All content with the exception of (*) is the property of the author. © 2001 Kiera Dellacroix

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This story, characters, and incidents are fictitious. No identification or similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or entities is intended or should be inferred.

This one isn't for the kiddies and definitely merits an NC-17 rating.

kdellacroix@fastmail.fm

02/15/02 - 1200 hours

Another small piece of paper was torn off the tablet on her desk and with a wary glance around, the scrap found a temporary home in her mouth. Her first salvo of missiles had missed their target, a dilemma she felt she would soon rectify as she determinedly zeroed in on the back of Ensign Taylor's neck.

The brown-nosing little shit was completely unaware of her previous assault and she scowled as she loaded her weapon. The spitball was chambered into the end of a soda straw with a minimum of fuss and she took careful aim. Unfortunately, her prior efforts had lacked both altitude and distance so she took the time to meticulously calculate all of the environmental factors. Taylor sat at his desk, roughly twelve feet away, with his back to her. Her projectile would have to possess the power to travel through the door of her office and have enough altitude to carry it on to her intended victim.

Finally confident, she inhaled deeply and leaned back in her chair, discharging her weapon with a loud expel of breath. She watched happily as the moist little wad of paper stung the back of the Ensign's neck with a satisfying splat and she turned rapidly to the computer on her desk, innocently feigning productivity.

Instead of finding the monitor, her eyes landed on the stern features of her commanding officer and she silently cursed the painfully transparent glass walls of her office. Judging from the distinct look of displeasure on his face, he had witnessed the entire incident. Fooling no one but herself, she tried vainly to pretend she didn't see him and industriously began to type nonsense into her keyboard. She noted movement out of the corner of her eye and grimaced in anticipation of the inevitable confrontation.

"Commander," he said frostily from the doorway. "I'm going to go get a cup of coffee and return to my office. I strongly suggest you be there waiting for me by the time I arrive."

"Yes, sir," she said quickly, rising from her seat.

The Admiral turned and strode away, deftly navigating through a maze of cubicles. She ambled after him, changing course halfway across the room to take the shortcut to his office and arriving quickly at the desk of the attending Yeoman.

"Admiral Eaton requested that I wait for him," she said miserably.

A small, knowing smile. "Go right in, Commander."

She tried not to sigh as she entered the room and stood at attention in front of his desk, waiting several minutes for the sound of an opening door. Prudently keeping her eyes focused straight ahead, she waited for the stately elder man to seat himself behind his desk. A long and increasingly uncomfortable silence ensued as he studied her with a mixture of disappointment and frustration.

"Your resignation is tabled," he said finally. "I'd like you to consider an alternate command for a period of at least one year. If after that time you still wish to resign, it will be honored."

"I don't understand, sir."

"You're a damn good officer when you're not being a complete jackass," he said tiredly. "Your operational record is nothing short of outstanding and I'd be willing to bet your name will be on the promotion list for full Commander within the next eighteen months. I'd like you to take this assignment and use the time to reconsider resigning your commission. The Navy would like to keep you."

She considered silently.

"Yes or no?"

"Where?"

"Antarctica," he replied. "It's a Joint Task Force command overseen by the Department of Defense at the request of the NSF."

"Antarctica?" she said in surprise. "Wouldn't that be in violation of...?"

"Yes," he interrupted. "It's a classified operation and facility. The construction finished ahead of schedule and the interim civilian leader down there abruptly decided to depart a season early. You weren't on the list of original command candidates. However, none of those considered are available at such short notice and in desperation, I recommended you for the job. Surprisingly, your nomination was unanimously accepted."

"Why?"

"Because," he said slowly. "I want to keep you but I don't want to put up with you any longer."

She smiled. "When?"

"Eighteen hours. All information will be provided in text due to time constraints. Yes or no?"

Another thoughtful silence. "Yes."

"Good," he said, rising from his seat. "Your flight leaves from Andrews at 0600 to Christchurch, New Zealand. From there you'll hook up with 109th Air Mobility Wing which will transport you to McMurdo. You can take the rest of the day to get your shit in order."

"Very well."

"Dismissed, Commander."

She sketched a salute. "Take care, sir," she said with a grin.

"You too," he said, watching with a smile as she turned and strode from his office.

02/19/02 - 1800 hours

Tired eyes slowly surveyed the people gathered within the confines of the mess hall. He subtly cleared his throat and waited patiently for everyone to get settled, there was no rush. The news he had to deliver would be met with some hostility, even though all knew it was inevitable.

His gaze landed briefly upon each person and he favored every set of eyes that met his own with a small smile and an approving nod. He would miss them, having come to think of the people working within the complex as family.

"What's the scoop, skipper?" Dr. Rivers asked cheerfully when everyone had quieted down.

He spared a glance at the little doctor and grinned; the woman was just as cute as she could be. If there was anyone he would miss above all the others, it was Corky Rivers. Her popularity among the staff was second to none and he had developed a fierce paternal affection for her. Lucky if she stood an inch over five feet tall, with shoulder-length black hair that lived in a constant state of disarray, the diminutive figure contained twelve feet of 'don't fuck with me' attitude. She was friendly and fiendishly brilliant, but woe to the individual that pissed her off.

"Show some patience, Corky," he chided. "Is everyone here?"

"All the civilians are here," Corky replied.

He sighed. She was going to take the news hard.

"Then we're all here," he said.

"Why is that?" Corky asked, her brown eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Bracing himself for the explosion that was only minutes away, he ambled over and sat upon a folding table in front of the gathered people, letting his legs dangle freely off the floor.

"Well," he started slowly, "as you know, I was originally assigned to this project to supervise construction. Now that it's complete and we can concentrate our efforts solely on excavation, the administration of this facility falls into military hands."

His eyes took in a number of resigned sighs and shaking heads, at last coming to rest on a pair of brown eyes burning brightly under a mop of unruly black hair. He could tell from the reddening cheeks that an outburst was building up steam. She took a deep breath and he acted quickly.

"Save it, Corky," he said. "Everyone knew this was going to happen and it's a stipulation all agreed to before signing on."

Corky subsided grumpily, crossing her arms over her chest childishly.

"I tell you this now, because I won't be wintering over this year." He held up a hand against the beginning protest. "I'll be leaving tomorrow with the arrival of the new skipper."

"Goddamn it, Larry," Corky said. "All U.S. operations on the continent are under the purview of the NSF."

"That is true," he said. "However, each and every one of you knows the classified nature of this facility and was aware that the military would eventually take control here. There will be a drastic increase in both civilian and military personnel next season and since I recently decided not to winter over, they're sending the new boss ahead of schedule."

"Who are they sending to replace you, Larry?" Clovis Stokes asked in his gruff voice.

"No doubt some jarhead with a roll of quarters stuck up his ass," Corky mumbled, getting a few hesitant chuckles from her colleagues.

"Actually, you're not getting a jarhead, you're getting a sailor," Larry replied quietly, throwing a disapproving look at Corky.

"Coast Guard?" Clovis asked.

"No, Navy."

"What?" Corky sprang from her seat. "The Navy ceased operations on the continent years ago. How could they be in charge?"

He sighed. "This entire facility is being funded by the DOD, they can send anyone they want. This operation is now considered a Task Force Command."

"How the hell does a sailor fit in here?" Corky asked.

"You'd be surprised, Dr. Rivers," he said with a hint of warning.

"What's his background?" Dr. Lenard asked.

"He is a she," Larry replied as he pulled the orders from his pocket and consulted them. "One Lt. Commander Malory Q. Lovecraft. Assigned to Naval Intelligence since her graduation from Annapolis."

"Is that all the info you have?" Dr. Lenard asked. "Why would they assign an Intelligence officer?"

"It was a last minute posting so the information provided was not all that educational," Larry admitted. "Although, I can tell you that her most recent fitness report described her as unorthodox."

"That's just great." Corky mumbled. "A Section Eight sailor trapped in the dark with us for eight months."

"Dr. Rivers," Larry said sharply. "I suggest that upon her arrival you treat her with respect, that is, if you expect to receive any in return. I wasn't going to mention it, but now I feel I should. Commander Lovecraft is a decorated officer and is held in high regard. She may not find your comments as amusing as you might hope."

An irritable grunt was his only reply.

"Look people," he stated. "The fact of the matter is, this facility would not have been a possibility without military intervention. What is of the utmost importance is the excavation, which is why the majority of you are here to begin with. The United States is not the only government with interests here and you all know that if this complex were discovered, it would be in direct violation of the Antarctic Treaty. I might also remind you that it was the NSF itself that asked the military for their involvement. If we had not done so, we would now be competing over this site with an untold amount of foreign governments."

He spared a glance at his audience and was gratified to note that even Corky had subsided quietly. "That this facility remains a secret is due solely to the military's efforts. The NSF does not and did not have the means to construct this site without it being detected by foreign satellite surveillance. At this point in the game, the military is assuming command and are here to provide continuing security and to administrate and evaluate the ongoing needs of this operation." He sighed and allowed himself a small smile. "Give the new Commander a break and let her do her job. In addition, I better not get a bad report from her on any of you when I return in the summer."

His smile grew affectionate as this news was met with a happy response, most notably from the shining brown eyes of the group's medical doctor.

"Now that we have that out of the way, I've arranged for a little party," he said slyly. "Break out the booze and let's all hope I've provided enough munchies."

He held up a hand to forestall the rising cheers. "But first," he added in a stern voice. "I'll need to see Dr. Rivers in my office, please." With that, he turned and strode from the room without another word.

Corky sighed and slowly stood from her seat to follow Larry, trying her best to ignore the impressively unmusical chorus of her childishly teasing coworkers.

"Corky's in trouble, Corky's in trouble."

Larry puttered into his office and sat down behind the desk to await the arrival of the troublesome doctor. He had finished packing his things shortly before he summoned everyone to the mess and he spared a remorseful glance around the room; the bare walls and shelves a not so subtle reminder that this office, come the morrow, would no longer be his own. He looked up at the quiet knock and noted the sheepish look being cast in his direction.

"Sit down, Corky," he said gesturing to a chair in front of his desk and waiting until she seated herself before continuing.

"I know you have a bug up your ass over military involvement here and for the most part I've ignored your rather contemptuous attitude toward the service men already among us," he stated quietly. "What I don't understand is why."

Corky shifted in her chair uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with the sturdy and graying older man.

"In the past, I've let you get away with it and I probably shouldn't have," he admitted. "The men here have been invaluable and have been nothing but polite to you, yet you treat all of them as if they are a barely tolerated enemy."

She opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by an upraised hand.

"If you think for one minute the new boss will let you get away with such behavior, you're gravely mistaken," he said. "How do you think it will feel to have your security clearance revoked and to spend the rest of your tour confined to quarters?"

"She wouldn't dare."

"Don't fool yourself, Corky," he replied. "The U.S. has a lot at stake here and there is no reason why someone with your attitude would be tolerated. Also, with that thought in mind, you can rest assured that they wouldn't send an idiot to take charge here. I would assume Commander Lovecraft to be quite formidable."

Corky fidgeted in her chair, remaining silent.

"I'm waiting," he said.

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for you to explain just what your problem is so I can help you save your job."

He watched a myriad of emotions cross the woman's features, noting at last, the determined and stubborn clench of her jaws.

"You're not leaving this room until you come clean, Corky."

Her eyes narrowed for battle.

He sighed and reached out to enter the intercom code on the phone in front of him. "This is Daniels," he said, his voice reverberating down the halls outside. "Would PO DeSoto report to my office, please?"

Corky's eyes widened in shock. DeSoto was the communications officer.

"It's rather late in the game to request a doctor, especially one with your skills," Larry said. "But hopefully we can acquire another before winter sets in."

Corky shrunk in her seat. "Larry..." she began sweetly.

"Don't give me that," he interrupted. "I have two daughters, you're wasting your time playing the sweet and contrite card."

Thwarted, she thought furiously. It was only a matter of seconds before DeSoto arrived.

"You're running out of time."

Corky ground her teeth, wanting to scream in frustration. Who knew that Larry could be so ruthless? She spared a quick appraising glance at the man; she both admired and genuinely cared for him. His approval had come to mean a lot to her and she didn't want to disappoint him by revealing anything. Yet, staying on her current course wouldn't win her any brownie points and she would most likely not only disappoint him, but lose her job as well.

"Alright, Larry," she said reluctantly, a split second before the doorway was darkened.

"You called for me, sir?" DeSoto asked.

"Yes, but I don't think I'll need anything now," Larry said giving Corky a hard stare, gratified when she nodded slightly. "I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"No problem, sir," DeSoto said easily in parting.

Larry waited a moment and leaned back in his chair. "Let's hear it."

Corky took a deep breath, hoping she hadn't underestimated him. "Well..."

02/20/02 - 0930 hours

A mildly curious gaze occasionally looked up from the papers in her lap to watch the bleak, white landscape speed by from within the confines of the helicopter. The view now was the same as it had been twenty minutes ago when they had lifted off from McMurdo; an endless landscape covered in white, occasionally highlighted with light and shadows from the low sun of polar summer. A sun that would soon disappear and leave the continent in darkness for the eight months of the winter season. Not that it would matter. She would be spending that time completely underground, or more accurately, under the ice.

She returned her attention to the papers in her lap, taking in the details that would make up her new command. Upon her arrival, she would be taking charge over an impressively vast and self-contained complex. The base itself completely hidden from prying eyes and housing a winter population of thirty-one people, the majority of which were from the National Science Foundation.

She scanned the list of military personnel and noted that they numbered thirteen, including herself. All branches with the exception of the Marines Corps were represented. Five from the Coast Guard, six from the Air Force, one from the Army, and of course, one Navy. She thought that a little odd, but then again, the whole endeavor struck her as odd. Considering the ultimate goal was to investigate several anomalous sonar readings almost a kilometer below the ice. According to estimates and if all went as planned, excavation would reveal the discovery to human eyes by October. There were pages of text describing why the scientists were in such an uproar over the project, but they might as well have been written in Latin for as far as she was concerned. She only skimmed the first few paragraphs before tossing them aside and declaring herself a layman. The scholars were creaming their jeans over the expected find but she couldn't muster an ounce of excitement, considering relics and fossils to be about as interesting as watching a lump of shit dry in the sun.

She was more concerned with how she was to occupy herself underground for the next eight months. As soon as the pilot dropped Daniels at McMurdo and returned, the entire facility was to be sealed, allowing no one entry or exit until flights resumed in the far distant summer. She groaned in prediction of a boring eternity spent within the confines of her quarters and again turned to watch the landscape pass by in a never-ending white blur.

Corky looked up from her computer with a frown when the flashing red light on the ceiling caught her attention.

So our new monarch arriveth.

When she got out of bed this morning her first thought was to avoid the new boss lady for as long as she could. However, memories of the scathing lecture she had received from Larry the night before soon assailed her and she thought it prudent to at least give her the benefit of the doubt. She smiled a little, remembering that she had indeed underestimated the man and was going to miss him terribly. Not wanting to give Larry any more reason for worry, she grabbed her jacket and started making her way to the entrance, joining more than one of her colleagues in the halls. All of whom were headed in the same direction and obviously eager to meet the new cheese.

Malory watched with detachment as the helicopter began to descend between two men standing with flares in the middle of apparently nowhere, their figures a stark contrast against a solid white background. She glanced around curiously for any other hint of population or machinery and came up lacking. Upon touchdown, she removed her seat belt and made to open the door but was called up short.

"Commander," Ring said, turning in his seat to look at her. "You can get out, but don't stray away from the aircraft, it's a long drop."

She stared at him confusedly and nodded slightly in agreement, sparing another glance at the environment she found herself in and coming away with nothing but miles of white, featureless ground for as far as the eye could see. When her boots hit the snow, one of the two signalmen approached her and saluted, a young man with blonde farm boy good looks.

"Commander," he said loudly over the dying roar of the helicopter blades. "I'm Staff Sergeant Hanson. Please don't wander. Are you ready to enter the facility?"

