Fastening the collar of my angora robe about my tired neck and shoulders I heaved a sigh of relief. With my work done and anticipation for leaving the core, I already felt considerably cooler. Every other part of the ship was more comfortable than the core was. Burning antanium was hellish work. Ah, but to be in open space… not being confined to a ship at all! Yes, the desire of being free to travel in space,.. to be a Spacer!

As the door slid open, reflections of a pale-skinned man in half-hung coveralls shown before me and a hope filled my heart. I watched him puff anatine smoke into the air and wondered if he were the answer to my prayer.

Clearing my throat, searching for words to convince him to take me along, I said, “I believe you were brought here for a reason. Man does not travel space alone.” Did he understand, I wondered, taking an eager step forward.

“Look man, I’m just here for the heat,” he snapped. “The rest of the ship is too..” Stumbled by a heathen word, I heard only, “cold.”

Ah, cold!