“Well?”

“God, you’re annoying.”

Ramirez and Anna eyed each other while checking out the docking section that lead into the large storage containers. They systematically tested each one, switch on and off the doors, looking inside for any scraps laying about, and activated the massive rock crushing processor that hung overhead. Various other crewmen were performing tasks around them as they acknowledged their presence.

“I’m waiting…” Anna impotently said.

“And I’m thinking…”

“Come on, bro!”

The two slowly moved out of the area that had the gravity plating and floated upwards in the middle of the room. Looking down, they could see the very large bay doors where the pods bringing the asteroids would enter through. The whole ship had the latest in gravity plating technology. Something that hadn’t existed in his father’s day. At least, not one that worked at a proper Earth gravity type.

This was the only spot not covered in the special plating. This is where the rocks would float up, stay in position (for more shaping or temporary parking), or be brought all the way up to the ‘chopper’ as they called the huge processor. The containers could house tons upon tons of soil and rock, a dusty, filthy area that required a lot of controlled cleaning. Hard hats and gravity boots were required to work in this section. But only if there was something being done at that time.

“Tell ya what…” Albedo said to his sister. “If we get this done in time, and the new recruit, Pete, is done with his training on the pod later on…” He glanced over to her. “Maybe you and I can go out there and get some family time in.”

“Really?” She said with a smile.

“Really…” He nodded.

She managed to float over to her brother and gave him a tight hug. Her loud scream of joy was a bit much for his ears, the sound reverberating through out the large room, but gave a coy smile back at her.

“You won’t regret this” She said.

“I know I will.” He smirked.

As they hugged one last time, Gloria’s voice called out to him over the ship speakers. Ramirez broke away from Anna and stepped back down onto the gravity plating floor. He quickly accessed a communicator box nearby and wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Ramirez here…”

“Captain,” Gloria acknowledged. “We’re getting a transmission from Saturn, looks like they’ve got direct beam from there. Headquarters is saying it’s urgent and for your eyes only.”

“Saturn?” Albedo squinted. “We’re not due for a progress update for another month yet.” He thought for a second, giving a slight tap to his lip, and then replied. “I’ll take it in my quarters. Give me five minutes and then switch it over to my monitor there.”

‘Will do, Cap.” She acknowledged, and then added, “Are we in trouble for something?”

“If we are, Gloria,” He snickered. “We’d find ourselves face to face with an escort back home already.” He switched off the communicator and looked back at everyone doing their jobs. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

* * *

The mining teams continued to pump the music loud through the communications as they toiled away on their assigned asteroids. The round pods drilled and dug with the robotic limbs, lifting the heavy chunks while the other space-suited workers scanned them. Greg found it hard to concentrate at times. While Mike moved the limbs on his craft and tried to make them do an air guitar motion with them.

Tam instructed her guys to beware of the other craft coming in, as they repositioned their tools and samples to the opposite side. Cargo Dumpsters, as they were called, landed softly beside the round pods and opened its large doors. They were the only remotely controlled storage containers used for loading and shipping the asteroid deposit back to the ship.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

They were pill shaped steel boxes with various small antennas and sensor cameras dotted along the top. There was enough space in them to carry a few tons and house the small digger ATV vehicle they used to pack it all in with. Depending on the amount of gravity, that small vehicle might not be the best to use for such digs. But, it was propped on the inside lip just incase it was required or there was enough gravity being generated by the rock’s spin to ride about on.

“Hey, big boy…” Anna’s voice popped over Greg’s radio. “Don’t strain yourself too much, I’m going to need those strong hands on my body tonight…”

Greg stopped scanning the rock and signalled Mike he’s taking a break. Either Mike wasn’t paying attention, or just didn’t care, he was far too busy getting his ‘rock on’ with the tunes. Greg found a spot that he could get a view of The Calista cruising by.

“Hey, don’t be saying that over an open channel, ok babe?”

“You worry too much.” She snickered. “I’ve put you on a secure channel. Now I can talk dirty to you all I want.”

“Aren’t you in engineering right now?” Greg said glancing up with a squint.

