Whaler — Cora Buhlert

The premature explosion of a rocket harpoon fatally damages the spaceship Starbuck III during a whaling expedition in the asteroid belt. But was it an accident or sabotage? For hunting space whales is controversial, even though the giant beasts show no signs of intelligence and endanger human colonies with their relentless appetite.
One of the few survivors aboard the Starbuck III is Billy Baddoff, crewman second class. Only the luck of a low cabin number saved him from being sucked out into the vacuum of deep space. Up to now, Billy had zero interest in the political controversy surrounding space whaling; he just needed a job. But having his ship blown to bits underneath his arse might just change those views, provided he makes it off the rapidly failing vessel first…

This is a short story of 4200 words or approx. 15 print pages.