Chapter Fifteen
"Three hundred thousand miles?" echoed Ruby.
"And no way to get home," added Sapphire, watching as the pieces of comet left over continued on their way.
"So we saved the world and we're doomed?" asked Onyx.
"Unless you've got a spare space ship in your suit, yeah," said Ruby, sarcastically.
"Don't start with me," said Onyx, sharply.
"Shale, are you okay?" called Amethyst. "You don't sound good."
"Yeah, I'm fine. And if you'll quit arguing long enough, I've got some good news," she answered.
"Sorry," said Ruby and Onyx in unison.
"Okay, I want you all to stay where you are for right now. The computer is running a diagnostic. So far, I can tell you that the cabin integrity is intact, as are the supplies. We're running on the batteries since the main power was sheared off, but that's not a problem since they are magic enhanced and will last for months.
The antenna was lost so we can't contact the station, but at least local communication is intact.
We've been pushed into a new orbit, one that will take us away from the ground and into a solar orbit."
"And that means...?" asked Ruby.
"We're about to become a new planet," Shale clarified.
"With a population of six," added Sapphire.
"Okay, I need you guys to inspect what's left of the Phoenix, look for anything leaking, live cables sparking, anything like that. We need to get and keep as much control as we can," called their pilot.
bffl bffl bffl
Working slowly and carefully (no one wanted a punctured space suit) the five girls looked over the remains of their ship.
"Here's a leaking hose..." called Topaz, "Ewww! Whatever it is, is nasty!"
"Look for a valve to shut it down," said Shale. "I'll try to pinpoint what it is."
"Topaz, don't get too close to those wires, I haven't checked them yet," said Sapphire.
"Okay, I'll go over this way..." and she moved away from the wires.
"Shale, shut off power to lines B5 through B8," said Onyx. "I just saw a spark from one wire."
"Done," was the answer, "And that has nearly stopped the major drain on power."
"I found a valve," called Topaz, "And I've shut it off. The leak's stopped."
"I'm impressed, Tope," said Onyx, "Good work."
"Thanks, Onyx!" said the blond ditz, and giggled.
"Topaz, I found what was leaking... and you don't want to know," called Shale.
"Um... okay," was the answer. Topaz scratched at her helmet in confusion.
"Hey, Sapphire, isn't this the antenna lead?" asked Amethyst, holding a thin black cable.
Sapphire moved over to look. "I think it is! Shale, what is... G1?"
"Lemme see... Yes! You found it! Tie it off, and we'll think about making some kind of antenna when we get time," said Shale.
"I'll do it, and start on that last bundle of cable," said Sapphire.
bffl bffl bffl
Finally Shale was sure everything was as secured as it could be, and called the BFFL back in.
Back inside, they took off their helmets and sat heavily in their chairs. Shale handed each a towel and they wiped their faces.
"Get some rest and I'll fill you in on our situation," said Shale. She had also brought out bottled water from the stores and handed them out as well. Then she sat in the pilot's chair and turned to face them.
"All in all, we're not in bad shape. The cabin is secure as far as air pressure, and all the systems are running. We have supplies for about two weeks for the six of us."
"An advantage of magically enlarged storage compartments," commented Ruby.
"I stopped the tumbling, but it took most of our remaining fuel. The main drive is gone, of course. We were knocked into a new orbit by the collision. I thought we were now in orbit around the sun, but I was wrong. We'll be traveling away from the ground for several days, then gravity will pull us back."
"That's good news," said Sapphire, and looked at her friends. "We'll be getting closer to the ground as time passes. They might be able to rescue us when we get close enough."
"So... we're still stuck in here for days to come?" asked Topaz.
"I'm afraid so. We don't have any way to make the trip faster. I'll need the thrusters to control our attitude," said Shale.
Ruby sat back in her chair and gave a huff. "Great."
"Hey, we're alive, aren't we?" said Amethyst, "We saved the world and we're alive."
"Small consolation," muttered Onyx.
"You guys did a great job shutting down all the broken pipes and cables. I don't think there's any danger of an explosion or further leaks." Shale turned back to the controls. "Get some rest, and in a few hours we'll see about fixing an antenna and re-establishing contact with the station."
bffl bffl bffl
Shale and Sapphire were outside, trying to fix up an antenna. Onyx stood just outside the airlock, in case she was needed. Ruby was at the radio, with Amethyst and Topaz by her side.
"Okay, I've got the lead stripped, what now?" asked the freckled troll-girl.
"I m looking for something to use as an antenna, but there just doesn't seem to be anything suitable," answered Shale.
"Be careful and don't snag your suit," said Topaz and giggled. "It's already a fashion disaster, but you wouldn't want to make it worse by putting a hole in it."
Everyone laughed, and it eased the tension. Amethyst smiled at the blond and gave her a silent 'thumbs up'. Topaz nodded in response and smiled back.
"Maybe this piece of support..." muttered Shale. "No, it's plastic. Darn it!"
"The ship's hull is metal, isn't it?" put in Onyx, "Why not use that?"
There was silence for a few seconds.
"Well, I don't have any better idea," said Shale at last, "Let's find a spot with no paint and try there."
The sheered off edge of a brace was selected, and sapphire brought the end of the wire over. It was just long enough to reach.
"Stand by, Ruby, we're attaching it now," called Sapphire.
"On it," was the answer.
Ruby, Amethyst and Topaz watched the radio intently as a crackling sound came over the speaker.
"-calling the Phoenix. Station calling the Phoenix. Shale, are you there? It's been seven hours since contact was lost. Do you copy?"
There were cheers all around.
"That did it!" said Topaz.
"Okay, we're going to tie it off and come back in," said Sapphire.
"Uh, yeah, hello, We're here! Station do you read?" said Ruby.
"Phoenix! Glad to hear from you! Your signal is weak and the frequency is slightly off, but we can adjust. Can you give me a status report, Miss Trollman?" They could hear cheers in the background, and a voice said 'call their families!'
"We're all okay," answered the redhead, "A piece of comet hit us and tore the ship in two, but the cabin is fine, and everyone is in good shape."
"This is Amethyst. Me, Ruby, and Topaz are in the cabin. Onyx is just outside the airlock, and Sapphire and Shale were trying to fix the antenna," put in the pink-haired troll.
"Hey, I wanted to say that!" huffed Ruby.
"Sorry," said Amethyst.
"Miss van der Troll, look to the right of the radio. You'll see a set of switches marked "Data Feeds". Could you turn those on for us?"
"Uh, sure... got it," she answered, flipping the switches. "Wait, they were already on."
"Thank you. We'll analyze what we're getting and let you know."
"Sir, we're not getting anything."
"The lights aren't lighting up either," added Ruby.
"Well, we'll work with it later," came the voice from the station. "We've traced your signal and found you with the radar. Checking your orbit, it looks like you'll be moving back toward the ground in a few days, and it will take you about three weeks to arrive."
Just then Shale appeared behind the pilot's chair. They had missed the sound of the airlock cycling in the excitement of re-establishing contact.
"Ground, did you say three weeks?" she asked.
"That's correct," was the answer.
"Then we have a problem." She glanced around at the BFFL standing and watching her. "We have only have an air supply for two weeks."