Ezel Stripped out the runabout of all excess weight. When he had stripped all he could, he returned the group. They would have to wait a few hours until the spaceship came back overhead in orbit.

Plans were made and discarded. There was no way of knowing what to expect. No way they could plan for every event. How many guards might be there? What other obstacles? In the end, Ezel stood up and said we have to cuff it. Fly of the cuff and deal with what we find as we find it. The ship will be coming overhead soon and we need to get up there.

Lou checked his timer, 198 hours left. Going through the three levels he only found explosive on the level 24. He had also moved technical equipment medical supplies and seed banks to a loading bay on level 24. Finding a vessel to haul them in, not so easy. He needed to rest. Setting an alarm to ring in four hours, he found some sleeping quarters and settled down to rest.

When he woke he would look again for a craft to get off the spaceship. While doing so he would disarm the explosives he had discovered. If he could not get of the ship. Maybe reducing the damage caused might buy him more time.

Ezel took the runabout along with a co pilot. Of everything discussed. It was decided two people could search much faster than 1. On landing they would both begin searching on different levels. One would make their way to level 25 and the other would start on 23. Requested items from scientists technicians farmers were given to each. Listed priority was solar arrays and medical supplies (medicines, bandages and such could be easily made).

Landing the runabout on level 24. Plans changed straight away. Most of the supplies they had been asked to retrieve were already assembled in the loading dock. This can only mean one thing. Lou is on this level.

The co pilot began listing what was assembled. Ezel began the search for Lou.

Lou woke with a jump when his alarm rang out. No other sounds around. Bo background noise from running machines or sounds of any other sort. No one else around. The sound echoed through level. Gathering his thoughts, his mind still clouded from sleeping. His situation came into focus. Back to survival, reality a nightmare. Speaking to himself. "Lou Sifferman, You really got yourself in one hell of a situation this time".

Using his arms to push himself up from a seating position. Lou headed off to begin his tasks. Making his way toward an access point to level 25.

Opening the hatch and climbing the ladder to level 24. He looked up and thought, someone should count these steps one day. Shuttle ports conveniently not working. He had to walk from level to level. Shuttle bikes still worked on each level, making movement much faster.

Removing firing pins and collecting each explosive.

TBC...