Chapter 1: Work…

Moose’s boots hit the grate.  The sound echoes through the narrow corridor, followed by the hiss of the torch spitting sparks that scatter like fireflies before fading into the dark.  A green wire crosses a black.  A red melts into a blue.  The smell of flux and hot metal lingers — sharp and alive —  somewhere between ritual and repair.  Moose works in quiet, steady hands and steady faith.

“Left, Moose. Just two centimeters more. You’re almost there,” CS01 says.  Her voice hums through the comms — calm, almost musical under the thrum of power.  Moose wipes the sweat from his brow, adjusts his red cap, and waves a hand through the haze of solder smoke curling around his head.  The air smells like labor and prayer.

“Two centimeters to the left or the right?” he asks, squinting through the torchlight.

“Left,” she replies.  “And don’t wave your hand. You’ll make the flux waver. Just breathe.”

He does.  A slow exhale, patient and measured.  The flame steadies.  The ship steadies.  Somewhere deep in the CS01’s frame, a vibration stirs — a faint pulse returning, like something once broken finding rhythm again.  Moose reaches down and flips a page in his Bible.  The sound is soft, papery — a heartbeat of its own against the quiet hum of the ship.

Psalm 119: 9-24

“How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your Word.  With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  Blessed are You, O LORD!  Teach me Your statutes.  With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies.  As much as in all riches.  I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.  I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word.  Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word.  Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous tings from Your law.  I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.  My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times.  You rebuke the proud- the cursed, who stray from Your commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.  Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes.  Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”