Decompression

By Kyle Powers

Decompression

*tsc*
When my suit pressure blows out my faceplate I’ll only have ‘bout eleven seconds; whadda I want ta say....
*crack*
We tossed Jeff in the airlock, so I don’t needta try’n explain what happened.
*crasck*
I’ll have ‘bout two minutes before the vacuum kills me, maybe ol’ Jeff’ll pull me in by then.
*ch ch ch ch*
Heh, the silver mist from my air leakin out looks neat. maybe I can stay conscious a bit longer if the air stays on. Well. here goes nothin.
*chchk*
I wonder if it’s true that your life flashes before yah die.
*Shatter*

This Is Colonel Adam Beneke of the Murphy’s Folly. Lieutenant Jeffrey Meigs is aboard ship, status unknown, if he’s alive he’ll tell yah what happened.

Molly, I love yah and the kids, I can only pray this message get ta y- uuuhhk uhk uhk.


Ugh, damnit Jeff, you alright?

Yah... I think so.

You were unconscious when we tossed ya in here, how the hell’d you manage ta get me in before I kicked it?

I woke up twenty minutes ago and saw you just staring out inta the void. When ya turned and looked toward the ship I saw yer helmet blow and rushed out ta get ya. Ya were only in vaccum fer, a minute or so. What the hell happened?

I dunno, Frank started hittin the damn thing out there and screamin inta the mic. I dunn even know what he was sayin... I just watched him pull his helmet off and he start smashing at mine until he just stopped. And what the hell happened to you? One minute yer looking around that... that artifact they was callin it, then ya jumped back and went limp!

I dunno what happened. I... I saw... something. And the next thing I know, I’m in here looking out at you just floating there. Your helmet pops and you didn’t even try ta push off toward the Jewel?

I din’t think I’d make it, and it’was more important t’get you inside than worry’bout myself.

Well thank the lord I got you in. Should we try get Frank’s body once we replace your helmet?

Yah, but.. where is it? and where’s artifact?

What’ya mean it’s right outside the... air... lock.

Jeff, did’yah move the ship? There's nothing out there...