Thirty-Seven
“The universe was called Freefall.”
Gunfire made an encouraging noise.
“A man had died weird. It didn’t add up. I was investigating.”
“That’s worthy labor.”
Was that Texan for a job worth doing? “Turns out one of the scientists had accidentally killed him. I got close. He took one of those diffuse steel knives and stabbed me in the hand.”
Gunfire hissed in sympathy.
“I got him, but my left hand?” I raised the hand, then made a s***h across it with the other. “I kept the thumb.”
“Ouch.”
“The next universe didn’t have a name. The station was being destroyed. They’d triggered evacuation and everything, but I was pretty sure they couldn’t get everyone out in time. Everybody was screaming at everyone. I saw a way to maybe make it stop. Even if we had to evacuate, it wouldn
