Escape Pod

Bishop's Opening (Part 1 of 4)
By R.S.A. Garcia

Old as she was, the Kiskadee had done three full delivery runs without a single safety incident. So naturally, with the crew relaxed after a fourth successful delivery and launch, and eight cycles after Reece slingshotted the starship around Tavaco to head back to the Roost and their next job, their luck ran out.

Sebastian was in the middle of his daily workout when the shrill bark of the fire alarm brought him to a halt.

"Where's that coming from?" he shouted as he hurried to unbuckle himself from the treadmill's harness with sweaty hands. Officially, he was the newest crewmember, two years into a three-year contract and designated as a cargo handler. The alarm meant the 'other duties as assigned' part of his contract was about to kick in.

"Ventilation shafts ten and eleven," Reece replied in his ear.

Sebastian was shoving his feet into his mag boots when the pilot added, "Origin point--Oxygen unit four."