Battle Luna by Travis S. Taylor Timothy Zahn Michael Z. Williamson Kacey Ezell Josh Hayes

Author:Travis S. Taylor, Timothy Zahn, Michael Z. Williamson, Kacey Ezell, Josh Hayes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2020-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

Moondog

by Kacey Ezell

Back home, she’d been a ballroom dancer in her free time. Mostly Latin dances, with a smattering of smooth routines here and there over the years. She wasn’t a superstar, but she’d been to a few competitions, brought home a few trophies. Mostly it was just a good, fun way to stay flexible and in shape. That, coupled with the more intense athletic training that was always part of the job, allowed Leiko Soloway to feel like she was a fairly graceful individual. Like she was in control of her body and its movement.

But that was back home, before the divorce that had sent her into a freefall of wild decisions and ended up with her accepting a five-year contract to work security here, in Rinehart Dome.

On the moon.

“It’s easier if you don’t try to walk.”

Leiko looked up to find the speaker, a young, blond male fellow passenger in his mid-twenties, smiling at her with an understanding expression in his blue eyes. “The reduced gravity throws your rhythm off. Try hopping, like those old videos of the first moon landings? It’s easier to keep your balance that way.”

“Thanks,” Leiko murmured, and looked back down again at the smallish overnight bag that held her possessions. She’d dropped it in favor of grabbing the exit ramp wall in order to keep from falling on her face under the feet of the other passengers disembarking from the moon shuttle.

“Let me get that for you—” The young man bent to grab the strap of her bag, but Leiko was faster, her hand shot out in a block that rapped against his forearm hard enough to bruise. The young man hissed and bounced backwards, cradling his arm to his chest.

“Ah—I’m sorry,” Leiko said, “It’s just . . .”

“No, it’s okay,” the young man said, his wide grin returning. “I forgot, you Earthers are paranoid about theft when you first arrive. I should have known better. You don’t have to worry, though. People don’t just take your stuff up here.”

“People aren’t people up here?” she asked as she gathered her courage and bent to pick up the bag. She straightened slowly and looped the strap over her head and shoulders.

“Ha!” he said. “Yes, we’re still people. But it’s not acceptable to take what isn’t yours. We’re a small community, when it comes down to it. Everyone knows everyone, and DomeSec would find out sooner or later. There’s only so many places to hide. I’m Ryder, by the way.”

“Leiko,” she said, taking his outstretched hand and shaking it. “Thanks for the help.”

“You’re welcome. First trip to the moon?”

She nodded.

“You’re doing better than most. Ready to give it another try?”

“Sure.” She shifted her bag around so that it sat against her lower back and resolutely let go of the wall.

“Atta girl. Remember, hop, don’t walk.” He demonstrated, bending his knees and pushing off in a split-legged jump that took him a few feet further down the corridor.

“Right.” Leiko flexed her own knees and tried to mimic his movements.

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