Elizabeth checked the fit and seals of the Chief’s space suit.
“Hold still!” she scolded him, laughing.
The Chief grumbled something unintelligible, but Elizabeth was certain the remark was uncomplimentary to her in some way. She just smiled. Regardless, the Chief Engineer stopped fidgeting for the most part. Elizabeth fastened the straps that run over his left shoulder, checked their tightness, and then started on the ones on the other side.
They were in the corridor alcove outside the interior hatchway to Airlock Three. A security crew member, whose name Elizabeth could not immediately remember, was doing the same for Ensign Ferahim, while Lieutenant Hawkes performed a final check on the ensign’s weapons. Elizabeth was struck once again by the ensign’s exotic beauty, understanding why she had she suffered from no lack of male attention. From what Elizabeth had heard, Ferahim had her share of female admirers as well. Those same rumors also implied that one or two of those had successfully shared the ensign’s bed.
Hawkes completed his inspection of Ferahim’s weaponry and returned them to her. With what Elizabeth thought was a carefully disguised expression of dismay, although she could not be certain of it, Hawkes went over to assist Lieutenant Jeffries.
At first, Elizabeth thought the stocky geologist might have brought a suit that was too small. She then realized that he simply looked incredibly awkward as he tried to reach all of the straps and fastenings by himself.
That’s why we have the buddy system, Elizabeth chided him silently. She then realized that it was really her duty, as First Officer, to see that those kinds of details were dealt with. She glanced over at Devereux, feeling a sharp pang of guilt in her stomach. The Captain did not seem to notice her gaze, focused on her conversation with Hope.
She tried to remember the last time she had been involved in an extra-vehicular mission of this type. EVA missions were not that uncommon when dealing with ship-wide maintenance and repairs, but those were generally managed by the Engineering teams. Elizabeth could not recall one of this type since she had become First Officer.
That’s no excuse, though, she admonished herself. The next time, she promised herself solemnly, I won’t forget it.
“All right,” she told the Chief. “Let me check your boots.” Elizabeth stole another quick glance in the Captain’s direction, but she remained deep in discussion with Hope.
“It’s amazing your feet fit in these things,” Elizabeth murmured, just loud enough for the Chief alone to hear.
The Chief grinned down at her. “Just be glad I washed them first.”
Elizabeth fought back most of a giggle and bent down to check the calf bindings.
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