These rovers are great for the field, I don’t think they realize that. I’m able to recline the seats for a full-sized bed. It’s pretty comfortable. Great for a nap in the field or places you can’t place a tent. Could be the spirits, could be the fumes from the cleaning supplies, but I feel relaxed in here. Almost as if my mind would be clear. That’s a lie, it just reminds me of doing a regular job. Ride out, check out some new plants, sleep under the stars. Now sleeping under the stars is a survival method. I don’t want to sleep in a hotel because I’m just sure someone is going to set a fire, or there’s going to be someone hiding in the hotel waiting to kill us. The rover is just feels safe. Bulletproof, soundproof, nothing can break through the armor. It’s the best place to be. There’s a knock at the door, I peek outside, it’s Aaimina. I rush to open the door before she can walk away.

“Hey,” I say leaning over the bed.

She laughs, “I was going to ask if you wanted to join us in the hotel but it looks like you’re pretty comfortable out here.”

“Nobody else knows the seats recline,” I laugh.

“Can I come into your mobile apartment.”

“I would love you to,” I offer a hand.

She climbs in and gets comfortable, the two of us sharing a bed just feels natural to me. We don’t talk for a while. I’m not about to say anything embarrassing. I figured she’d have something to say since she came out here.

“So, how do you drive this thing,” she asks.

“It’s pretty easy. I lean forward, hit the ignition button, it starts right up as long as it has Federation codes nearby. Right now it’s synched to my wrist comp so I could start from almost a mile away. Summon it to me if I needed to.”

“That’s so cool. Do you just steer it like a car?”

“Yeah it’s like a car, but one with wheels, so you don’t need to be as careful. Of course, it’ll drive itself if you input a location. Not sure how useful that’ll be with all the hoards around,” talking about rovers is easy.

“You really know so much.”

“I’m just a little older than you. You’ll learn,” wow did I really drop the age thing?

“You can’t be more than ten years older than me. Not a lot in the grand scheme of themes.”

We’re awkward, there’s so much I want to say to her right now, and I can’t think of anything. She’s waiting for me to speak, but I’ve got nothing. My mind is so full of thoughts but none of them seem to be making it to my mouth.

“I’ve been thinking,” Aaimina reaches up, staring at her hands.

“About what,” I remove my gauntlets and reach my own hands into the air.

“What if this rescue thing doesn’t work out, we’ll need to build a life here.”

“I’ve thought about that too.”

She locks her fingers with my own and brings them down to our side. “I think we could create our own safe haven, or join one. You’d be great to have.”

“Would you be there?”

“I’ll be anywhere you want me to be.”

The two of us lock eyes. I’m in love, I fell in love during the end of the world like every idiot in a film. This woman is going to be the death of me and I’d welcome it. I move closer for a kiss, she doesn’t pull away, she moves forward to meet me. My heart skips a beat, my temperature sores as we lock lips. Right now I’m willing to go as far as she wants, do anything she wants.

She pulls away, “wait, we shouldn’t be doing this. I mean, I really want to. But I don’t know if this is the right time, or place.”

“No, no, you’re right. We got a little ahead of ourselves. I guess we can blame it on the alcohol for making us lose track of everything around us.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Any other time, would be great. Maybe when this is all over, we have a real date. Spend some real time together.”

“I’d like that.”

“I’m going to go inside, I can’t promise myself I’d keep it together if we shared a bed in a private place. I might pounce on you like some young energetic kitten,” Aaimina jokes as she slides out of the rover.

“I’d like that too,” I laugh.

“Goodnight Duane.”

“Gooder night Aaimina,” that was so corny, but she smiled as the door closed.

I try to gather my composure with Aaimina gone. I scan through different radio channels, searching for anything but white noise. Anything but the sound of my own heart racing. Instead thoughts that would make most men blush run through my head. I settle on reading manuals about the rover, and there’s nothing to distract me from what just happened. I can’t calm down. Does she know she drives me wild? Does she know that fills me with more energy than a night full of sleep does?

I send my mind to thoughts of Marshall to calm down. Does he know what just happened? If he knew what happened, he’d kill me for losing my head. I didn’t lose my head, I gave love a chance. If we don’t get out of here could I spend my life with her? I could, and I barely know anything about her other than she feels the same way about me that I do her.

A message from Marshall pops up on my wrist comp, “get yourself together, we still have a mission. I told you to go to sleep not fraternize with civilians.”

“We’re all civilians and I didn’t do anything,” I send a message back.

“You didn’t do anything and I didn’t just have another shot. Straighten up Mr. Benjamin.”

If Marshall knows, does the rest of our group know? No, maybe Marshall just managed to put it together or he was up watching. But what if everyone knows. Thore already said he’s a polygamist, maybe he had his eyes on Aaimina. I can’t take Thore in a fight, no he doesn’t have any feelings for Aaimina. I hope not, he’s a better man in nearly every way. Niko, no not at all. He’s too young and I think he said he liked guys so I don’t have to worry about him. But what if Marshall has feelings for Aaimina and that’s why he’s so persistent about me staying away from Aaimina? No, he doesn’t like anyone, a guy like him has never been in love. Calm down Duane, calm down. This isn’t the first time you’ve been in love. It may not even be the last time you’re in love.

Wait, it could be the last time I’m in love. It could be the last time for anything. I should make the most of this. In about 36 hours the rest of my life will be determined. This very well could be the last time, and I’m torn between making it worth it and sticking to the script. If I play it straight and complete the mission, I may never get another chance at love.