311

"Jettison the extra."  The captain's pronouncement froze his crew.  "Now," he added to jump start them breathing again.  It was a testament to their training and their belief in their captain that all three of the crew were jolted back to work.  Ben prepped the magnetic release, and Jo went to double seal the airlocks in reverse from the rear of the main ship.

Although Gia continued rerouting critical systems in preparation for release, she was in doubt, and not afraid to question Captain Halloran.  "Captain, there could be another way.  What if we..."

"I have thought about it plenty, Gia.  This is our last chance.  Ben?"

"Mags ready, sir."

Jo skidded back onto the bridge.  "Airlocks sealed."  Gia swiveled her seat to look at Jo; to see how she felt.  Jo wasn't looking back, but her lips were tight and she seemed pale as she sat back in front of her console.

"Jo..." Gia began, only to be cut off again by the Captain.  "Gia, prepare the thrusters."  Captain Halloran dropped into his chair and buckled in; everyone followed suit.  "Ben."  The Captain ran his hand over his face.  "Release the maglocks."

253

What haunted Miranda at every step was a one-word question: Why?  Her worn hiking boots crunched on the frozen leaves and snapped twigs.  Right foot: Why?  Left foot: Why?  Right foot: Why am I here?  Left foot: Why am I still here?  Right foot: Why am I so stupid?  Left foot: Why did I agree?  Right foot: Why don't I just stop?  Left foot: Why am I still walking?

Miranda hoisted her pack higher and tightened the straps again, all the while taking one step after the other.

101

What is in room 101? A person who has read George Orwell's 1984 knows the answer is "The worst thing in the world." If I were to ask that person what the worst thing in the world is, he or she would most likely answer, "Rats." He or she would be wrong.

The worst thing in the world is sacrificing those you love to save yourself.

I did that. I did the worst thing in the world. I sacrificed everything I ever loved to save myself, and here I am, and here they're not. I wish the worst thing had been rats.