Being of the Field by Traci Harding Read Free Book Online Page B

and zero visibility to lock onto E module and fish it out of the water. Lucian had obviously been distracted from his date with a pillow by the action. Amie and Leal were also present.
    Zeven struggled with the hand controls, trying to line up the module’s hatch with the corresponding hatch on the bottom of AMIE. ‘These waves are really pissing me off,’ he grumbled, remaining focused on the targeting monitor in front of him. ‘Maybe we should submerge for pick-up?’
    ‘You’ve achieved dry dock in worse, Zeven.’ Amie encouraged him to keep trying.
    ‘There’re some serious currents that are going to cause you just as much grief underwater,’ Lucian added. Airborne, they had better manoeuvrability on their side.
    The seals on the hatch were magnetic, set to attract each other, but with the rise and fall of the steamy waves, it was proving rather hard to get the right approach angle.
    ‘Sonofabitch!’ Zeven took the craft up with the rise of the wave and prepared for the next decline. ‘This time I’m in for sure,’ he announced, very determined about his aim.
    ‘That’s the spirit,’ Leal encouraged.
    ‘I’m going down,’ Zeven informed one and all, whereupon Lucian, Amie and Leal looked at the second targeting monitor at Leal’s station.
    ‘You’re looking good, Starman, hold it steady,’ Leal urged, although Zeven could clearly see how he was doing. Leal found that Zeven performed better when egged on. ‘And he takes aim and…he scores!’ the co-pilot cheered, as the hatches locked together and sealed.
    ‘We’re outta here,’ Zeven advised, engaging AMIE’s automatic pilot to take the ship up and into the outer atmosphere of the planet.
    In Taren’s experience there was always something incredibly attractive about watching someone engaged in an activity they excelled at, as this was when many people were most in tune with the field.
    ‘You are a legend, Starman,’ Lucian told Zeven, before waving goodnight to everyone.
    As Amie accompanied Lucian from the flight deck he kissed her. ‘Have fun with your analysis,’ he told his wife as they parted ways.
    ‘I might see you in a few days,’ Amie replied in all seriousness. She blew her husband a kiss and headed off to meet with her marine crew.
    Taren sighed. What she wouldn’t give for a man who was willing to be a lover but then leave her alone to do her work for days on end.
    ‘I didn’t realise I had an audience.’ Zeven left the flight deck to speak with Taren.
    ‘Oh, yes.’ Taren felt uncomfortable being caught watching him work twice in one day. ‘I was just on my way back to my living quarters…I’m afraid I haven’t found a short cut yet.’
    ‘Well, I’m just about done here.’ Zeven looked over to Leal, who smiled and waved to imply he’d finish up if Zeven wanted to go. ‘I’ll escort you if you like. We’re neighbours, after all.’
    ‘Sure,’ Taren replied, feeling she had no reason to protest. ‘I’m still a bit lost when it comes to the layout of this ship.’
    ‘Would you like to get something to eat first?’ Zeven led off.
    ‘Um…’ She was a bit hungry, but Taren didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. She wasn’t on AMIE looking for romance. She was here to look for answers to the riddles of the cosmos. Still, they were working together.
    ‘I’m not asking you for a date,’ he clarified, when Taren couldn’t decide. ‘Just if you’re hungry.’
    ‘I am,’ she smiled, pleased he had cleared that up.
    ‘Do you prefer to eat alone?’ He entered the lift down to Module A.
    ‘Only when I’m working,’ Taren replied, foreseeing where the conversation was headed.
    Zeven liked her honesty. ‘Then would you mind very much if I joined you for something to eat?’
    The pilot may have been young, about twenty years younger than Taren, but he had ‘how to be charming’ down to a fine art.
    ‘Some company would be great,’ she concurred.
    The food was good, the view was excellent and