“Splendid,” said Lamont, swallowing the lump that had quickly formed in his throat. “Now what?”
Captain Carter pivoted toward the console, leaning on his cane. “The lights are on. I suppose we should see who’s home.” He looked at Ed. “How close do you think we can get to that thing?”
The technician thought for a moment, puffing his pipe. “Close enough for a good view, I’ll bet. By noon we should be within a hundred miles. The trick will be staying in one place relative to it.”
“And if we want to get closer than that?” Francis asked. “The asteroid pod?”
Ed nodded. “Sure, maybe. Its grapplers might be able to get us up right to the surface.”
At the mention of the asteroid pod, Lamont recalled a visit he had made to Westward’s storage bay. A large, insect-like contraption was suspended from the ceiling. When he asked about it, he was told that this was a vehicle that could be used to prospect asteroids and planetoids for precious minerals. Half-hidden in the shadowy rafters, with a complex assembly of long mechanical arms and two bulbous portholes, the machine had a menacing aspect that Lamont had found unsettling.
Chief Santana lifted a hand to her mouth to mask a yawn. “There is a lot of observation to be done before we make a decision like that,” She pointed out. “Mr. Teleb, Miss Bishop, you have a few hours before your shift begins. I suggest you use them to sleep.”
Lazarus and Abigail nodded in agreement. Lazarus gave Sandra a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Keep an eye on that gravimeter,” he recommended.
“You should go to bed too, Miss Wells,” Francis said quietly. “I’m sure Milo will understand if you’re late to the infirmary today.”
“I shan’t be,” Rosemary assured him, patting the hand that rested on the pommel of his cane. “You mind yourself, captain.”
Glancing around, Lamont could see that he was not the only person on deck to notice the exchange, and Santana’s dark eyes also followed Rosemary as she exited, close on the heels of Lazarus and Abigail.
Carter turned to Phobos. “Would you mind joining me in my office for a few moments?” He asked.
“Certainly, Francis,” The Martian replied politely.
“Any objection to my sitting in?” Lamont asked.
The captain considered for a moment. “Feel free,” He concluded.
Next: If Only We’d Known