Lt. Aiko
double checked the repair record and instructed the repair bots to scan the
panel seams while he slowly increased the pressure in the compartment. He wasn’t worried so much about the new
repair but about leaks elsewhere.
“T-Ops,
maintenance.” The radio link chimed up. “We think you are ready to go.”
“Acknowledged,
maintenance.” Lt. Aiko was quite annoyed now.
He hated space suits and he had now been in his for almost 12 hours. “I
am bringing the pressure up slowly and I am going to be certain about leaks.”
“That’s our
job sir!” The maintenance supervisor was annoyed.
“No sailor,”
Lt. Aiko was as stern as he could be “It is everyone’s job! I am responsible for the lives of everyone in
this compartment, and everyone that will be in this compartment for not only
the next shift but for the foreseeable future.
So I am going to be certain. Is
that understood?”
“Yes sir.
Let us know when you are done.”
“Will
do. I’ll try not to keep your bot’s tied
up any longer than necessary.” The
Lieutenant tried to lighten up although he was clearly stressed out.
“Full
pressure sir.” Ensign Kahl reported. “Leak test is complete. All seals holding.”
“Very well.”
Lt. Aiko verified the report on his console “Ok, make one more sweep and then
we’ll let them go.”
The airlock
door opened with a slow hiss. Commander Venkataraman
floated into the compartment in her space suit, followed by four of her shift
crewmen. “Ok Lieutenant, it is shift
change. Captain’s orders!”
“Aye
commander.” Lt. Aiko reluctantly acknowledged “I just completed the leak and
hull integrity sweep, all is clear.”
“Very good
Lieutenant.” She looked around the compartment and noted the locations of the
maintenance bots. “Alright you guys, everyone out, we’ll take it from
here. Get your showers, get some chow,
double seal your quarters and run a full sterilization cycle on your suits.”
She waited for everyone to shift positions. “And I mean that last one. You don’t know when you will need that suit
again, or for how long.”
“Aye,
Ma’am.” Was the unanimous response as the old shift headed for the airlock and
the new shift took their positions.
“Alright,
let’s get down to business.” Commander Venkataraman announced “Let’s get that
pressure test, leak test and structural stress test run one more time, just in
case.”
Lt. Aiko closed the airlock door behind him knowing the compartment, and the station, was in good hands.
Lt. Aiko closed the airlock door behind him knowing the compartment, and the station, was in good hands.
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