Well, this was awkward. Even Dmitri couldn't think of a convincing reason why he and Linka should share a tent, and so the Russian biologist and the American Planeteer had to sleep together. Wheeler was very aware of the sounds of Linka's movements from the adjoining tent: a cough; a slither of fabric as she slid into her sleeping bag; the faint growl of a zipper. He was also very aware of the miles and miles of nothing that separated them from base, and the shape of the gun in Dmitri's blankets. He rubbed the warm surface of his ring involuntarily, reassuring himself that it was still there.
They hadn't spoken to each other, but had got ready for bed in silence. Now Wheeler looked across the tent as the older man brushed his teeth with a little water and spat into his tin cup. The Russian glanced upward with those strangely colourless eyes, and for a moment they made eye contact.
"So," said Wheeler, more to break the silence than anything else. "Do you snore?"
He received a flat stare in response.
"I guess I'll find out."
Nothing. Just a rustle as the Russian turned over. Wheeler stared at the back of his head, wishing he had laser vision.
What'syourdeal,Dmitri?Iknowyou'reuptosomething.
He was comforted by the thought that the gun under Dmitri's pillow couldn't be all that comfortable. At least he would sleep badly, too … because Wheeler didn't plan on sleeping at all, if he could help it. He was staying awake and standing guard until the morning, when they would return to Chernov Station and he could talk to Gi about all of this.
XXX
In the neighbouring tent, Linka stripped down to the two layers of thermals in which she was meant to sleep, and fastened herself into the comforting warmth of her sleeping bag. Her cheeks were chapped and pink from her day on the ice, and the tip of her nose felt like it didn't belong to her at all. She wondered how the boys were getting along. From long experience of sleeping outdoors with the Planeteers, she knew that Wheeler took up far more space than necessary, sprawling like an exhausted toddler and kicking off his blankets in the night. She felt a twinge of concern. Would he be cold?
Don'tbesilly,Linka, she chided herself. Wheeler could take care of himself. Besides, she was still a little annoyed with him for the childish way he had been behaving since they arrived at Chernov Station.
She rolled onto her back and stared into the darkness.
Dmitri.
She felt that same shiver – apprehension or desire. Or both.
He was almost exactly the sort of man she had always imagined as her perfect match. Good-looking, sophisticated, cultured and highly educated. Someone who could converse intelligently about world events and feel at home at black-tie charity galas. Someone who could knowledgeably order a bottle of good wine, and who would read the books that she read.
The perfect man.
As opposed to someone who made stupid jokes, hated wearing a tie, still watched Saturday morning cartoons and seemed completely incapable of sitting still for more than five minutes at a time.
For example.
She punched her pillow into shape, and tried to sleep.
XXX
Gi was exhausted. The spoon with which she lifted the chicken soup (freeze-dried and re-heated) to her mouth felt like an immovable weight.
"You did a great job today," said Heloise. The Frenchwoman looked annoyingly perky and pink-cheeked for someone who had spent hours taking samples, labeling them and writing painstaking reports in the blank white expanse of Antarctic landscape.
"Thank you." Gi's answering smile was genuine. There was something satisfying about immersing herself in science – the numbers, the logic and the enjoyable routine of it. She didn't get to do that enough as a Planeteer. Secretly she imagined working in a lab whenever her Planeteer life came to an end, as her parents had, and felt ashamed for imagining it. After all, she was doing more good for the world now, right? Linka certainly thought so. Whenever Gi talked about her love of research, Linka would lecture her about Planeteer responsibilities, and how lucky they were to have these opportunities. She just didn't understand, Gi thought. Or perhaps she didn't take Gi seriously – something the younger girl had often suspected.
Wheeler would understand. Wheeler would simply shrug and say "Hey – whatevermakesyouhappy,LittleMermaid."
Perhaps that was why she often felt closer to Wheeler than to the only other girl in the group.
"I wonder how your friends are getting along?" said Heloise.
Tibor snorted.
"They'll be fine," said Gi.
"They're not used to this place." Heloise shivered, even though the heating was turned right up. "There have been … accidents."
Gi looked up sharply. "What?"
"Your friends will be fine," Tibor drawled. "They have magic rings, don't they?"
"Not exactly magic …" Gi began, but Tibor waved his hand. "Don't explain. I like the air of mystery."
"Still." Heloise stubbornly refused to change the subject. "I hope they will be careful."
"You said there have been accidents," said Gi. "What kind of accidents?"
"She is exaggerating," said Tibor. "There have been some minor injuries …"
"And one disappearance," said Heloise. "A German. He was only here for a week …"
"That was last year," said Tibor. "And he was inexperienced. He went out when the weather was bad, against everyone's advice."
Gi glanced at the small window. The air beyond it swirled black and grey.
"No one mentioned this when we came out."
"Ha!" Tibor swigged at a suspiciously strong-smelling glass of clear liquid. "The Chernov PR machine didn't let that one get out. And that's why you're here, isn't it?"
"What?"
"Publicity. It was on all the news sites. Planeteers lend credibility to Chernov Station's efforts, and so on. People were starting to ask why Chernov was bothering with this place. No one was publishing any findings. But now the famous Planeteers are here …"
"We're not famous."
"You'd be surprised. Your squeaky-clean image is just what Chernov needs. And Dmitri."
"What are you talking about?"
Gi saw Heloise direct a swift, warning glance at Dmitri. The big man coughed, and stood up.
"I'm going to bed. Good night, all."
"Wait! Tibor …"
"See you in the morning."
Heloise turned to Gi with a bright smile. "So. Did you get some good photographs today?"
