GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER TWO - August 2172 - Earth - 41 days to go

"I'm sorry to lose you, Suzanne. Are you sure you won't reconsider?" said the editor of World News British Division, Harvey Miller.

"No. Sorry, Harvey. I definitely want to concentrate on my private life and I'm never at home while working here," replied Suzanne.

"Come here," he held out his arms. Suzanne walked around the desk to hug Harvey.

Once they had parted, Suzanne said, "You've always been more than a boss to me. You have been a really good friend and I thank you for it."

"You can come back anytime you want to, Suzanne. There will always be a job for you here."

"Thanks," Suzanne picked up her small box of personal items which she had already cleared off her desk. She walked over to the office door and Harvey hurried to open it for her.

"Bye, Harvey. I will see you soon."

"Bye, Suzanne and good luck."

Suzanne left his office for the last time and said her goodbyes to all the staff as she walked to the lift. She shifted the weight of the box onto one arm as she waved goodbye to her colleagues. The doors opened behind her and she stepped backwards into the lift holding in the overwhelming desire to cry before the doors closed in front of her.

She tried to compose herself in the few moments she had alone. The bell pinged and the doors slid open to reveal Roxanne Taylor waiting to enter. Suzanne pushed past her rival, trying to leave without making a scene.

"Finally off then, Suzie," gloated Roxanne.

Suzanne faced her. "What's it look like, Roxy." She retorted in an equally taunting way, all thoughts of leaving quietly, vanishing.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish if you ask me."

"I thought you'd be happy. I mean, you might actually manage to get a front-page story now."

"You bitch. My work's always been good enough for the front page."

"Maybe Harvey will use your dribble a little more now."

"Hey that's not, I mean, my work's not," she let out a frustrated breath and took a step towards Suzanne.

"You're going to miss the lift."

Roxanne turned and hurried to press the button, but the lift had already left. Roxanne knew that she would have to wait for five to ten minutes before its return. She turned around to resume her ranting, but Suzanne had already left.

"Aarrggh!" yelled an extremely frustrated Roxanne. "What are you looking at!" she snapped at the receptionist who was slowly shaking her head.

She turned back to the lift and stabbed the button, seething inside that Suzanne had, once again, got the better of her.

*

Steve finished counting the crates of Etherall and picked up his clipboard to record his stock check. He looked up and adjusted his hard hat as he heard his name being called.

"Hi, David. Hang on," he put down the clipboard after making a note of where he was then walked over to his employer.

"Steve, Suzanne's here for you. You can take an early lunch if you want," said David Tressel.

"Thanks, David. I've marked where I am. Did she say what she wanted?"

"No. But I'm glad you two seem to be getting along again. You both deserve it."

"Yeah, let's hope it all works out," he winked. "See you later."

"See you later, now get going."