"Yes, carry on," she said distractedly, more than a little curious to see how things unfolded.

Hanson looked to the pilot and received a thumbs up and another from his counterpart on the other side of the helicopter before speaking into his headset. "We're secure, let it drop," he said and then added. "Commander, please stand inside the barriers."

She let her gaze drop to her feet and was surprised when the ground began to sink from underneath her. The barriers made themselves readily obvious as she found herself on a platform about the size of a tractor-trailer. Within a few seconds, a wave of warm air assaulted her and she chuckled as the platform lowered them, helicopter and all, into the facility, the floor of which was about two stories beneath them.

"Imagine that," she whispered.

Corky looked on with interest as the platform began its descent, her eyes searching for the woman that would no doubt be a thorn in her side for the duration of the rapidly approaching winter. She wasn't alone in her curiosity, for she couldn't see a face among the personnel that wasn't present.

Her eyes tracked to the figure standing next to the helicopter, which she assumed was soon to be their fearless leader. As the platform got closer to the ground she frowned, the woman was wearing a battered black sombrero that had the front brim pinned back to the crown with the little gold insignia of her rank.

"She looks unorthodox from here," Clovis grumbled good-naturedly from beside her.

"No kidding," she replied, scrutinizing the woman from a distance. Her features couldn't be made out, due in part to the glacier goggles that covered her eyes and the shadow her ridiculous hat cast upon her face.

Corky watched grimly as Larry approached the platform when it completed its journey and offered her his greetings. She wished she were close enough to hear what was being said.

"Commander Lovecraft," he said, offering her his hand. "I'm Larry Daniels, it's good to meet you."

"A pleasure," she said with a smile.

"We need to get the platform back up. Hanson and Terrel will get your gear stowed in your quarters," Larry said. "It seems everyone came out to greet you, any objection to introductions?"

"Not at all, lead the way," she said and followed him off the platform to the group of people waiting in the distance.

"Great," he said. "Afterwards, I'll give you the nickel tour?" He looked at her for approval and got both a nod and another smile.

"Here she comes, Rivers," Clovis whispered. "Square those shoulders and puff out that chest."

She swatted him playfully. "Shut up," she added as she watched the woman stride gracefully in their general direction. They came to a halt in front of Mark Isaaks and her eyes widened in appreciation as the sunglasses came off and the sombrero was swept back to hang from a cord around her neck.

Oh, my gosh. She's stunning.

Corky's eyes took in the wealth of thick, dark red hair that suddenly flowed down past the woman's shoulders, the hair framing a face that was classically beautiful and home to a pair of startling pale blue eyes.

She was jarred from her thoughts as the woman stopped in front of McNeely and he saluted her crisply. She turned to Clovis and brought a finger to her mouth in a gagging gesture, getting a subdued laugh from her companion.

Malory saw the pantomime out of the corner of her eye and covertly studied the two as she continued making her way through the line of introductions. Catching the undeniably attractive and dark featured little woman rolling her eyes more than once. About the fourth time the gesture repeated itself, she was more than a little irritated.

"This is Clovis Stokes, our senior archeologist," Larry said as she came abreast of a sandy-haired and monolithic man easily six inches taller than her own five-ten height and from the look of it, almost two hundred pounds heavier.

"A pleasure," she said, her hand disappearing within the enormous grasp of his greeting.

"Nice to meet you, Commander," Clovis replied.

"This is..." Larry started as they moved to stand in front of Corky, who had an expression of mortal boredom etched onto her features.

"No need for introductions here, Mr. Daniels," Malory interrupted. "I would recognize the janitor anywhere."

It took several long seconds and a few audible snickers from those close enough to have heard the comment for Corky to get past the initial shock of being so blatantly insulted.

Malory beat back a pleased smile as the woman visibly ground her teeth.

"Actually, this is Corky Rivers, our MD," Larry said carefully, afraid that his own amusement might show itself.

The Commander shrugged indifferently. "My apologies," she said, extending her hand in the brunette's direction and waiting until Corky's grasp was within her own before adding, "It was an honest mistake."

Corky paled in the effort to keep her composure. "Charmed," she finally ground out sarcastically, quickly withdrawing her hand.

"Of course you are," the Commander said condescendingly before moving on to the next in line, purposely dismissing her as insignificant.

What a fucking bitch! Corky fumed silently as the woman moved away.

"And this is..." Larry continued but Malory's thoughts were miles away. It looks like the next six months won't be so boring after all!

The tour ended with Larry showing her to her quarters that consisted of two rooms, one of which served as her office. She noted that all of her gear was stacked neatly against a wall and she took a seat in one of the two chairs that sat in front of the desk, gesturing for Larry to take the other one.

"The facility is impressive to say the least," she said.

"Yes, it is," Larry agreed as he seated himself. "Any last minute questions?"

"A few, if you don't mind?" she asked. "I understand you're flying out tonight and the facility is to be sealed upon the pilot's return?"

"That's correct. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and lounging around in a warmer climate for a few months," he said with a smile.

Malory chuckled; she liked the man. "Well then, I won't keep you any longer than I have to."

"What would you like to know?"

"The military personnel, what are their current duties here?"

"Well, from the Air Force there's Lieutenant Ring the helicopter pilot. Then there's Tech Sergeant Alvarez, Staff Sergeants Hanson and Terrel, and Airmen Daly and Cohen, all of whom are assigned to flight operations, supply, equipment maintenance, and mechanical," Larry reported. "From the Coast Guard there's SCPO Reynolds, the station engineer. PO's DeSoto and Butler, who manage computer operations and communications, PO's Percy and Coy are paramedics. From the Army there's only Sergeant Major McNeely, who oversees day to day operations and takes care of all ordinance and demolition."

"Any problems I should be aware of?"

"Not a one," Larry said. "All of them have performed flawlessly and have been invaluable in service."

"Glad to hear it, " Malory said. "I'll meet with them individually over the next few days. Is there anyone among the NSF I should keep an eye on?"

Larry thought carefully, assessing the woman across from him. There was no mistaking the warning volley she had fired at Corky earlier; indeed, it was the rare person who could flummox the volatile little doctor as easily as she had. In fact, Corky had been suspiciously missing from her post when he had shown the Commander the medical facilities. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to soften the road a little bit.

"Dr. Rivers."

"I kinda figured," she answered with a grin. "What's the story?"

"It's complex."

"I kinda figured that too," she said with a chuckle. "Gimme a summary."

"Let's just say she's had the military run roughshod over her on a few occasions," he explained. "Some of it's very personal and she's still bitter."

"Good enough."

"Commander, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that if she were incapable of doing her job, I wouldn't have approved her position here. In fact, she's one of the most talented doctors I've ever met. Despite any personality she might throw at you, underneath it all she's a very outgoing and friendly person."

"Don't worry, Mr. Daniels," she said. "She'll still have a job when you return."

Larry sighed in relief. "I was worried. She knows how to push the envelope."

She laughed. "Sounds like a challenge."

Malory watched with a nagging feeling of foreboding as the men pulled the ski-equipped helicopter off the platform with elbow grease and the assistance of an ATV. It was the last thing to be done before the platform was raised for the winter. She didn't know why, but suddenly the idea of being trapped inside for almost eight months was unnerving. They had of course, the means to travel in the event of emergency, but that luxury was all too dependent on the violent Antarctic winter. A winter spent over a thousand miles from any established outpost on an area of the continent that had an average temperature of eighty-seven degrees below zero and was, more often than not, buffeted by wind speeds ranging from forty to a hundred and twenty miles per hour.

She tried to suppress a shudder as she surveyed the cavernous chamber that served as the entrance and Receiving. She estimated the size of the area to be an acre or larger and the white walls that had been carved from the ice, seemed to be a great deal more ominous now than they had when she arrived. Irritated with herself for her case of the creeps, she was glad to hear Hanson yell out to her.

"Commander, we're ready to seal her up."

It took her a second to give the order. "Do it."

She watched as Hanson spoke into his headset and gave a thumbs up in the direction of a long, narrow window that was situated several meters off the ground in one of the far walls. The distance made it impossible to identify the figure behind the glass of Operations, but she assumed it to be Chief Reynolds.

The platform started its ascent and she abruptly decided that she didn't want to be present when it completed its journey. Her first thought was to return to her quarters and begin the tedious task of unpacking, but she changed course impulsively. She had seen Daniels off earlier, watching with interest as everyone had materialized to bid farewell to the man. Of particular note was the little figure that had rushed forward to embrace him, eventually letting him go and quickly retreating down a hallway, wiping at her eyes.

She entered Medical unnoticed, Dr. Rivers was speaking to the man she remembered as Percy and both had their backs to her. Content to remain unobserved, she waited patiently and inquisitively took in her surroundings, her attention eventually landing on a specimen jar filled with a vile looking green liquid. Morbidly curious, she stepped closer and examined the contents of the container, unable to identify the squishy looking organic mass floating within. Engrossed in her study, she was startled when her presence was finally noticed.

"Commander," Percy exclaimed, coming to attention and throwing her a salute.

"Percy," she said. "Lose the salute or its gonna be a long winter."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, standing a little easier.

"Lose the ma'am too," she added, noting that the doctor hadn't bothered to turn around or acknowledge her in any way. "Commander or Lovecraft will do in a pinch."

"Very well, Commander," he replied with a little grin.

"Pass the word, will ya?" she requested. "I don't wanna have to go through this with everyone."

"Will do," he said. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Nope, was hoping to have a word with Dr. Rivers."

"Oh," he said, standing uncomfortably in place for a moment and then lighting up in sudden understanding. "Oh, of course. Excuse me, Doctor," he added hastily, skipping into a less than graceful exit.

Malory watched him leave with a look of amusement, a little miffed that the doctor still hadn't bothered to acknowledge her. Not wanting to be the first to give in, she hopped up on one of the examination tables, reclining with her hands behind her head and crossing her feet at the ankles.

The silence stretched into minutes and still the doctor carried on as if she were alone in the room. Grinning at the back presented to her, she raised eyes to the ceiling and began to count the little holes in the tiles above.

A full twenty-minutes passed, the silence finally broken when Clovis burst robustly through the door.

"Hey, Corky. I..." he started but trailed off when he noticed the lounging Commander.

"Uhm... excuse me," he stuttered.

Corky finally turned and opened her mouth to speak.

"Quite alright, Mr. Stokes," Malory interjected quickly. "Dr. Rivers informed me that she wanted to see me naked at the earliest opportunity."

"Uh..." Clovis stuttered but quickly thought the better of it and, with a confused look, simply turned on his heel and left the room.

Malory turned her attention back to the doctor and grinned unrepentantly at the rapidly coloring cheeks, almost laughing as she observed the woman struggle with her temper. When she finally spoke, it came out as a strangled rasp.

"What is it you want?"

"Nothing really," Malory said, smoothing a pretentious finger over an eyebrow. "Was just looking for a place to rest the feet, my dogs are killin' me," she added with a wiggle of her boots.

Brown eyes narrowed to slits. "I thought maybe you had come to apologize?"

"Apologize?" she said with mock confusion. "Whatever for?"

Hands clenched into fists. "Does being in charge entitle you to be a bitch?"

"Nope," Malory replied easily. "I just get off on it."

"Metaphorically or sexually?"

"Perhaps both."

"So our little conversation excites you in some manner?"

"Too early to tell."

"Odd," Corky said thoughtfully. "Scientifically speaking, I was of the understanding that a frigid bitch like yourself couldn't get wet in the shower."

"Oh, that's more like it," Malory exclaimed, raising herself to a seated position. "Now I'm definitely turned on, would you like to confirm? In the interest of science, of course."

Corky wrinkled her face in disgust and stormed silently out of the room.

Mission accomplished, Malory swung her legs around and dropped to the floor. Smiling brightly, she made tracks for her quarters to begin the menial task of unpacking her things.

II

03/07/02 - 1045 hours

The next two weeks passed quickly for Malory as she spent the time familiarizing herself with the staff, summoning a few each day and spending a few moments getting to know them and their assigned duties. She soon came to the conclusion that her position was pretty much a formality. The staff all knew their jobs and were dedicated enough that supervision really wasn't required. That suited her just fine, the less she was needed the more time she would have for herself, and now was a good as time as any to indulge. She reached for the phone to summon the only person she hadn't spoken to formally.

"I'm telling you, Corky," Clovis said over his coffee cup. "She's not as bad as you make her out to be."

"Yeah, right."

"I spoke to her for almost half an hour, she's kinda nice," Clovis admitted. "Not what I expected at all."

"She's an asshole," Corky proclaimed, getting a laugh from her friend.

"You're just mad because she's got your number," Clovis chuckled.

Corky frowned. "I am not."

"You think she's cute?" he asked mischievously.

The frowned deepened. "I think she's an infuriating bitch."

"Okay, okay," he laughed. "Do you think she's a cute infuriating bitch?"

She regarded him coolly and drew in a sharp breath.

"This is Lovecraft," the intercom beckoned. "Dr. Rivers, would you report to my office, please?"

"Looks like the Commander saved me," Clovis said cheerfully.

"You're not off the hook, Stokes," she grumbled. "I wonder if she'd be pissed if I didn't show up?"

"Probably," he predicted. "She's called everyone in to talk to them. Hell Corky, everyone likes her but you."

"Hmmm."

Clovis grinned. "Go see what she wants."

"Oh, alright," she sighed. "I hope I don't regret this," she mumbled as she rose to her feet and padded out the door.

Her thoughts were dark as she reluctantly made her way through the halls. She had gone to great lengths to avoid the maddening woman since their encounter in Medical. The bitch was an enigma to her, having never met anyone who took such an obvious delight in being irritating. The first words out of her mouth, and just about every word since, had been insulting. What was even more annoying was the fact that the woman had seemingly singled her out of the crowd and targeted her for torment. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why.

As she approached her destination, she paused to school her features into a bored and indifferent expression. With a deep, calming breath, she traveled the last few feet and knocked on the doorframe.

"Ahh," Malory said. "Come in, Dr. Rivers. Have a seat."

Corky entered warily and gently placed herself in the same chair in which she had received Larry's final lecture. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did," Malory confirmed. "I've talked to everyone on the staff but you and I was hoping we could take this time to get past any differences you and I might have. After all, we'll both be working together for quite sometime."

Corky eyed the Commander suspiciously. "I wasn't aware that I had done anything that might have given you offense?"

A chuckle. "It usually takes more than one day for someone to muster the nerve to call me a bitch to my face."

"And I suppose you did nothing to warrant such an action?"

"I, of course, admit nothing," she replied with a disarming smile. "But I called you here with the intention of calming the waters."

"How do you propose to accomplish that?" Corky asked trying not to grin at the charm the woman was displaying.

"I thought you might start by telling me what your problem is with the people in uniform?"

Corky tensed.

"I had a chat with Mr. Daniels about you before he departed," Malory continued, studying the woman carefully. "Don't worry, he didn't say anything he shouldn't have."

A relieved breath. "You won't be offended if I say I don't know you near well enough to have that conversation with you?"

"Of course not," Malory said beaming her best smile. "I wouldn't presume to put you in such an uncomfortable position."

To Corky's dismay, she couldn't help but smile in response to the one being directed at her. "Then I don't understand."

"I have a solution," Malory said. "I was pretty sure you'd refuse to tell me, so I thought you might tell my XO?"

Corky gaped. "Huh?"

"Just try to keep an open mind, alright?"

"I don't get it," Corky said, wondering what the woman was up to.

"Just try," she asked again sweetly, begging her with her eyes.

"Okay," Corky relented. "I'll try."

"Great," she exclaimed happily, suddenly bending over and digging in a desk drawer.

Corky watched in confusion, half of her curious to see what the woman was up to and the other half almost positive she was being set up for something. Her lips tightened into a thin line when a small tape recorder was placed on the desk in front of her. However, the stinging comment poised on the tip of her tongue died quickly and she lapsed into a furious trance when another item was placed on the desk. Her eyes focused in on the doll unbelievingly. Within arms reach sat a Chatty Kathy with a bad red dye job, clothed in a childish copy of a Naval uniform and complete with a little black sombrero.

