Ch 1 P.3. The Good Memory

“You're the new guy,” said Hera with a beautiful smile. “I'm Hera,” she added as she held out a hand. “I'm the station Doctor.”

Marle took her warm hand into his and was instantly drawn in. With a sly smile, Marle replied, “I am suddenly aware that my five-month trip was worth it all. Amazed, I'm sure.”

Hera blushed and took back her hand in a shy gesture. She turned and extended an arm to indicate the lift on the other side of Command and Control. She cleared her throat and said, “Walk with me.”

Several of the station staff manned terminals around the circular top level of the observatory. Lights flashed as staff called to each other in a familiar manner.

A tall woman with brown hair tied loosely, glasses, and looking professional in her white work jump called to her fellow, “Again, stop telling astrophysicist jokes.”

A diminutive Latino male with a mustache, thinning hair, and identical work jump answered casually, “They're funnier when I explain.”

The woman responded shortly, “It's still a foreign language.”

The man shook his head and said with a laugh in his voice, “Ay no.”

As they walked across the Command level, Hera asked, “Have you gotten used to the artificial gravity?”

“Still a little queasy,” answered Marle.

They reached the lift by the sun-facing jet bay, and Hera took a rung in hand before placing a foot. She turned to Marle with a broad smile and said, “Remember. No metal near the floors.”

Hera placed a foot, and the lift took her down. Marle caught the next two rungs and followed. Level two of the Core was housing and dining. Aside from the four jet bays and the central dining area, twelve rooms circled the outer wall. Each room was small, as Marle had discovered, with only enough room for a bed, storage, and a zip shower.

Waiting for Marle to step off, Hera said, “So, I read your bio.” She smiled like a goddess and continued. “Doctorates up the wazoo and a photographic memory.”

“Not exactly photographic, but it serves me well.” His manner was casual and easy as he stepped close to Hera.

Hera said, “You're something of a wizard, according to your colleagues.”

Marle replied easily, “I wouldn't go that far. I've also read your bio. With your credentials, why choose a place like this?”

Hera took Marle's arm and turned him to face the dining area. She answered, “Good people deserve a good Doctor.”

“Is it time to eat?” asked Marle.

“I wanted to point out the Earth-facing lift,” she answered. “It goes down to Medical and Hydroponics. It's also between our cubicles. You're eight and I'm nine. I think we'll see a lot of each other.”

Marle smiled and said, “A man can only hope.”

Hera easily returned his smile, then said, “First order of business is a complete physical. At your earliest convenience.”

Marle waved aside the possibility of anything getting in the way of a hands-on examination. He said eagerly, “I have nothing on my schedule. I'm all yours.”

As Hera and Marle stood looking into one another's eyes, Astra replaced the annoying elevator music with its sexy AI voice. “In Earth news, President-elect Joel Spano has vowed an immediate response to the heavy tariffs imposed by Combloc. “A trade war,” said Spano, “hurts all of us.”

With an inviting smile, Hera extended an arm toward the Earth-facing lift. She said, “In that case, let's get you in the station database.”