Karen sat nervously in the waiting room next to the landing pad, her earpiece tuned to the Diogo tower frequency. She gazed out of the window at the night sky, it was usually awash with stars but a sea mist had rolled over the island obscuring the view.
“Diogo Tower this is Peter Simpson requesting landing clearance for Pad Six”
“Peter Simpson, clearance granted, please be advised there is reduced visibility due to mist. Landing vectors sent”
Karen stepped outside and arched her head to the sky, by the sound of the craft’s engines it was clear Peter had no intention of heeding the controllers warning and in his youthful exuberance he was coming in hot. The first visible sign of the Talon was its landing lights penetrating the mist as it approached in a nose down position. A little later than usual Peter threw the nose of the craft up, engaged full power on the landing thrusters and lowered the gear. The heat of the thrusters cleared the mist below the craft and doused the area in an orange glow. He touched down firmly on the dead centre of the pad. Karen disapproved of the show boating but could not help give a slight nod of her head at the landing.
As the engines of the Talon winded down the canopy opened and Peter aided Lorleii out of the jumpseat and down onto the pad, though Karen was quite sure she did not need the assistance. As they wondered over from the craft Peter had a skip in his stride and was re-enacting the landing with his hands, it was quite clear that Lorleii was a little less excitable about the landing. As the pair neared Lorleii hesitated and allowed Peter to greet Karen first.
“Yo K whats you think about that then” Peter boasted whilst flicking his head towards the craft
“Well I’m just glad you got here in one piece, you know that kind of thing might get you injured one day”
“Well not today hay K, anyhows it’s good to see you again… so you going to tell me what this is all about?”
“And you Pete, I will once I know myself what’s going on, I don’t want to get you too involved in anything, you’ve helped enough getting Lorleii here so fast”
Peter leaned in and lowered his voice…
“It’s no problem and she’s quite a looker so I don’t mind” he said giving Karen a slight elbow and a wink.
“That’s enough of that young man, you better get back to base I’ve heard your back on duty soon”
“Yeah they’ve finally decided I’m mentally fit to fly” Peter stated in a sarcastic fashion rolling his eyes
“Till next time K”
Peter gave Karen a hug and turned away towards Lorleii and his craft, Peter went in for another hug but she offered him her hand instead, the moment was slightly awkward to watch but made Karen smile.
Karen attempted to keep the smile as Lorleii came over and tried to get into a more professional mind-set but found the sight of Lorleii walking over distracting. She was wearing black leather trousers and flight jacket, the zipper lowered slightly, allowing the top her cleavage to be visible, Karen only glanced and hoped the look was not noticed, as she averted her gaze Karen could not help notice the gun holster on Lorleii’s thigh. “She’s clearly prepared for trouble” Karen thought to herself.
“Nice to finally meet you” Lorleii smiled as she offered her hand. It was a firm handshake, Karen noted her skin, though not rough, was courser than her own, a result of her years spent as an OS&C pen pusher.
“And you, I’m sorry we had to meet under such circumstances but be assured we at OSC are committed to finding your mother and I have a feeling that this lead will give us some answers”
“I hope so, the lack of contact or signs of where she might be is very concerning… I just hope …” Lorleii began to trail off “she’s okay”
“Well tomorrow we’ll be travelling with the science crew to the location of the sound contact, they don’t exactly know why I’m interested but they seem happy with us coming along… I think it might have been a while since they last had female company” Karen gave a wry smile.
“They might be barking up the wrong tree, but I’m genuinely nervous to find out more about what is going on”
Karen was slightly taken aback from the comment but decided not to make question Lorleii on it.
“Until then we will get you settled in and talk over any questions you and I might have for each other”
“Sounds like a plan, I’m pretty tired after that flight, Peters not the smoothest flier! I think I’ll need a shower and a good night’s sleep”
“Oh on that matter I will apologise now for the accommodation, unfortunately OS&C don’t seem to deem it necessary to provide the same level of comfort for the staff as for the customers, I could have arranged a more comfortable room for you but I thought it best not to attract any unwanted attention”
“Ah don’t worry about it, sounds like a good idea to me and I’ll bet you I’ve stayed in worse places in my time”
Karen believed her, Lorleii’s attitude and demeanour was not that of someone too concerned about trivial things like heated floors and fine cotton sheets. Karen took the lead and showed Lorleii to the small room she had been allocated.
“There’s room in that locker for your stuff, the shower and bath room are through that door, I’ll give you some fresh sheets for the bed… hope you don’t mind sharing the room”
“He he, Oh its cosy!” Lorleii joked “and where are you sleeping?”
“Ill take the floor” Karen pointed at the roll matt and sleeping bag sitting in the corner
“Don’t be silly there is plenty of space in the bed, unless you would really rather sleep on the hard floor… I don’t bite you know”
Karen was not sure what to say and a hot flush suddenly welled over her. She was unsure on her feelings towards Lorleii but gave into the tingling sensation of excitement.
“Well if you’re sure, I’ve never been one to pass up an opportunity of a warm bed” she smiled, feeling confident and secure in herself for the first time in what seemed like an age.
“Now that’s agreed I’m off to get freshened up and changed”
Lorleii picked up her stuff and vacated to the bathroom, soon the sound of the shower running and Lorleii humming emanated from behind the door. Karen lay on the bed relaxing to the soothing sounds, as she waited her turn for the shower she booked an automated taxi for the morning to take them to the marina where the science vessel was moored. The shower stopped and shortly after Lorleii appeared, covered in nothing but a short towel wrapped around her body, Karen could not help but look at her long smooth legs.
“Oh that’s better, so nice to be out of that flight gear! Your turn K”
After Karen had showered and changed the pair climbed in to bed, though she felt a little uncomfortable at first she soon settled. They lay in the dark and discussed the investigation, the various theories they had and the prospects for the next day. They also talked about their pasts, Karen was particularly interested in how Lorleii had become the owner of her own company, something she had always wanted to do.
Karen slowly drifted in to a deep and very relaxed sleep it was nice to have company again…
