CHAPTER 12: THE PASSING COMET

Anja walked through the corridors of SEAL Team Twelve quickly. Everyone she saw was doing something, whether it be working out, working on their weapons, a computer or relaxing in the spacious lounge. Not all of the Team members were present she knew, as there was a squad at the firing range. Some heads turned to watch her as she walked though the area heading for Martins office, but most just acted indifferent to her. She entered the office area and saw the door to Martins office and strode toward it. Ever since her examine of Commander Simpson this morning, she had felt warm and agitated. It was a sexual rush through her skin and it scared her quite a bit, but it also excited her intensely.

Anja could hear Martin talking as she got closer to the door and she slowed down to try and pick up who he might be talking to and what he might be talking about. She stopped just outside his door and saw him speaking to the incredibly attractive oriental female on his screen.

"They are not letting us depart Martin." Yuri's face was on the screen. "They are concerned we wont make it back before the leading edges of that comet come into range. They want to wait until it passes before we return."

"I know. I just got done talking with Tony, and he informed me. I was hoping we could be together tonight." Martin answered her.

Anja saw the Japanese woman smile on the screen." When I get back well stay in bed for an entire day to make up for it."

"I'll hold you to that." Martin said.

Yuri chuckled. "Thats not something you could keep me from even if you tried." Her face changed slightly. "Go secure Martin. Use our personal channel."

Martin reached out and manipulated his console quickly. The screen fluttered then refocused on Yuri. "Whats wrong?" He asked.

"Walter gave me some news this morning." Yuri said.

Martin immediately sat up in his chair. "Are you sick? Is something wrong with Yuriko?"

Yuri smiled brightly. "No nothing like that". Its The screen went fuzzy and then refocused on Yuri's face. Anja could see the look of confusion on her face and she watched as Martin tried to adjust the screen.

"It has to be the comets interference Yuri." Martin said." I"m losing you."

"Till tomorrow I love you". With that the transmission ended.

Martin slapped the screen in frustration and flipped a switch. "COM Officer?"

"COM Officer here Commander, go ahead."

"My signal just fuzzed out on me in mid transmission. "Martin spoke.

"I know sir. It happened all over the station. Interference from the comet is disrupting all communications. Admiral Wallace has ordered all available power to be directed to one beam so we can maintain communication with EDEN control for as long as possible. Im sorry sir."

Martin sighed, "Very well. Let me know when station wide Coms is back."

"Aye sir."

Martin turned in his chair and looked back to the set of data pads on his desk. He picked one up as Anja composed herself and entered the office. "Do you normally eavesdrop on private conversations?" He asked not looking up from the data pad.

"Excuse me?" Anja asked.

Martin looked up at her and sat back in his chair. "Anja I smelled you coming down the corridor. Enhanced senses remember?"

Anja's face turned crimson under the tan and she squeezed her hands together. "Why didn't you say something?" She demanded.

"Last time I checked this was my office." Martin replied. "And contrary to what you and the good senator believe, I have nothing to hide. "Martin got up and moved around to pull the chair out. "Have a seat."

Anja sighed and moved to the chair, settling into it as Martin returned to his chair. She watched him sit down, the feeling of warmth and sexual desire returning to her even stronger than this morning in the Medical Center with Lieutenant Commander Simpson. "May I ask who who that was?"

Martin looked at her. "Her name is Yuri Tanaka. Shes Japanese and a member of EDENs crew. She works in the Physics lab."

"You...you seem to be much closer than just normal co-workers". Anja inquired.

Martin sat back in his chair. "And why exactly would that interest you Anja?" He asked. "Are you jealous?"

Anja's brow furrowed," Certainly not!" She exclaimed.

"Then there is no need for you to know more." Martin spoke. "What can I do for you?"

"I don't want to be enemies Martin". Anja said softly, the tone of her voice saying much more.

"Neither do I Anja, but your mission here does not equate to us being friends." He told her.

"How do we change that?" Anja asked.

"Unfortunately I don't think we can." He replied honestly. "You... you have moved on with your life and in many ways so have I."

"I never meant to hurt you Martin". She said meeting his dark eyes and feeling a surge of desire for him sweep through her, as strong as it ever was on that night.

Martin nodded slowly." I came to realize that after a year or so." He told her, wanting to say so much more. "I don't harbor any bad feelings towards you Anja, but right now we are on two different teams it seems. And neither of us likes to lose."

"Did you recommend to Admiral Wallace that I get stationed here for an entire year?" She asked him.

Martin shook his head quickly. "No. I had nothing to do with that. That was entirely the Admirals doing. And that is the truth."

Anja stared at him for a long moment before nodding her head." Fair enough, I believe you. She got to her feet. You have not made an appointment for your physical, and I have a slot open right after lunch. I expect to see you there Commander. 1330 hours sharp!"

Martin nodded," Fair enough."

Martin watched as Anja turned, and he had to admire how she filled out her uniform and how her ass swayed when she walked. He remembered vividly ever detail of her body, and how she felt in his arms. Martin shook his head silently and thought of how he felt about Yuri. There was no doubt that she meant a great deal to him, and she was a hellion in their bed, but did he love her? Yuriko had taken to calling him daddy, and though he didn't know how he felt about that, he allowed her to do so and even conducted himself in that manner at times.

Did he love them? That was a question he was unable to answer.

====================================================================