A Hitch in Space

On a routine space duty run, Joe Hansen discovers that his partner Jeff Bogart has developed a peculiar psychosis: an imaginary companion who is, impossibly, Joe himself. What begins as a strange convenience soon turns unsettling, as Joe realizes Jeff treats "Joseph" with a colder, less flattering devotion even while idolizing the real man. Trying to help, Joe nudges Jeff toward more honest criticism of others, only to learn how fragile Jeff's split reality has become. As their long orbital mission continues through the lonely beauty of Shaula's system, the cramped ship becomes a pressure chamber of unease. Joe's amateur therapy backfires when a childhood betrayal story leaves Jeff distressed and more dependent on his idealized friend. Joe grows increasingly aware of the conversations Jeff carries on with "Joseph," while Jeff becomes more anxious whenever Joe is near. Near the mission's end, the tension turns to crisis: the ship accelerates away with Joe outside and tethered, forcing him into a desperate space-roping struggle to avoid the beam drive's deadly thrust. In a tense blend of dark humor and survival, Joe races to contact Jeff and reach the ship before his suit fuel runs out. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.