"Now, I know what you're probably thinking," Malory said. "But I've used this approach successfully many times in the past. I'll just hit record and go find something to do for about an hour. Little Lovecraft is a good listener, feel free to tell her anything you want."

Corky could only stare, all traces of color gone from her face.

Trying to remain passively disinterested until she was out of the room, Malory turned the recorder on and made a hasty exit.

It took almost five full minutes for a nonviolent thought to penetrate Corky's consciousness. The bitch suckered me right in! And to think for a second there I thought she was charming! Why me? What the fuck is her malfunction?

She was suddenly aware that her hands hurt and she dropped her gaze from the doll to find her knuckles white from the death grip she had on the arms of her chair. Fingers uncurled themselves gingerly and she grimaced slightly as circulation reasserted itself. When she had regained some feeling, her eyes again traveled back to the idiotic doll, noting the little cord dangling from her neck.

Do I dare?

She debated carefully, but in the end she couldn't help herself. Knowing she was going to regret it, she reached out and pulled the string.

Malory watched from her hiding place, amusement so apparent on her face a blind man could see it, as the doctor stormed out of her office and stomped off down the hallway. She made herself wait until the woman disappeared before she practically ran back to her office, laughing delightedly when she found Little Lovecraft in the garbage can and both lying across the room. As hoped, Corky had forgotten about the recorder. She picked it up excitedly to rewind it and plopped down in her chair to listen.

"Roses are red. Violets are blue. Don't you just hate it when I fuck with you," came the childishly sung tease.

"Fuckin' bitch," Corky hissed.

A pregnant pause and then. "I know you are but what am I?"

The final taunt was followed immediately by the sound of Little Lovecraft landing violently in the trashcan and then the thud and crash as both were obviously kicked across the room.

Malory fell back in her chair, laughing uproariously.

03/29/02 - 1130 hours

The next few weeks passed slowly and life for the Commander had become exceedingly dull. She was rarely sought out for anything other than the most trivial of things and to make matters worse, Dr. Rivers had successfully managed to avoid any contact with her. Leaving the mess every time she entered, whether she was done with her meal or not, and taking the precaution of slipping on a pair of earmuffs so she couldn't listen to her the one time she had approached her in Medical. Among other things, Malory decided, the woman was a poor sport.

She was in the midst of another losing hand of computer Solitaire when DeSoto appeared in the doorway.

"Commander," he said in greeting.

"What's up?"

"External communications are down," he reported. "I'd like permission to go outside and clear the dome?"

Malory perked up. "Alone?"

"No, I was gonna take Butler with me."

"Cut him loose, I'll go," she said, happy to have a project.

"Very well, Commander," he said warily. "It's quite a hike and the weather is pretty ugly."

"Looking forward to it," she said, hopping up from her chair. "Give me a few minutes, please."

"Alright, I'll be in Receiving when you're ready."

"Meet you there."

Ten minutes later, she arrived at the platform, feeling burdened under the weight of all her arctic clothing. She was curious and excited to see what the outside looked like in the winter.

"Ready, Commander?" DeSoto asked.

"Yep, lead the way."

"I kinda thought we'd drive, Commander."

"Huh?"

"The silo is about a mile away," he explained.

"I thought you said it was a hike."

"It will be going up."

She chuckled. "Okay, give me the scoop."

He pointed to a distant door in the ice. "We take a snowmobile down that corridor to the silo. Once there we climb to the surface where the dome is situated."

"Ahh, so who's driving?" she asked with a smile.

"You're the Commander."

"That I am. Show me to my chariot," she ordered the dark featured young man.

Several minutes later, his arms were clinging desperately around her waist as they rocketed down the narrow passageway at a blistering pace. His mind conjuring up images of what he would look like if they crashed, picturing his body a mass of compound fractures lying at the end of a long bloodstain that stood out sharply in the snow. He was immeasurably relieved when they got to the end of the corridor still intact.

Malory hopped off the snowmobile and turned on the flashlight that DeSoto had given her, curiously investigating her surroundings. A few yards away was a ladder that climbed upwards through a circular hole in the ice, the temperature was bitter, even under all of her gear.

"How far up?" she asked.

"About a quarter of a mile," DeSoto answered. "Don't let any exposed skin touch the metal of the ladder."

"So it would be a bad idea to lick one of the rungs?"

He chuckled. "Only if you have the desire to have your tongue amputated."

"Think I'll pass," she grinned. "Want me to carry any of the gear?"

"I got it."

"You're the boss, lead the way."

A few minutes into the climb, she was beginning to think she would've been better off bored in her office. It was frightfully cold and her hands were starting to hurt, the chill of the metal ladder effortlessly penetrating the insulation of her gloves. In addition, it was creepy in the dark and the atmosphere was claustrophobic within the confines of the tunnel. When they finally reached the top, she decided that DeSoto had been correct; it was indeed quite a hike.

They emerged into a small, but thankfully much warmer room filled with a variety of cabling and electronic equipment. She noticed that space heaters were installed within the walls and she turned to DeSoto.

"These heaters run on a timer?"

"Yes," he replied, shedding his backpack. "They run just enough to keep the equipment from freezing over."

"All of this powered from our own generators?"

"Yes."

"Why so far away from the main compound?"

"Because we needed an outside landscape that could camouflage our equipment," he explained. "The area above the compound is flat ice, hard to hide the dome."

She looked to the ceiling. "Are you telling me we're standing under a glass roof?"

"A special kind of glass, yes. You wouldn't be able see this place from the outside unless you stepped on it."

"Wow, you guys really went all out here," she commented. "So, what do we need to do?"

"Unfortunately, we have to go outside and shovel the snow off the dome."

"That sounds like fun," she said dryly, she was still cold. "How much snow?"

"Depends," he shrugged. "It's not really snow, we don't get a lot of that here. Winds from the coast blow ice into the interior, so the landscape is always changing. Maybe four feet, might be a little less."

"Great," she said grumpily, now certain that she should have stayed in her office.

"Well, we get Mexican tonight for dinner," he offered. "Dr. Rivers makes a mean plate."

"Excuse me?" she asked. "Dr. Rivers is making dinner?"

"Sure," he said with a shrug. "Usually once a week, a couple of people give the kitchen staff a night off. Dr. Rivers always does Mexican."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Hmmm, well let's get after it."

She tried to hide her frown when he handed her a shovel.

Malory trudged back to her quarters and flopped face down onto her cot in all of her clothes, immediately covering herself with blankets. She had never been so cold in all of her life. It had taken most of the day to clear the snow from the dome, due largely in part to the fact that they had to work in shifts. Not being able to endure the weather for more than ten minutes at a time, it had been pitch black outside and the wind could only be described as evil. She knew for a fact that she wouldn't be volunteering herself for another project, no matter how bored she might become.

She peeked out from under the covers to glance at the clock, a little grin twitching at the corners of her mouth. "Almost dinner time," she whispered nefariously.

Corky stood behind the counter jovially filling the passing trays with food. This was one of her favorite activities; she loved to cook and enjoyed the friendly banter of her colleagues. Being the chef also provided the benefit of indulging her ego and she gleefully soaked up the compliments she received for her culinary efforts.

In fact, now that Larry was gone, she had grudgingly decided that things weren't as bad as she had predicted them to be. It had taken a lot of effort, but she was finally able to admit, despite her personal feelings for the insufferable Commander, that everyone seemed to genuinely like the woman. She didn't intrude, was easygoing, and pretty much let everyone do their own thing.

Her own feelings, however, contrasted starkly against public opinion. She hated, or more accurately, she loathed the bitch to the point of being unable to devise a death for the redheaded slag that would be suitably tortuous. Even more maddening was the fact that she couldn't figure out why the woman would go to such great lengths to torment her. She would probably like the woman her coworkers described, but she had yet to see that person and it didn't make her feel special to be singularly chosen for such abuse. The whole thing both pissed her off and perplexed her.

"Uh oh, Corky," Clovis said, coming up from behind to deliver another platter of food from the kitchen. "Word of your table has reached the ears of the Commander."

"Huh?" Corky asked, looking over her shoulder at the man.

"Here she comes," Clovis gestured with a nod.

Corky looked over to see that the Commander had entered the mess hall and she tensed. Trapped! She couldn't very well storm out while serving the food she had prepared for everyone. Her eyes narrowed as it occurred to her that the bitch probably knew this as well and was using it to her advantage.

She tracked the woman covertly as she made her way toward the counter, scoffing internally at the way the she was dressed. What a slob! Her boots were untied, the laces dragging behind her on the floor. The blue fatigue pants half tucked into one boot as if she were too lazy to bother and she wore a gray Annapolis sweatshirt that was covered liberally with white paint stains. Even her hair gave the impression of slothfulness, being tied up but falling out all over the place. It secretly chapped Corky's ass that the woman was pretty enough to get away with looking so slovenly. It bothered her even more that her appearance probably did nothing but endear her to the male population. God I hate her!

She hastily summoned her most impassive expression as the woman grabbed a tray and sauntered forward.

"Good evening, Doctors," Malory said cheerfully. "Be generous with the grub, I worked up an appetite today."

Corky snatched Malory's tray silently and handed it to Clovis to fill.

"I heard you went outside with DeSoto today," Clovis asked. "How was it?"

"Cold," Malory replied with a shudder.

"I'll bet," he chuckled, handing her a tray filled to the brim.

Malory's gaze fell to the food in front of her, quite aware of the brown eyes watching her intently. "What's this?"

"An assortment of Mexican dishes," Corky said stiffly before Clovis could answer.

Malory studied the tray suspiciously. "It looks like Pancho Villa puked in my plate."

Immediately bristling, Corky's irritation rose sharply at the sound of Clovis's quickly stifled chuckle. She simmered silently as she watched the Commander poke the food experimentally with a fork, her face twisted in disgust. Finally, she raised a portion to her mouth, grimacing painfully.

"Oh, my God," Malory exclaimed, her mouth full. "It tastes like barbecued shit," she added with a gag, letting the food slowly dribble out of her mouth to land with a moist splat back in her plate. "Jesus, I wouldn't allow a pig to swill in this," she said in revulsion, backing away from the counter with a shudder and finally turning to stride from the room.

Clovis watched the entire spectacle, his jaw clenched tightly to keep from laughing. He had seen Corky start to pale and had noticed her mouth drop open slightly in horror as the Commander let the food fall nauseatingly out of her mouth. He turned wary eyes on her as Lovecraft left the room and noted that the little doctor was so pissed off it was a wonder that her hair wasn't standing on end.

"That miserable cunt," she finally rasped, reaching out to grab the tray of food the Commander had left behind and storming off after her.

It was his first thought to stop her before she did anything foolish, but Clovis suspected that the Commander knew what she was doing. Instead, with Corky safely out of the room, he finally let out the laughter that had been strangling him.

Corky stomped through the halls, her anger growing with every step. As she rounded the last corner, she caught sight of her target heading for her quarters and fury threatened to burst from every pore. The bitch was skipping! Fuckin' skipping! I want her dead. I want her family dead. I want her house burned to the ground...

Malory entered her office and kicked off her boots playfully, a huge smile plastered on her face. Suddenly sensing a presence behind her, she turned to find Dr. Rivers standing in the doorway.

"You forgot your goddamn dinner," Corky growled and hurled the heaping tray of food with a deadly accurate overhand throw.

Malory didn't have time to do anything but bring her hands up to protect her face as the tray hit her elbows and coated her from the neck down in Mexican cuisine. She peeked out from behind her hands to see the doctor breathing so heavily in the doorway she was practically snarling. She couldn't help it, she laughed. She laughed so hard she doubled over.

The Commander's hilarity was just too much for Corky to handle. She rushed into the room, raising a hand with every intention of slapping the dumbfuck smile off the woman's face. Anger transformed the intended slap into a from behind the back haymaker by the time she was within range, and she let it fly with all of her strength. She was stunned when the blow was stopped short with a deceptively powerful grip around her wrist. Startled, she looked up to find pale blue eyes appraising her amusedly. Abruptly, two crimson eyebrows waggled at her suggestively.

"Gimme some sugar, baby," Malory rumbled and darted forward to place a kiss on the flummoxed doctor's lips.

With a gasp, Corky backed up a step and tore her wrist from the woman's grip. "You horrid bitch," she said and was so fast with her slap that it darted past the Commander's defenses and impacted her cheek painfully.

"Wow," Malory said after a stunned second. "I kinda liked that. If I kiss you again will you slap the other cheek?"

Corky gaped at her. "You're fucked in the head."

Malory shrugged. "Are you afraid of me?"

"No!"

"You're shakin' like a dog shittin' peach pits."

"Maybe I'm just pissed off."

"Wanna take a shower with me?"

"I gotta get out of here," Corky exclaimed, spinning hastily and running from the room.

Malory watched her go with a smile, bringing a hand up to rub her stinging cheek. "Gotcha."

04/27/02 - 1500 hours

Corky spent the next month in constant fear of another confrontation with the Commander, being left suspicious and confused after every encounter that was met with a polite nod or greeting. The woman baffled her to no end. Having apparently succeeded in her mission to incite a riot between them, the Commander was now very cordial, no longer going out of her way to ignite any emotion or response from her, granting her both distance and respect. Corky wasn't sure if the woman didn't have a doppelganger. Yet, she would die before letting her guard down again, having often considered the notion that the woman had some sort of grand scheme to slowly drive her insane.

In another galling development, Lovecraft was becoming ever more popular with the staff. Often spending time in the mess hall laughing lewdly with the men, obviously sharing coarse jokes and tomfoolery. It left Corky feeling somewhat ostracized, considering that they were the only two women in the compound. To add insult to injury, her best friend Clovis was unable to hide the fact that he adored the fucking woman. It made her want to vomit every time she saw him make goo-goo eyes at the bitch.

She slammed her coffee mug down on her desk, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully, thinking, not for the first time, that she should just call the Commander to the carpet and force her to admit the details of her insidious plan. So lost in her thoughts, she almost screamed in surprise when the alarm klaxon went off suddenly.

"Dr. Rivers, PO's Percy and Coy and all military personnel report to excavation immediately," McNeely barked over the PA system. "Move it, people!"

"Oh, boy," Corky said out loud before leaping to get her gear.

Five minutes later, she was sprinting down the corridor, pausing as she passed through a heavy fire door to wiggle into a safety harness and strap spikes to her boots. The metal tiles of the hall abruptly gave way to ice only a few feet past the door and she clamped onto the guide rope that led down the icy tunnel to the excavation site.

The corridor made for slow going, being completely carved from the ice and leading down at a forty-five degree angle for close to a quarter of a mile. One slip and it would be a long slide on her ass to the bottom before she was called up short by the safety rope. She moved along as quickly and as cautiously as she could, becoming aware of others making their way down the tunnel behind her.

Almost ten minutes later, she reached the end and emerged into the circular chamber of the main dig site. The room was a little over a hundred yards both long and wide. A shelf about fifteen yards wide ran the circumference of a gigantic hole in the ice that spiraled downward for another quarter of a mile. One reached the bottom by way of a rather narrow pathway cut from the ice that wound down the interior to the floor of the pit.

Upon entering, she was assaulted by an unimaginably foul odor, so strong it made her eyes water. "Where's the fire?" she yelled to get everyone's attention, relieved when Clovis emerged from the crowd.

"Stand by, Doctor," Hanson said as he rushed by.

"What's going on, Clovis?" she asked.

"We hit a pocket in the ice," he explained. "The bottom fell out."

"Oh, God," Corky said in horror. "Anyone down there?"

"Just Mark, he was the only one in a bad spot when it happened," Clovis said. "He's trapped, we couldn't reach him."

"Is he okay?"

"Seems okay but if he slips, he won't make it," Clovis said grimly. "The pocket looks to be about forty or fifty yards deep."

