Traveler in the Dark

11

"There we go." Titov adjusted the small photo frame next to the cot where Hackford sat. "Brought you dinner too." He unzipped his suit pocket and pulled out a foil packet and a small flask. "Corn and bean mash," he made a face and handed it to her. "And—"

"Cosmic glug?" asked Hackford.

"Shhhh. Don't want Leroux to hear," he said.

"I'm right here," said Leroux without looking up from the reports on her feed.

"Is it— okay?" asked Hackford. Leroux glanced over and snorted.

"That's it?"

"It's all she needs," said Titov.

"Not if it's as weak as your last batch," laughed Leroux. "It's fine Dorothy. Just— don't tell the captain. And eat." She went back to the reports.

Titov bounced his knees nervously.

"Tell me about outside," said Hackford. "I didn't really— I couldn't look."

"Well, I mostly took air and soil samples today, but only nearby. The field lab's set up on a nice grassy area. There's a river on one side. Emery took some water samples. I think she picked up some stones for you too. Oh—" He fumbled in his pocket for a moment. "I almost forgot. Sorry— everything happened so fast today." He pulled out a small glass case. "Emery found this in her samples. She wants to know if it's natural." He handed it to her and she squinted at it. It glinted and she clicked her feed to magnify her view.

"You do a chemical analysis yet?" she asked.

"Gold and copper alloy. It's seen heat, but—" he shrugged. "Lightning strike? Volcano? Your area, not mine."

She twisted the container to examine it. "I don't think so. Where did she find it?"

"River bank. She said she didn't think the indents were erosion, but wanted to check with you. I don't know how it would make that shape though."

Hackford shook her head. "Those aren't like any erosion marks I've seen. She sent me some radargrams..." She trailed off, calling up documents on her feed. Titov patted her knee.

"Well, now that I've given you a mystery to occupy yourself, I need to go make a video log for Peter. I promised."

Hackford smiled. "Thanks, Andrei. I really needed a visit."

"Don't mind me," sighed Leroux, "I'm apparently just corn and bean mash."

"You didn't bring her glug. Gets the ladies every time."

Leroux wrinkled her nose. "Blech. It's practically dishwater. You have any more?"

Titov laughed. "Captain Stratton's got the last of the stash. Unless Blick finds some alien fruit, that's it until we get back."

"I think— tell Emery I want to keep this for now," murmured Hackford. "I'll— I'll call her in a while."

"You find something?"

"Something. But I don't know what yet," said Hackford.

"Emery, wake up." Rebecca shifted on the narrow bunk and pulled the thin blanket back over her shoulder. "Emery, are you up? It's important."

Rebecca sighed and reached a heavy hand up to the media filament. "Yeah— I'm here. What's going on?"

"The radargram you gave me— did you calibrate the equipment first?"

She rubbed her eyes. "Yes, Captain Stratton did a systems check just outside, and then we did another when we reached the valley while the others were setting up the field lab."