Beyond Asimios: Book One by Martin Fossum

Author:Martin Fossum [Fossum, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Martin Fossum
Published: 2015-12-16T00:00:00+00:00

Austin Halpern considered his accommodations on Phobos’s Skyresh Axis as “comfortable.” His elite ESCOM status provided him his large office and sleeping quarters near the top of the axis, and a desk that had an amazing view of Mars’s trailing circumference; the perpetual flow of the Red Planet’s inexorable rotation. The ample space in this minimally decorated interior was ideal for long stretches of focused work, or for entertaining small parties, and the nano fiber dark green carpet was particularly pleasing to the naked foot. Apart from the main entrance, there were two doors in the quarters: one led to the bathroom; the other led to the bedroom. In his bedroom was a sizable walk-in closet where most of the ESCOM project manager’s clothes hung (most of Halpern’s clothes were black, or dark, by preference), a foldout mattress (for short naps and occasions when he had company) and a sleep cylinder for the times when a deep, rejuvenating sleep was needed. Through the bathroom door was a toilet, a sink, a shower, and a medium-sized Jacuzzi, a luxury he never felt comfortable enjoying alone.

This apartment had been his home away from home for the five years ESCOM had its main space headquarters on Phobos. After the pullout from Asimios and the developments with the wormhole, he wondered if his comfortable days here were numbered.

Once in his office, Halpern raised his assistant, Vikkie, on his VI and requested that dinner be brought to him. Then he sat down in the high-backed chair and opened the envelope the concierge had given him and removed the smaller package it contained. Then he carefully peeled away the folds of the inner package and the contents were revealed.

It was a watch, an analog Swiss wristwatch from the twentieth century. It was the genuine article and something that had been in his family for a very long time. He held the crystal up to his VI, and under magnification admired the craftsmanship of its golden hands and its elegantly detailed dial. There were few people who could service a timepiece of this vintage, but to Halpern’s surprise, a renowned watchmaker (one of the last) was living right in his neighborhood. Albrecht Vink, Maritian resident and reclusive horologist, received the watch three standard months ago. Now Halpern was pleased to have it back; cleaned, adjusted, and with polished face. He wound it up and listened to the purr and then he clasped the leather band snuggly around his wrist and tucked his sleeve over it. There was someone at the door…it was Vikkie and she had his food, and he let her in to set his meal tray on his desk while Halpern shifted his focus and decided to riffle through the messages that had been waiting for him.

—Thank you, Vikkie, he said.

—You’re welcome, sir.

Halpern removed the lid from the plate and underneath was a piece of pink salmon on a bed of brown rice with sides of asparagus and red potatoes. All Martian, except the fish meat.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.