Corky broke away from her friend and pushed through the spectators to see for herself. She looked over the side to see that the cave-in had taken a good portion of the walkway with it, making it impossible to get to the bottom. Where unfortunately, Mark clung desperately to the ice, precariously close to the edge of a nasty drop.

"I'm going over, start feeding me slack," the Commander's voice barked over the radio in Reynolds hands. "Get everybody on the ropes, he's gonna be heavy from this distance."

"We're on it," Reynolds replied. "Slack to come slowly," he added and turned to start issuing orders to the men working on a series of ropes that Corky belatedly noticed.

She gasped quietly when she realized what was happening and turned a closer look over the edge, following the path of the ropes to the figure in a black sombrero dangling from the end. Anxiously, she watched the Commander level a rifle across the void directly at Mark, instead of a bullet, it fired a bolt and cable that shot across the distance between them and buried itself in the ice about three feet away from Mark's head.

Corky chewed on her lip nervously as she suddenly let go of the side and started pulling her way across, an exercise that took almost ten minutes before she reached the other side and got a harness and rope onto the man.

"I'm not convinced the bolts will hold both of us, I'm sending him across first," Malory's voice came over the radio. "Is Dr. Rivers there? Mark fell several meters and took a beating. Be gentle with him."

"She's here," Reynolds replied. "And will do."

The crowd watched as Mark spent almost twenty minutes pulling himself across the cable to the other side. Once he got there, Reynolds turned to the men on the ropes. "Pull him up but go easy, he's injured."

Corky looked over the edge trying to assess the man's injuries from a distance; she turned to get Percy's attention. "Did we bring a stretcher?"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and she nodded in approval.

"I'm headed across," Malory said over the radio.

"Understood," Reynolds replied and turned to face the laboring men. "Watch the Commander's ropes, she's moving."

By the time Mark was pulled over the edge, the Commander was three-quarters of the way across the cable. Percy and Coy rushed forward to assist the man and Corky's eyes again fell to the figure still below, watching with horror as the bolt on the far side broke free from the ice. "She's falling!" she yelled.

"Brace!" Reynolds bellowed.

Corky covered her mouth with a hand as the Commander tried to get her feet in front of her to soften the impact. She was only partially successful and was slammed against the wall with stunning force; the men on the ropes grunting with the effort of her falling weight.

"Get her up here now!" Reynolds ordered, dropping his radio onto the ice and running over to grab a spot on the rope.

Every available man rushed over to lend their strength to the effort and Corky nervously watched the figure below for any signs of life, surprising herself with the relief she felt when the Commander lifted an arm and spoke into the radio.

"I'm okay, go easy."

Shoulders slumped in relief and Reynolds clapped Clovis on the shoulder before getting up and retrieving his radio. "Good to hear," he said.

"Dr. Rivers," Percy said. "Isaaks has a broken arm, other than that, just a few scrapes and bruises."

"Get him to Medical, I'll be along shortly," she said distantly.

"Right away."

Corky loitered for a few minutes, feeling it her duty to hang back and see if the Commander needed any attention, or at least, that was what she kept telling herself. Presently, the men rushed forward to help her over the edge and she stood shakily, leveling a grin at everyone present and sparing a quick smile in Corky's direction.

"Fuckin'A, that hurt," she exclaimed boisterously, receiving a round of relieved laughs and chuckles.

"Chief Reynolds," she barked after they had subsided.

"Commander," he said, coming to attention.

Malory studied him carefully, again struck by the Chief's uncanny resemblance to a younger Sean Connery; a man she harbored a secret attraction to. "Tomorrow you'll explain to me why the people working down here didn't have radios, forcing someone to run all the way to the compound to raise the alarm."

"Yes, Commander."

She walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done," she complimented and looked around. "All of you, very well done. Is Mr. Isaaks okay?"

"A broken arm, he'll be fine," Corky said. "I'd like you to report to Medical at your earliest convenience."

"Alright," she agreed and Corky turned to begin the climb back to the compound.

"I want to speak to everyone tomorrow at 0900 in the mess hall, excavation is put on hold until I make some decisions and this area is off limits until that time."

A few faces appeared to protest but she cut it off quickly. "No exceptions," she warned. "Mr. McNeely, a word, please."

III

Malory walked into Medical close to an hour later feeling bone tired. Dr. Rivers was still working on Isaaks so she slumped into a chair by the door and waited. She could hear Corky talking to the injured man in low tones behind the divider and her eyelids started to grow heavy. She thought about just going back to her quarters but her shoulder was screaming at her to stay put. Reluctantly, she acquiesced to the demands of her body and leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes.

When Corky emerged, she was surprised to find the Commander asleep, her stupid fucking sombrero sitting in her lap. After much consideration, she decided to let her be and quietly summoned Coy to help Mark back to his quarters.

It was the arrival of the young Petty Officer that woke Malory and she suffered a few seconds of disorientation, regaining her bearings as Mr. Isaaks was being ushered past. He stopped in front of her and held out a hand, she stood to take it.

"Thank you, Commander," he said. "That was a brave thing you did."

"You're welcome," she said with a tired smile.

"Commander, would you join me back here, please?" Corky asked.

"I'll let you get to it," Mark said, releasing her hand. "Thanks again."

"Anytime," she said, watching Coy lead him out of the room before turning to face the doctor.

Corky stared at her for a long moment. "Are you injured?" she finally asked.

"Yes."

Corky chewed on her lip. "Come have a seat," she said and gestured to the exam table behind her.

"Would you summon, Mr. Stokes first?" she asked. "I was going to do it but I fell asleep."

"I think if you're hurt we've put it off long enough."

"Please."

Another long stare, this one of a curious nature. "Alright," she said, moving over to the phone to summon Clovis.

They waited in an uncomfortable silence, fidgeting uneasily until Clovis stuck his head in.

"What's up, Corky?" he asked, his eyes lighting up when he noticed the Commander. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the doctor and she felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Actually, I wanted to speak with you," Malory said. "At the meeting tomorrow I want you to explain to me, as if talking to a child, exactly what it is you expect to find under the ice."

He looked at her confusedly. "You weren't briefed?"

"I'm not one for deciphering scientific texts, Mr. Stokes," she said. "That's why I want you to explain it to me tomorrow in Fisher Price terms."

A scathingly insulting comment was perched on Corky's tongue but with an effort she swallowed it before it could be voiced. She could plainly see how tired the woman was and it occurred to her that she was vastly overmatched in the bitch department if hostilities were to flame anew.

"Alright," Clovis said.

"Thank you," Malory said. "That's all, Mr. Stokes."

He knew a dismissal when he heard one. "Goodnight, ladies," he said with a departing smile.

Corky waited until the door closed behind him to speak. "You ready now?"

"Alright," Malory agreed, walking over to the table to take a seat.

Corky moved to follow her but was called up short.

"Lock the door, please," Malory requested.

"Why?"

"Just do it, please."

Corky pursed her mouth thoughtfully and did as she was asked. "Alright, what's the story?"

"My left shoulder."

Corky moved forward. "Let's lose the jacket and shirt so we can have a look."

"You'll have to help me," Malory admitted. "I can't raise my arm more than a few inches."

"Jesus," Corky whispered. "Why didn't you tell me something earlier?

"Because I was needed and there was another in worse shape."

Corky shook her head and gently helped her out of her parka. "I'll have to cut off the sweatshirt if you think it would be too hard to lift over your head."

"Cut it off," Malory answered quickly.

Soon the sweatshirt was reduced to a rag and Corky examined her quickly, noting the surgical scars discreetly placed along her collarbone and shoulder. "What happened here?"

"Old injury."

"I see, well you have a hell of a bruise on your shoulder, I'd like to x-ray."

"Okay."

Twenty minutes later, Malory was lying down on the examination table, staring up at nothing and waiting for Corky to deliver the bad news. She could hear her grunting over the x-rays and had come back to the table once to poke and prod her aching shoulder, with what she suspected, was a little more force than absolutely necessary.

"Well, Commander," she suddenly exclaimed, walking back to the table and hovering above her. "It would seem to me..."

"You can call me Malory," she interrupted.

Corky blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You can call me Malory."

"Why would I want to do that?"

"Because its my name?"

Corky looked at her thoughtfully. "I think I'll stick with Commander."

Malory sighed. "Sorry to hear that."

"Uh huh," Corky said. "You ready to hear your diagnosis?"

"Shoot."

Corky straightened into her most professional stance and spoke solemnly. "It seems you're suffering from... an owie."

Blue eyes rolled. "Can I get a second opinion?"

Corky chuckled. "In a few months, sure."

"And what treatment would you suggest for this heinous injury?"

"Amputation, of course."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Corky smiled. "Nothing's broken but you did sprain your shoulder. You've had a lot of prior work done in there, must have been pretty bad."

"Yeah."

"Hmmm," she grunted. "I'll give you some meds for the pain but it'll get better quicker than you think, just don't overuse it or abuse it."

Malory nodded.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Okay."

"What does the 'Q' stand for?"

A confused look.

"As in Malory Q. Lovecraft."

"Oh. It stands for Quinn."

"Quinn?"

Malory smiled slyly. "Yeah, I was named after a song. Wanna hear it?"

"I'll pass," Corky said quickly. "But are you up for another question?"

"I guess."

"You sure about that?" she asked. "If you answer honestly, there'll be another question. Maybe a few."

"Go ahead. I'm lying here in my bra, you have me at your mercy."

"Why did you single me out for abuse?"

Malory sighed. "Because I figured the sooner I got past your attitude and forced a confrontation, the sooner we could be friends."

Corky had been wary of the answer and was actually surprised by the seemingly honest response. "I see."

Malory turned eyes in Corky's direction. "Is there another question?"

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I'm attracted to you."

"What made you think I would want to be kissed by another woman?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to do it."

"So you didn't know I was gay?"

"Had no idea."

"That took guts."

"Perhaps."

"Why did you have me lock the door?"

"Because I'm the Commander," she said. "Now, as much as I enjoy the interrogation, I would really like to go to sleep. Could you help me get my parka on so I can return to my quarters, please?"

Corky stared at her for a long moment, finally nodding her consent and helping her with her jacket.

Malory shuffled out of her quarters the next morning and made her way down the hall, entering the mess hall and going immediately for the coffee, refusing to acknowledge anyone until she satisfied her craving.

Once the coffee had provided her with the required early morning stamina, she turned to face the crowd and seated herself at the front of the room. "Chief Reynolds," she said. "You have an explanation for me?"

Dr. Lenard spoke up in a rush. "Commander, it seems that several of us are to blame for the lack of radios, we...uhm... often forget to take them."

"I see," she said. "Mr. McNeely, your opinion, please?"

"It'll take a week or more to recreate a safe working environment," he reported. "And I'll need some help."

"Very well, you're in charge," she said. "Use whoever you need, I want to see a duty list by the end of the day."

"Done," he answered with a nod.

She considered for a moment. "When the Sergeant Major informs me he is satisfied with the conditions in excavation, we can resume our dig," she said finally. "No one is to be found in that area without his permission until that time." She looked around for objections and was pleased when she saw none. "Also, in the future, anyone caught working down there without a radio or a safety rope will be relieved and confined to quarters for a time to be determined by myself. Any questions?"

None were forthcoming so she turned to Clovis. "Mr. Stokes, do you have a lesson plan prepared for me?"

"You bet," he said.

She stood and gestured for him to take the floor, taking his chair when he got up and shooting a wink at Dr. Rivers, who had been seated next to him. To her dismay, the doctor pretended not to notice.

"Okay," he said gruffly, clearing his throat. "What we expect to find, what we hope to find, is a spacecraft, or more accurately, pieces of a spacecraft, that we assume crashed into the ice at some point in very distant history."

Malory was dumfounded. "What?" she blurted in surprise.

Clovis looked at her confusedly.

"I'm sorry, please continue," she said, embarrassed and choosing to ignore the few quiet snickers.

"From sonar readings and estimated projection, it seems the craft crashed into the ice with enough force to break apart at impact."

"How long ago was this?"

"Impossible to tell," Clovis replied. "It would depend on a lot of variables, it may have crashed with enough force to basically bury itself. We think that's part of the equation but undoubtedly, it's been here for thousands of years."

Malory leaned against the back of her chair thoughtfully. "Why do you assume it to be a spacecraft?"

"Because we've uncovered several small pieces of material that apparently broke off of the main craft already. It's of a composition we can't identify, the atomic structure is extraterrestrial."

"And the main craft, is it still intact?"

"It seems there are three large sections still relatively intact," Clovis said. "It is from those pieces that we hope to gain the most knowledge."

She grunted. "Alright off the subject, why did it smell so bad in there yesterday?"

"I would assume stale air."

"You don't sound convinced."

"We haven't had the chance to investigate."

She pursed her lips and stood. "Thanks for the education, Mr. Stokes. It looks like we have some work to do. Let's get after it."

05/01/02 - 1730 hours

It was four days later when Corky decided to bite the bullet. She wasn't sure if it was the right decision but she felt she owed it to herself to try. The Commander clearly had a multifaceted personality and there was no denying she found the woman intriguing, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise. She suspected that under all of the bravado the woman displayed, there lurked a person she would like to know. The only question remaining was whether or not she could stand to be in her company long enough to find out.

With this mission in mind, she waited until the end of the workday and marched determinedly to the Commander's quarters. Upon arrival, she found a closed door and took a minute to cement the binds on her temper before knocking. When she received no response, she knocked again and poked her head in to find an empty office. She walked a few paces into the room and was surprised to hear singing, or what passed for it, coming from the woman's quarters. Corky winced; it was painfully obvious that vocal talent wasn't on the Commander's list of abilities. She went to knock on the door but paused when she caught sight of Little Lovecraft sitting in the chair behind the Commander's desk. Her eyes narrowed and she had to take a moment to forcibly remind herself why she was doing this.

Finally, she turned and pounded on the door a little more loudly than she had intended. She quickly grew annoyed when it wasn't answered and she was assaulted by another verse being sung in the other room.

"Hush, my darling, don't cry, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight!"

"Jesus, it sounds like she's boiling a fuckin' cat," Corky whispered in disgust and knocked on the door again.

"A wimoweh, a wimoweh, a wimoweh..."

"God help us all," she exclaimed, coming to the abrupt decision to just open the door. "Commander?"

Corky had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. The woman had headphones on and was singing into her toothbrush as she stood in front of her little sink and mirror. Dressed in her fatigue pants and bra, she swayed her ass back and forth in time with the music.

Finally, she turned to see that she had unexpected company and Corky couldn't contain her laughter when she yelped and jumped in surprise, almost falling down. When she got over her shock, she ripped the Walkman off angrily, her eyes flashing indignantly with embarrassment.

"Don't you know how to knock?" she asked irritably and was none too pleased when the doctor indulged in a fresh gale of laughter. "What's so damn funny?"

Corky could barely summon the breath needed to answer. "Your face."

"What about my face?"

Corky raised a finger and pointed at the mirror.

Malory frowned and turned to take in her reflection, immediately flushing with a new wave of crimson. "Goddamn it," she hissed and reached for a towel to wipe away the toothpaste that covered her chin and was running down her neck.

"Do you..." Corky struggled, "...do you often foam at the mouth?"

Malory stomped her foot, ignoring the comment and afraid that the doctor's laughter might be contagious. "You might as well come in," she said sarcastically, picking up a T-shirt from the floor to put on.

Corky took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes before walking completely into the room. She looked around for a place to sit down but there wasn't a square inch of space that wasn't covered with something.

Malory saw the dilemma and walked over to throw the clothes covering the room's single chair onto the floor. "Have a seat."

Corky admired the disheveled room with amusement. "How do you walk around in here?"

"When it gets tired of me stepping on it, it just gets out of the way. Was there something you wanted to see me about?"

Corky smiled, the Commander was doing an admirable job of ignoring the blush that still clung to her face. It made her task a little easier. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner and maybe watch a movie?"

