“Well, not a single one. I am good in bed, and you should think about that.” I spun around to walk backward in front of him. He hated that, more specifically, he hated me based on the frustration practicallyseeping out of his pores. “But tell me, what is your story? Earthers aren’t found often out here, not in your position, that’s for damn sure. Does it have anything to do with your using?”
That twitch in his eye spread to the other. He popped a candy into his mouth to crunch beneath his grinding jaw. “Leave.”
“What if I want to stay? I thought I’d be rewarded for going on patrol.”
Roys had the look of a lecture coming on that he silenced with a sigh. “You’re a terrible person, Ethin Katlan.”
I gave a mock bow. “Been working at it my whole life.”
Because horrible people always made it to the top. The nice ones wound up dead.
As I passed into the energy shield, another soldier exited to meet Roys. Over my shoulder, I watched the two of them easily converse. After they walked away, I went into the habitat for some food, spotting Lilea and Ryker playing on the viz. My feet stupidly carried me toward them before I went back outside to lie under the suns, where I stayed until lights out.
Roys’ office was locked that night, so I found a different sap to exhaust me enough in hopes of keeping the nightmares at bay.
016
Wewoketwohoursprior to the survey team’s arrival. Checking the perimeter, ensuring the habitat was in perfect shape followed by a thorough inspection of the landing site. If anyone would complain to Corporate about any mishap and/or trouble, it would be a survey team member. Most didn’t enjoy having the militia around. We were the hired guns, deplorable garbage from across the universe too desperate to do anything else with our lives. If other teams had to choose anything, it would be a security unit, but they were expensive and often for the more elite customers.
Droids waited nearby to attend to the shuttle that shot out of the sky at 0800. Our troop surrounded the area, protecting all sides and leaving a great berth for the descending craft. All watched as there had been faulty shuttles before. No one wanted to be crushed by falling debris.
The shuttle’s descent caught the field in a wind. Landing gear extended, bringing the shuttle to a standstill. Since Arana and I were stationed at the back, we didn’t see the survey team exit. Half of our team got on the same shuttle. They would return to Headquarters and be shipped elsewhere while our remaining half would monitor the survey team.
A resounding hum erupted from the engine prior to takeoff. The shuttle sped toward the sky. Outside the habitat, the survey team,shrouded in gray gear and carrying their luggage, followed Roys inside. Ten in total, as he said. The droids scrambled about, ensuring all the equipment and luggage made it inside.
“What do you suppose they’re like?” asked Arana on the trek to the habitat.
“Curious,” I replied.
“I hope they’re hot.”
“You have partners.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view.”
I couldn’t fault her for that, although my appreciation of a good view led to fornication. For her sake, and her girlfriends’, she better not fall prey to lust.
The troop waited in the communal area. Roys’ earlier orders stated the survey team wanted to investigate the surrounding flora. They wouldn’t conduct tests, but they were likely as interested as I was upon landing. On a strange new world, they would not sit in an empty lab. They would go out to explore, decide where to go first, and then truly start tomorrow.
Lilea, Ryker, Zavir, and Iylene sat together at one of the dining tables. Arana approached them, giving me the opportunity to standalone or join. Lighting a cigarette, I followed and fell into a chair beside Arana. Iylene stared, though said nothing, and Lilea’s head retracted slightly into her shell.
“Do you think they’ll let us name anything?” Ryker asked, either not feeling the tension or ignoring it. “Like the flora and shit they catalogue.”
“Considering we catalogued one asVampire Fern, it’s unlikely,” Zavir replied.
“To be fair, scientists come up with horrible names.Vampire Ferntells you exactly what it is.”
“Which is why they won’t keep it. Those brainiacs like having a language all their own,” said Arana.
The doors opened to the survey team’s barracks. Everyone sat taller. Roys stepped out to wave a hand at me. “Ethin.”
Ryker made a childish sound that got him a whack to the back of the head. Pinching off my cigarette, I tossed the remnants into the pack and got up.
Meeting Roys at the doors, he gestured for me to follow. We hadn’t talked since our patrol and he didn’t seem keen on changing that. I guess I wasn’t, either. I deserved the silent treatment, not like I wasn’t aware that I was an asshole, but… being an asshole was easy. Safe.
The survey team’s side had far better equipment and a homier aesthetic. They had their own communal space, albeit smaller, where halls also branched off to separate sections. Two halls led off from the right, one leading to the lab and the other medical. The heavy scent of cleaning supplies wafted from both.
“The survey team wants to talk about the incident in the cave,” he explained.
