Writers of the Future, Volume 29 by L. Ron Hubbard Page B

was going bad. He refused to open the suit.
    My infection was under control but not gone. I sat at the controls on the last day of the flight watching the clock and monitoring Lester’s fading life signs. Several times I stood over him with my fingers on the latches of his helmet. The thought of being confined to an isolation dome with a 100-kilo weightlifter who had a vendetta was the only thing that kept me from releasing the helmet.
    When we broke out of hyperspace, I signaled Prime for an emergency pickup. They sent a fast med ship with a rescue and biohazard crew. The med techs pulled Lester out, dumped him in an isolation chamber, did a rapid decon and ripped his suit open.
    They stuck me in an isolation chamber and moved me to a dome. Nothing could rid me of the alien bugs, but they seemed to be under control. After a couple of months, I was safe enough to be moved to the dome with Miyuki. It was a bittersweet reunion.
    I t took over a week before I heard about Lester. He needed skin grafts and his kidneys had taken a beating, but anoxia did the worst damage. The doctors weren’t sure his brain would fully recover.
    Slowly, he did recover. He was transferred to Base for rehab, but it was obvious he’d never go on another mission.
    He called me a few months later. His face looked older. He’d lost weight. When he spoke the words came slowly, with occasional pauses, but it was still Lester.
    â€œAidan, thought I’d check in with you before I left. I see you’re with Miyuki. I can contact you later, if you want.”
    Miyuki smiled. “It’s all right; we’re only playing gin rummy.”
    I moved to get a better view of him. “She’s beating me, as usual. How are you?”
    Lester shrugged. “The body’s fine. The brain’s slow. It’s improving. I’ll never be quite the same.”
    â€œToo bad they haven’t figured out an artificial replacement for the dud parts of a brain.” Lester nodded. “Was it worth it?” I asked.
    â€œOh, yes. Every time I feel the sun on my skin, I know I did the right thing. I’ve got regrets, but I managed to make it out alive and outside of a dome.” He paused. “Sorry.”
    I shook my head. “It’s okay. I’m a realist. I play the hand I’m dealt. Besides, I’m more or less in one piece, and I’ve got Miyuki.” I held her close and she kissed me. “In my own crazy way, I’m lucky.”
    Lester nodded. “Seems the deity is still looking out for you. I wish you two every happiness where you are, but I’d rather be here even with the fog.”
    â€œWhere are you?” I asked.
    â€œI’m on the liner getting ready to head out.”
    â€œBack to home and parents?”
    â€œMy folks wanted me to, but I have to be near a rehab facility for a few years. There isn’t one anywhere near their home. I guess you can tell that’s fine with me.”
    â€œI figured as much. So where to?”
    â€œMarina’s got some accumulated vacation time. Planned to go to a resort on Proxima. Seems they have a good rehab clinic. I’m going to let the Scouts pick up my part of the tab.”
    â€œDoes she know your condition?” Miyuki asked.
    â€œWe’ve had some time together; talked about it. She wants to give it a try.”
    â€œThen best of luck,” Miyuki said.
    I wanted to hug the boy. “I’m happy for you. Maybe it’ll be a good place to settle down.”
    Lester smiled. “Who knows?”
    I sat back. “I got word they’re going to sterilize that planet.”
    Lester shook his head. “Too bad. A few billion more people and no flying gasbags. The universe is a lesser place.” Lester stared at us a moment. “I saw a big dumb kid getting off the ship today.”
    I chuckled. “Remind you of anyone?”
    â€œHe was like a mirror. It would have killed me to break in that dumb