Sammel came to crumpled against the bulkhead and a console, his world sideways.

Disoriented, he raised his head in groggy curiosity, choking on the remaining smoke in the compartment. He could tell that the vents were wide open, and the fire suppression system had at least done its job after the last sublight engine overloaded completely. That was what he assumed happened from the wreckage in the room.

He found his feet and checked himself out. With some shock he ...