Outside In Read Online Free PDF

seemed an impossibly short time. The mechanical voice—which I had been correct in assuming was the computer’s automatic safety system—informed us maintenance had bypassed the damaged sections of the power plant and operations have resumed. Once again electricity and heat were being generated and we would be up to full capacity in a matter of hours.
    A new voice, sounding like Hana, requested helpers to assist with cleanup in Sector B4. One of the water storage tanks had ruptured. I imagined rust growing on the walls and floor of B4, spreading like a disease.
    During the week, the infirmary emptied as people healed. About mid-week, I finally had a few hours to myself. I decided to inspect the damaged areas, starting with Sector F3.
    In the back of my mind, I knew the force of the blast had been significant. But to see a huge jagged hole, crinkled metal and scorch marks was a whole other experience. A number of apartments had been destroyed. Wires hung to the floor and water dripped and pooled. The ceiling had been peeled back, exposing the Gap between levels three and four.
    Using the buckled metal wall, I climbed up into the Gap. At this location, I could stand, but normally I would have to crouch in the one and a half meter space. The damage to level four resembled level three, except the floor had been ripped apart instead of the ceiling. The water pipes and air conduits that criss-crossed this space looked like broken toys.
    Climbing higher, I found Logan in the plant’s main Control Room on level four. He pounded on a keyboard, muttering and cursing to himself. A white bandage covered his left temple and eyebrow. Dark purple and red bruises colored his left cheek.
    “How bad is it?” I asked him.
    He jerked. “Where the hell did you come from?”
    It took me a moment to respond. Riley had said Logan looked better than me, but I’d slept since the explosion. Logan’s haggard oval face and bloodshot eyes told me it had been a long time since he’d rested.
    “Where else would I come from? Outer space?”
    He grunted and his focus returned to the computer screen.
    “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern. However you look like Chomper’s been chewing on you. When’s the last time you’ve eaten?”
    “No idea. What time is it now?” Logan cursed and slammed his fist down.
    I pulled his chair away from the console.
    “Hey!” He braced his feet, trying to scoot back.
    “No.” I swiveled him to face me. Nose to nose, I gave him my best scowl. “You need food and sleep.”
    “But—”
    “Inside has power and heat.”
    “But—”
    “Whatever you’re working on will still be there when you return.”
    “But—”
    “You can’t think straight without rest.”
    He clutched the chair arms as if I had threatened to pick him up and carry him to the cafeteria. No need. I would roll his chair if I had to.
    His words rushed out in a panicked burst. “But this is important!”
    I straightened and crossed my arms. Keeping a stern expression, I said, “This had better be good.”
    Logan’s wild gaze flicked to the door and back to me. “Promise to say nothing?”
    “I can’t.”
    “For now. Just for now. Until I confirm it.”
    “Logan, you’re starting to worry me.”
    “Promise to keep quiet for now?”
    “Okay, okay. Now spill.”
    Once again he checked the door. He pointed to the top button on his shirt. “Is your microphone off?”
    “Yes.” I almost screamed the word at him.
    “The power plant wasn’t the only system to be damaged by the explosion.”
    “All the systems were affected by the electrical outage. Why is this a secret?”
    He rubbed a hand over his face. “We didn’t even know this system existed until ten weeks ago.”
    “Oh. An Outer Space system?”
    “Yep. And not a minor one like Gateway. This one is called the Transmission. In simple terms, it takes a portion of the energy produced by the power plant and transmits it to Outer Space, pushing us toward our