Captain Ramirez Albedo fought like hell to get this opportunity when it became available. When he heard of other Space Rockers ships getting in on this action, he made sure he was one of the elite few to get this contract. To be on the frontier, the edge of the solar system, a veritable “gold rush” of asteroid mining, well… how could he miss out on that. Mainly it was to maximize and secure a profit for his business, but also for bragging rights for himself and the crew.

So, while this was the venture of a lifetime, with a strong goal of making him the most successful mining operation in the whole Earth Core United space, it still bothered him when the regional supervisor usurped his authority. The Calista was ordered to drop everything they were doing, ditching a potential source of income for them all, and head for one lone asteroid. It didn’t make sense to him, that meant a loss of profit, for everyone… including the company.

“Say that again?” Ramirez sat closer to holo-vid screen. He accidentally toppled over a pile of report papers and some of the clear glass tablets as he tried rest his right elbow. “You want us to just stop and go to some derelict rock that looks important to you guys?”

The regional supervisor, Cyril Agustin, a slightly obese man with thick glasses, pursed his lips at Albedo’s reaction. He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk that was out of view, he gave a slow released sigh and explained again.

“Ramirez... I know this is going to be difficult for you and your crew, but the company sent a probe out there, a few years back, well before The Calista, and has been prospecting it as a future candidate.”

Albedo was a bout to speak, but his boss lifted a finger to quell any interruption.

“The probe sent back finding of a significant deposit of some sort of metal, one that’s not known on any periodic chart. The company believes this is the score they've been waiting for. It’s top priority, understand? We’re talking the highest level, if you get my meaning.”

Albedo nodded reluctantly. Yes, he understood all too well what it meant. The contract forbids them to refuse any assignment given by a direct command from the CEO of mining guild. That means they won’t get paid until it’s confirmed, they don’t get any stat holiday, nor will they be compensated for any loss of time if they don’t proceed right away.

“A shit storm...” Albedo thought. “This is going to kill the crew.”

“Now-now...” Cyril smirked, the thick glasses augmenting his peering eyes as he tilted his head back. “I’ve been authorized to tack on an added incentive, just in case. If the find is as important as they feel it is, the company will give the entire crew a full three months paid leave.”

That jostled the Ramirez out of his depression and sat up in amazement.

“Seriously? They said that? Don’t be shitting with me Cyril, I’m not in the mood for one of your half-ass lies, man.”

“Tell those other space rockers to get a move on,” Cyril grinned. “Or they’ll miss out on the vacation of a lifetime.”

The view screen swished off. Albedo sat with a queer smile on his face. He instantly looked over to the picture of his wife and children taped to the wall beside his narrow bed. He came over to it and gave it a loving touch.

“Three months… paid upfront…” He softly spoke. “Yeah, oh, hell yah… that’s one big incentive alright...”

Albedo shifted in his chair and tapped on the wall communication panel.

“Gloria? Gloria! You there?”

There was a crackle on the overhead speaker, and then the woman came on giggling as she was in mid-conversation with someone else. He could hear them both finishing speaking to each other as Gloria acknowledged him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“What’s up, Cap?”

“Tell the crew we’re having a meeting in fifteen minutes. Recall the drilling team and have them join us in the mess hall.”

“Woo, sounds serious…” She snickered.

“It is, very much so…” He leaned back and exhaled. “We’re being sent to another prospect.”

“You’re shitting me?” She replied with tone of disbelief. “We just set up… the guys are in mid-dig right now. We can’t just…”

“I know-I know…” He rubbed his face in frustration. “Just do as I say, please.”

“Shit…” She stated. “You know the flack I’m going to get from everyone for pulling the plug right now?”

“Tell them to get their asses back in here.” Albedo stressed to her. “That’s an order from their captain, understand?”

There was a moment of silence from her. Then, she let out drawn out exhale.

“Aye-aye, sir…”

Albedo tapped the console again and switched off the comm. He leaned back further in his chair and rubbed his face in frustration again.

“Fuck… here we go, man… here we go.”

