The Final Expedition

Day Sixty-Six

I pulled myself into the Columbus lab, finding Natalya muttering darkly at her experiment rack. Swinging a foot at it, she succeeded only in sending herself crashing into the wall behind her. Clutching her toes, she let out an angry tirade of Russian as she pushed herself back off the wall.

“Bad day?” I grinned. Natalya’s head jerked in my direction.

“I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing, wasting my time on this!” She snapped, gesturing wildly at her experiment rack. “This is supposed to be providing valuable data for a future expedition to Mars!” She laughed humourlessly. “If anyone’s even still alive down there, they’ll be back to the dark ages, wondering where their next meal is coming from. This nonsense…” She glared at the rack, “…will be furthest from their minds. Seriously Max, what is the point?”

“Natalya…” I reached for her, but she pulled away, her eyes blazing.

“I don’t need a damn hug right now!” She snarled.

“Okay!” I threw my hands up defensively. “Look, I think we all know that Karpov has you and the others carrying on your routine to keep your minds off our bleak situation but perhaps you’re right. Perhaps it is just a waste of time. But then again, perhaps not. If history tells us anything, it’s that the human race has an indomitable spirit. We will struggle through these dark times and while it may take us a few generations, we will conquer space again. When that happens, maybe, just maybe, the research you and the others are doing will be invaluable.” Natalya slowly nodded, her temper cooling.

“I guess you could be right.” She conceded. I reached for her again and this time she allowed herself to be taken into my embrace.

“I haven’t seen that fiery side of you before.” I murmured into her ear. “I found it kind of hot.” Natalya giggled and twisted her head towards me, her lips seeking and finding my own. As she finally pulled away, her pale blue eyes gazed deeply into mine.

“You know, I’m due a break if you wanted to help me take my mind off things?” She purred.

“Now, that’s a waste of time I can support.” I grinned, eagerly following her as she propelled herself in the direction of my sleeping compartment.