Retreat And Surprise

       B'eight quickly exits the mess hall and heads down the main walk toward the loading area to begin a long shift of labour.  "Today is a load-in day too" B'eight says aloud  "Short on sleep and the biggest load this week, fantastic." But B'eight does not have to worry about work for very long though.

     There is a sudden explosion from somewhere bellow in the ship and everything shakes.  Then everything turns.  The hallway in front now is turning into a slide tipping forward.  B'eight has no time to react as the boots quickly loose traction.  B'eight falls straight back and begins sliding down the long hallway, unable to slow momentum or do much of anything.

    As doors and hallways pass on either side B'eight lets go of the rations bag and begins grabbing at anything to stop the slide.  This is all a waste of time and one such grab even bends back a few fingers on the left hand, probably breaking a bone or two.  A pained yelp escapes B'eights lips.  In the past the thought about how long this hall was had crossed B'eights idle mind while walking to work, but now, sliding down helplessly, gaining speed, the sheer magnitude of it's length was crystallized.

 - B'eight holds the wounded hand close and continues falling (what else is there to do?)




















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