High Five Dive by Adrian Fridge

Author:Adrian Fridge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: humor, science fiction, interracial, scientist, kinky, mechanic, snarky, enemies to lovers, xenobiologist

****

Central got its name because it was the center-point of Mars colonization, and any neighborhood outside of it always made me nervous. The high level of urban development meant Central was the safest, and its combination of human and trouwan technology meant it boasted great buildings such as Mars University, a giant spiral structure nearly touching the air shield, capable of withstanding a sudden eruption into space and of keeping its thousand or so inhabitants sustained for several years in the aftermath.

The neighborhood Evan sent me to, on the other hand, was on the fringes of the colony. The South Bridge loomed overhead, the highway packed with commuters to one of the five connecting space stations, including Station 1123.

As I waited in the rising elevator, I got a good view of the speckle of old buildings, many over a hundred years old, made of connecting pods, all identical and all capable of surviving independently thanks to their clunky safety air locks and bulbous oxygen and water tanks. The slightly newer complexes such as Evan’s were less restrained, with more aesthetic compartments and their emergency systems smaller and tucked between the walls. Development around here was slow, so it made the prices cheaper.

The elevator opened to a narrow hallway, the sides of it curved outwards. I was relieved when Evan appeared to give me a tour. To the far left was the living room. The first entry in was the kitchen. The second a little bathroom. The two doors at the far right were bedrooms. Everything was cramped tight, stuff packed into every available corner, and the room that would be mine contained a bed and dresser that had to be pulled up into the wall or else they took up all the floor space. This was newer construction and didn’t consist of an all-in-one pod with retractable kitchen, bathroom, and living quarters. Even the seals connecting the rooms to the hallway were barely noticeable.

I went in slowly, checking my feet, checking the door and ceiling. I ran my hands along the wall, then around the bed frame and mattress, opening and closing every drawer.

“So, yeah,” Evan said with a grin. “Sasha left this morning. It’s hard to find people who come recommended, so if you can afford the rent, I’ll be happy to sign you up.”

Happy to sign me up? What was he pulling? “How come I had to find out about this through Clarence? Am I not good enough unless he recommends me?”

His gaze was fixed on mine even as he fiddled with the plastic seal of the doorframe. “It’s complicated, but since you’re already here, I think it’ll be worth your time.”

I blinked, unsure of how to answer that. He had to be playing stupid. “Ah, but, you missed the part that I don’t trust you. And the part that I don’t want anything from you. Have I been too subtle about it? Oh sure, let me sign up now. Then I’ll find cups of water littering the outside of my room or an air-horn taped behind a door.

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.