Malory blinked. "Huh?"

"Please, don't make me ask again. It was hard enough just to decide to."

A long, befuddled stare. "Sure, I'd like that."

Corky picked a spot in the mess that was somewhat secluded and sat down across from the Commander, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. Whether she was still embarrassed over having been caught goofing around or just perplexed at the developing situation was yet to be determined. She watched the woman play with the food on her plate and it suddenly occurred to her that the enigmatic Commander was probably used to being in charge and wasn't sure how to act when the shoe was on the other foot. She decided to press the perceived advantage.

"So, where are you from?"

"Uh... Boston."

"Interesting, you don't have an accent."

"No, I moved around too much to develop one."

"How old are you?"

"Thirty."

"What's your favorite food?"

"Pussy."

Corky's cheeks ballooned in an effort to stifle a bray of involuntary laughter; she covered her mouth with her hand and looked away in sudden embarrassment. When she had composed herself, she turned back to the table and looked at the Commander unbelievingly.

"Have you no shame?" she both asked and accused.

"Why did you ask me out?"

Corky shook her head sadly. "Because, despite the fact that you can be an atrocious bitch, I sense a likable person underneath."

Malory raised an eyebrow. "Does this mean you think I'm a hottie?"

Corky sighed. This was going to be more difficult than expected. "Can you at least try not to be an ass?"

A small smile. "I'll do my best."

"Your best can be very good when you put your mind to it."

"What in the world does that mean?"

"It means I've watched you," Corky said. "I've watched you win over everybody here. You're intelligent, capable, undemanding, and brave. I watched you risk your life to save Mark and unfortunately, I watched you be the most unendurable person I've ever met. Why can't you be the person that everybody likes and admires to me?"

A genuine smile. "Maybe it's a case of teasing the girl you like."

Corky chuckled. "We're not in grade school here. Your idea of teasing and mine are quite different. I've never hit anyone in anger until I met you."

"I had it coming," she said lamely.

Corky just stared. "You enjoyed it and you enjoyed pissing me off, didn't you?"

"I can't say that I enjoyed being struck. But yeah, it was a hoot watching you get madder than a one-legged cat trying to bury shit on a frozen pond."

Corky's eyes narrowed and the grip she had on her fork tightened. "Do you ever think before you speak or are you this tactless and tasteless with everybody?"

Chastised, Malory reviewed her part of the conversation. "I guess I could've phrased that differently," she admitted, shoving a heaping forkful of food in her mouth.

"Are you a virgin?"

"What?" she exclaimed around her food.

"You heard me."

Malory hurriedly swallowed. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because you come on stronger than cheap aftershave but don't have the faintest idea how to be flattering," she explained, watching the woman wolf down another huge mouthful of food. "Plus, you have despicable table manners, a crass vocabulary, and you're a slob. I would imagine those qualities don't appeal to many women."

Malory took the diatribe in stride. "You're the one who asked me to dinner, so I must appeal to you in some way."

Corky decided to use the Commander's tactics against her. "Sure, you've got an awesome set of tits."

"I knew you thought so," she replied triumphantly.

Foiled, Corky scowled. "So you didn't answer my question."

"What question was that?"

"Are you a virgin?"

"Would it make you happy if I said yes?"

"I don't know, it might answer some questions I have about you."

"Are you?"

"Am I what? A virgin?"

"Yeah."

"No, I'm not."

"Are you a slut then?"

Corky ground her teeth. "No, are you?"

"No, but I'm willing to learn."

The smile came without permission. "You kill me," she stated with a quick chuckle.

"Thanks...uhm... I guess."

"So tell me about yourself."

"What do you want to know?"

"Anything you want to tell me."

Malory propped her chin on her hand thoughtfully for a moment. "Well, I like needlessly violent movies and I vote Republican."

Corky laughed at her brevity. "Is that all you want to share?"

"I guess," she replied. "I'm not very good at this. If you want to know something it would be easier if you asked me."

Corky shook her head. "You vote Republican?"

"Of course," Malory said imperiously.

"Why would a gay officer in the military vote Republican?"

"Who said I was gay?"

Corky gaped. "Aren't you?"

"Well, duh."

An exasperated sigh. "You're being an ass again."

"Thanks for pointing that out," she said dryly. "I vote Republican because I believe in the bigger picture."

"Care to explain?"

"I won't endorse a party just because of selfishness. I try to balance between what's good for me and what's good for the country as a whole."

"For instance?"

"Take gun control for example. It's the very height of stupidity to believe that taking that right away from me will take guns away from criminals. The men and women that have fought and died for our country's ideals did not give their lives so I could be shot down defenseless in my home because some political hack convinced a majority of Congress that I should no longer have the right to bear arms."

"And this serves the bigger picture how?"

"How do I vote for a party that promises equal rights for homosexuals but wants to take rights away from the nation as a whole? That's the very definition of selfishness. I get something for me at everyone else's expense, that doesn't serve the bigger picture."

"Nice speech."

Malory shrugged. "I can ride a soapbox when I have to. Your turn."

"My turn for what?"

"Tell me about you."

Corky smiled engagingly. "What would you like to know?"

Malory leaned forward excitedly. "Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Do you have a family? Will you kiss me goodnight? Do you have a pet? How old are you? Do you have a home somewhere? Where do you want to go when you leave here? What kinda music do you like? What's your favorite...?"

"Wait!" Corky exclaimed with a laugh. "Lemme catch up."

"Okay."

"Let's see," she said. "I'm from Corpus Christi, I went to Texas A&M, my parents live in Arizona now, no siblings, maybe, no pets, twenty-seven, I sublet my apartment, I haven't thought about it, and classical."

Malory filtered through the responses carefully and smiled slyly. "You will."

"I will what?"

"So what do we have in the way of movies to watch?" she asked brightly.

When they entered the small lounge it was empty with the exception of the fair-featured Lieutenant Ring, who was sitting up asleep on the couch, his mouth hanging open. Malory walked over and nudged him from behind.

"Looks like your show is over," she said, gesturing to the blue-screened television when he groggily turned eyes in her direction.

"Uh... yeah," he mumbled, lifting himself to his feet and sleepwalking out of the room silently.

Malory watched him go with an amused smile and turned to her companion. "So what's playing?"

Corky ambled over and opened a large cabinet containing a huge assortment of DVD's. "You choose," she offered diplomatically.

Her eyes widened when she saw the collection. "Oh, cool," she said, ambling over to peruse.

"You don't seem to know a lot about this place for being the one in charge," Corky observed.

"I'm pacing myself," she replied, extending a case. "Let's watch this."

Corky looked at the cover and sighed. "Can we pick something else?"

"What's wrong with 'Reservoir Dogs'?"

Corky just rolled her eyes.

"Fine, you choose," Malory said, walking around and flopping down on the sofa.

"Okay," Corky said cheerfully, spending a few minutes going over her possible choices. "How about 'Hope Floats'?"

"What's it about?"

For an answer, Corky walked over and handed her the case to read, waiting for acceptance.

"I think I'd rather set myself on fire," Malory proclaimed, tossing the case on the coffee table as if it offended her.

Corky closed her eyes and sighed.

After ten minutes of offers and rejections they finally agreed on 'Kingpin'. A movie that Malory enjoyed immensely, often laughing raucously at the crude humor that Corky endured with small sighs, eye rolling, and the occasional small chuckle.

As soon as it ended, Malory spun around in her seat unexpectedly, ending up on her back, her legs dangling over the end of the sofa and her head in Corky's lap. She stared up at her surprised companion hopefully. "You wanna make out now?"

"You're unbelievable," Corky said, amused.

"So is that a yes?"

"I think I'll pass," Corky said with a grin.

"Come on, you know you want to," Malory rumbled.

Corky brought a hand up to smooth red hair from the face in her lap. Surprised at herself, she tore her hand away as if it were on fire. Displacing the woman from her lap roughly, she stood and took several steps away from the sofa.

Almost thrown to the floor, Malory resituated herself confusedly and turned a questioning look on her companion. "Well, gee. A simple no would've sufficed."

Corky threw her a regretful look. "I'm sorry," she said. "Maybe we better call it a night."

Malory frowned but nodded her acceptance reluctantly. "Come on," she said, standing up and gesturing to the door. "I'll walk you to your quarters."

Corky nodded and preceded her into the hall, glancing over her shoulder occasionally at the obviously moping woman. Coming to a decision, she turned when they reached Medical and held out a hand, which Malory tentatively took with a quizzical expression.

Corky pulled her forward and stood on her tiptoes, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight, Malory," she said and quickly disengaged to retreat into her quarters, closing the door behind her.

The Commander watched the door close and let a goofy smile take control of her features. She turned on her heel and happily bounced down the hall toward her own quarters.

"A wimoweh, a wimoweh, a wimoweh," she warbled.

IV

05/02/02 - 0730 hours

The next morning, Malory entered the mess and was disappointed not to find the doctor in attendance. She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat with the educated types, hobnobbing with them cheerfully for close to an hour. When they eventually broke up to go make themselves busy, she rapidly found herself bored. Torn between returning to her office to do nothing and paying the doctor a visit, she chose the latter.

She burst into Medical with a happy smile only to have it slowly change into a frown; the place was deserted. Disenchanted, she was turning to leave when she spotted an abandoned stethoscope residing upon a countertop. Excited at the discovery, she wasted no time in experimenting with it, immediately putting it on and listening to her heartbeat. When that activity became dull, she began placing it on every object she could find, hoping it would make a noise. She was in the process of clicking Corky's desk lamp on and off in the hopes that the light bulb would make a cool sound when a throat being cleared signaled that she had been caught playing.

She turned to find the doctor staring at her from the doorway, her face a mixture of curiosity, peevishness, and amusement.

"Uhm... I was just...uh..." she struggled, noting Corky's raised eyebrow and finally opted for the truth. "Okay, I was fuckin' around."

"No kidding?"

Malory shrugged lamely, watching the doctor set her coffee down and walk over to grab the end of the stethoscope dangling on her chest.

"This is not a toy," Corky said sternly and for good measure, flicked the sensor sharply and pulled the scope from her ears.

"Oww," Malory yelped.

"What are you doing in here anyway?" Corky asked, trying not to be amused at the chastised look she was receiving.

"I guess I wanted to see you."

Corky looked at her inquisitively for a long moment, unsure what to say in response. "I..."

"Commander?" the radio on Malory's waist squawked loudly.

Irritated at the interruption, she snatched it from her belt. "What?"

"Uhm... Commander, are you alone?" McNeely asked.

"No," Malory said confusedly. "Should I be?"

"I think that would be best, Commander."

"Very well," she said. "Five minutes."

"Understood."

Malory put the radio back on her belt with a wrinkled brow.

"What was that about?"

"No idea," she said. "Uhm... I have to go," she said, making tracks for the door.

"Malory?" Corky said before she could leave and she stopped in the doorway, turning a pleased look over her shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Drop by my quarters tonight, if you want," Corky said shyly.

A slow, shit-eating grin. "Should I wear something sexy?"

"Do you own anything sexy?" Corky asked, rolling her eyes.

"Just my birthday suit."

"Come fully dressed."

Malory walked the last few paces to the bottom of excavation, breathing heavily. The conversation with McNeely had been cryptic and uninformative, the man only saying that they had found something and her presence was required. She took the last step and let out a relieved breath; the going down was tiring and painfully slow. The men were standing about fifty yards away, apparently standing around and shooting the shit.

"Sergeant Major," she yelled out and McNeely broke from the crowd, starting an easy jog over to meet her and she admired him as he approached. Easily a decade and change older than her, the Sergeant moved with an easy grace that spoke of a lifetime of physical conditioning. Other than the dark brown hair above his ears that had started to gray, one would suspect the man to be a least ten years younger than he actually was. His green eyes sparkled with intelligence and hinted at a barely suppressed sly humor.

"What's the big deal?" she asked when he arrived.

"Just come take a look," he said with a haunted expression.

She started striding in the direction of the other men, McNeely falling into pace beside her. "What's with the cloak and dagger shit, Sergeant? What the hell did you find and why does it smell like a whorehouse at low tide down here?

McNeely shook his head. "You'll need something to cover your nose, the smell is worse over by the guys."

Malory watched as he lifted a rag to cover his mouth and nose. Thinking it best to follow the man's advice, she dug in her pockets for a handkerchief and followed suit. "Sergeant, I want some answers," she said threateningly.

"I wish I could give them to you."

She was about to call the man up short but paused as they came in range of the rest of the men, suddenly feeling uneasy as she took in the expressions on their faces. The crowd parted for her and she walked through them to see what they were all so bothered about, coming to an abrupt halt and tightening the grip on her handkerchief.

Her mind almost refused to process the sight in front of her and she felt her knees go weak. When she finally found her voice, it came out sounding as alien as the appendage protruding through the ice.

"What in the blue fuck is that?"

No one answered her and eventually she recovered enough poise to study the find in front of her. About six feet away was what she assumed to be part of an arm, the skin greenish-black and biomechanical in appearance. At the end of the appendage was what she guessed was the creature's hand, although it only had two fingers and a lethal looking claw that served as a thumb. The fingers themselves arachnid in structure, multi-jointed, and curled around the sides of the wrist like a ram's horns. The smell was overpoweringly foul.

Finally, she turned away from the scene and surveyed the faces surrounding her. "Anyone not here that knows about this?"

"No, Commander," McNeely said. "I wouldn't let anyone leave."

"Good call," she said. "Cover that thing with snow and mark it, then all of you join me by the ramp," she ordered and marched off, her mind already putting up walls to distort what she had seen.

When she reached the ramp she plopped down on the snow and took off her hat, the portable lights making her warm and so bright she wished she had brought her sunglasses. Some of the men had walked back with her and they followed her example as they waited for the ones who had stayed behind to arrive.

Eventually, McNeely and Alvarez walked up and she stood to address them. "Well, I guess we all knew they were digging up a spacecraft, we shouldn't be so surprised to find one of the passengers," she said quietly. "Personally, I never stopped to think about how alien an alien might be."

"No shit there," Alvarez commented, getting a few reluctant chuckles.

"Mr. McNeely, how satisfied are you with the safety of present working conditions down here?"

"Went faster than I thought it would, skipper," he said. "I was gonna give the green light by the end of the day."

"Very well," she said. "I want everyone here to keep this under your hat until tomorrow and I'll address everyone in the morning. I'm sure more than one of the geeks will get a hard-on over this. However, I feel the need to take some precautions..."

"I concur with that, Commander," Reynolds interrupted, looking at her questioningly and she nodded for him to continue. "We have no idea what we're dealing with here, no telling what that thing is gonna look like or be capable of when they dig it out."

Malory blinked. "Are you suggesting that it might still be alive?"

"What I'm saying is we don't know a damn thing about it. It looked pretty preserved to me, who knows what its constitution might be if thawed out. I would suggest an armed detail to oversee the excavation from this point and to stand guard over anything biological they might pull out of here."

"I am in full agreement with Chief Reynolds, Commander," McNeely said, prompting several of the men to speak up in conformity.

Malory played with her sombrero thoughtfully for a moment. "Very well, starting tomorrow I want all military personnel issued sidearms, to be carried until it is deemed unnecessary. Also, I want the men providing security over the dig issued rifles. You'll see to this Sergeant Major and I'll want a full accounting on a daily basis."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Additionally, I want to make damn sure that everyone has radios with them at all times. Let's also see to it that we have constant communication with McMurdo, even if this means going outside daily to clear the dome for the communication dishes. And start keeping a closer eye on the weather. Chief, this is your responsibility."

"Yes, Commander."

"Lieutenant Ring isn't down here but I also want the helicopter in a constant state of readiness in the event of an emergency, I'll inform him when we get topside. Is there anything else that needs to be brought to my attention at this time?"

She looked around expectantly.

"Alright then, if an issue comes up take me aside before I address everyone in the morning. Any questions?"

There were none.

She put on her sombrero. "Let's get the hell out of here."

