It was days later when he sobered and, insulated by the intervening unreality, managed to dispose of her body in a waste chute.
Then he moved to the office and saw that it was the 371st day and looked at the log to see that he had stopped making entries on the 363rd day. He examined the other books. Karen's precise handwriting had recorded her final readings on that day, too. Now he would have to do her work as well as his own.
Clifton sighed, sat at his desk and, in a steady hand, wrote in the log:
Karen rose in her sleep, walked to and fell down the right aft third level ventilating shaft and was killed. Reached her approximately three hours after the incident. She could not be saved.
Clifton West, Captain
Skipping to the 371st day, he wrote:
Sent Karen's body out the ventral waste chute.
He sat studying the words, then added:
Am alone on the ship.
Instantly he wished he had not written that, but was not moved to cross the words out. It was true enough. He was alone. Would be alone nine more years.