Part Two Morning of the Mission (iii)
Mindful of the com issues Woolsey took a hand held communicator with him to breakfast. Since he'd been especially busy with reports the night before he'd had nothing but a sandwich for dinner, so he took a substantial meal out onto his favourite balcony.
He settled in what he was beginning to think of as his chair and laid out his bottle of water, small coffee, apple, orange, cream cheese and ham bagel and one of the Chef's evilly addictive chocolate brownies on the little table attached to the arm. Enjoying the sight of them sitting there, full of promise he wriggled down in his seat and took a few minutes just to enjoy the fresh air and blue sky.
Just as he was reaching for his coffee there was a shushing noise behind him. He looked around just in time to see a door he didn't even know was there hissing shut.
He blinked at it for a second or two; it appeared he was trapped on the balcony. One hand groped for his hand held communicator but before he found it there was a strange, rough squawking sound from the direction of the balcony rail.
It was a bird, an alarmingly big, sharp beaked, hunched shoulder thing that reminded him uncomfortably of a vulture.
His groping hand changed direction and closed around the apple. Instinctually he threw it, clipping the bird on the shoulder.
It responded by screeching irritably and shuffling along its perch. Other than that it did nothing, just stared at him.
Keeping his movements slow and unthreatening Woolsey reached for his communicator again. The bird seemed un-fussed about this, though it watched each movement carefully.
"Woolsey to gate room,"
"This is Chuck. Is the com out again sir?"
Richard realised he hadn't even tried his ear piece, "Actually I don't know, it doesn't matter at the moment. I'm trapped on a Balcony between the East pier and the science labs. A door shut cutting me off and there is no activation panel on this side."
Chuck's voice was sharp and clear over the com. "Sorry to hear that sir, probably a de-pressurisation door, I'll get a technician to you in a few minutes; I have your location now."
"Thank you Chuck," Woolsey considered whether he wanted to mention the bird. "Also, can you contact the science department and see who's handling the survey of the indigenous wildlife. An ornithological specimen is eyeing me hungrily."
"Certainly Mr Woolsey," Richard could hear him strangling a grin even down the com line. What was it about hearing your boss in difficulties that everyone liked so much?
"Woolsey out," Richard considered his next move, instinct and the occasional wildlife programme he'd seen told him he should stay as still as possible. He got comfortable slowly, breathed slowly and wished he'd managed to eat some breakfast before all this had happened.
His stomach growled, the bird cocked its head on one side and considered the sound curiously.