GIO assisted in fixing the spacecraft.

All four of them had to battle against time because they could not afford to lose the electricity let alone ignite an electrical spark.

For some reason, Giovanni felt the need to chip in his random opinions every now and then. At the end of it Logan started to hate his EarPods.

He kept checking in on them while they worked. He’d read through GIO’s words— Logan could tell because he sucked at paraphrasing —then sprinkle it with the occasional what’s up guys? You done now?

The man was infuriating. Too bad he was the CEO.

That was weeks ago now. Logan and the engineers did fix the spacecraft; the Inter-Galactic GG-20 lived to fight another day. Today officially made it three and a half months since the Inter-Galactic GG-20 left the launch pad on earth and began cruising through space and time.

They’d encountered asteroids, engine failure, and space debris. That last one proved the most annoying. Logan had had to alight the shuttle with a few crew members to perform yet another EVA repair.

Space debris was a real hassle. Over the years astronauts have become increasingly careless. Lens covers, launch adapters, ASATs, flecks of paints. You name it and you could probably find it littered somewhere in the interstellar atmosphere.

As of 2028, America’s Space Surveillance Network had eyes on about 24,000 objects floating helplessly in space— each about the size of a softball.

Although the Inter-Galactic GG-20 had several layers of metal and Kevlar (Whipple Shields) to protect against such bitsy pieces, satellites were a different story altogether.

Despite their best efforts, the pilots were unable to completely avoid potentially hazardous routes. The spacecraft collided with a satellite three weeks ago.

GIO came to their rescue once again and Giovanni, giving his unsolicited proverbial ‘two cents.’

Today was Transmit Day. Everybody got to put a call through to Earth and speak to their loved ones.

Back when NASAA had the monopoly on American space travel, they utilized Deep Space Networking (DSN) which was basically a collection of big antennas using radio waves to communicate. They also used those antennas to receive specifics about the location of various spacecraft and how they were doing.

The DSN system was obsolete in 2030. GSA used infrared lasers, a faster and more precise mode of connection. Logan planned to announce it to the crew that morning, eight after their daily exercise. One person had a maximum of three calls.

There were two different gyms about the space shuttle. Both housed a stationary bike, treadmills, dumbbells, and a weightlifting machine. The only difference was that one was specially designed for when there was no gravity to work against. So, they were using the other one today.

Borja was on the treadmill next to him. “What’s the latest on the satellite collision, Foxxman?”

Logan instantly grunted and not because of the weight above his head. He continued hefting the 30-lb dumbbells higher as if his life depended on it, pretending not to hear her. Sweat trickled down his body as his chest tightened.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Foxxman,” she repeated in a clipped tone. “Are you listening to me?”

Logan let the dumbbells fall to the ground. For a full minute he sat there trying to catch his breath.

Borja barely gave him a chance before she continued speaking. “We have encountered seven different incidents since the beginning of the mission. Three months and a couple of weeks. Don’t you think that’s a bit too much?”

Logan rolled his eyes. He should have known this was coming. “Six actually.”

She threw him a look mid-jog. “Two asteroids, engine failure, space debris, Saturn’s ring, a close call with a meteor strike and one bed space rendered useless. Seven.”

He cringed. He’d forgotten about the bed hullabaloo. Technically, that one was Mr. Gambetti’s fault, but it was the Commander’s responsibility, nonetheless.

The crew exercised daily for approximately two hours. Right now, only four people remained in the regular gym, having covered the first ninety minutes of the mandatory workout.

Logan did not need to check to know that Yaya Bello, the Lead Scientist, was long gone. The woman avoided exercise every opportunity she got. Any form of exertion was ‘stress’ to her.

He faced Borja’s treadmill. “I stand corrected.”

“Did it skip your mind that ensuring safety and a smooth travel are part of your job description?”

“No, ma’am. I am doing everything possible to see to that.”

“Which begs the question: why do we keep running into problems?”

Borja did not glance in his direction while she spoke. She kept up the pace on the treadmill as well as the undertone in her voice.

“Most of the issues are unforeseen circumstances.”

“Well, don’t you think it is your job to foresee them? Our lives are at risk here.”

He pocketed his hands into his joggers. There was something in her tone that Logan did not appreciate. “How could I have predicted the location of a random debris floating in space?”

“If you have to ask me that question, Commander, then you might be holding the wrong rank. It does not inspire much confidence in your authority.”

The interstellar efforts of the big countries of the world had one thing in common: careless littering. It had gotten so bad that one encountered debris every other mile. It was unavoidable. Satellite wastes were everywhere.

That was one of the reasons the UN was so hesitant to give them a chance to fly out. Borja was aware of this. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that our Commander needs to do a better job of keeping the crew safe.”

“Unconstructive criticism.”

Borja stopped jogging. Logan spun around to the person who spoke. “What?”

Giovanni was on the seat of the barbell behind him with a weird look on his face. “It is. That’s what my father will call what she’s saying. Unconstructive criticism.”

He shrugged. “I mean... all I hear is complaints. This is her crew too, you know. Can’t she suggest solutions?”

“Excuse me?” Borja sounded downright offended.

When did he even get here? He should have finished exercising already. Logan opened his mouth to speak but Giovanni beat him to it. “Oh, please. Not the pained expression. ”

He’d been slouching lazily against the weight behind him. He sat up now. “I heard your entire conversation. There have been accidents yada yada yada. So what?”

Borja’s eyes were nearly popping out of her head. It only encouraged Giovanni further. “Dr. Foxxman is doing his darndest to keep the ship safe. Hell, his spacesuit almost got penetrated during the last repair. You’re the nerds here but even I know that’s not good. He could have died!”

Logan saw the AA grimace. “All the more reason he should have been more careful. It’s a part of his job, sir.”

“Nobody signs up to die, Madam AA.”

Logan rolled his eyes. Madam AA?

“That kind of risk is always imminent on a flight like this. Everyone knows that.”

Giovanni moved closer to her. He actually looked kind of intimidating.

“Well, since you’re such an expert, what should he have done differently?”

She grimaced again.

“Stating the obvious without suggestions for a way forward is just insults in disguise. Not criticism. If you wanted to call the shots so bad, perhaps you should have held on to your position.”

Okay, that was enough. Why was Giovanni defending him?

Logan went around him to stand in front of Borja. He did not need anybody defending his honor. Least of all Mr. Giovanni Gambetti. “I appreciate it, sir, but I’m fully capable of speaking for myself.”

He didn’t get to. Borja had heard enough. She shoved Logan out of the way and walked out on both of them.