Danyel couldn’t recall anyone of that name but he hadn’t met everyone properly yet.

“You’re homosexual, an om, aren’t you?” continued Simon. “You don’t mind people knowing?”

“Yes, I am, and no, it doesn’t bother me. The way I figure it, if people get upset, it’s their problem, not mine.”

Simon kept talking. “Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but have you always been an om?” Then he apologised again. “Sorry if I’m being too personal.”

“It’s no problem. Ever since I can remember. Have you always been straight?” Danyel asked in return, hoping to raise a smile. He wasn’t quite expecting the answer he got.

“Yeah, mostly. There was a period in my teens that I wasn’t sure, but it didn’t last long. I grew out of it, I guess.”

Danyel was silent. He didn’t think sexuality was something you “grew out of,” but on the other hand, a lot of people experimented in their teens. He changed the subject. “So, what was the last mission you were on before this?”

He listened to Simon telling him about the recent rescue mission on Scotia, to help some explorers who had been stranded on the ice after their equipment malfunctioned. He appeared to have a good grasp of logistics; Danyel supposed he must be one of the more mature crew, possibly even a corporal or sergeant. He didn’t like to ask, the darkness had created an illusion of equality which he didn’t want to disturb. They were just two men trapped inside a mountain, waiting to be rescued.

Talking of which, he was sure another hour had passed since he came round. He was feeling hungry. He hunted around in his pockets and located a field ration bar which he broke in half and shared with Simon.

“Thanks, have some more water.” They both sipped cautiously from the water bag.

A rumble broke the short silence, followed by a deafening crash some distance off, and in seconds they were surrounded by another cloud of dust and loose debris falling from the ceiling.

“Oh my god, do you think we’re going to be buried alive in here?” Simon asked in sudden panic, reaching out to grab Danyel by the arm. Then he was apologising again. “Sorry, sorry. Don’t worry, I’m okay. The last thing you need is some idiot who’s scared of the dark. I can do this.”

“Of course you can,” Danyel reassured, moving closer so that their bodies were just touching. “Everyone’s got something that worries them. If there were reptiles here, I’d be sitting on your lap!” This brought a strained laugh as he had hoped.

“You said you haven’t been on the Revel long. What was your last ship like?” asked Simon, obviously seeking distraction.

“I was on the Jerez. It was a great ship when I was on it but they’d been through some bad times before. You probably heard about it?”

“Yes, I heard. Some sort of warped initiation where men were raped. The whole affair was a disgrace—that such a thing could happen on one of our ships in this day and age! One of the ship’s Lieutenants and an undercover patrol agent stopped it, didn’t they?”

“That’s right, Ferris and Peters.” Danyel didn’t realise how his voice softened when he spoke of Ferris.

“A friend of yours?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I wanted more, but he didn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Well, it was probably for the best. It can really complicate things if you’re on the same ship.”

There was a short silence.

“I’ve never kissed another man, even when I thought I might be an om,” Simon said conversationally, after a long silence.

“No?” replied Danyel, unsure where he was going with this.

“Maybe it’s the darkness or maybe I’m still half afraid we’re not going to make it out of here, so I’m just going to come right out and ask you. Would you kiss me? This could be my only chance to find out what it’s like.”

Danyel was speechless for a minute. “I don’t think this is the best time for that,” he managed.

“Are you kidding? This is the only time. If we weren’t in this position I would never have got up the courage to ask you in a million years!” Simon stopped. “I’m sorry if that sounded incredibly offensive, I didn’t mean it to.”

“Uh.”

“It’s just that it’s taken a situation like this to make me even consider the idea.”

“What about when we get out though? How will you feel then? It could be really uncomfortable between us.”

“I’m willing to risk it. After all, you don’t even know who I am, do you?”

That gave Danyel pause. Despite himself, he found the idea intriguing. It was rather like a fantasy come to life, an encounter with a stranger in the dark.

“All right, sit back and get comfortable,” he found himself saying. It would certainly take both their minds off the cave-in!