Chapter II
YOU reach the source of the heat source
a small porcupine-sque mound jitters and writhes, stretching and clumping between shard like thinness and bulbous roundness.
Astronaut 2 is startled and steps back, due to the gravity of the moon, the steps feel more like 3 than one and the awakened moon dust freezes the critter into a solid square.
"Shit" astronaught 2 whispers, their fear and utter embarrassment entering your helmet through the speakers, a subtle smirk crosses your face.
"It's okay, you're okay" you say, a sliver of a sound, reaching out your hand to theirs. Astronaught 2 exhales and reaches back.
"would be more comforting if"
"yes, I know" you say this as you grab the geiger belt for first assessments on the globular shapefiting critter.
The machine whirs alive a technicolour display of advancement and style in marriage
"very fancy" says Astronaught 2
You smile and begin the assessment. Streams of data appear as a thin veil before your eyes blocking out the distant planets. The readings say it is harmless.
"So, what's the diagnosis" Astronaught 2 says as they step beside you.
The proxemics sensors on your suite react as always increasing the heat receptors nearest their presence, a warmth that you wish was real, visits you, distracting, like a fire alarm in the kitchen. Coming back to the mission, you reply
"All fine, no threat, though it is pretty strange"
They laugh, "no shit! can we keep it?!" as though it could be your pet, their request urges you face to face, can you resist those bright brown eyes swimming inside a fish bowl of a helmet.