The querulous voice that interrupted Alina made both women wince.
“Nothing needs repairing, Dr. Reece,” she said firmly, turning to the man hovering in the doorway.
A weedy little man with an exaggerated sense of his own importance, Dr. Martin Reece had been at the lab the longest of all the scientists. He liked to act as if his seniority gave him authority over the other scientists, but other than chairing their monthly meetings, he had no control over their research or their activities.
“If you’re so sure, then why are you discussing them?” he demanded.
“We’re simply discussing options.” she said calmly, hoping he hasn’t heard the part about her leaving the lab. He couldn’t stop her from leaving, but he could be a nuisance about it.
His pale eyes narrowed. “I should be informed of any equipment which might be malfunctioning.”
Before she could dispute his statement, his gaze wandered over to Alina, his annoyed expression replaced by a lecherous smile.
“Alina, my dear, have you given any more thought to my invitation?”
Cass tried not to wrinkle her nose as the sickly sweet scent of the man’s aftershave drifted towards her. Dr. Reece was one of the many men attracted to Alina but unlike the others, he wouldn’t take no for an answer and persisted in pursuing her despite her lack of interest.
“I told you I couldn’t come,” Alina said politely but firmly, and rage flashed across Martin’s face for a fraction of a second before he gave an artificial laugh.
“Of course. You are the only one who can keep this lab functioning. Perhaps another time?”
“Perhaps,” Alina said noncommittally, and Martin gave a stiff bow before he disappeared down the hallway.
“Ugh,” she shuddered. “I don’t know how you put up with him.”
“I don’t have a lot of choice. It isn’t easy to avoid anyone around here.”
Her friend had a point. The scientists in the research complex didn’t have many options when it came to companionship. Border Town was growing, but it was still a small settlement and most of the colonists spent the majority of the time on their claims.
“You could come check out the station with us,” she suggested as Roland hopped down from his chair and went over to nudge Alina’s ankle.
Alina laughed and scooped him up, but shook her head.
“You know I’ve never been much use in the field. And besides, I want to continue my analysis of those last samples. Don’t worry. I can handle Martin.”
“All right. If you’re sure you don’t want to come, then I’m going to leave now. I’d like to be back by nightfall, but it won’t be the end of the world if I need to spend the night. The station is fully equipped.”
“I’m sure I don’t want to come, but areyousure you don’t want to wait for Z-542? I’m sure he’d be good company if you had to spend the night.”
A vision of the two of them sharing the station’s narrow bunk immediately popped into her head and she knew she was blushing again as she went to retrieve Roland.
“I’m sure. And I’ll make sure the rover is fully charged so he doesn’t have to come to my rescue again.”
“A little rescuing never hurts,” Alina teased, then she grew serious. “Take care of yourself, Cass. I expect you back here no later than tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll be fine. Roland and I are more than enough to handle this.”
Roland’s ears twitched in acknowledgment as she placed him on the floor, then she walked over to the corner of the lab and retrieved her gear. She fastened her utility belt around her waist, checked the contents of her pack, and turned to Alina.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” she promised.
Roland’s soft chirp echoed through the lab, and she smiled at him.
“Ready, Roland?” she asked, crouching down to offer him a treat from her pack. The little armadillo took it eagerly, then nudged her hand and scurried forward, ready to go.
A short time later, she activated the rover, the engine humming to life, and used the remote to open the hangar doors. Sudden gusts of wind were already kicking up clouds of red and orange dust, and she frowned up at the sky. The clouds over the mountains indicated a storm was coming and for a moment she hesitated, but the storm was still a good way off and she’d be perfectly safe at the station. She set the rover in motion.
The wind continued to increase, throwing up more dust as she left the valley and the neat patchwork of homestead claims behind, but she was more focused on what was waiting for her at the station.
