Tessellation Row

The Soyuz had barely cleared the gantry when an instrument panel sheared its screws and slammed down on my face.

I didn't even see it. My helmet was busted instantly, and so was my nose.

I hung in my straps, my head turned up at an unnatural angle, my face obscured by blood and bits of glass, shaking loose-limbed in the vibration. Even if acceleration were pushing metal shards into my throat, I was beyond help.

It meant I missed the surprise they had waiting for me on the ISS, and which they'd managed to keep secret all through my training and prep. Or rather, the accident delayed it: I was still suitably surprised when I opened my unbandaged eye and found it staring straight into those of Joanne, the one girl in all the world I'd been happy to leave behind on Earth.