Four Bodies in Space (New Voyages, #1) Page 7

  Jennifer rushed over. Johnson was still trying to grapple with Solaris.

  Jennifer grabbed the rail with her tightest grip and reached a hand down to try to pull them up by gripping Solaris's uniform, but Johnson tried to fight her off.

  "Don't be an idiot, Johnson," Jennifer said. "You'll get yourself killed."

  He wouldn't stop shaking and trying to fight, pushing away her hand. All it did was dislodge him from his grip of Solaris's arm. Jennifer reached down as far as she could but he fell, bouncing off the edge of a lower level industrial walkway and then further down into the dark.

  But she could still save Solaris.

  It was too hard to get a grip on her clothes, as much as she tried.

  "Your hand, give me your hand," Solaris said.

  Jennifer sat still, with hand reached out, so Solaris could get a grip on her. Her grip was almost painfully strong. Jennifer huffed out a small laugh. "My elbow would be better if you want to drag yourself up."

  Solaris closed her eyes and let go just long enough to grab Jennifer just above the wrist instead. So Jennifer grabbed Solaris in return with her strongest grip, splayed fingers over her sleeve. Then grit her teeth and pulled, until Solaris's whole torso was above the steel floor and she could pull herself the rest of the way up.

  Solaris crawled across the floor, then flipped over to look up at the ceiling. They were both breathing heavily. Jen's hand felt raw. She wasn't going to ask how Solaris felt.

  "I'll do you a deal, Commander. Let's never talk about it."

  "That would be wise, Captain."

  THEY WERE STILL SITTING there when Vice-Marshal McIntyre and Dr Pill arrived.

  "You do seem to find yourself in the thick of things," McIntyre said, looking down at Captain Li.

  Who smiled and looked up, not moving to stand. "It's my gift, sir."

  "Well, all's well that ends well. Between the video footage in the hotel corridors and the body they're scraping off the top of the small vessel maintenance bay below, section 7 are closing the case. And while a Dark Water Nectaren medical specialist is still two days away, we've turned the salt water swimming pool on level three into their recuperation area."

  "Very neat and tidy," Captain Li said.

  "Clever of Commander Solaris to convince the rest of her crew to barricade themselves in a maintenance pod to continue their card games while the fighting occurred," McIntyre said.

  Solaris was too busy looking at her knees to respond.

  Dr Pill walked up and tapped a light hand against Solaris's shoulder. "Against all odds, we managed to revive Mrs Menken. I can't guarantee she'll be well long term but she's alive, at least. You mustn't blame yourself."

  "I place the blame entirely on Bill Johnson," Solaris said.

  There wasn't much else to say.

  7.

  THREE DAYS LATER THE station felt calm again. Not that Jennifer could sleep well after all that excitement. She stood near the enormous picture window of the darkened observation deck, hands held loosely behind her back, and watched her ship come in.

  Big and beautiful. It flew closer, a gigantic creature outlined in the station's outward lights against the endless night sky.

  She became aware of the soft sound of another person's steps. Commander Solaris appeared at her side, her features dramatically lit by the light filtering in through the window.

  "Isn't she a beauty?" Jennifer asked. "The First Breath of Spring."

  "There is a certain elegance to its design."

  "Capacity of at least 230, state of the art medical facilities, multiple conference rooms and recreation areas. It's a big job to take on. I'll need a strong second in command. Interested?"

  "I have not been friendly to you. Why would you decide to work with me after that?"

  "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I need somebody who isn't too impressed with me. I need someone with enough experience to tell me when I'm going wrong."

  "I am not entirely unimpressed."

  "Coming from you, Mr Solaris, that is the highest flattery." Jennifer laughed and looked away, her eye caught again by her big beautiful boat, slowing down so it could be ready to dock.

  "Yes," Solaris said. "I'll work under your command. That is what I choose."

  And then they were quiet for some time, looking out the window at the gentle movements of their future home, slowly moving close.

  Also by Luna Harlow

  In tune

  The Rhinoceros Conspiracy Live

  The People Want Dance Pop

  New Voyages

  Four Bodies in Space (Coming Soon)

  Standalone

  Constellation of neon Lights

  Strange Conversations

  Watch for more at Luna Harlow’s site.

  About the Author

  Luna Harlow is a writer from Melbourne, Australia.

  By day Luna does confidential (if very boring) admin work, and by night she indulges her passions for writing and the creative arts.

  Her hobbies include using books as an excuse to not talk to people on the train, and singing along to every song at parties.

  Read more at Luna Harlow’s site.