Work in space is dangerous. You have to be wiling to make snap decisions that might sacrifice a few to save many.Harry is a newly assigned MAN Operator, mechanized-automated-neurolinked (or, if you will, power armor designed for space maintenance), and is being checked-out on the equipment in 4.5 Gs. He trained on Earth in 1G. He is having a little trouble with the check list. He is laughed at.
But then, something happens and Harry is forced into action to help save everyone from destruction. Harry is enlisted by the notorious Bob Roberts. Harry takes his orders from Roberts and gathers the parts and tools to fix the station.
Everyone hates Roberts. Roberts is a hard ass and does not like to work with partners. I get the feeling that Roberts is like that detective that loves his job so much that he doesn’t want someone to come in and ruin it for him.
Anyway, more problems arise, more complications that prove that Bob Roberts is a hero.
This is a quick read. The writing is very engaging. The action and plot is tight. The narrative does not deviate from the problem at hand. There is very little back story and no flashbacks. This is very refreshing. As a reader, I like being dropped in a situation that propels itself forward with little to no effort.
You will want to find this story. I hope that can learn from it and fix a couple of my own stories to reflect this kind of focus.
Gleason, William. “Into that Good Night.” Analog. April 2008, Vol. CXXVIII, No. 4. P. 80 - 85
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