at the moment, I should be in line for a big fucking bonus, and I’ll share the wealth, bro.”
    “It’s not the money, Chuck, it’s the time. But fine, I get it. I know it must be important for you to grovel like a whiney bitch.”
    “Yup, that’s me. Okay, I gotta run. The boss is giving me daggers. I’ll be in touch next week when I know my schedule better, and we’ll arrange something else. Say sorry to Manny and Bill for me.”
    “Will do. Laters.” Greg hung up just before his words were cut off from a blast of static. Charlie pulled the cell away from his ear before dropping into the front pocket of his cargo pants.
    The truth was, as eager as he was to make the climb and meet up with his buddies, the discovery just wouldn’t leave his imagination. He’d only got two stations away when he knew he couldn’t concentrate without digging further into it. And then there was of course the opportunity to share a beer with Pip, something he hadn’t had a chance to do in months.
    Since they took on the Nat-Geo contract, it had been fifteen-hour days for everyone. Not that he thought he really had a chance. She was his boss for one, out of his league for another. Her parents were some big shots in D.C. He doubted she’d be the model daughter if she showed up at their mansion with a bottom feeder in hand. Charlie didn’t even own a suit: just cargos, chinos, and jeans.
    He mentally shrugged away the issues and walked into the Shovel, savoring the sound and smell as he stepped inside. A home away from home, he felt more comfortable there than he did in the room he rented from Pip.
    Being in her place was like borrowing someone else’s life and being scared that his lackadaisical ways would break it indefinitely. Even her cat, Timbo, looked down at him as though he were nothing but a wild peasant, but then that was cats for you.
    The barwoman, Patty, gave him a nod, a smile, and a saucy wave with her fingers. Nope. Not his type. Lovely girl, friendly, but the face tattoos weren’t his thing, nor the biker gang she rode with. Two of their larger and hairier members were sitting at the bar, their back to the door, working on a pitcher of budget beer.
    The two bikers turned round, froth caught in their beards. Together, like coordinated dummies, they said, “Evening,