Micromium by David Gittlin

Author:David Gittlin [GITTLIN, DAVID]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780988263536
Publisher: Entelligent Entertainment via Indie Author Project

C h a p t e r 19

MARS — MINING BASE

“I’LL WALK YOU back to your quarters,” Logan offered. There was something he wanted to air out with Kate after their latest meeting with Rashawn and Kaneko. It had mostly to do with her attitude. And there was something else — something big.

They strolled past the medical bays lining the hallway leading away from Kaneko’s office. Moving confidently with her head held high, Kate kept her eyes looking straight ahead, as if no one accompanied her.

“Are you angry with me for keeping you confined to the base?”

“I resent your motherly concern about my health.”

“I take exception to the ‘motherly’ reference. Kaneko gave you medical orders, not recommendations. I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to go against the judgment of the best physician this side of the moon and one of the best astronaut specialists in the world.”

“I’m not questioning Kaneko’s judgment. It’s your responsibility to see the big picture and let me do my job.”

They passed the recreation room where two of Kaminsky’s software engineers played a spirited game of ping pong. Logan said nothing until they entered the hallway leading to Kate’s quarters.

“Don’t tell me how to do my job, Kate. Your life is more important to me than our mission here.”

“If I want to risk my life, then I should be able to risk it.”

“I’m going to slap you upside the head and put you back in the medical bay if you keep up this stubborn attitude. You really are pissing me off.”

They reached the door to Kate’s quarters.

“I suggest you spend more time thinking about what you can do rather than complaining about your doctor’s orders.”

“We’re not done with this conversation. Come inside.”

“I have things to do and nothing more to say.”

“Come inside.”

Reluctantly, Logan followed Kate into her quarters. Photos of Kate as an undergraduate student posing with friends and satellite photos of Mars at various altitudes plastered the walls of the cramped quarters. A small work table, clothes closet, and narrow bunk bed comprised the Spartan elements of the room. As Commander, Logan enjoyed a few more feet of living space in his quarters. Notwithstanding the extra space, a room at a budget motel was a five-star hotel suite in comparison.

Standing alone with Kate in the cramped surroundings gave him goose bumps. He didn’t have time to feel uncomfortable because she took one step forward and kissed him passionately.

He broke away from her. “Are you trying to seduce me so I’ll let you leave the base?”

She slapped him hard across the face.

“I guess not. What are you doing?”

“I’m tired of the sexual tension between us. I know you feel it.”

Yes, he had felt it, but he had kept it at arms-length. Now it grabbed him with the arms of a vampire lover in the dead of night. The black tar rose from the pit to pull him down; deeper down.

He took her in his arms and kissed her. As they embraced, he felt her pulling him toward the bunk bed.

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