Diamond Moon by B K Gallagher

Author:B K Gallagher [Gallagher, B K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clover Glen Publishing
Published: 2020-06-10T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Sol 15; Mission time — 16:21

There were yells and hollers when Hanson came into the drill chamber. He shouted to his men as he walked through the rig toward the galley. “There’s nothing to tell,” he said as he entered the large space.

Rumors had been spreading through the room like a cloud of mining dust. The men were hungry for details. Their imaginations had gotten the better of them. The more Hanson denied it, the more they pressed for details.

“C’mon boys… Hanson won’t be kissin and tellin,” Murphy shouted. “He’s got no use in talkin about it… Naw… he’s all action.”

The room filled with laughter.

It seemed all the men were eager to tell a joke at Hanson’s expense.

“We hear you were stuck in a shelter with her during the eclipse,” one of them yelled. “How romantic!”

There was more laughter. The crew had worked themselves into a fever fantasizing about what had happened. They made kissing noises and laughed. Hanson did his best to ignore them. They didn’t seem to consider they would have had their bio-suits on the entire time.

“Skin’s looking a little flush there, Hanson,” someone else said. “It’s an ice burn. Someone check his back for more!” one yelled.

The drill chamber was filled with jokes that were easy for the picking, and it was quickly saturated with yells and pats on tired backs.

“It’s the radiation,” Hanson told them, brushing the comments off. “Hate to ruin your good time, but let’s get some work done.” He steered away from the commotion as his face was blushing. He shook his head at the men and walked toward his Captain, expecting to debrief him on his excursion to the fissure.

Johan was ignoring the badgering that Hanson was getting. He stood under the metal framework at the perimeter of the vessel. He had a leg propped up on a bench, and he was resting an elbow on his knee. He was looking out at the icy plains beyond the bay windows.

“Good to have ya back,” he said without turning. “Wasn’t entirely sure we were going to see you again.”

“It’s good to be home,” Hanson answered.

“Home…?” Johan said, scoffing at the word. “Yes, it is… Fuel tanks are topped out. We can leave when you’re ready.”

“The tanks are full?”

Johan nodded affirmative. He hadn’t taken his eyes off the landscape outside. He seemed fixated on something on the horizon.

Hanson stood silently as he watched his Captain peering across the cold and harsh environment. His pulse raced as he anticipated the conversation he was about to have.

“NASA believes we are staying,” he told Johan. ‘I just had dinner with them.”

Johan nodded nonchalantly, as if he already knew.

“They say they can monitor the quakes.”

Johan adjusted his pose and turned his way. Hanson watched as his large body resisted the motion. He appeared slightly agitated.

“Those scientists don’t know shit,” he said. “They’ve nearly killed all of us just sending us here. So what bullshit are they telling you now?” he asked. “The fissure is dangerous. Of course, they’ll pass it off otherwise,” he said.

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