Malory scrubbed herself thoroughly in the shower, attempting to wash away the uneasiness that still lingered. Upon exit, all thoughts of space monsters were pushed aside in anticipation of an evening spent with the doctor and she hurriedly made herself presentable. Being unable to contain her enthusiasm, she arrived at Corky's quarters only fifteen minutes after the duty shift.

When the door opened, Malory beamed what she hoped was her best winning smile. "Hi there!" she said brightly to the woman still dressed in her lab coat and wearing a bemused expression.

Corky tried not to laugh. "A little early aren't you?"

"Am I?" Malory asked in mock surprise. "Can I come in?"

Corky considered. "Okay."

Malory immediately brushed past the little doctor and walked into the room, spotting the cot instantly and flopping down excitedly. "You would think that with all the money they poured into this place they could provide more than a cot for everyone to sleep on," she speculated cheerfully, casting a come hither look in Corky's direction.

"Make yourself at home," Corky said as she closed the door.

"I will, thank you."

Corky shook her head. "You know, I haven't even had time to take a shower."

"I don't mind waiting, go ahead," Malory said, shooting a happy glance at the extremely exposed shower stall situated in the corner of the room and turned a sly expression back in the doctor's direction. "I like to watch."

Corky didn't know whether to be upset or amused. "I don't think so."

"Why not?" Malory asked. "I'd let you watch me."

A small chuckle. "Why don't I meet you in the mess in about half an hour?"

"Huh?" Malory asked disappointedly. "I thought you asked me to come to your quarters."

"I did, but I'm not taking a shower with you in the room."

"Would it make you feel better if I joined you?"

"No," Corky laughed.

"Why are you playing so hard to get? I know you're warm for my form."

Corky's mouth dropped open. "God."

Malory grinned shamelessly.

"I can't believe you," Corky said. "Do you honestly expect to win me over so easily with your ham-fisted charm?"

"Well..." Malory considered, raising a finger to her lips thoughtfully, "...yeah," she said as if it were obvious.

Lips tightened into a tense line. "Not too long ago, I would've pissed all over myself in joy if you were to have suddenly died and now you expect me to just jump in bed with you?"

"What better way to bury the hatchet?" Malory asked, spreading her arms invitingly. "Come get some."

A sharp breath. "Get out," she hissed.

"Huh?"

Corky pointed to the door. "Get out."

"But..."

"Get out, Commander."

"But..."

"Now."

Malory rose from the cot slowly, belatedly realizing that she had painted herself into a corner. Plans to rectify the situation raced through her mind, but one look at the doctor's red face told her anything she might say or do at this point would not be welcomed. Dragging her feet, she slowly shuffled past the fuming doctor and stepped into the hall, the door loudly slamming shut behind her.

Shit.

05/03/02 - 0730 hours

Still sulking from the night before, Malory emerged from her quarters and sat down in her chair, displacing Little Lovecraft and setting her on the desk in front of her.

"Well, my friend. Looks like I screwed the pooch. Any advice?"

She stared at the doll as if she expected it to answer. "I thought so," she said. "Any comments?" she asked and reached out to pull the string.

"Like I give a shit," Little Lovecraft said sarcastically and she chuckled.

"Thanks," she said with an amused smile. "You always cheer me up."

She heard footsteps approaching from the hall and hurriedly stuffed her companion into a desk drawer. McNeely stopped at the doorframe to knock but stopped when he saw her at her desk and she gestured him in. He placed a holstered .45 and two magazines on the desk in front of her.

She stood to attach the weapon to her belt. "Everybody equipped?"

"Yes, Commander," he said. "You were the last."

"Anything I need to know this morning?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"I want everybody to take turns watching over excavation."

"I'll prepare a duty list. I have Alvarez and Cohen slated for the job if they go down today."

"I'm sure they will," she said knowingly. "I guess we're ready, let me call in the troops and I'll meet you in the mess shortly."

"Alright," he said in departure and she reached for the phone.

Clovis burst into Medical excitedly. "Corky!"

She looked up from her desk, smiling at the boisterous greeting. "What's up, Clovis?"

He walked over and whispered conspiratorially. "Something's goin' on. Lieutenant Ring and Chief Reynolds were in the mess this morning."

"So? They not allowed to eat?"

He spared her a condescending look. "They were armed."

"Huh?"

"They were wearing guns, Corky."

"What for?" she asked. "Did someone attack us in the middle of the night?"

"I kinda doubt that," he laughed but stopped suddenly and eyed her carefully. "But since you and the Macho Nacho are so chummy, I thought I'd get you to ask her what's going on," he said with a knowing grin.

"Chummy? How would you know?"

"Gimme a break, Corky. Gossip flies around in here at the speed of light."

"Gossip?" she chuckled. "And I thought women were bad."

He shrugged. "So will you ask her?"

"Why would she tell me?"

"God, Corky. You graduated from medical school, you can't be this dense," he said, shaking his head. "The woman's gorgeous, every guy in the place is at half-mast when she walks by but the only person she notices is you."

"Isn't that special," she said sarcastically, still miffed at the arrogant woman.

"Would all personnel assemble in the mess by 0800, please," the Commander's voice blared over the intercom. "Attendance is mandatory."

"Hmmm," Clovis grunted. "Looks like I won't need you to take advantage of the Commander's affections."

"Clovis..." she started in annoyance.

Malory strode into the mess when she was reasonably sure everyone would already be there, purposely avoiding glancing anywhere in the direction of the doctor. She took a seat at the front of the room and met all of the curious looks directed at her.

"There's been a development," she stated. "Yesterday, Mr. McNeely and the crew working in excavation uncovered part of, what we guess, is a corpse."

A few seconds of silence immediately followed by excited whispers.

"Why weren't we informed immediately, Commander," Clovis asked in annoyance and his colleagues nodded their approval of the question.

"A couple of reasons," Malory said. "First, Mr. McNeely had yet to inform me that he was satisfied with the conditions down there and second, the corpse isn't human."

"What do you mean not human?" Clovis asked, barely containing his excitement.

"In my opinion, not of this Earth."

"When can we view the specimen, Commander?" Dr. Lenard asked.

"I'm prepared to allow personnel to return to excavation today," Malory said. "However, there will be stipulations."

"Such as?" Clovis asked.

"There will be two armed men overseeing the dig at all times," Malory said. "This is just a precaution until we are certain there's no threat. This is nonnegotiable."

"What are we in danger of, Commander?" Dr. Ballenger asked.

"The... life form... was remarkably preserved," Malory said. "And it was brought to my attention that we know nothing of its capabilities. Until I am convinced that it, or anything else biological we find down there is no threat, it's always better to have and not need than to need and not have."

"What are the other stipulations?" Clovis asked.

"As I said before, if anyone is found not in possession of a radio, they will be confined to quarters with nothing but a radio to keep them company. This is for everyone's safety and is also nonnegotiable. In addition, those same consequences will be imposed on anyone working in excavation without a safety rope," she said firmly. "This goes double for Mr. Isaaks," she added with a smile in the man's direction. "Any questions?"

She looked around but no one seemed inclined to speak up. Everyone but the soldiers wore eager expressions. "Alright, I'll let you get to it," she said finally and her audience practically leaped from their seats.

"Some last minute advice," she said loudly over the rising clamor. "It smells like angry diarrhea down there, take precautions and don't give me a reason to get pissed off at anyone."

They fidgeted anxiously and she waved them away. "Dismissed," she ordered, unable to keep from smiling at the childlike enthusiasm they displayed and watching amusedly as they fled from the room.

She stayed in her seat, composing scenarios that she could use to approach Corky that didn't give the impression of desperation. It was when the last body filtered by that she saw the doctor had also remained seated and she felt a spark of hope. Perhaps, she wouldn't have to grovel after all. She tried not to let a cocky smile take control and returned the doctor's stare impassively.

The minutes passed and finally, Corky got up to go refill her coffee mug. Malory watched nervously as she refreshed her beverage and walked over to stand a few paces away, staring at her with the same neutral look on her face. She couldn't take the silence, it was only a matter of seconds until she broke and begged for forgiveness. She cut it off at the pass.

"What?" she asked. "Do I have a booger?" she added, bringing a hand up to rub at her nose.

Corky fought it, but the smile came anyway. "I don't know why I bother."

"It's the magic that is me."

A sigh.

"Because I want you just as much as you want me," Malory relented. "I'm just honest enough not to beat around the bush about it."

"That's probably true," Corky conceded.

"So why fight it?"

A deep breath. "If you think you can behave as something other than a randy adolescent, we can talk about it tonight."

"Really?"

"Really," Corky said. "Show up at least an hour after duty shift."

"Okay," she said. "There's no one here but us, can I talk you out of anything other than a 'Goodnight, Malory' cheek peck?"

Corky looked around the room guardedly and closed the distance between them, leaning over the Commander seductively, bringing her mouth to within an inch of Malory's.

"No," she said and clapped the Commander on the shoulder cordially.

"That wasn't fair," Malory whined as the doctor strode from the room with a cavalier wave.

It was near the end of the day and Malory was sitting in her office playing 'Tomb Raider' when the radio squawked.

"Commander?" Alvarez said.

"Go ahead."

"They uncovered the...uh... thing," he reported. "They want to transport it to the lab."

"I see," she said slowly. "What's it look like?"

"You don't want to know."

She shuddered. "I'll take your word on that. What would it take to get it up here?"

"A lot of time. It's in some sort of fucked up chair. Stokes wants to send someone back for a stretcher."

"Tell them to leave it in the ice until tomorrow, my order."

"Will do," Alvarez said. "Do you want me to report to you when I get topside?"

"No, thank you," Malory said quickly. "I think I can make it through the night without a description. I'll see it soon enough."

"Understand that, out."

She returned the radio to her belt and checked the time on the computer, a smile in the works. She hopped from her seat to go get ready.

By the time she knocked on the door to Corky's quarters, she had devised a new plan. The meat and potatoes of which consisted of her thinking very carefully before she opened her mouth. It wouldn't be easy, but she was determined.

She waited what she deemed was a polite amount of time and knocked on the door again, the thought that the doctor still might be in the shower entering her mind. Debating carefully, she decided to knock one more time before she poked her head in, knowing a Peeping Tom incident would go over about as well as a concrete balloon. With still no answer forthcoming, she finally opened the door a crack.

"Dr. Rivers?" she called out hesitantly.

Receiving no reply, she entered the room and found it empty. Scowling slightly, she exited and walked one door over to Medical, only to find it deserted as well. The scowl deepened as she wandered from room to room, finally ending up in the mess with still no sign of the elusive doctor. Puzzled and disappointed, she returned to her office where a clue flew in and hit her in the head, she reached for her radio.

"Sergeant Alvarez," she called.

"Go ahead."

"What's your status?"

"Still in excavation, Commander," he said tiredly.

"Why?"

"They're still fawning over the damn thing."

She could almost see the compact Hispanic man rolling his eyes. "Is Dr. Rivers down there?"

"Yeah, she's here."

Malory sighed. "Very well, give them a little longer and then tell them to wrap it up."

"Will do," he said, obviously happy to get the order.

"Lovecraft, out."

She leaned back in her chair and sighed again, deciding she would pass the time with a movie.

It was after midnight when Corky got out of the shower. Malory had been right, the smell in excavation had been hideous and being in such close proximity to the creature had made her clothes stink as well. Earlier, Clovis had called her down to take a look at it and she found herself unable to resist. Caught up in her own curiosity and everyone's excitement, the time had gotten away from them. That is, until Alvarez had informed them, in no uncertain terms, that it was bedtime and they could play with their new toy tomorrow. It was then she realized how late it was and that she had unwittingly stood the Commander up.

Guiltily, she dressed and slipped out the door, hoping Malory would still be up so she could at least apologize. When she entered the Commander's office, it was dark and there was no light coming from under the door to her quarters. With a sigh, she turned to leave and took a few steps into the hall before turning impulsively, walking back into the office and quietly entering Malory's quarters, closing the door behind her. She stood silently, letting her eyes adapt to the dark and then utilizing the light from the clock to guide her to the Commander's cot. Praying that she was making the right decision, she stripped to her panties and T-shirt before climbing in next to the sleeping woman. She had to nudge her a few times to make room for herself and ignored the sleepy grumbles of protest as she slipped under the blankets.

So far so good, she snuggled up next to a delightfully naked back, putting a tentative arm around her waist and cautiously burying her face into clean smelling hair. She caught her breath in surprise when Malory suddenly grabbed her arm, but ended up smiling as her hand was cuddled between a pair of breasts. It took a few minutes for her to realize the Commander was still asleep but when she did, Corky quickly fell asleep beside her.

05/04/02 - 0659 hours

Malory noticed several things immediately upon waking up. First, was the floor, and she was staring at it because half of her body was hanging over the side of the cot. In addition, there was a warm weight resting on her back and most surprisingly, there was a possessive grip on her left breast.

Her eyes traveled down her chest to examine the hand that the grip belonged to and an eyebrow went up in satisfaction. It was a small, obviously feminine hand and since it wasn't her own, the odds were favorable that it belonged to none other than Corky Rivers.

She craned her head around to look at the clock; it was set to go off in less than a minute. Smiling, she plastered on her most smug expression and waited to see how the doctor would react to rising in such a compromising situation.

The alarm went off with a shrill and irritating electronic beep and Corky's eyes grudgingly opened, then almost instantly widened as she found her cheek resting on a naked back and a pleasant softness filling her hand that could only be one thing. She froze in horror, immediately wishing that she had thought her impulsive decision from the night before all the way through. She hadn't given a moment's thought to how awkward it would be to wake up uninvited in someone else's bed or to be caught fondling the body that the bed belonged to.

The alarm continued to blare and Malory could feel the tension running through the body resting on top of her, she decided to make the most of it.

She cleared her throat loudly. "Uhm... if it isn't too much of a bother, could you let go of my boob long enough to turn off the alarm?"

Corky flushed with embarrassment, silently removing her hand and turning to slap the alarm behind her irritably, instantly wishing she hadn't as she found the resulting silence even more uncomfortable.

Malory was anything but uncomfortable, enjoying the situation immensely. "There's some Kleenex on the nightstand, would you mind wiping the drool off my back?" she asked, almost laughing when she heard the horrified gasp her request had produced.

Corky's eyes dropped to Malory's back in mortification but after a quick examination, they turned to the ceiling in annoyance. "Funny," she said finally, bracing herself against the inevitable laughter.

She was surprised when it didn't come and Malory turned around, gathering her arms around her and pulling her close. "I haven't woken up so happy in years."

It was the last thing Corky had expected and she buried her face into the crook of the Commander's neck with a relieved sigh.

Malory ran her hands inquisitively through Corky's hair, enjoying how soft it felt as she waited for the doctor to emerge from her place of refuge. Eventually, she stirred and lifted shy brown eyes up to meet hers. "I knew you could be sweet if you wanted to," she said triumphantly.

Malory smiled. "I'm not the ogre you make me out to be."

"I never called you an ogre."

Malory shrugged indifferently. "So can I have that kiss now?"

Corky chewed on her lip thoughtfully.

"Oh, come on," Malory sighed. "It's the least you could do after having felt me up."

Brown eyes looked away in embarrassment. "I was asleep."

"If you kiss me, I'll let you feel me up anytime you want," Malory offered brightly.

Corky chuckled. "Okay," she relented, bashfully moving forward.

Her mouth had almost completed its journey when a hand blocked the way, completely obscuring the lips below hers.

"Wait!" Malory said, her voice muffled by her hand and Corky backed away uncertainly, looking at her in puzzlement.

"Could you brush your teeth first?" she asked. "Your breath would make a dung beetle barf."

Corky went completely limp in exasperation, her face falling into the blankets as the Commander's chuckles washed over her. She waited stoically for her mirth to subside.

"You just can't make it easy, can you?" she muttered.

"Nope."

"Corky, where you at?" Clovis's voice blared from the radio on the floor.

