The Black Shard: Part IV

The Black Shard is a story about two lovers who must survive their way of life by illegally mining in space. They hope to make billions of dollars in one lucky run, but find that there is something else out on the rocks aside from a few precious metals.

The Black Shard: Part I - https://theprose.com/post/323367/the-black-shard-part-i

The Black Shard: Part II - https://theprose.com/post/323606/the-black-shard-part-ii

The Black Shard: Part III - https://theprose.com/post/323912/the-black-shard-part-iii

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The Black Shard: Part IV -

As soon as Hoitt and Jennifer finished sending the drones under the asteroid to search for material, they prepared their return to The Weasel’s Hoard.

After making sure Jennifer’s course back to the ship was set correctly this time, Hoitt returned his pick to where it was last ejected and tapped the button on his left glove. He hailed his onboard computer: “Computer, guide me back to the ship.”

“Preparing your return to the ship,” It said in response.

This time, Jennifer was way ahead of him. She already had her boot picks off.

Hoitt’s computer continued: “Warning, boot picks are disengaged.”

Without a firm hold on the asteroid, Hoitt was now free-floating, but only for a moment.

“Automatic Propulsion Activated. Returning to the ship. Estimated time of arrival: 20 minutes.” The jets roared back to life behind him, and he trailed after Jennifer.

Hoitt noticed she was hurrying to get back. On their way to the asteroid, she had been kicking herself for not programming her route before.

“I hope I didn’t strike up too much of a nerve,” He thought.

Hoitt longingly looked her up and down as he trailed behind her. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but...he had his urges.

Jennifer hailed Hoitt shortly after the impure thought popped into his head: “Hoitt, this anomaly thing is really bugging me. I mean, what could it be?”

Hoitt got his head out of the gutter. It was a good question.

“Well, I got a few ideas. One, it could be a probe from Space Force. After The Material Depression, Earth has been very keen on preventing a similar event from happening ever again. It’s a good way of policing asteroid mining activity,” He said, turning his attention to The Weasel’s Hoard. From his point of view, the ship appeared to be growing bigger.

“So that’s their plan? Oversee the material out in space, so it doesn’t flood the markets? That’s cheap, and it certainly places stress on people like us,” Jennifer said.

Hoitt agreed and added: “It’s most likely related to that. Otherwise, it’s something else. We’re way out by Jupiter, Jennifer. How did this thing get here? It’s doesn’t look anything like a drone I know based on the preliminary data. And what are the odds of finding a smuggling cache anyway? One out of a trillion chances?”

Hoitt had heard of smugglers and other illegal mining gigs out in this part of space. “But to encounter them? No,” He thought. Outer space is too vast. The chances of having contact with people are very small unless you were being explicitly tracked. The thought of it all worried him.

Jennifer took a while to respond. Hoitt thought that she was thinking the same thing.

“Maybe we’re the lucky winners,” She said. Hoitt looked at Jennifer again, and the dirty thoughts popped back into his mind. He didn’t know how to proceed, but he had to take the chance.

“I know I’m a lucky winner.” He said cautiously.

Jennifer immediately responded: “Oh? Why do you say that? Lucky because I let you win? If we had made our trip back a race, I’d win guaranteed.”

“Hey, that’s no problem with me. I’m all for enjoying the view.” Hoitt said back, trying to sound nonchalant. Jennifer chuckled.

Then she put on the seductive voice. The one that drove Hoitt crazy: “Keep it in your pants, big boy. We’re almost there. I can’t wait to get out of this bulky suit.”

She even made a point to sway her hips. Hoitt could only watch.

“Damn, if she didn’t get me every time with that teasing voice of hers,” Hoitt thought.

She had flustered him so much that he didn’t know what else to say. He finally just opted to say: “Yeah.”

And let the rest happen on its own.

Five minutes later, They landed inside the exit chamber of The Weasel’s Hoard. Jennifer landed first. Once stabilized, she helped Hoitt inside.

“Come here, my winner, ” She said, still using that seductive tone. She rubbed Hoitt’s shoulders and helped him out of his propulsion pack.

She embraced him, although her jet pack was still strapped on. He caressed around the front of her suit and felt for the buckle that released her pack. After releasing it, the jetpack lazily floated away towards the top of the chamber.

Jennifer let out a heavy breath as Hoitt reached back and felt her through her suit.

He pulled back, tilted her head up, and looked through her helmet and into her piercing brown eyes. Her black hair and Asian complexion always made her look so severe. She bit her lip, though, and melted that notion entirely.

Jennifer got closer and moved her arms around his neck.

“Initiating Entrance Procedures,” The Computer said. The chamber rumbled as it slowly retracted back into the heart of the ship.

Hoitt continued caressing her body. He made it a point to be sensual. He made it a point to tease her, like how she teased him. She moaned and said: “I don’t know how long I can wait.”

“Me either,” Was all he could say back.

With the computer’s call, the gravity spheres came back online. Hoitt slowly felt his weight coming back to him, like rocks piled onto his body. He noticed the jetpack above Jennifer slowly coming down towards her and guided her out of the way. It softly touched down on the floor. When Jennifer saw, she giggled.

“What do you want to do first?” She asked.

“You.” He answered, voice ragged.

“And then?” Jennifer said, playfully. She reached down and started caressing him too.

Hoitt knew precisely what else: “I want to find out about this anomaly. But first, I want you.”

As soon as the air hissed back into the chamber, they tore off their helmets and kissed.

They let their suits and clothing trail the floor on their way to the cabin.

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The Black Shard: Part V - https://theprose.com/post/324870/the-black-shard-part-v