GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER SEVEN - September 2172 - Moon / Earth - 15 days to go

...Moon...

Roxanne looked at the blank screen of the video-phone in disbelief. Daddy always forgives me, she thought. But it didn't seem so this time. She dropped into her favourite armchair, staring at the carpet in front of her feet. Tears began to well in the corners of her eyes. She started to cry.

Roxanne bent over and placed her head in her hands, letting the tears fall where they may. Her whole body shook at his dismissal of her. His last words echoed in her mind. Never again, Roxanne. You've gone too far this time, never again. Goodbye.

She got up and paced the room, needing to talk to someone, anyone. Her relations didn't speak to her anymore. Any friends she made ended up leaving her and all of them had stopped taking her calls. There is no-one, she thought.

Maybe Harvey would listen. Then again, perhaps not. He was her boss, but he had always favoured Suzanne over her. Ben, she suddenly remembered her last conquest. She started searching drawers until she found his profile. He had seemed to like her, although, answering only two of his fourteen calls over the last two weeks might not have helped. So far, she had found that work-related excuses had kept him at bay.

Roxanne wiped both cheeks again then stood in front of the video phone. It switched on waiting for her to say his name and room number. She hesitated then stepped away. I'll just show up, I think. In case he doesn't want to talk.

Ten minutes later, her eyes still red from crying, Roxanne had control of herself and made it to his room. She knocked on his door and waited. There was no answer. She knocked again – louder this time. Still no answer.

"There's no-one in," said a voice from behind her.

Roxanne turned, about to snap a retort but stopped when she saw the lovely smile on Ben's face. "Oh," was all she could muster.

Ben stepped around her and slid his key-card through the reader. "But don't let that stop you from entering."

"Thanks," she replied.

Ben sensed there was something wrong. She seemed subdued, somehow, perhaps even sad. "Is there something wrong, Roxanne?" he asked as the door slid shut behind them.

She faced him. "I need someone to talk to." She closed her eyes and sighed. "There is no-one else," she finished without opening them again.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me."

"Oh, I don't know where to start, Ben. There's so many things."

"Tell you what. You sit down and I'll get us a drink. Do you have any preferences?"

"Although I'd love to get drunk – something with no alcohol in please."

"I'll be right back."

He returned, moments later, with two soft drinks. "Orange or lemon?"

"Lemon please," she held the glass offered and took a sip. "Lovely, thanks."

Ben sat opposite her after dragging an armchair closer. He leant forward and held her free hand in both of his. "Something has obviously upset you. Start with that."

"This is silly. I hardly know you. This is a bad idea," she started to get up.

"No, Roxanne. Please sit."

She hesitated then sat back down. "I'm sorry, Ben. I'm sorry that I was mean to you."

"You haven't been mean. Why did you say that?"