"Oh, shit." Corky sprang upright in alarm.

"Corky, you there?" Clovis asked. "You better have your radio with you or the boss is gonna be pissed."

Malory chuckled and reached down to retrieve the radio from the floor. "You better answer him or I might have to discipline you."

Corky snatched it from her hand. "Go ahead, Clovis."

"Where the hell are you?" came the immediate response.

She bit her lip. "Where are you?"

"I'm in Medical."

Malory snickered and received a slap on the arm. "I'm in the mess," she offered, crossing her fingers.

"I just left there, I must have missed you. No biggie, on my way back now."

"Shit," Corky cursed, jumping over the Commander and gathering her pants from the floor in a panic.

Malory reclined on the cot, watching the show with interest as Corky frantically wiggled into her fatigues.

"Goddamn it," she exclaimed, tossing dirty clothes aside. "Where's my other boot? How do you find anything in this shithole?"

"You'll never get there before he does."

"Shut up," Corky said, then squealed as she found her other boot and dropped to the floor to pull it on.

"What the hell, Corky?" Clovis said. "Where did you go?"

"Told you."

Corky froze, totally at a loss.

"Just tell him you're in my office and you'll get back to him shortly," Malory offered.

Her shoulders slumped in relief. "Sorry, Clovis," she answered. "The Commander wanted to see me, I'll call you back in a minute."

"Alright, got lots to do today," he said. "See ya in a few."

She fell onto her back, lying in a pile of dirty clothes. "Jesus."

"I'm glad you came by last night," Malory said.

"I am too," Cory replied from her position on the floor.

"Will I see you again tonight?"

"Only if you clean this place up or come to my quarters."

"I'll come to your quarters."

Corky chuckled and rose to finish lacing her boot, glancing up to meet blue eyes watching her intently from a few feet away. "What are you staring at?"

"You. You're a beautiful woman," she replied, smiling at the resulting blush.

"So are you," Corky said, trying to ignore the heat on her face. "Most of the time. When your mouth doesn't get in the way."

Malory chuckled.

"I better go," Corky said, rising to her feet.

"Okay."

The doctor debated for an instant, then hastily stepped forward and leaned in to place a quick peck on the Commander's mouth, withdrawing swiftly and rushing through the door without looking back.

Malory watched her go with a smile and snuggled under the covers contentedly.

V

The Commander had been checking her watch every few minutes for the last hour, unable to concentrate on anything else but the approaching end of the current duty shift. She was down to counting the last few minutes when McNeely's voice from the radio demanded her attention.

"Commander?"

She sighed pitifully, knowing she would probably have to put her plans on hold. "Go ahead."

"They were going to page you but I thought I'd give you a heads up. They want you in the lab."

She groaned, having harbored the secret hope that she wouldn't have to look at the damn thing. "And the heads up would be?"

"Hope you haven't eaten recently," he said and she winced, knowing that if the burly Sergeant thought to say something, it would be a dreadful sight.

"On my way, Lovecraft out."

She arrived at the lab a few minutes later and found McNeely waiting for her just inside the door. The laboratory was actually the largest room, or series of rooms, in the entire complex. Entering through the main door brought you to a glass-enclosed lobby of sorts, where one had to pass through a vacuum-sealed door to actually have access to the facilities inside.

She noted Sergeant Terrel and Airman Daly standing behind McNeely, hands tight on their rifles and their attention fixated upon the activity inside. Malory avoided looking for as long as she could, glad that several of the scientists were hovering around the creature, partially obstructing it from view.

"Commander, you'll want to put this on," McNeely said, extending a hand offering a clip for her nose, she looked at the man, noting that he was already wearing one.

"Thank you," she said. "Let's get this over with."

McNeely pushed through the door and she followed him through. Dr. Lenard turned at the sound of their entrance and beckoned her over with a wave. She approached and the scientists parted to give her a full view of the exam table, she wasn't wholly prepared to look at the creature in its entirety.

The thing appeared to be equal parts insect, humanoid, and technology, its skin where visible, was the same greenish-black that she remembered. It seemed to be sitting backwards in a chair, not all that surprising considering its trunk resembled the hindquarters of a cat, only attached in the reverse and covered sparsely with a thick, coarse hair or antennae. Its arms were projected outward as if trying to protect itself from something, the torso covered in a carapace, like that of a huge cockroach, and seemingly fused to the strange looking chair. Tentacles, peppered with imbedded implants of alien technology, protruded from an orifice in the neck and wrapped themselves around the shoulders and groin. The actual head of the alien was the most disturbing feature to behold, resembling a snail's shell with no other visible features except for a frighteningly wide mouth consisting of three different rows of triangular teeth, all of which looked razor sharp and protruded in all directions.

"God," she said. "Look at the choppers on that thing."

"No kidding," McNeely said from behind her. "I wouldn't want it going down on me."

His comment brought her out of her study with a chuckle and she looked up at the sound of a familiar laugh, surprised to see Corky on the far side of the examining table. She shot her a small smile and wondered why she hadn't noticed her upon entering.

"Okay, why am I here?"

Dr. Lenard spoke up. "A couple of reasons, Commander. First, you should be aware that it's impossible for this creature to suddenly reanimate. Its quite dead."

"And you're convinced of this why?"

"That's the second reason," he said, gesturing for the others to help him turn the alien on its side. "You'll notice that the back of the head and a good portion of the rear torso seem to be missing," he said, pointing to several gaping holes and missing chunks in the body.

Malory leaned closer to observe and grimaced upon inspection. "Okay, and?"

"In our estimation," Corky said. "The damage to the creature's body was inflicted by one of its own kind."

"Huh?" Malory blinked.

"We took a cast of the creature's mouth," Corky explained, producing a hideous plaster representation of the alien's teeth. "As you can see," she said, holding the cast up to the wounds on the creatures back. "These injuries were made by an entity with the same dental framework."

Malory watched the plaster teeth line up almost exactly with the ragged wounds in the creature's body. "So they're cannibals," she said. "Or one of them was really pissed off at the other."

"Cannibals would be my guess," Dr. Lenard said. "A good portion of this alien's internal body mass is missing."

She winced and tried not visualize. "Alright, if we find one of these things intact, what are the chances of it getting up and walking around if thawed?"

"None," Dr. Lenard said. "Our atmosphere would be deadly to a living life form of this type."

"And you're a hundred percent sure of this?"

"Yes."

She pursed her lips thoughtfully, rocking back and forth on her heels for a moment. "Your opinion, Mr. McNeely?"

"I'd prefer to remain cautious," McNeely said. "A lot of unknowns here, the craft might have had more than one kind of life form aboard."

She nodded in agreement. "Okay, everyone remains armed for the time being, but lets cut the guard in excavation down to one."

"Very well, Commander," McNeely said.

She looked at the gathered scientists. "Is there anything else?"

Dr. Lenard glanced at his colleagues questioningly. "I don't believe so, Commander."

"Very well then," she said. "Please keep me informed," she added and turned to stride from the room, McNeely on her heels.

As soon as they were outside, she reached to pull the clip from her nose, turning to the Sergeant with a sour look. "Is that you or me that smells so bad?"

"Unfortunately, its both of us."

"Jesus, that's rank."

He nodded to concur. "They weren't pleased by maintaining a guard in excavation."

"No, they weren't," she said. "But this whole space monster thing gives me the jeebies. Plus, if someone wasn't down there to tell them to call it a day, they'd be at it all night."

"True enough."

She gestured over her shoulder at Terrel and Daly. "Stow their rifles and give them the night off. Apparently, that thing isn't gonna get up and table dance."

He smiled and gave her a nod.

"I'm headed for a shower. Goodnight, Sergeant Major."

"Goodnight, Commander," he said, watching her stroll from the room.

Malory lay on the cot in her quarters feeling sorry for herself. It had been over two hours since she had left the lab and suspected she wouldn't hear from the doctor anytime soon. It was a hard pill to swallow playing second fiddle to some hideous, foul smelling monster that also happened to be dead. She was trying not to let it bruise her ego.

She spared a glance around the room and frowned; she had even cleaned her quarters for the woman. With a long, disappointed sigh, she rolled over to turn off the light, stopping halfway there when a knock came at the door.

"Yes?" she said loudly, a hopeful lilt to her voice.

"Can I come in?" Corky asked.

"Of course," she said happily.

Corky entered the room, closing the door behind her and projecting a sheepish look. "Sorry," she said. "Hey, you cleaned up in here."

"Are you impressed?" Malory asked, pleased that her efforts had been noticed.

"Yes, actually," Corky said but then smiled knowingly. "You ran out of clean clothes, didn't you?"

"Nope, I did all of this for you."

"Really?"

Malory considered. "Okay, I ran out of clothes too."

Corky chuckled. "Uh huh."

"Are you gonna stand by the door all night or come over here?"

Corky swayed indecisively. "Are you naked under there?" she asked, pointing at the blankets.

"Would it make a difference?" Malory asked, smiling seductively.

"Yeah," Corky admitted. "I was hoping we could talk."

"Wouldn't you rather just sit on my face?"

Corky's jaw dropped. "Jesus, could you be less romantic?"

Malory choked back the intended retort. "Sorry," she forced, resituating herself cross-legged on the end of the cot and gesturing to the available space. "Make yourself comfortable and tell me what you want to talk about."

The doctor sighed and sat down, pulling off her boots. "Larry said you were decorated, will you tell me about it?"

Blue eyes narrowed. "What else did Larry say?"

"Only that you were considered unorthodox."

"He shared more than he should have."

Corky turned to face her, pulling the opposite end of the blankets up over her legs. "Will you tell me?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to know more about you," she answered. "And I know that women in the military aren't typically exposed to situations that result in combat decorations. I also know that a young, female officer wouldn't be the choice of many to oversee an installation of this importance."

"I'll tell you if you tell me why you have problem with the military in general."

"Okay," Corky said. "You go first."

"What exactly do you want to know?"

"How did you get your decorations?"

"I was in a helicopter over Bosnia that came under fire and I took a hit in my thigh," Malory said. "The aircraft itself took several and was crippled. We were forced off course and crashed into the Adriatic."

"Is that how you hurt your shoulder?"

"Yeah," Malory said. "Compound fracture of the clavicle, dislocated shoulder, torn rotator cuff, blah, blah, blah."

Corky winced sympathetically. "And?"

"And what?"

"What's the rest?"

"There were five people on board, only two survived and made it to the surface. One was a Marine Colonel who had broken his back when we crashed. I pulled him out of the wreckage and kept him afloat until we were rescued almost forty-eight hours later."

"How did you do that with a useless arm and a wounded leg?"

"With a great deal of pain."

"I can't imagine how horrible that must have been."

"It isn't something I look back on fondly."

"What were you decorated with?"

"The DSM and a Purple Heart."

"What's a DSM?"

"The Distinguished Service Medal. Now tell me your story."

"Its pretty simple really," Corky said. "Former lover of three years also happened to be in the Army. I never really fit in with her crowd and always felt looked down upon because I was a civilian. I moved across the country twice when she was transferred just to be with her, even though she was distant and treated me as if I wasn't good enough for her. The third time she was transferred she told me not to bother to come with her and informed me that she had been seeing someone else for the last two years. Not surprisingly, another officer."

"Is that how you ended up here?"

"Pretty much. Larry was a Professor I had in college. When I completed my residency, he approached me with the job."

"I'm sorry about your girlfriend."

"I'm not. She was a horrible girlfriend and an even worse officer," she said and looked away, suddenly shy. "She couldn't hold a candle to you. I judged everyone in uniform by what I saw from her and the people she associated with. I look at you and see everything she could never be. Everyone here respects you, civilian and military alike, and not because you're the boss, but because you're a leader."

Malory smiled. "Can we make out now?"

Corky laughed. "No, tell me how you got here."

The Commander sighed heavily and shrugged. "I'm a promotable officer and was going to resign my commission. They threw me a bone."

"You were going to resign? Why?" Corky asked in surprise.

"Because my whole life has been nothing but the Navy," she replied. "I was of a mind to see what life was like without it."

"You changed your mind?"

"They made me an offer. Take the position here and use the time to reconsider. Since I didn't have any idea of what I wanted to do once I resigned, I agreed."

"Do you have a girl in every port?"

"Nope."

"Have a girl anywhere?"

"Nope."

"Are you a virgin?"

"I lost my cherry but still have the box it came in."

Corky laughed. "Where did you get your vocabulary?

"It was on sale at Sears. Can I see you naked?"

"Maybe. Have you had a lot of lovers?

"Numerically, you'd be the second but as far as I'm concerned, the first and only."

"Really?"

"Really on both counts."

"I'm having a hard time resisting you."

"Why would you want to?

Eyes rolled. "Do you have any idea what a hateful bitch you were to me?"

"It was the quickest way to solve the problem."

"That's it? No, I'm sorry?"

"Did you know the minute I saw you I got wet?"

"Could've fooled me."

"Get over it."

"It's not that easy."

"Yes, it is. Just kiss me."

"You think its that simple?"

"Yes."

"It isn't for me."

Malory threw up her hands in exasperation and abruptly leaned forward, resting on her hands and knees, her face suddenly an inch away from Corky's. "Then I'll kiss you," she whispered and gently covered the doctor's lips with her own. Prodding lovingly with delicate caresses until she felt her respond, then greedily devouring what was offered. Catching a hesitant tongue and sucking it tenderly into her mouth, moaning softly at the bodily sensation it induced.

She sighed in a frustration she felt all the way to her toes when Corky began to gently disengage. Struggling with her composure, she didn't fight it and backed off respectfully, waiting with a barely restrained desire to observe her reaction.

Corky leaned back against the wall and caught her breath. The energy radiating off the Commander was so extreme, every nerve ending in her body was standing at attention. It was an intensity unlike anything she had ever experienced, both seductively powerful and emotionally frightening.

"I want you," Malory rumbled.

Corky looked up into a blue gaze almost dilated black with longing and knew she wasn't yet prepared for the passion lurking behind those eyes.

"I want you," Malory repeated. "Let me show you how much."

Corky tentatively reached out with a hand to cup her cheek, almost groaning when it was leaned into wantonly. "I want you too," she whispered. "But I've never felt so... pleasantly scared."

Malory bit her lower lip almost painfully. "Then lay with me and let me hold you."

Corky practically gaped at the sudden transformation; the sexual aura that had been almost tangible receded upon delivery of the gentle request. The Commander resituated herself on the cot and lifted the blankets in front of her invitingly. Silently, Corky stood on weak knees, stepped out of her fatigues and climbed into the offered embrace. The blankets settled around her and Malory turned to click off the lamp, returning to pull the doctor tightly against her body.

"Thank you," Corky said softly in the dark.

"You're welcome," Malory whispered, her breath tickling Corky's ear. "However, if you wake up in a puddle, it's not because I have a bladder problem."

"God," Corky giggled. "You're so vulgar."

For an answer, Malory placed a gentle kiss on the back of her neck and smiled at the shiver it produced. "Goodnight, Doctor."

05/05/02 - 0815 hours

Corky rose without the aid of the alarm and frowned upon realizing how late it was. Belatedly, she noticed the body that she held in her arms was about five feet smaller, a hundred and ten pounds lighter, and nowhere near as warm as the one she went to bed with. Her eyes narrowed in the dark and she fumbled around for the lamp. Illumination confirmed her suspicions and she flung Little Lovecraft across the room in disgust.

Not amused at waking up with the doll instead of the Commander, she got up to put her boots and pants on. She was about to enter Malory's office when she heard McNeely's voice on the other side of the door. Trapped for the time being, she went over and sat back down on the cot with a huff, waiting impatiently. The time passed slowly and she eventually lay back down, staring at the ceiling until her eyelids grew heavy.

When Malory finally entered, she snickered at finding Little Lovecraft on the floor and picked her up to seat her on the chair. She threw a glance at the cot and smiled at finding the little doctor asleep in all of her clothes. Deciding to leave her be, she silently cursed the efficient McNeely and started relieving herself of her clothes.

