Notes: I know this story is a slow starter, but hang in there. Over the next few chapters we will see the arrival of the covenant and the battle will begin. Thanks to all the reviewers so far and if you have any suggestions on my writing style/characters please feel free to share with me.
It's a dirty job…
November 1st, 2552 11:35 AM
Sol System - Aboard the MAC Orbital platform Malta
Level 4 Aft - Mess Hall A
Justin slid his hand along the underside of the slightly discontinuous truss as he slowly shook his head
"We found another one." Justin sighed as he slightly faced Davis. They had so far encountered 5 infractions on 3 different metal support beams.
"I am surprised this thing hasn't taken a tumble yet. I can't believe some dumbass engineer would not take into account the pull of the gravitational magnetic fields these platforms generate." Bob was obviously agitated at someone's possible perilous oversight, but Justin was more of a mindset to just get it fixed so they could be freed up the next day before heading back home.
"Has the MSAC unit arrived yet?" Justin had not really wanted to use the awkward suit if it wasn't needed, but such a job as this practically begged for it.
"You mean the hobbit?" Tom's inquiry both made Justin both smile and sigh at the same time.
Audrey always had a way with names. The little pet names she had given to him when they dated, and then one day she had joined him on a similar job inside the Cairo.
Seeing the dual antennas to either side of the bulky suit's head was indeed indicative of some mythical troll-like creature's pointy ears, but it would take someone as interested in (or perhaps crazy about) history as Audrey to make such a reference.
At the time she had even needed to explain to the group what the hobbits were along with other details of J.R.R. Tolkien's stories. Justin thought that he would like to read them at some point but just had not found the time to do so yet.
"The unit was supposed to be here this morning, but as usual the carrier service was delayed trying to lift off. They were saying it should be here early this afternoon, but could be longer."
Tom knew that Justin would hate the delay, and he himself was eager to get this over with. He never liked being in outer space. Even though the locations were deemed safe by all kinds of people on Earth, Tom felt they were all just a few less rivets away from falling apart.
"Then until it gets here I want signs posted to form a line 20 feet back from the edge. We need to make sure that the people do not walk out past the main support columns." Justin motioned toward the 3' diameter pillars that were in his mind the one thing that was actually safe about this viewing deck.
"No problem boss." Davis quipped. "I'll go up there and cording off the section and post a couple of signs."
"Make sure that it is understood that NO ONE goes out on the outer edge of it until we get it fixed." The others gave Justin a nod and went to help Tom as Justin got out his chatter and punched a few buttons, letting out a long, frustrated sigh.
"Hey babe, got some news for you down here"
"Yeah, we are going to have to reroute some of the onlookers to the other mess halls or maybe.."
"A couple of the conference forward lecture halls? That should do fine. You're the best"
The chatter squawked as he ended the conversation with Audrey. It might be possible to get the repairs done before the next day, but he would rather just steer people clear of the area.
"Alright, we got the area corded off and signs up. Now we just have to wait on the damn freight service to bring us our toy." Bob shouted from the deck above.
His New York accent was always a source of amusement for Justin, and his lack of a softer speaking voice always made sure you knew he was there.
"And since the slave driver we work for hasn't blessed us with lunch yet I am taking it upon myself to chat up the luscious redhead at the serving line."
Justin could almost feel the death ray he was sure was emanating from the young lady's eyes from the floor below. There is no way she couldn't have heard him, and Justin was sure they were now destined to have their food altered or augmented in some unpleasant way by the food staff.
As Justin topped the twisted staircase leading into the main serving area of the mess hall, he was somewhat surprised to see the redheaded girl actually talking to Bob. Bob wasn't an ogre by any means, and apparently he had found favor with the woman despite having no apparent manners of speaking.
"I get off at 8 by the way.." Bob walked triumphantly toward Justin, slowing long enough to whisper in Justin's ear.
"I still got it and tonight I am going to give it to her."
Justin felt a sort of remorse for the green-eyed girl behind the counter. She didn't know what had just hit her, and probably wouldn't until after Bob had moved on to the next project the team was assigned to.
Bob was definitely the womanizer of the group; a part of him that Justin hated, but lived with as some of Bob's other attributes such as loyalty had won him Justin's admiration.
"What can I get for you sir?" The girl softly stated from the other side of the Plexiglas-covered counter.
Justin wanted to tell her she should get the hell away from Bob, as he looked curiously at her name tag.
"Brittany, just give me a #3, with a glass of water"
"Alright, that is a double hamburger with potato sticks and a water, will there be anything else?"
"No, that will be all." Justin fumbled at getting his wallet out as she added up his total.
After paying for their meals, they all sat at a table about 10 feet from the corded off area, looked out across the area below, and through the big multi-ply polymer-based windows at the image of home, the Earth.
"I never get tired of seeing it this way, but I would rather be ground-side." Tom was obviously impressed with the view, although Justin figured he had probably seen it dozens of times in the last few years.
Justin's chatter suddenly erupted in a way he had not heard before, but instantly recognized the pattern. Apparently Audrey had programmed in the little ditty she had been humming in the bathroom this morning.
The other guys looked at Justin, clearly already convinced he had not been the one to program the song.
"Man I cannot begin to understand how whipped you are." Bob remarked as Tom and Davis smirked.
"Shut up and enjoy the view"