* * *

“He wants us to do what?”

Mike couldn’t believe his ears. He squinted while straining to hear Gloria repeat her words.

“Captain wants us all back on board, you guys have fifteen minutes to drop what you’re doing, and haul ass back to the ship. There’s a meeting in the mess hall. Sounds like it might be major.”

Greg floated up from the asteroid and gripped onto Mike’s pod. He faced the man sitting behind the rounded glass and joined in the conversation.

“Gloria, you can’t be serious right now. We’re busy gutting this rock right now. We’ve got the rigs set up on the surface and…”

“Yeah-yeah-yeah, I know, Greg.” She grumbled. “Just leave that shit there for now. We can come back later and pick it up.”

“Come back later?” Mike scoffed. “This isn’t like dropping off your kids at the daycare, Gloria. This is expensive equipment. Company expensive equipment, if you get my meaning. If this stuff floats away while we’re gone, it’s coming out of our pay…”

“Quit your whining, Mike.” Tam chimed in. “And stop with your horrible analogies. Kids at a daycare… that’s awful. No wonder your single…”

Greg tapped on the dome of Mike’s pod and motioned with his hands.

“Yo, if she says Albedo needs us back ASAP, then you know it’s something major, man. So let’s grab what we can and head on back to the barn…”

“The fuck you know what a barn is, Greg…” Mike snorted back. “You’re a child of the serengeti, out in the wilderness with the lions and shit.”

“Don’t make me kick your ass, Mike…” Greg thumped on the glass again. “I’ll have Milo join me, he’s been itching to do it for sometime.”

Mike stuck out his tongue at him and gave him the middle finger.

“Give me a break, Greg. Milo’s got a bug up his ass about everything and everyone. Big fuckin’ native dude with a big fuckin’ chip on his shoulder. He’s just pissed at life in general.”

“Yeah, but more about you and that privileged racist big mouth of yours.”

“I tell it like it is,” He shrugged back. “Tell me you guys don’t say the same stuff about me, I know you all have the same racist thoughts and secretly talk about me when I’m out of sight.”

“Yeah, when we’re out of sight of you. Not in front of you.” Greg snorted.

“See…” Mike pointed at him. “You guys are just shy about it. The world tries to cover up the inner bigotry within, the only difference between you and me… I like to get it out in the open, no filter or nothing.”

“Fuck me, you are one stupid hick I’ve ever met.” Greg tapped on the glass and gave the middle finger to him. “Do us a favour, don’t breed…”

“Don’t worry, I hate kids…” Mike smirked. “They’re a drain on my lifestyle.”

“Is that what your daddy said to you?” Greg laughed.

“You have a life? With style?” Tam stated with sarcasm.

“Fuck you both, man.” Mike grumbled.

Mike suddenly felt something smack the side of his ship. He jolted from the impact and cursed as he flopped out of his seat. He quickly recovered and glanced about the window to see where it came from.

“That’s for being you, asshole…”

“Milo?” Mike gawked. “What the shit man? You could have killed me! Was that a chunk of rock?”

“Yep,” Milo stated as he floated over to his pod.

In his hand was another big bolder. Space made it easy for him to move about, like manoeuvring weights underwater, only less resistance (seeing how there was none in space). He held it out and taunted him with it.

“This next one is coming straight for your window, ya stupid fucker.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Mike balled his fist, waving it up in the window.

Milo poised himself to get a good angle and was preparing to chuck it, when Tam’s robot arm came up and took the rock away.

“Will you two cut it out. We’ve got to get back to The Calista. The show’s over…”

“Awww…” Greg motioned to her. “It was just getting good though. Nothing like scaring the crap out of him.”

Mike gave them all the finger and turned his pod around. He headed over to the ship on full power. The other chuckled amongst themselves while watching him and made their way to the vessel as well. Milo tapped on Greg’s helmet as he came up and waved.

“If you’re serious about taking him out together…”

“Jeez, naw man!” Greg glared back. “I was just kidding.”

“Right…” Milo smirked with a wink. “Kidding… got it.”