Airlock

Airlock Read Online Free PDF

Book: Airlock Read Online Free PDF
Author: Simon Cheshire
supply.
    â€œGeorge, switch on the pumps!” called Parker.
    George entered a code into the panel in front of him. There was a sharp thump, and from the machinery in the walls came an unsteady throbbing sound.
    At that moment, Commander Ferguson collided with the airlock window. He thumped against it with a heavily gloved hand. Parker closed the outer door and then opened the inner one to let the Commander in. He tumbled forward, clutching at his space helmet. Josh and Amira helped him to remove it.
    â€œAsh’s backpack blew,” he gasped. “I saw a flash.”
    â€œBut the packs on those suits are MegaZone Premium-A,” said Parker. “They’re normally very reliable.”
    â€œWell, that one wasn’t!” snapped the Commander. “Another of my crew gone!”
    Parker was clearly upset. The Commander, on the other hand, seemed to be lost in thought.
    George was struck by another of those icy feelings of fear. He quickly turned to Josh and Amira and ushered them into a corner of the room.
    â€œI just thought of something, guys. I know we were wondering about whether Dwayne was the saboteur, but what if we’re wrong? What if the saboteur was Commander Ferguson himself?”
    â€œWhat?” said the others together.
    â€œThink about it – Ash had just gathered vital DNA evidence, which would help reveal the identity of the person who’d caused the explosion. What if that person was the Commander? What if he fought with Ash, outside the station, when they were both out of sight and cut off from all communication? What if he’d done something to Ash’s backpack? What if the Commander got rid of Ash in order to get rid of the evidence too?” George blurted out in a hushed voice.
    Josh and Amira looked stunned. The idea seemed absurd.
    â€œWhy would the Commander want to wreck his own space station?” whispered Amira. She paused. “But then again, as Parker said, those backpacks are very reliable. I’ve read all about the countless tests they go through before they are fit for human use. Isn’t it a strange coincidence that precisely the evidence needed to find the saboteur was in the pocket of the person whose backpack went wrong?”
    â€œOr maybe Ash was the saboteur?” suggested Josh. “Suppose the Commander realised this and arranged an ‘accident’, in order to hide the fact that one of his loyal crew members was a spy?”
    George and Amira nodded eagerly.
    â€œWhat if Ash’s backpack break-down was all a con?” continued Amira. “Could he have secretly set his backpack to shoot him far out into space? What if, at this very moment, he’s linking up with a shuttle somewhere, instead of tumbling to his death?”
    They all looked at each other.
    Josh said, “Now I don’t have a clue what’s going on.”
    Just then, Dwayne appeared around the corner. “Where have you been?” said Amira.
    â€œNone of your business.” Dwayne went slightly red.
    â€œParker,” said Commander Ferguson. “I thought I told you to watch these kids?”
    â€œThey were helping me operate the air pumps, sir,” said Parker. “We’re safe. George switched the back-up feed on for me.”
    The Commander sniffed and cocked his head to one side. The machinery behind the panel George had operated was still making that strange, unsteady noise.
    â€œDid he now?” said Commander Ferguson. “Parker, why are those pumps sounding like an ancient steam engine?”
    â€œIt’s possible they could have been – ” began Parker.
    With an almighty cracking sound, the wall beside them suddenly buckled and bulged inwards. The lights in the corridor spluttered and died.
    â€œWhat’s happening now?” cried Josh. “Surely things can’t get any worse?”

Chapter Six

Falling to Earth
    Things were getting much worse.
    There was an electrical
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