Anderson, Kevin J - Microcosm by Anderson Kevin J

Author:Anderson, Kevin J
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

Chapter 24

Mission clock: 2:40 remaining

Inside the Mote's suit locker hung four slick exploration garments. Director Hunter had required one for each crew member, although in any scenario that forced everyone to suit up and abandon ship, Devlin figured that their best alternative would be to bend over and kiss their butts good-bye.

Tomiko took out the slimmest garment for herself, then handed a larger one to Devlin, teasing. “Just for you, a workman-like coverall designed for engineers and lumberjacks.”

“Roger that. You've got me pegged—as long as it has plenty of pockets.” Devlin groaned inwardly. Had it been so long since he'd tried to flirt with anybody? He didn't even remember how to do it.

He knew Tomiko must have had her share of boyfriends. Such an intelligent and beautiful woman would certainly have plenty of admirers. He supposed she found Garrett Wilcox fun, sometimes… but the cocky pilot had about as much depth as a film of oil on asphalt. She needed a man who was interesting enough to be her match.

As he watched Tomiko slither (he could think of no other word for it) into her silvery suit, Kelli's snapshot seemed to be eyeing him from the cockpit panel. He didn't think she'd disapprove after all this time.

But he was on duty. Time enough to let his imagination run wild later. Maybe. After Team Proteus accomplished the mission objectives.

Devlin climbed into his suit, yanking the tough but flexible fabric over his uniform. The expedition garment was a cross between a scuba-diving outfit and a spacesuit. Intelligent fiber threads sensed his body temperature, his pulse, his blood pressure. The suit could trigger heaters or release coolants to keep him as comfortable as a miniaturized human being could be.

He pulled the snug hood over his unruly dark hair, attached goggles and breathing apparatus. He flexed his arms, tugged on the gloves and wiggled his fingers. He adjusted the life monitors and powerpack at his waist, then strapped on his toolkit, just in case.

When he assisted Tomiko in checking her suit, he noticed how well it fit her curves, but didn't dare comment.

Through the suit radio, Tomiko's voice was rich and clear in his ears. “Okay, let's go look at some nanocritters.”

“Nano critters?”

Behind the goggles, her dark eyes crinkled; the curve of her lips was barely visible above the breathing apparatus. “They're smaller than a micron, Marc. I don't want to dignify them with some formal-sounding word.” She pushed a button, and the airlock door slid aside.

Pantomiming a gentleman's bow, he gestured for Tomiko to enter the cramped chamber. Egress was via a crude mechanism, like the hatch in an old U-boat. Devlin preferred simple things that were easy to fix, rather than increasingly complicated systems that had few advantages, but broke down more often. He got into the small chamber with her.

“Not much bigger than a telephone booth,” Tomiko said as she sealed the door.

He reached down and undogged the hatch. “Ready to get your feet wet?” When the seal breached, external fluid gushed inside, filling the tube.

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