(… continuing)

Marr and Luna had focused on the job at hand for most of the hike. They had enjoyed working together once more. The terrain and temperature wasn’t familiar to them, but the activity was. They had identified possible sites on the way up the mountain. On the way down, they had inspected the potential locations in more detail. They took measurements using Marr’s binoculars and Luna lined up her rifle to get a sense of the shot difficulty.

With their investigation complete, they headed back towards a door at the base of the mountain. The door would give them access to the tunnels that led back to the hanger.
“What do you think Mentor has planned?” Luna asked absently as they descended.
“It isn’t clear.”
“Tell me again what he said.”
“He only instructed us to find and size up potential sites. He was specific about the resort penthouses and their fireplaces. Nothing else.”
“If I was there, I would have asked him about what was coming.”
“You know that isn’t our place. But as it happens, I did slip up. I asked him if there was a job.”
“What did he say?”
“Not yet, but maybe next time.”
“So, we are to return with the next load. That’s at least something.”
“Good observation.”
“Why the fireplaces?”
“Not sure. Did you find something odd about them?” Marr replied.
“Apart from them being there in the first place?”
“Yes, well there is that. I’d only heard of them. Thought they were done away with long ago.”
“They looked pretty cool. That is the ones that were lit. The flames rising up and all. What then?”
“They looked self contained. The glass enclosures looked pretty solid. I gather they must be automated in some manner. I could not see any stacks of wood or means to tend to the fire.”
“Yes, that is odd.”
“I guess we’ll find out when we find out what the job is.”

When they reached the door, Luna pulled it open and said, “After you.”
“Why thank you, Luna. Lovely manners,” Marr replied.
“You are most welcome,” Luna laughed. “By the way, what is the story with you and Dukk?”
“What do you mean?”
“The chemistry between you to is off the charts. You are constantly flirting and yet, you have not been with him. What gives?”
“What I do with my body isn’t really any of your business,” Marr replied in a cool tone. “And, anyway it feels right to wait.”
“Wait for what? Don't you want him?”
“Absolutely, every time I see him come out of his cabin, suited up, I just want to push him back in their and rip his clothes off. And doing the suit cross check! Wow! The electricity is palpable. I am sure we are both lingering a little more than we need to.”
“Shit Marr, that is way too much information,” Luna laughed. “But now that I know that, I am even more curious as to what is stopping you?”
“I am not sure. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it.”
“Feels to me that you are making things much harder for yourself. You toil unnecessarily.”
“Toil! That is it! Luna you are a genius. I’ve been muddling over the story Teacher reminded me of, the last time we saw her. I couldn’t figure out why. The story kept coming to me when I thought of Dukk in a certain way. The idea of the toil both on the plane and the mountain results in access to the wisdom at the end. This speaks to delayed gratification. Perhaps we need to know more about each other first. Perhaps we have to understand a little of each other's individual experience of the toil before we are ready to join and share the toil together.”
“Wow, clearly space travel doesn't suit you. It has turned your mind to mush.”
Marr laughed. She liked that her and Luna were spending time working together again. It had helped her achieve more clarity.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 20 - Groundwork (Passage 2 of 5)]

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2022 BJ Allen