I'm feeling very still

Yesterday, I almost died. I had always figured I would go in some kind of car accident or doing something crazy like bungee jumping. It never occurred to me that a computer might try to kill me. But less than 24 hours ago, that's exactly what Stanley tried to do.

Frank and I had been training all week in the exploration pods with the Major. Problem was, the pods are powered by some kind of high-tech electric propulsion that takes a week to recharge. The Major said that's why there was three of them. In case one was charging, two others could be used.

Of course, since we needed all three and we had less than a week, we only had enough juice for one trip. Which meant no practice runs. All our training was basically theoretical. Not a big confidence booster for two guys whose only experience was flight simulators on the xbox.

The Major wasn't thrilled either. It was like forcing a pro coach to play his "C" team. I told him earlier in the week to get a couple guardians to take our place. He said they were already spread thin keeping tabs on the guardians he didn't trust. "Once I give the word," he said "I need every one of them in place to secure the ship. You two will just have to do. Besides, Stanley knows I'm up to something. I want him to think he's still calling the shots."

So, with no way around it, yesterday morning at 6:02 a.m., we met the Major in the airlock. He was in an all black flight suit with a grey helmet tucked tightly under his arm. It looked like he could've flexed and cracked it like a walnut.

Major: Well boys, you ready?

Frank and I nodded mechanically. The Major put his helmet on, secured the latch, then flashed a thumbs up at me. It was one of those strange moments you know you'll always remember. I had a sinking feeling I was some character in a doomed play that couldn't escape.

The Major got into his pod and fired up the bright instrument panel. I started toward my pod when Frank grabbed my arm. He looked uncharacteristically calm.

Frank: Hey Clark, if anything happens, will you tell my big brother Dave back in Kansas that he was the greatest brother a guy could have?

Me: What are you talking about? Frank, don't worry, this is just a repair mission. You act like we're going to the front lines or something.

Frank: Just promise me you'll tell him.

Me: Stop talking crazy. You can tell him yourself when we get back.

I quickly put my helmet on so he wouldn't notice that he was scaring the daylights out of me. Someone starts talking like that and suddenly I feel like my fate is sealed. I patted him on the shoulder, and looked him in the eye mustering as much fake confidence as I could.

Me: I'll see you back in this airlock in an hour.

I walked over to my pod hoping the flight suit would hide my trembling knees. I fired up the pod and tried to take some deep breaths. The Major's voice crackled over the helmet speakers.

Major: Strap yourselves in boys, I'm about to open the airlock.

I gripped the double navigation handles and tried to relax.

Major: Stanley, can you hear me? Stanley?

Several moments went by with no reply.

Major: I've got the com link off, I just wanted to make sure he couldn't hear us. I've decided once the life support systems are back online, I'm making my move. That means, as soon as we land these things I'm pulling Stanley's plug once and for all.

Frank: Are you cutting the wires I told you about?

Major: You guessed it Frankie. But they're more like fuses than wires. All I need to do is pull them and it's light's out for that demonic Speak n' Spell.

Me: Wait, what?! How would Frank know which wires or fuses or whatever to pull? We need some serious technical advice here before...

Major: We're outta time Clark. Frankie found the most likely spot above the main navigation deck. It's our best bet.

Me: Best bet? Are you crazy? We're in deep space. You disconnect the wrong thing and we're left floating out here like a tin can.

Major: It's now or never Clark. The technicians are all layed out with food poisoning and I've already lost five guardians to what Stanley calls "unfortunate accidents."

Frank: Five guardians? You didn't tell me about that.

Major: I didn't want to scare you. Look, my emergency rations are almost out. It's simple, act now or we're next on the chopping block.

Me: Major, this is going way to fast here, we need to think this through a little more.

Major: No more delays. My mind is set. Now keep your mouths shut about this. I'm switching on the com link.

The red com link button switched on in the pod.

Major: Stanley, you there?

Stanley: Yes Tom. Are you ready to leave the ship?

Major: Yes. Open the pod bay doors.

And with that, the two large bay doors slid slowly apart and the vast choir of stars outside blinked in on us like photographers at a red carpet event.

to be continued...