Corky woke up at the sound of running water and froze when she realized that Malory was in the shower. Torn between wanting to make a hasty exit and being present when the Commander emerged, she fidgeted and cleared her throat.

"Good morning," she ventured.

"Good morning," came the immediate bright response. "Decide to get up?"

"Yeah," Corky said. "Why did you turn off the alarm?"

"McNeely, showed up first thing," Malory said. "If he heard the alarm being shut off, he would've known someone was in my quarters."

"Oh."

"Your buddy Clovis and crew were up before dawn and down in excavation. Butler went down with them. He wasn't pleased at being rousted for guard duty so early," Malory said amusedly. "Neither was the Sergeant Major."

"They're just excited," Corky said. "It's an important find."

"Whatever," Malory said. "Since you're up, wanna join me?"

Facing another dilemma, the doctor considered her options. Part of her wanted to spring from the cot and shed her clothes and another part wanted to run from the room. "I think I'll pass."

"You sure? I know you're dyin' to see if my carpet matches my drapes. I'll let you peek."

Her brow wrinkled in confusion for a few seconds and then her eyes rolled. "I'm sure," she said shaking her head, glad Malory couldn't see her grin.

"Okay, your loss."

Corky shook her head. "You're such a pompous ass," she said with a chuckle. "I can't believe how full of yourself you are."

"I'd like to be filled by you," Malory retorted.

To her dismay, she started to blush. "I'm going to go."

"Okay," Malory said nonchalantly. "See ya later."

Corky narrowed her eyes at the shower curtain suspiciously, wondering what she was up to. Wary of a trap, she rose to her feet and traveled to the door. "See ya," she said, and quickly left the room.

"Heh," Malory grunted when she heard the door close.

Corky spent the entire day in a turmoil of emotions, performing her duties in an absentminded automation; her thoughts rarely straying far from the confounding Commander. The woman possessed a multitude of repulsive qualities and Corky was perplexed that she now found them charming when not so recently they would have and did offend her. There was also the lingering confusion left over from the night before, the damn woman exuded a hidden sexual energy that could singe the hair off her toes.

Like it or not, she had fallen under the woman's spell and the only option left was to either take it or leave it. The latter became more unappealing with every minute she spent in the Commander's company and the former meant forging ahead with the confusing woman and letting the chips fall where they may. It was a frightening prospect with no guaranteed conclusion.

At the end of her shift, she headed for dinner still halfheartedly debating alternatives, hoping she could share a meal and have a normal conversation with the woman. She figured the odds of an ordinary dialogue were about fifty-fifty, suspecting that Malory herself didn't know what foot to lead with and flew by the seat of her pants.

She was disenchanted to find the mess relatively empty with no sign of either the Commander or even Clovis to at least exchange pleasantries with. In fact, the only people present were Daly and Cohen so she got a tray and sat by herself, instantly descending into the plight of her predicament once again.

An uncertain amount of time later, Clovis dropped in the chair across from her with his meal. "What's with the long face?" he asked jovially.

She blinked and glanced at her watch, surprised to see how much time had gotten away from her. "Huh?"

"You're sitting there looking like your dog just died," Clovis rumbled. "What's on your mind?"

"Oh, just thinking," she said, trying to sound offhand. "How did things go down there today?" she added hoping to distract him.

"The cave in sped up our progress considerably," he answered. "We're a couple of weeks away from the first section, we can't wait."

She smiled at his obvious delight. "I'll bet," she said, throwing another glance at her watch. "You're up here kinda early."

"We started early," he said with a grin. "And I suspect our Commander has given the order to have our armed escort tell us when to pack it up for the day."

Corky giggled. "I'm sure she did, have you seen her today?"

"Saw her laughing in the hall with McNeely outside of his quarters when I was coming to dinner."

"Hmmm," Corky grunted. "Well, I guess I'm gonna go find something to do."

"Okay, Corky," he said, becoming intently engrossed with the food in front of him. "See ya later."

"Bye, Clovis," she with a chuckle.

She made her way to Malory's office and upon finding it and her quarters empty; she began a casual stroll around the compound with the hope of running into her. Her efforts proved fruitless as the Commander was nowhere to be found. Confused, she returned to her own quarters and flopped into her chair with a frown. Where could she be? She thought about using the radio but couldn't come up with a good story to offer in case Malory wasn't alone.

Two hours of brooding later, she impulsively strode from her room and returned to Malory's quarters; again finding them empty. Her face wrinkled in confusion, she retraced her steps from earlier and after having searched everywhere, there was still no sign of the Commander.

Jesus, its almost eleven, where the hell is she? An idea suddenly formed and she returned to the lounge, finding Lieutenant Ring reclining in his usual spot on the sofa.

"Lieutenant," she said. "Do you know where the Commander is?"

He turned around sleepily. "Uhm... she's with McNeely in his quarters."

"Thank you," she said, exiting the room before a frown of gigantic proportions could take control.

She had stomped halfway back to her quarters when it struck her that she was jealous and she paused to consider the notion. Tempted at first to dismiss it as overreaction, she returned to her room confusedly. Was she jealous and if so why? Did she miss something? Malory had said she had only had one lover, but weren't they talking about women?

The idea of Malory being with McNeely brought her blood to a boil and once the thought entered her mind, she couldn't think of anything else. She tried to tell herself that she was blowing everything out of proportion and was probably wrong, but her imagination had taken hold and wouldn't let go.

She glanced angrily at the clock, it was half past midnight. Determinedly, she stormed from her quarters and was not surprised to find Malory's room still empty upon arrival. Throwing caution to the wind, she marched doggedly in the direction of McNeely's room, quieting her approach as she neared her objective. Stealthily, she paused outside of his door and listened closely for any noise that might emanate from within.

Mumbled voices and then the distinct sound of the Commander's laugh brought a full head of steam to Corky's features and she turned to stomp crossly down the hallway, stopping when she heard someone step out into the hall from behind her. She turned a furious glance over her shoulder and was surprised to see Malory emerge, followed by Chief Reynolds and Sergeants Alvarez, Hanson, and Terrel; all of them laughing companionably.

Stunned, she came to a complete halt, her jealousy vaporizing in favor of a very distinct feeling of embarrassment. She tried to slink away unnoticed and winced when she was called up short.

"Dr. Rivers?" Malory called out.

"Yes?" she said, turning a hopefully innocent gaze in her direction.

The men filtered by with polite nods, quickly leaving them alone in the hall.

"What are you doing here?" Malory asked, closing the distance between them.

Corky thought frantically. "I couldn't sleep so I was taking a walk."

Malory snickered. "Uh huh. What's up? You looked angry."

Corky sighed. "I was looking for you. What were you doing in there all night?"

A triumphant smile. "Playing poker. What did you think we were doing?"

"I don't know."

"How did you know where I was?" Malory asked, a knowing look on her face.

Corky shuffled her feet. "I asked Lieutenant Ring," she said, feeling somewhat exposed in the hallway. "Can we just go to my quarters?"

"Sure," Malory said brightly and followed the little doctor down the hall with a cocky smile.

Corky trudged through the halls feeling monumentally stupid and worse, she didn't have to turn around to see the smile on Malory's face; she could feel it. When they entered her quarters, the Commander respectfully chose the chair and seated herself primly, turning an expectant look on her companion.

Corky sighed and took a seat on the cot, leaning her back against the wall. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to play cards tonight?"

"I didn't get the chance," Malory said with a shrug. "McNeely asked me this morning and before I could say anything, you lit out of my quarters like your ass was on fire."

"Oh," came the quiet response.

"If you had told me you wanted to get together, I would have turned him down," Malory offered. "So tell me, you looked mad enough to blow an ovary, what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Corky said quickly.

"Gimme a break," Malory scoffed. "You can tell me anything," she added softly.

Corky started to play with the hem of her sweatshirt. "It was stupid."

"What was stupid?"

"I thought you and McNeely were...uhm... you know."

Malory smiled brightly. "You were jealous?"

Corky nodded reluctantly.

"My, how territorial," Malory teased.

Brown eyes flashed. "You don't have to be so smug."

For an answer, Malory leaned down and started to unlace her boots, pulling them off and placing them under the chair along with her socks and standing to remove her sweatshirt.

Corky watched nervously. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked, watching the sweatshirt fall to the ground and hands drop to start unbuttoning her fatigues.

"Bustin' a move," Malory said nonchalantly, stepping out of her pants and standing immodestly before the doctor in her underwear.

Corky couldn't find her voice as her body began reacting strongly to the almost nude Commander who dropped to her knees in front of her and began unlacing her boots. She watched helplessly as they were removed gently and her hands were grasped, pulling her forward. Totally powerless, she let Malory lift her arms above her head to remove her shirt and her bra quickly followed without protest. A soft whimper preceded the removal of her pants and soon she found herself completely naked and waiting to be claimed by the woman kneeling in front of her.

"You're very beautiful," Malory said heavily, grabbing the doctor gently around the hips and pulling her forward.

Corky opened her mouth to reply but was silenced by lips that descended upon her own and hands that wound themselves in her hair. The intensity of Malory's attentions gave the impression of being devoured and she surrendered willingly, pulling her closer and urging her for more.

Malory relished every sensation, delighting in the taste of the doctor's mouth, exploring every crevice with her tongue, taking a sensual pleasure in the texture of her teeth, the roof of her mouth, the softness of her lips, and the warmth of her breath as it mingled with her own. Her hands dropped to the small of her back and pulled her gently forward until her thighs rested on the edge of the cot, dropping her attention to the pulse point on her neck and eventually, to her rapidly rising and falling chest.

Corky fell back wantonly against the wall to allow Malory free reign over her body, consumed by the urgent need the Commander conveyed and her own freefalling libido; wrapping her hands tightly in Malory's hair when she felt a breast being teased and pulling her close when she was drawn into her mouth. Her body tingled exotically as her nipples hardened painfully and tender teeth chewed on them lovingly. She gasped loudly in anticipation as Malory began a trail down her chest, her mouth and tongue showing an interest in every detail they encountered and when a chin urged her legs apart, she complied without hesitation. Malory's arms dropped to assist and her legs were thrown over the Commander's shoulders with abandon, the air surprisingly cold against the suddenly exposed wetness of her thighs. Breath exploded pleasurably from her mouth the instant she was tasted; ecstasy making her shiver when Malory emitted a satisfied groan of her own, as if finally given something long denied.

One of Corky's hands sought out the edge of the cot to brace against the inevitable while the other tightened its grip in Malory's hair demandingly, an unspoken order to remain where she was. The sensation of Malory's attentions were beyond all of her previous experience and she could feel the Commander's pleasure in the act through the ravenous exuberance of the mouth feeding upon her. Malory's moans were almost as loud as her own, and when a hand left her thigh and the Commander set her knees further apart on the floor, she felt the approaching edge viciously. Malory's excitement was so obvious that it was like receiving a shot of adrenaline knowing she couldn't restrain from petting herself.

When she came, it was with a power that left her neurotic and it was prolonged significantly as Malory's arm tightened around her waist, refusing to let go. Her whole body jumped spastically with every caress and she found herself screaming with the pleasure of it, pulling on the hair in her hand possessively to force closer contact. Exalting in the vibrations traveling the length of her sex from Malory's muffled cries, her lover entangled within the tremors of her own release and grinding into her ecstatically. She rode the wave until she was unable to endure any longer and finally dropped a hand between her legs to intervene, going limp in exhaustion, her body shining with perspiration.

As she caught her breath, she was pleasantly aware of Malory still diligently trying to get past the blockade of her hand. Tenderly sucking on her fingers and occasionally probing for an opening between them. She tardily released the grip still knotted in Malory's hair, surprised at how severe her hold had been and blinking regretfully when the Commander whimpered softly at the reprieve.

"Malory," she said, her voice hoarse.

"Hmmm?" Malory purred.

"Did I hurt you?" she asked, petting her head apologetically.

"It was a nice hurt," Malory said as she chewed softly on the end of a denying finger.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Come lay with me," she ordered, about to start the process of resituating herself but paused when blue eyes raised and looked at her dotingly.

"I love you, Corky."

Corky's breath froze within her chest and she was surprised to feel moisture rise in her eyes.

Malory rose to her feet and removed her bra, tossing it across the room as if it irritated her and stretched like a cat in front of the doctor's desirous eyes. Her outstretched arms returned to cup her breasts and stroke them lightly before sliding a hand into her underwear to touch herself. She sighed lightly at the contact and brought back moist fingers that she sampled with her mouth.

Corky observed her behavior in unconcealed fascination, arousal again stirring within her powerfully as Malory suckled her fingers inquisitively, seemingly unaware of being watched so closely. Apparently satisfied, the Commander lowered herself onto the cot and wrapped gentle arms around her contentedly.

"Why did you do that?" Corky asked, unable to curb her curiosity.

"I wanted to see what we would taste like together," Malory hummed.

"And?"

"Superb."

Corky released a satiated sigh, bringing a hand up to quickly wipe at her eyes and burying her face in the Commander's chest, nipping at her breasts playfully. "That was ...uhm... that..." she struggled.

"Fuckin' amazing?" Malory offered.

"Well, I won't argue with you there," she admitted, abruptly going stiff in alarm when a loud, persistent knock banged on the door. "Oh, God," she whispered, jumping out of Malory's embrace and anxiously looking around for her clothes.

"Hide," she hissed at the Commander who appeared amused.

"I'll do no such thing," Malory whispered.

Corky pulled her sweatshirt on over her head and shot the Commander a threatening look. "Oh, yes you will."

"Nope," Malory said, stretching out along the length of the cot.

Corky shot her a venomous glare as she buttoned her pants. "At least go stand over there where you can't be seen," she said pointing to a spot.

Malory sighed. "Fine," she said, rising and walking over to stand with her arms crossed over her chest.

Corky took a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair to straighten it before she opened the door, only to find an empty hallway. Confusedly, she poked her head out and looked in both directions. Spotting no signs of life, she stepped back in to close the door and froze.

"Oh, my God," she said in complete horror, her eyes fixated on the floor.

At the words, Malory gave up her hiding place and approached the doctor from behind. "What's the big deal?"

Corky could only bring a hand up to her mouth in mortification and Malory gently nudged her out of the way to see what had the doctor's complete attention. Her eyes landing on a pack of cigarettes and lighter, lying within an ashtray that someone had thoughtfully provided. With a stifled laugh, she bent down to pick them up and prodded Corky back into the room, closing the door behind them.

Leaving the doctor standing, she reclaimed her seat on the cot and opened the cigarettes, popping one into her mouth and lighting it. "I haven't had a cigarette in over ten years."

"My God, someone heard us," Corky finally rasped in dismay.

Malory smiled in amusement. "That's not quite right, Dr. Rivers," she said, taking a long drag on her cigarette. "I was occupied."

A startled gasp.

"Yes," Malory said knowingly. "Someone heard you. Actually, I would be surprised if everyone didn't. There's probably not a limp dick in the compound."

"Jesus," Corky choked. "I can't imagine anything more embarrassing."

"Come to bed, I'll kiss it and make it better."

"How do I show my face tomorrow, or the day after for that matter?"

"Come to bed," Malory repeated, snuffing out her cigarette and holding out a hand.

Corky rushed over to bury her face between Malory's breasts. "God, what am I gonna do?"

Malory stroked her hair. "Tell you what," she said with a grin. "First thing tomorrow, I'll make an announcement ordering everyone not to make fun of you for twiddling your diddle."

A quickly stifled snicker followed by an annoyed swat. "That's not funny," she mumbled. "How would you feel if the situation was reversed?"

"I'm the boss," she said. "No one would dare say anything to me. They'd just laugh behind my back."

"You're not helping."

Malory kissed the top of her head and reached down to pull the blankets over them both. "Go to sleep," she said softly, hugging her tightly. "It won't be so bad in the morning."

A pathetic sigh was the only reply and she reached out to turn off the light.

Continued