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oxygen deprivation in his space suit. She had carried him to her home: an
antique store that reminded him of his outback home.
She had explained to him that she used to be the most famous Astronaut the
world had ever seen, but a freak accident had seen her crew destroyed. Too
ashamed to return to Earth, she decided to begin a new life, as a whole new
woman, in her Australiana antique shop.
In return, William told Lyra all about the space station and his astronaut
training. He confided in her about the other cadets and how they didn’t take
him seriously.
“Could you help me?” William asked. “All I’ve ever wanted is to graduate and
become an astronaut!” She protested, but William’s desperation was more
than enough to tug at her heartstrings. She finally agreed to be his mentor, and
hoped that if she helped this boy to reach his dream, maybe her guilt over her
past would subside.