CHAPTER 22
VIKKY AND THE RISING WATER
Vikky jumped off the laundry machine and splashed back to the supply room. "There has to be something here. A wrench or hammer." Her panic mixed with anger as she rummaged through the shelves for a tool to pry open the air vent, but found only boxes, soap, towels, folded bedding and forbidden electronic entertainment. With frustration, she reached out and swept a shelf clean- flinging its contents across the tiny storage room. The shelf dislodged and one end came down. She grabbed it with both hands and pulled it free from the bracket that held it.
A red light began to blink. The communications panel gave warning that the air pressure was reaching an unsafe level. "I know, OK."
The water was around her hips as she sloughed back to climb up on top of the laundry machine. With one hand under the end and the other to guide the shelf she swung it up against the vent. It bent slightly. She swung it a second time and the vent bent a little more. "Damn you." She began to ram the air vent over and over sending jarring shocks through her arm and shoulder. The vent began to collapse upward and to whistle as the air pressure escaped. She pounded it some more until one of the shutters broke free and disappeared up into the blackness within.
Dropping the shelf in the water she covered her ears as her face twisted in pain. "Ahhhhh! Holy crap that hurts."
The rising water was making the laundry machines float and bounce.
"Where did it go?" The metal shelf had vanished under the water. Vikky plunged under and groped to find it. She came up for air and plunged a second time. Her fingers found it. The laundry machines were floating against her, they seemed to be everywhere and in the way. The shelf was stuck under one.
"Where did it go?" The metal shelf had vanished under the water. Vikky plunged under and groped to find it. She came up for air and plunged a second time. Her fingers found it. The laundry machines were floating against her, they seemed to be everywhere and in the way. The shelf was stuck under one.
The water was waist deep by the time she had pried the shelf free. Vikky half swam, half waded to the door. With the shelf in both hands, she pounded the touch-pad that controlled the door. "Open, you sucker. Open!" She pounded it as much in anger and fear as in the hope that the door might open. The pad began to crumble, pieces of the clear film came off, chips of plastic broke free, and wires hung loose with electronic parts dangling from the ends.
"Aaaaagh." She gave vent to her frustration.
The nose of the ship changed. She hadn't noticed it before. There were strange sounds in the walls. She put her ear to the wall and listened to the noise of running water but there was something else too, voices yelling, banging and popping sounds. "Maybe they're nearby." She swung the shelf against the door. She hoped that someone would hear it and operate an emergency switch on the other side.
If they did would they be friendly space rangers or pirate?
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