(… continuing)

An hour or so later, everyone was back at the rig. The observers were in need of sleep after all the wine, so they had all helped bring them back safely.
Most were either now in bed or not far from it.
Bazzer and Dukk were sitting at the crew table.
“What happened in the bathroom?” Dukk asked after activating his bracelet.
“Let me start from a little before that,” Bazzer replied. “I had been keeping an eye out for Ileadees and his crew. I had seen a few security people, but not Ileadees. Just after you arrived, I spotted Larony talking with one of the security people. I hadn’t seen him or Joantyi for that matter, prior to that moment. They headed in the direction of the bathroom just as you appeared and offered to get drinks. I figured that I’d have a little look and perhaps catch what they were saying. I found no trace of them when I got near the bathroom. So, I went in. Larony was behind the door and came at me. I swung him off me and he landed in the stall and slipped. He collected his head on the toilet as he came down. He didn’t move. That is when I heard Joantyi shouting as she pushed the door open. I jumped back behind the door. The rest you know.”
“Interesting. So Ileadees set them up and Larony’s death was an accident.”
“Yep, that is how I see it.”
“You were lucky that Joantyi didn’t get you with that knife. Or me for that matter.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. I’ve been around long enough to know how to handle someone with a knife. Especially, if I get the jump on them,” Bazzer replied and winked.

Dukk smiled. “Yes, I am sure you have. Talking of being around for long enough. Ileadees said something interesting to me during our chat after the meal.”
Bazzer looked up.
“The subject of Joantyi came up. I asked him if she was a threat. He said, not if we keep Mentor close. What is your take on that view of Mentor?”
“I guess they have history, like Ileadees and I.”
“What kind of history?”
“The kind that is good in a fight, I guess.”
Dukk paused and looked deeply at Bazzer.
“What are you hiding, old friend?” Dukk thought to himself.
Bazzer smiled as if he could read Dukk’s mind.
“Time to retire,” Bazzer suggested.
Dukk smiled, nodded and got up.

Later the next day, Marr found Dukk sitting at the console in the crew mess. They hadn’t seen much of each other since all arriving in from the pub.
“Hey”, she said as she approached him.
“Hi Marr. How are you?” Dukk replied as he spun around.
“Really good. The entertaining evening and downtime today has grounded me even more.”
“Grounded?”
“It has helped me get a better sense of this new life. I feel it could feel like home, some day.”
“Not there yet?”
“After spending so many years in the outdoors, on the edge of the wild, largely free to move about as I choose? No, not there yet,” she said before laughing.
“You know you could put anything you like on the big screen in the gym? I am sure there are scenes much like what you would have seen beyond the walls of Utopiam. It would be similar to running in the wild?”
Marr laughed even harder. “I like your optimism. But it isn’t the same.”
“Speaking of not the same. Are you up for a walk?”
“EVA?”
“Yep. Just like before a launch, I like to take a walk, and eye the rig before we get going.”
“Definitely. When?”
“In about twenty minutes. Once Luna and Bazzer are back inside. They have been doing the repairs on the heat shields. They will be back in soon.”
“That is kind of tight? Aren’t we due to leave in a little over an hour?”
“Yes, I have requested departure clearance for quarter past six. However, the heat shields were repaired a while ago. I’ve been watching the external video feeds. Bazzer and Luna have been doing some training. He is showing her how external emergency repairs might get done. Besides, our walk will only take twenty minutes. We will be back on board well before six and that’ll be plenty of time to start the predeparture sequence.”
“Excellent. Will I have control of my own propulsion?”
“Yes, but we won’t need it. The station’s near zero gravity will keep us from floating off.”
“That is a relief. After what happen with Luna, I am reluctant to have you driving my suit,” Marr said and smiled cheekily.
Dukk laughed and made a rude face back at her.
“Let’s get suited up and head down to the mezzanine.”
“Perfect,” Marr replied as she turned and headed towards her cabin.

“Hey you too. Off to do some more dancing?” Luna said gleefully as she removed her helmet.
Marr and Dukk had just come through the doorway to the starboard airlock. They both laughed awkwardly.
“What is it to you, Luna? Need some more tips on how it is done?” Dukk replied in jest.
Luna laughed as she followed Bazzer out of the airlock.
“Are we all set for departure?” Bazzer asked as he stood at the door, ready to close it for Marr and Dukk.
“Yep. Everyone is back on board and the departure request has been confirmed. We are going for release at six fifteen. Is everything in order with this old bird?” Dukk replied.
“Yep, as ready as it can be. We’ll fire it up once you two are back in,” Bazzer replied before closing the door.

Dukk went out the door and down the ladder first. He looked up as Marr made her way out the starboard door and tried to use the ladder.
“Turn yourself around and then just use the ladder as a guide. Your weight will bring you down. Use your hands on the ladder to slow the drop,” Dukk said into their comms.
Marr turned and started to drop slowly. As instructed, she used the ladder rails to control her descent speed. She bounced gently as she touched the pad.
“Cool,” she said into the comms.
“Right, I’ll follow you. Let’s go clockwise. Walk gently towards the starboard wing. We’ll go under it and get a look at the heat shields.”
“Perfect. On my way.”
Marr headed off gingerly at first but then sped up to a slow walk.
When they got to the wing, Dukk came up beside her.
“How did that feel?”
“Fine, easier than I thought.”
“Great. It all looks good here, let’s keep going. See if you can keep up,” Dukk said smiling over at her.
Dukk bounced into a fast walk and headed towards the back of the rig.
When he got there, he planted his legs and turned suddenly.
Marr collided into him. Arm in arm, they tumbled gently a couple of times.
“You did that on purpose,” Marr laughed.
“I didn’t want to disappoint Luna,” Dukk laughed back.
“Hey, you two, stop messing about, or we’ll never get underway!” said a voice into the crew comms. It was Annee.
“Right you are, boss,” Dukk replied.
They both laughed harder as they got back to their feet.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 18 - Set down (Passage 2 of 5)]

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