The Clock Winked (The Sagittan Chronicles Book 2) by Ariele Sieling Read Free Book Online Page B

elevator can be a bit sticky so we
have to take multiple sets of stairs.”
    “What do you mean, sticky?” Chair Rizinski asked, frowning.
His unibrow made a downward ‘v.’
    “Oh, Lee will give you all the details, but it basically has
to do with the heat of the sun melting some poorly chosen casings which house
the computer programming consoles. We replaced the covers, but some melted
plastic has gotten into the workings of the system and causes the elevator to
stop at random times, but only when that side of the station is facing the sun.
So far we’ve been unable to obtain a grant to fix the problem, but we’ve
learned to work around it. During this part of our orbit we only use the
elevator to transport inanimate things, not employees.” Samson smoothed out his
tie as he reached out to open the door to the stairs. “You can examine it
yourself if you wish. We’ve had three elevator repairmen up to look at it, and
they all came to the same conclusion.”
    “Thank you, I think I will,” Robspar replied, following the
Chair and Samson closely as they moved down the stairs. Misty trailed behind,
scribbling rapidly in her notebook.
    The door at the bottom of the stairs led into a room with
high shelves. Gloves, hard hats, and tools filled every nook and cranny.
    “Take a hard hat,” Samson said, gesturing towards the
shelves. “It’s loud, too, so we use these sound-canceling headsets. Just put
this part in your ear, and tape this part to your cheek—“ he demonstrated, “and
you’ll be able to speak and hear without going deaf or hoarse.”
    The Chair and Robspar followed suit. Misty was still
scribbling in her notebook.
    “The door is right here,” Samson said, reaching to open it.
“I’ll be in as soon as I help Misty with her headphones.”
    The Chair nodded as he and Robspar disappeared into the
engine room.
    “Misty,” Samson said, smiling and turning towards the young
girl.
    “Oh!” she exclaimed, looking up from the deafening
fascination of her notebook. “Where are Chair Rizinski and Mr. Robspar?”
    “They’re in the engine room, but you need a hard hat and
earphones before you can go in.”
    “Oh, thank you!” She exclaimed. “This is quite new!”
    “I need a favor,” Samson said. “Also I like your dress.”
    “A favor? Must I sign a waiver?”
she asked. “I do that a lot, especially when the Chair’s in a spot.”
    “A spot of what?”
    “A spot of trouble; it’s like I’m his double!” she laughed.
    “Ah yes,” Samson smiled, gritting his teeth. She was a
rhymer. Wonderful. “Well, that would be why Chair
Rizinski told me to ask you if I had any questions. I’ve already spoken with
him, and he said that if I need anything, I should ask you so as to not bother
him.”
    “Of course, of course. Just don’t
talk me hoarse!” she smiled, holding up the headphones.
    “Well, he’s promised to keep me up to date on all of his
opinions and plans, but rather than take the time to tell me himself, he told
me I should simply have you tell me everything.” Samson hoped the Chair hadn’t
said the opposite to her.
    “He’s a busy man with lots of plans.” Misty nodded in
agreement as Samson taped the mic to her cheek.
    “Later, when we both have a minute, we should sit down and
discuss the sorts of things I’ll need to know.”
    “That I can do, since the Admin approves.” She placed the
hard hat on her head.
    Samson opened the door to the engine room. A loud roar
filled his ears. A wind dragged at his shirt and hair. The engines rose through
the bottom of the station and up through the sixth floor. Permanent scaffolding
climbed up all sides of the machinery, providing access to all points of entry
into the structure, as well as to many other moving
parts that often malfunctioned or needed grease. Chair Rizinski and Mr. Robspar
stood on the other side of the room with Lee, gesturing animatedly towards the
engine and pointing.
“The engines power everything
that