Ashala licked back her whiskers. This was almost too munch. She had no choice but to use the crystal. Her eyes narrowed as her hands went to the control panel. She insert the purple gem and felt it come alive. The energy coursed up her arms giving her chills. Suddenly on the rough neck dock the larger freight started to glow. As if a black light was inside each container. They lined up and were moved to the lifts where the rest of the crew in various load machines waited to drive them to various ships that had expressed urgency. With Ashala speeding things along using her gem she practically doubled her work out put. 

The roughnecks knew play time was over. They knew Ashala was aware the risks of using the gem for a prolonged time. This was where they shined for all their jokes and goofing off, when the back was to the wall the rough necks rallied. Each one playing their part like an orchestra. Barely missing each other while going full speed. The lead of this symposium was Kim. She didn't just know the job, she excelled at it. A company man would (and has) called her reckless. It took her style with a front end loader and the years of experience to pull off the maneuvers that she did. Kim knowing the weight from the loader read out would go all out. At the same time lowering the forks, hitting the breaks, and letting the freight slide sparks flying till it stopped perfectly in place. She would use the skid time to turn around and get another container. 

Then on the other side of the orchestra was "brickhouse". He was good with a anti gravity pallet lifter. Think of the old world magnetic cranes. Thanks to all the fragile electronics being shipped magnets are a no go. It was his job to stack it after it was moved. It was a job that had to be done just like the musician with the symbols. Not a lot of parts but the score called for him. This anti gravity crane had to be worked by a person who knew the job. Otherwise you get crushed cargo or worse crushed bystanders. Use too munch gravity and instead of picking up a freight container you instead wind up with all the internal stuff crushed against the top of the containers steel plate. The energy must be constant and the person at the controls has to be alert.

During the commotion of freight being slung she heard a new T-1 came in. "[color=6ecff6]She did what? About time we had some guts in this tower. If I make it through the day I'll send her a vid welcome.[/color]" It was late and the roughnecks had only done two thirds of the days manifest. Ashala was tired the crystal took its toll and her arms felt like she had gripped a live wire. The worst would come later with the headaches, and vertigo. She was tough but sleep was tugging at her tail. "[color=fff79a]Jimmy, you go lable, last of cargo, go home, get the rest. Report back, zero four[/color]. [color=6ecff6]The rest of you good work. Take six hours and report back to get us back on the line. I think we earned a long lunch tomorrow.[/color]" Ashala turned on the yellow lighting for floor personnel to clear the dock. 

Ashala made it to the lift and hit the button for her floor. She got to the room and out of her jump suit with eyes half open she started a bath. Her arms burned as they always did after using her crystal. Her head felt so heavy. Ashala looked into the mirror and saw herself. This Altenian was thankful for the strength of her ancestors. Turning off the water Ashala sank into the tub. Her head started to feel like a cloud and she made a effort using the last of her strength to rest her head on the edge of the tub. There she fell asleep for an hour or so until the water turned cold. The dock chief had munch pain in her arms she slid herself out of the tub and onto the floor. Using her elbows and lower body Ashala go to her knees. She then slinked her way to the bed. She didn't care about modesty, she needed to be ready for work. "Alarm zero four thirty, set. Com call docs." Still in Altenian, "Help. Please send female.....Pain"