When contact is lost with Mission Control, Commander John Dennington isn’t overly concerned. Such hiccups in communication are common. The first inkling of the larger problem occurs when he sees the very shape of the world change before his eyes.<br><br>John must ease his crew into a new mission and keep the Station together by any means necessary. The crew jeopardizes their chances by fighting his orders, but Jason Weiss, his mission specialist and the light of his life, makes John’s situation more bearable.<br><br>The smallest malfunction to Station or crew would spell the end for six astronauts trapped high above a ruined Earth. It’s their mission to carry on. Random chance of the universe hasn’t operated in their favor so far, but John is determined to see them all safely home.

Expedition 63 Book 1: Dusk

His back collided with the wall as Jason flung him back. John scrabbled to hold on to something, findingthe handholds littered throughout the Station.


The ache creeping across his cheek was nothing compared to the hard ball in his guts as he watched Jason wrestle Turlach into submission, arms locked around their crewmate’s straining biceps. Saito was there in an instant, hands cupping Turlach’s enraged face, whispering who knew what in ‘Lach’s ear. One muscle at a time, ‘Lach slackened in Jason hold and finally, the hate on his face disappeared into a profound sadness.


Jason let ‘Lach go with a gentle, consoling pat on his shoulder and Saito pulled the big man down into afierce hug, hand at the back of his skull so that Turlach’s face was forced into the curve of his throat. Once that decimated look wasn’t directed at him anymore, John breathed a sigh of relief. Turlach’s crumpled expression hurt more than his face did after that punch.


Chapter 12