Salvaging Claus Day by J. Alan Veerkamp

Author:J. Alan Veerkamp [Veerkamp, J. Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64080-292-6
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

FILO MADE sure all six of the dead circuit boards were touching the floor before the artificial gravity brought them crashing to the airlock deck. The week went quickly. The influx of holiday data demand stressed the Station’s systems at an unexpected level, and he found himself doing an inordinate amount of work to keep the datastream uninterrupted. It seemed like every time he came in from outside, he had to change breathing cells and head right out again.

Once the airlock cycled, he checked the monitor. The Station was functioning at peak efficiency and no additional repairs showed on the diagnostics. That was a relief.

Removing the suit after repeated outings was a struggle, yet he managed. Having been out so many times the past week, he’d barely had the time to talk to Luz. Hopefully, he’d found a way to keep himself busy. Although he shouldn’t have worried. Since his rescue, Luz’s presence on the Station went undocumented, but he settled in without much fuss. It was a shame he didn’t plan to stick around. More than one of Filo’s daydreams featured Luz working alongside him as another tech on the payroll. He certainly had the aptitude. Like most other times, when Filo came back from his rounds, if he wasn’t making use of the computer systems, Luz could often be found rummaging around in the tech storage. The same room where these six heavy boards needed to be.

They could wait. It would take multiple trips, and Filo was done. He shuffled to the lift and rode up the Station’s shaft, choking down an unmanly giggle at the thought. A shower and a ration bar or two were in order. Maybe Luz would be up for a sim.

The lift doors slid open, and Filo hesitated to exit. A strange glow filled the hallway, bathing the area in amber luminescence. Strings of wire and lights ran along the walls, wrapping around doors and continuing down the corridor. A close inspection told the tale. Light diodes Filo recognized from various equipment had been salvaged and rewired for the display. Simple, yet effective.

“You like it?” Luz stood in the hall, grin stretching his cheeks.

“How did you do this?”

“Don’t worry. I just ransacked the tech storage. Don’t look at me like that. I only took the stuff that’s busted. You know there’s a ton of shit in there that’ll be here forever. I’ve been prying stuff apart for days.”

“Why?”

Luz rolled his eyes like it was obvious. “Hello? You need Claus Day lights.” Shaking his head, he turned around and headed deeper into the complex. Filo felt compelled to follow. The whole endeavor could get them in trouble, since all the leftover parts were scheduled for recycle—even if the Company never seemed to come for them—but basking in the amber light was soothing any of his rough edges. Small flickers along the strings caught his eyes, making him trace their brilliant lines until he nearly crashed into Luz when he stopped.

“Okay, stud. Go get yourself showered and meet me in the galley.

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