“Yeah, I am. But I found a private spot all to myself, and… oh my, I am just so naked right now. Mmmm, rubbing my body and breasts… I just can’t wait to fuck you tonight baby…”

“Damn girl!” Greg said, jaw nearly dropping to the ground. “You naked? Aw shit! Why you gotta tease me like this baby? I’m stuck on this rock and…” Suddenly, he realized she was messing with him and his eyes dimmed. “You’re not naked, are you?”

Laughing at his misfortune, Anna continued to talk to him in a sexy tone. “Naw, I’m just getting you riled up, want to make sure you’ve got that hard hammer of yours ready to pound my hot pussy…”

Greg smiled with delight. This type of playfulness was getting him slightly erect. He quickly had to think of non-sexual mental images, because getting an erection out in space, in a tight fitting spacesuit, wasn’t exactly ideal. He had to abruptly stop her erotic talk and asked a question she knew would end the conversation quick.

“Have you told your brother about us yet?” Silence over the radio gave him the answer. “Anna, you know it ain’t right not to let him know.”

“It’s none of his business.” She sharply answered. “Jesus… Way to kill the mood though, thanks.”

“Look…” Greg paused momentarily speaking while he tried to reposition his footing. He held his scanner up to the rock and motioned to Mike. He was idling nearby waiting for him, Greg pointed at the rock and Mike picked it up. “The last thing that you and I need is an angry brother, let alone one that is our Captain. You know, the holder of our fates on this ship, right? If he finds out we’ve been screwing around for months, he might just do something to end the relationship, but good… if you know what I mean.”

“Don’t be scared of that estúpido, ok? I can handle him…”

“Oh I know you can,” He chuckled. “I’m more worried about me. Those airlocks might get twitchy if I happen to go by one.”

“That’s not going to happen.” She stated. “Why you got to ruin the moment? Stop being such a worrier, and be my sexy warrior!”

Greg laughed at that. He watched Mike move the rock as he took it to the Cargo Dumpster. With a gesture of thanks to him, Greg let out a long sigh and grimaced.

“Ok, fine. You don’t have to say anything right now. But, I know if my sister was fucking my best friend, I’d want to know before I went all ballistic on his ass.”

“I’ll tell him soon, ok?” She made a kiss noise and signed off.

Greg looked over just in time to see Mike glaring at him with arms folded. He shrugged at the hippy-dressed headbanger and mouthed ‘what’ to him. Mike had a smile that grew to full extent.

“Ya guys might want to make sure this end of the communication channel isn’t on as well, cause, I think we all know your lil’ secret now.”

“You mean…” Greg’s voice trailed off.

“Yep, everyone can hear it. You’re a dead man.” Chaz chimed in. Greg’s eyes widened hearing him speak. “She’s my cousin dude, but… I could be persuaded not to reveal that major blunder for say, oh, I dunno, five bottles of that South African hooch you’ve got stored in your room?”

“Aw, come on, seriously? Man, you’ve got some priorities there, wait, how do you know about…”

“Who do you think does the ship inspections from time to time?” Chaz sharply answered. “But, hey… your choice, right? Like I said, she’s my cousin, but I’ll stay silent if I’ve got something to drown my loose lips with.”

“Fine.” Greg grumbled.

“There ya go.” Chaz laughed. “Pleasure doing business. Oh and… take care of my cousin, ok, or I’ll kill ya.”

“Don’t forget, you’ve got that hard hammer for her hot pussy, right?” Tam laughed over the radio channel.

Now all of the workers were heard laughing over the airways, and Greg stood in shock from it. Mike motioned with the controls as if he was jerking off the pod. And even the new guy, Pete was laughing and making similar gestures with his hands.

“Shit…” Greg muttered, he tried to hide his embarrassed face.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with us… hot sexy warrior!” Milo spoke with a chuckle.

He floated up in his spacesuit, using the backpack jets to come up beside Tam’s pod. He wasn’t sure if Greg could see him so far away, but Tam’s robotic pod hand lifted up and the two gave each other a gentle high-five after he made the comment. Greg hoped that her brother wasn’t listening in at that moment, because if he was, this asteroid was about to become his permanent home.