Lamont stared at the redheaded medic with wide eyes for a long moment, half expecting her to fall dead, or at least begin vomiting. Instead, she merely shrugged her shoulders appreciatively. “It’s better than algae cakes,” She concluded.
Lamont cursed under his breath.
Just then, he noticed a form in his peripheral vision. Rico had approached, his footsteps silent on the soft floor. Like Rosemary, he had his helmet tucked under one muscular arm. “What is this?” He asked, looking up at the shimmering silver object.
“Some kind of tree, I suppose,” Rosemary said. “This whole level seems to be some kind of a leisure garden, if I were to guess.” She plucked a few more pieces of fruit from the underside of the glittering branches and crouched to tuck them into her medical bag.
“It is extremely pleasant,” The security specialist agreed. “However, I recommend that we rejoin the group and continue our journey.”
Lamont nodded. “We could spend hours here and never notice.”
“That,” Rico mused, “May be the idea, señor.”
The three made their way back to the center of the cavernous space, forcing themselves to ignore a variety of novelties along the way that they had not noticed before. They arrived at the lift column to find Abigail and Ed waiting for them. Both still wore their helmets. Ed nodded at the trio and spoke into the radio in his collar. “Ashton, we’ve regrouped at the elevator. Where are you?”
Several seconds passed, during which the five clustered explorers exchanged nervous glances.
“Cliff, this is Spratt. Answer your radio.”
Once again, there was silence.
“Oh, hell.” Lamont muttered.
Abigail’s eyes darted around the edenic space uneasily. “Do you think he went back inside the elevator?” She asked.
“It would be damned irresponsible,” Ed growled. “Did he say anything to anyone about what he might be doing?”
The others all shook their heads.
“Madre,” Rico hissed. He stepped out of the group and gestured with a chopped hand. “We will each take a quadrant and pace it to the wall and back. He may be unconscious. Walk at a slow pace and keep your eyes peeled, but do not get distracted.”
There was a murmur of agreement. Rosemary, Rico, Abigail and Lamont each selected a side of the lift column and oriented themselves.
“I’ll check inside the elevator,” Ed offered. “See if the interface gives me any clues, and stay here in case Ashton comes back.”
If the lift even opens now, Lamont found himself thinking. But as soon as the chief technician approached within a foot of the column, the door snapped open from the apparently seamless surface, just as it had in the landing bay. Ed stepped inside, and Lamont began walking away from the column in slow, measured steps.
“Come on, Clifford, old boy,” He muttered quietly. “Let’s not have any more surprises.”
Next: Lost in the Vast Unknown