Page 25 of The Alien's Major Dilemma

“What does he need? Food? Water? We can get engineers out to help with wells or waste disposal. It’ll take a little longer if we need to round up doctors or medics.”

“No, sir, he needs a specific kind of fuel. One that we don’t have ready access to so he had to send a request to his, um, home.”

Another long pause greeted this statement.

“Dammit, Marissa, did you find another alien?”

“I think it would be more accurate to say that he found me, sir, and I was incidental to his mission. Which is why I don’t believe I’m in danger at the moment.”

“Alright, get your ass back to base and we’ll see what we can do to help.”

Marissa shook her head and Cooper couldn’t tell if she was sad or amused.

“Sir, I spoke to General Wahrberger earlier. He said I was going to be up on charges for treason and desertion. I don’t really want to come back to a court martial, sir.”

The officer swore creatively and Cooper found himself impressed with the variety of curses he employed.

“I’ll have a lawyer for you the minute you get back on base,” he said. “If the charges haven’t been dropped before you get here. Where are you, anyway? How long do you think it will take you?”

“Far enough out that I won’t make it back tonight,” she said. “And Mr. Lizman doesn’t think it’s safe to travel after dark around here.”

“He’s likely correct. Will you be safe where you are until tomorrow?”

“Major Ozark will be safe from harm as long as I am with her,” Cooper said. “I’ve never wished any harm on Major Ozark or any of her fellow soldiers.”

“That’s good to know,” the officer said. “Alright, if you think you’re safe, I’ll expect to see you back on base tomorrow. Is that understood, Major?”

“Yes, sir,” she said and Cooper could see her twitch to salute.

The connection ended and Marissa relaxed.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “I guess you don’t have to tie me up and roll me through the dirt after all.”

“I still can if you want me to,” Cooper said with a grin. “I know how much you were looking forward to it.”

Marissa shook her head.

“I have to locate a vehicle we can borrow in the morning,” he said. “Or someone hoarding fuel for the truck.”

“Do you think it will take long?” she asked. “I know you said there were people living in the caves not too far from here but I don’t think they tend to stay in the same place for long.”

“A couple hours,” he said. “We’ll be on the way back by midday if my latest survey was accurate.”

“How often do you survey the area around the ship?”

Cooper gathered the detritus of their meal and took it to another cabinet under the control panels. It held what was basically a very fancy garbage can or a very basic recycler. The packages would be cleaned, crushed, and broken down to their component parts with what was left of the organic bits being sent to the compost barrel. He had the hydroponic trays set up and ready to go but he hoped he’d be off the planet before that was necessary.

“I have sensors on the ship that note any changes and drones that follow a path around the ship and take pictures of the terrain. Right now, they’re programmed at once a day but I can increase that if I need to. There’s rarely enough movement to justify that, though, so I can be fairly certain about what’s nearby.”

“Oh,” she said. “I hadn’t thought, I mean, drones are kinda new for us. They must seem like kids toys to you, huh?”

“They’re toys for you, too,” he pointed out. “Useful, dangerous if done right, but I’ve seen kids playing with the really basic ones.”

“Alright, fair enough.”

“Now, if you go to bed on time, eat your vegetables tomorrow and ask very nicely, I’ll show you how mine work,” he said.

---