I'm feeling very still (part 3)

The low battery indicator blinked incessantly as I powered the exploration pod with Frank still in tow to the large bay doors. I stared at the thick white doors for a moment. How on earth was I going to convince Stanley to open them? I might as well have been floating outside the death star hoping for hospitality from Darth Vader.

Frank: What now?

I didn't answer. I was all out of ideas so I defaulted to the first thing that came to mind.

Me: Open the pod bay doors Stanley.

Stanley: I'm afraid I can't do that Clark.

Me: You can't just leave us out here.

For several moments the only thing I heard was Franks anxious breathing over the helmet speakers. I decided to be more forceful.

Me: Stanley, open the pod bay doors, that's an order!

Silence. I started to wonder what death would be like out in space. I had just come to the conclusion that it was a better way to go than being attacked by wild animals when Frank spoke up.

Frank: Looks like we're on our own Clark.

I didn't know what to say. In a weird way I felt like I let Frank down.

Me: Yep.

Frank: We could try that emergency hatch.

Me: Emergency hatch? Where?

Frank: About ten yards back. I saw it on our way to the bay doors. I figured it'd be a good last resort.

Without another thought I spun the pod around and thrust the levers forward. I was almost on empty and the mere hint of a backup plan sent an invigorating jolt through me.

Stanley: The emergency bay won't help you Clark. I've drained the room of oxygen and your helmet reserves are almost depleted.

Frank: Don't worry Clark, just bring my pod around first. I'll get us in.

Frank seemed unusually calm and in control. Maybe seeing the Major drifting out in space or being on deaths doorstep himself awakened something inside him. Either way, it sounded like he had a plan and I went with it.

I reached the emergency hatch and brought Franks pod around so his door lined up with it. He used the pod claws which thankfully were still operational and twisted open the bolt locks. The door slid open and Frank rushed in.

Frank: I'm in. I set the pod claws to auto release. Once it's out of the way, anything not nailed down in here is getting sucked out into space.

As soon as Frank's pod unlatched, air rushed out of the room and pushed it from the ship. I watched it spin lazily toward the stars like some tombstone adrift. I powered forward and locked the claws into place, pulling my pod flush with the ship.

Stepping into the emergency bay was a feeling of relief I can't really explain. It was like setting foot on an island after being lost at sea. Frank was already punching numbers on the security door keypad.

Me: That pod won't hold long. You think there's any way we'll punch enough buttons till we guess the right code?

To my shock the security door slid open. Frank smiled.

Frank: Major Tom had me memorize every code he knew. I was his fail safe.

Me: I'm becoming a firm believer in fail safes.

To be continued...