IN THE EARTH'S SHADOW by JOHN L. CHAPMAN _The adventure of a man who sat alone in space for six years!_ [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Comet December 40. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Ferris was in the tiny cupola, admiring the immense sphere of Earth above him, when the bell sounded. Galsworth again, no doubt. It had been Galsworth every time for twenty-four hours. What did he want now? Ferris went below, preparing himself for the same ugly face, the usual grating voice. He sat before the screens and snapped a switch. The screen colored, took form. He was right. Galsworth said: "Fuel Station 12?" As if he didn't know. When Ferris nodded, the company head announced: "Replacement will be in effect within ten hours. You'll prepare for the trip." "Replacement!" Ferris gasped. "For what reason--" "You'll have the details when you reach Earth, Ferris. Be ready when Brooks arrives. He'll be there shortly." "Brooks! Who's he? The kid?" "You're asking too many questions, Ferris. Brooks is young, yes, but he'll fill the position. We'll explain later. That's all." It took a few minutes for Ferris to recover. Replacement! After six years of service at the number one fuel station between the Earth and Moon. Why, he was the only man who could handle Station 12! And Galsworth was sending Brooks, a green kid barely out of SM school. What was the guy thinking of? Angered, Ferris got up from his stool and paced the floor. It was easy to picture Galsworth sitting at his desk. He'd be chewing a big cigar, pounding a pudgy fist into his palm, telling young Brooks that Station 12 needed a stalwart lad willing to face numerous cosmic dangers in order that commerce between the Earth and Moon would not fall below its present status. Only Galsworth would say it like that. Well, what was wrong with the present status? Ferris had kept the company heads above water; he hadn't fallen down on the job. But they apparently weren't satisfied. Something was wrong, and it seemed that Galsworth was taking it out on Ferris. Still perplexed, Ferris entered his living quarters and began packing. He dismissed Galsworth from his mind, wondered whether or not Brooks could meet the task of operating the station. It was a lonely job, sitting there in the cylindrical island of space, watching ships approach and pass in the cold void that housed him. Brooks would grow weary of it, just as Ferris had at first. There wasn't a more dismal existence in the solar system, but to Ferris it was home, and even the thought of that was comforting. The sound of a hissing airlock brought Ferris to his senses. Brooks was ahead of schedule--