In the Wake of Stars

Chapter 20: Stubborn as Asteroids

Nora watched with growing irritation as Cal prepared the sampling tools, his eyes glinting with excitement despite her objections. After the tension of navigating the asteroid belt, she had hoped they would continue straight to the planet, but Cal, of course, had other plans.

“Do we really need these samples?” she asked, arms crossed as she leaned against the storage lockers, frowning as he rifled through their equipment. “Isn’t it enough we’re the only humans alive right now who’ve survived that belt?”

Cal smirked, adjusting his harness. “We didn’t survive it just to pass by all these untouched minerals. Think of it, Nora—rare elements, undiscovered alloys. There could be materials here stronger than anything on Earth.”

“Or we could get stuck out here because you got greedy,” she countered, exasperated. “This is stupidly reckless.”

“Always so cautious,” he said with a dismissive wave, strapping the tools onto his belt. “Relax, I’ll be in and out. Just need a handful of samples, then we’re on our way. I’ll even let you keep watch in the cockpit. Think you can manage?”

She rolled her eyes but reluctantly agreed. As much as she hated his nonchalant attitude, he was stubbornly skilled. And as infuriating as he was, she couldn’t deny the intrigue of examining an untouched asteroid. Begrudgingly, she made her way to the command center, settling into the seat she usually avoided—the pilot’s chair.

Cal’s voice crackled over the intercom as he exited the airlock. “If anything happens, remember—throttle on the right, shields on the left.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” she replied dryly. “It’s not like I haven’t been on this ship for months now.”

“Just keeping you sharp, princess,” he teased. “Besides, if I get lost out here, you’ll have to come rescue me.”

She suppressed a groan. The display showed his tethered form moving away from the ship, a stark figure against the dark stretch of the asteroid, suit lights blinking. He was unhurried, methodical as he chipped away at the surface. Watching him, she felt a twinge of anxiety she couldn’t quite explain. It was one thing to dislike him, but it was another to let him float alone on a barren rock, surrounded by uncharted space.

After about twenty minutes, she tapped the intercom. “Getting bored out here. You done yet?”

“Almost,” he replied, chipping at a particularly shiny vein in the rock. “You’re welcome to complain more, though. Your whining’s the highlight of my day.”

She smirked. “Maybe if you hurry up, you’ll get even more of it.”

A muffled laugh came through, and for a second, she almost wished he was closer—so she could smack the smug look off his face. She checked the display again, her irritation flickering to a quiet, reluctant admiration. He was annoyingly skilled and so… comfortable in the chaos of space. She never would have expected that.

Just as she was starting to lose patience, he signaled, and she could see him beginning to reel in his tether, samples clinking against his suit.

“All done,” he announced. “Coming back to my loyal copilot.”

The ship shuddered slightly as he re-entered through the airlock, and moments later, Cal appeared in the doorway, still grinning, his arms full of containers. His suit and hands were smeared with dust, the faint glow of alien minerals sticking to him.

“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he said, giving her a look of triumph.

Nora glared, but she couldn’t hold back the faintest of smiles. “Just get those rocks secured. If any of them start leaking alien goo, it’s on you.”

He winked. “Worried about me already? Didn’t know you cared.”

With that, he stowed the samples, still chattering about potential discoveries. She bit her lip, glancing away from him as he peeled off his suit and moved to clean up. His face and hands were streaked with gray dust, but his eyes were sharp, brightened by the thrill of discovery. As frustrating as he was, his enthusiasm was contagious, pulling her into his orbit despite every instinct to stay out.

When he finally sat down, scrubbing the dirt from his hands, he glanced at her. “So, think we’ll ever be able to top that adventure?”

She shook her head, feigning disinterest. “Hopefully not. I’d rather get to the planet in one piece, thanks.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he replied, kicking back in his seat.

With a sigh, she punched in the course adjustments, setting their trajectory once more toward the planet. But this time, Cal leaned in beside her, his hand brushing hers as he pointed out the path. She shot him a look, half-annoyed, half-amused, but didn’t pull her hand away.

“By the way,” he murmured, voice dropping, “nice work on the ship earlier. Maybe you’re finally learning a thing or two.”

She raised an eyebrow, smirking. “If you keep teaching with all the patience of a drill sergeant, maybe I’ll surprise you.”

“Good,” he replied, his smirk widening. “I like surprises.”

And just like that, they were back on course, silence settling in as the stars stretched out before them.