Free Project U.L.F. by Stuart Clark Page B

disappearing from view as it blended in with the gray of the moon’s surface. Kate squinted, trying to pinpoint the craft and then she thought she saw something move. It was a dark, undefined shape leaping across the uneven surface skittishly—the shuttle’s shadow. She rapidly relocated the shuttle with her eyes as it glided smoothly towards them, a lot closer than she’d expected. As it approached even closer it banked again and the sun caught on its fuselage, a dazzling burst of light. It was as if the ship had winked at them, an old friend who had been here countless times before and knew that it would be back again sometime. It disappeared out of view to their left and headed off towards the landing bays.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    As Wyatt left the shuttle he stopped briefly at the top of the gangplank and looked around the bay. “It’s been a while,” he said to no one in particular. Walking down the ramp, he casually slung his bag over his shoulder. Just as he reached the bottom a voice from behind him said, “Well if it isn’t our own modern-day Columbus.”
    Wyatt recognized the voice. He turned and was face-to-face with Robert Eller, Mannheim’s man on the moon-base. He smiled at Robert’s attempt at a joke, if that’s what it was.
    “Hello, Bob,” he said and instantly saw a fire flare in Robert’s eyes. He chuckled. The bastardization of Robert’s name never failed to get a reaction. He looked Robert up and down and smoothed one of the other man’s lapels with the back of his hand, “Nice suit,” he said and turned to walk out of the bay.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    Wyatt stifled a yawn as Robert went through yet more details of the expedition. He’d been in this room practically all day since stepping off the shuttle, listening to Robert drone on and on about the mission. About the procedures they would have to go through on their return. About the celebrations that would be going on at the IZP and about the timing of their arrival.
    He’d had a brief respite when he’d been allowed to go and get something to eat, but even then Robert had accompanied him to the restaurant and he’d been forced to make small talk to pass the time.
    “…And that’s about it,” Robert said from the front of the room. The lights in the room slowly came up, the information projected on the wall fading from view. Wyatt lifted his head off his hand and checked his watch. Five-thirty.
    “Any questions?”
    “No, I think you covered everything most adequately, Robert.” Sarcasm laced the words. “You’re assuming I’m going to remember all of this after two periods of cryosleep and four months away.”
    Robert shot him a look of contempt, “Right, then, if that is all, it’s time you went to the prep-room for your stasis jab.”
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    “Hello, Wyatt,” the nurse’s eyes flashed with something other than just recognition, “It’s been a while since we saw you here.”
    “Yeah, I know. I got asked to do this one job as a favor,” he replied.
    “Offered,” cut in Robert, still masquerading as Wyatt’s shadow.
    “Stasis jab?” the nurse asked.
    “Yes, that’s right,” Robert answered for Wyatt again.
    “Okay. You know the routine, I’ll be back in a minute.” She disappeared through a door leaving Wyatt and Robert alone in the room. Wyatt took off his shirt and pushed himself up onto the examination table where he sat, staring at Robert.
    “What’s with all this answering for me, Robert? Following my every move?”
    “You leave tomorrow, Wyatt, we can’t afford any time being lost while you catch up with old friends here on the moon-base. I’m just here to make sure everything goes according to schedule. Don’t take it personally. Given the option, I’d rather let someone else watch over you.” He shot Wyatt a sideways glance and then turned away to read the labels on the colored vials in the nearby cabinet.
    Wyatt sat on