Child of Space by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Venture Press
Published: 2015-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Malcolm Edmunds had long since decided that Carolyn Markson was the most beautiful girl to be found on the Moon and now, watching her at work, he had no cause to alter his opinion. Moving over the soil she had the appearance of a nymph, small feet seeming to float over the ground, her elfin face holding an enigmatic mystery. In the glow of the artificial sun her hair shone with the gleam of polished gold.

Impulsively, he said: “Carrie, why won’t you marry me?”

“I will.”

“When?”

“This day, that day, sometime, never.” Laughing she avoided his hands. “Be sensible, Malcolm. We both have work to do. Save romance for our recreation periods. Are you going to the dance tonight?”

“If you’ll be there, yes.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Then so will I.” He watched as again she lowered the instrument she was carrying to the dirt, thrust the tip into the loam and triggered a switch on the handle. “What are you doing?”

“Checking for radioactivity among other things. This is a very special piece of ground, or didn’t you know?”

“Why else do you think I’m here?” He moved a little, conscious of his purple sleeve. “We’ve had enough trouble with things coming from space without wanting more. That’s why the Commander ordered a security guard to stand watch.”

“In case monsters spring from the ground like the warriors from Jason’s teeth?”

“Jason’s?”

“The teeth of the dragon which Cadmus slew and which Jason planted. Surely you know the story of the Argo?”

“I know it,” he said, and took a step closer to where she stood. “But you’ve got it wrong. It’s Cadmus’s teeth, not Jason’s.”

“So, what’s the difference? No matter what you call them they still gave trouble.” She tested another spot, triggered the results to register on the tape, and moved on. Below each point she tested rested a seed, their positions marked by a red tab. “How’s Antonio?”

“He’s fine.”

“Tell him I asked after him when you see him.”

“Tell him yourself, he’ll be out and about tomorrow.” Malcolm shook his head as he looked at the girl. “What does it take to make you aware I’m alive and waiting? A broken leg? Some bruises? A dose of radioactivity? All that happened to Antonio is that he didn’t move fast enough and got himself hurt in the rock fall when that monster was cremated. If you want to feel sorry for anyone then spare time for Sophia. She was really in love with Boris.”

“Yes, I know.” Carolyn grew abruptly serious. “And I don’t mean to tease you, Malcolm. Why can’t we just be happy together without wanting to own each other? Why do you have to be jealous all the time?”

“Because I love you, I guess.”

“I know. And I like to hear you say it. Now move over and let me finish this.”

Obediently he stepped out of her way and took up a position on the path. Above, the sun glowed with a warmth he remembered when, as a boy, he had stolen time from school to go swimming in the local river.

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