Booster Blues

Even though all of you on earth call it a station, those of us who live aboard call it a ship, and therefore a she. Sadly, her orbit is decaying. Her correction thrusters are offline. If we can’t fix her, she will fall to earth in 3 months.

The Mothership was sick, and we need to save her. I got to the hangar and got in a unit. “Open the pod bay doors,” I commanded. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t do that,” she replied. “But you’re sick, and I need to fix you… before you crash land on that planet below!” “I’m sorry…”

“Open, the, doors!” I yelled, but the mothership just wouldn’t listen. “Open it!” I cried. She finally gave in. I went out and inspected the radar tower. Seems defective. Fortunately I had a replacement at hand and replaced the radar with a new one. Then I felt a hard shove.

It was the step-fathership getting in my face. "What did I tell you about fixing your mothership? She has me now." Mothership added, "Listen to your fathership. He only wants what's best for us." "He's not my real fathership!" I yelled & jetted for a dark asteroid to sulk behind.

The little rocket booster took some time to cool his exhaust jets and collect his feelings. His ignition sometimes got the best of him, but deep down he knew Mothership was right. After a few deep rocket thruster breaths, he glided out from behind the asteroid to apologize.

“Mothership,” the little rocket booster said. “I’m sorry, it’s just that the asteroid and I have become really good friends, and really good friends don’t—“ “I know,” she said. “I’ve seen some of your love notes, and I’m… ok with it. Now finish your homework, it’s late as it is.”