Sojourner — Michael J. Findley

Stand alone short story, part of the Empire Saga --
Mark and Michelle sunk everything they had, everything friends and family could invest, in the giant Sojourner gas-collection balloon ship. Now it was a simple matter of surviving to suction a full load of Methane from Titan. Massive gas storms, a tiny life pod that might not keep them from freezing, and the looming shadow of government seizure of ship and cargo "for the greater good" might interfere with their sleep even more than the insane work schedule.