Space Rescue One Read Online Free Page B
Author: Atk. Butterfly
jettison some of the cargo? We could open their outer hatch for them since they can't reach it. I guess we could go in, bag some of it up, and then toss it out to ease the strain on their hull," Chief Dickson said.
      "That's going to take a long time to do. We'll have to go through both airlocks over and over again to make a dent if it's as bad as I think. We're also risking getting the inner hatch jammed. If that happens, we won't be able to open the outer hatch without an override command. More importantly, we're putting more strain on their batteries," Chief Brunner said.
      "Captain Pern is sending over schematics and specifications to us. That should tell us what it can withstand. Ah, that must be them!" Captain Shortner said. He accepted several sheets of paper from a technician.
      The technician said, "There's more coming. Captain Pern indicated these were the most important and sent them first."
      "Good. Just bring in the others when they arrive. All right, Chiefs. Let's look at what we have to deal with," Shortner said.
***
"I tell you that the political situation is getting bad. Mars and Venus are both putting in supplies for a siege. I think we're going to see war break out," Technician Clarke said.
      "Since when did popcorn become long range supplies to withstand a siege?" Richard asked.
      "Not just popcorn. They're stocking up on everything. They're both complaining about the high tax rates and buying weapons by the thousands. Machinery, too," Clarke said.
      "I know that they've bought weapons, but those aren't for space. Seriously, you don't believe that they'll invade the Earth, do you?"
      "No, but they think that Earth will send troops to enforce its rule. They think Earth will invade them."
      "Then it shouldn't matter that much to us. After all, there's still warfare on Earth among some of the nations. As far as I can see, it's going to be business as usual in space. If anything, it might get easier for a while. I reckon that Earth will impose an embargo on Mars and Venus. When their supplies run out, they'll beg to pay taxes and put their weapons away. I doubt if there will be more casualties than from a small riot."
      "I don't know. Maybe you're right. In fact, I hope you're right, but my mind keeps picturing it as being much larger in scope. That's the only way I see for the colonies to make their wills known. If they don't take the war to Earth in some way, then the nations on Earth won't take them seriously."
      "I just don't see it getting bad. Three colonies against Earth isn't even a fight. I doubt if the three colonies together have as much as half a million people against almost ten billion on Earth. I think the colonists are forgetting that Earth doesn't have troop ships or a space navy. We're the closest thing to anything official in space and all we do is rescue work. Why, even if Earth gathers all the freighters and uses them to transport troops, I doubt that they could send out more than five thousand soldiers with their supplies and weapons. The colonies have more to fear from an embargo than from any shooting. Same goes for the Earth," Richard said.
      "I don't think the Moon is going to rebel. They sound like they're trying to remain neutral like their charter states," Clarke said.
      "Okay, the Moon isn't part of the rebellion. What's that subtract from the total? Ten thousand? It makes no real difference either way."
***
Captain Shortner said, "Here's an update from the Western Pride. We can't open their airlock. If we do that, we're condemning part of her crew to death. They have popcorn jammed in some of the inner hatches. It happened when they retreated to the bridge. They can't seal off
      "That's going to take a long time to do. We'll have to go through both airlocks over and over again to make a dent if it's as bad as I think. We're also risking getting the inner hatch jammed. If that happens, we won't be able to open the outer hatch without an override command. More importantly, we're putting more strain on their batteries," Chief Brunner said.
      "Captain Pern is sending over schematics and specifications to us. That should tell us what it can withstand. Ah, that must be them!" Captain Shortner said. He accepted several sheets of paper from a technician.
      The technician said, "There's more coming. Captain Pern indicated these were the most important and sent them first."
      "Good. Just bring in the others when they arrive. All right, Chiefs. Let's look at what we have to deal with," Shortner said.
***
"I tell you that the political situation is getting bad. Mars and Venus are both putting in supplies for a siege. I think we're going to see war break out," Technician Clarke said.
      "Since when did popcorn become long range supplies to withstand a siege?" Richard asked.
      "Not just popcorn. They're stocking up on everything. They're both complaining about the high tax rates and buying weapons by the thousands. Machinery, too," Clarke said.
      "I know that they've bought weapons, but those aren't for space. Seriously, you don't believe that they'll invade the Earth, do you?"
      "No, but they think that Earth will send troops to enforce its rule. They think Earth will invade them."
      "Then it shouldn't matter that much to us. After all, there's still warfare on Earth among some of the nations. As far as I can see, it's going to be business as usual in space. If anything, it might get easier for a while. I reckon that Earth will impose an embargo on Mars and Venus. When their supplies run out, they'll beg to pay taxes and put their weapons away. I doubt if there will be more casualties than from a small riot."
      "I don't know. Maybe you're right. In fact, I hope you're right, but my mind keeps picturing it as being much larger in scope. That's the only way I see for the colonies to make their wills known. If they don't take the war to Earth in some way, then the nations on Earth won't take them seriously."
      "I just don't see it getting bad. Three colonies against Earth isn't even a fight. I doubt if the three colonies together have as much as half a million people against almost ten billion on Earth. I think the colonists are forgetting that Earth doesn't have troop ships or a space navy. We're the closest thing to anything official in space and all we do is rescue work. Why, even if Earth gathers all the freighters and uses them to transport troops, I doubt that they could send out more than five thousand soldiers with their supplies and weapons. The colonies have more to fear from an embargo than from any shooting. Same goes for the Earth," Richard said.
      "I don't think the Moon is going to rebel. They sound like they're trying to remain neutral like their charter states," Clarke said.
      "Okay, the Moon isn't part of the rebellion. What's that subtract from the total? Ten thousand? It makes no real difference either way."
***
Captain Shortner said, "Here's an update from the Western Pride. We can't open their airlock. If we do that, we're condemning part of her crew to death. They have popcorn jammed in some of the inner hatches. It happened when they retreated to the bridge. They can't seal off
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