The Ascalin had been set to dead stop in space. The desperate thoughtspeak cries had been heard across the ship, and now an emergency rescue team was being scrambled.
I was chosen to pilot the rescue ship, with Jahal as my partner. We had flown rescue missions together before, and the three other Andalites with us were exceptional at zero gravity ops. There was little time to waste- we flew the ship around to the Ascalin's aft and stopped.
As the retrieval team donned their air hoods in the airlock, we caught sight of the group on the exterior viewscreens. I had guessed that one of the victims was Andalite, but-
What?! He's a child! Jahal exclaimed.
Yes, Jahal. And if we do not rescue them now, they will be dead. Upon receiving the go-ahead from the retrieval team, I instructed the computer, Close airlock. Open hatch.
The waiting was worrisome. I drummed my fingers on the console nervously. Six lives, one of them Andalite, depended on us. Finally, the thoughtspeak call came from the airlock:
We have all of them. Close the hatch.
I did so, allowing the retrieval team back into the ship itself.
Will they be all right? I asked.
They all depend on oxygen to breathe, it appears- but the Ascalin's doctor will need to check them all over for symptoms of decompression sickness as well.
The rescued group lay on the deck of the ship, crumpled limply in unconsciousness, wheezing as their lungs took in such desperately needed oxygen.
I turned the small ship back towards the Ascalin's docking bay. They all needed to be taken to sickbay. Rescue ship to Ascalin. We have them. Request medical team on standby to receive.
How did they get out here? Jahal asked me privately.
I swung my stalk eyes back and forth. I don't know, Jahal. And we may never find out.
A/N: So the thoughtspeak arrows didn't show up when I uploaded this. So I just put the dialogue in italics.
