Ravi was beginning to hate his new job. He’d thought that it would be an opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to see the world from a new vantage, to gaze up at the stars and wonder at man’s place amongst them.
In reality, he’d just been really, really nauseous.
‘Catch, newbie.’
Ravi unsuccessfully twisted his body around to see who was talking, but only managed a slight turn. A white vomit bag went slowly sailing past him, just out of reach, and he let out an undignified groan.
‘It gets better,’ chuckled the person who’d thrown it – Captain Waters. She was in charge of this mission, and absolutely the last person Ravi wanted to throw up in front of.
‘Does it?’ he groaned.
‘Yeah, just have to give it a couple of days, that’s all,’ she grinned empathetically.
‘I’ve been here a week.’
‘Oh… then I’d get better at catching nearby vomit bags.’
As she started to laugh, Ravi had the distinct impression that he’d forgotten how. Seeing his discomfort, the still-smiling captain pulled herself towards him.
‘Look,’ she started. ‘Can I tell you something super embarrassing?’
He looked up at her, curiosity overtaking his queasiness.
‘My feet,’ she whispered, ‘are killing me.’
Ravi just stared at her for a heartbeat, then burst out laughing. Waters’ grin spread further across her face.
‘I haven’t actually used them for six months, and the damn things hurt so much,’ she laughed. ‘There’s a great place in Cheltenham that treats common foot conditions, but I’ve still got another three months in this tin can before I can go see them.’
Ravi wiped a tear from his eye, watched it float into the air as a perfect sphere.
‘That does sound awful,’ he giggled. ‘I’d recommend compression therapy, if you ever make it down there.’
‘I might just try that,’ Waters nodded. ‘Quick question: do you still feel like vomiting?’
Ravi looked up, startled to realise that he didn’t. He shook his head.
‘Good,’ his captain smirked. ‘Then get back to work!’