the bottom of the pilot’s capsule. A cold ache filled the cavity of his stomach.

“Too late. I’m on fire! Capsuling out. Repeat, capsuling out.”

“Brandon—!”

The colonel’s glaring face flicked off as Brandon pushed the pre-ejection lever into the lock position severing all connections between the ship and the pilot’s capsule. Brandon had a strange, detached feeling as he pushed the ejection button.

[p23]There was an explosion and the pilot’s capsule shot up like a wet bar of soap squeezed out of a giant’s hand.

[p

23

]

The ship turned into a torch and sank beneath him. Brandon closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened them he was staring at the Milky Way, then the desert as he tumbled over and over. He talked to the Milky Way.

“Ten seconds. Should wait at least ten seconds before releasing the drogue chute so I’ll clear the ship.” Then he spoke to the desert. “And maybe another ten to give the capsule time to slow down.”

He counted then pulled the chute release. Nylon streamed out behind him and snapped open with a tremendous jar. A moment later, bundles of metal ribbons floated out and billowed into a giant umbrella. The last thing he remembered was the taste of blood on his lips.

When Brandon opened his eyes he was staring at the silvery disks of the twin moons. They were high in the sky, obscuring the center of the Milky Way. Funny he should be lying on his back looking at the sky, he thought. Then he remembered.

The capsule was on its back and Brandon was still strapped securely to the seat. His whole body ached. Tendons had been pulled, muscles strained from the force of the ejection. His oxygen mask was still in place, but his helmet hung partly loose. He adjusted it automatically, then unbuckled the seat straps. He took a deep breath. Under the oxygen mask, he was aware of dried blood clotted in his nostrils, caked 

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