24 25 “Skylar? Is that you?” “Yes,” you reply, “where are you?” “Round this side. Don’t worry. It’s safe.” You edge round the buggy and see Kiran sitting on the floor with their back against the wall. They’re clutching their arm and blood is pouring through their fingers. It is all over their jumpsuit legs. “What happened?” you ask. “I was in a fight with one of the astronauts. Don’t worry – she’s trapped in that airlock now.” Doctor Fong has been listening and now asks you to hold up the phone so that she can see Kiran’s wound. “You’re going to have to take your hand away,” says Doctor Fong, “Skylar, there’s a squeezy bottle of sterile saline. I want you to squeeze it into the wound so it will clear away the blood. Kiran, it’s going to sting, but we have to do it.” “Skylar, are you there? We need a medic.” “It’s ok,” you reply. The adrenaline and excitement are now keeping you going. You don’t feel scared anymore. Someone needs you. “I have the kit. Where am I going?” “Oh, thank goodness. The EVA airlocks. Kiran is hurt. They’re bleeding! Get there as quick as you can.” You try to run but again the 1/6th gravity catches you off guard. You pretty much bounce off the ceiling and sometimes the walls. You stop a moment to get hold of yourself. You look at the junction ahead. Luckily all the parts of the base are listed with arrows pointing the way you need to go. Left. Right. Right. Straight on. At one moment you find an adult crewman, but he is standing in a corner, staring at the wall and doesn’t turn as you clatter past. Finally, you reach the loading bay next to the airlocks. You look through the door window, but all you can see is the looming shape of a lunar buggy. You take a deep breath and hit the opening button. You feel so much relief as you hear Kiran’s voice.
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