Read Online BENEATH - A Novel by Jeremy Robinson - Free Book Online
Authors: Jeremy Robinson
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going to this moon, simply to satisfy our curiosity."
"You know," Peterson said, "we could have just as easily said that about
Antarctica
. No one lives there. What could we possibly learn about life as we know it today. What good is biological history anyway?"
Connelly's lips curled up. "Ahh, but you're wrong. Life discovered in
Antarctica
may be completely foreign to us currently, but they are still Earth organisms. They'd provide a glimpse of how life evolved on our planet perhaps millions of years ago. Even if we do find life on Europa, it will have evolved under completely different environmental influences. The chances that alien life will have any positive, tangible ramifications on humanity is near impossible. In fact, the true effects may be entirely negative. Sure everyone will be excited that we've discovered alien life. But what if we bring it back, expose people, and later find out that we've brought back the plague of the twenty-first century?"
Peterson's eyes froze for a split second. It was almost imperceptible, but Connelly noticed. He was afraid of that, too. But why ? She continued with her speech, not wanting him to know she noticed. "You see? There is no real benefit."
"That was a mouthful," he said.
"I just don't want this to end up being a big waste of time."
Peterson relaxed his body. "Somehow, I think you might change your mind when we get out there. Do you know much about our solar system? About Jupiter?"
Connelly shook her head, no. "Only what I learned in high school astronomy, but that was long, long ago."
"Why don't I fill you in over dinner? Maybe we can work on some of that skepticism?"
"I had lunch with you during a break. That was lunch. Between co-workers. What you're asking now is more than that, correct?"
"Yes, Dr. Spock. I do believe it is."
Connelly smiled. "Sorry, not on this trip, Romeo."
With that, Connelly, turned and headed for the women's locker room door. Why had she said no? Despite his arrogance, he was smart, funny and attractive—a rare combination to find in the sciences. But this mission was big. Too big for romance, and she would continue to push her feelings to the wayside, at least until they were all back on Earth.
She could almost feel Peterson's gaze lingering on her back, probably on her butt. She could feel the fabric of her sweatpants riding up, but didn't dare adjust it while he was watching. With a quick turn of the head, Connelly gave one last look back. Peterson waved with a smile and she felt a tightness in her chest, but this wasn't anxiety.
Connelly laughed to herself as she came to a realization. The punching bag wasn't Peterson, but her tension was caused by him. The energy she felt now, after speaking to the man for only a few minutes, wasn't going where she wanted it to go. So she was beating the hell out of a punching bag instead.
CHAPTER 6 -- GOING UP
Rubbing his eyes in the morning sun, Willard looked at the incredible view of the
Pacific Ocean
. The crew had been flown from the GEC training facility to
San Diego
where they boarded a GEC research vessel and headed out to sea. By nightfall they were all situated in cramped quarters within the walls of the Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility on
San Clemente Island
. Sleep came quickly to all, as it had throughout the duration of their grueling training, but an early start was on the schedule for today.
It was seven o'clock in the morning and the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter's tandem blades sliced loudly through the air. Loud snoring from across the helicopter's interior rumbled along with the chopping blades. Willard frowned and shook his head. Captain Harris sat across from him, sleeping as soundly as a dead man in the grave. Willard wasn't bothered by the sound, just by the fact that Harris could sleep at all.
Willard blinked and felt heavy weights dangling form his eyelids. He turned his attention back out the window to distract himself from his slumber lust. The water of the
"You know," Peterson said, "we could have just as easily said that about
Antarctica
. No one lives there. What could we possibly learn about life as we know it today. What good is biological history anyway?"
Connelly's lips curled up. "Ahh, but you're wrong. Life discovered in
Antarctica
may be completely foreign to us currently, but they are still Earth organisms. They'd provide a glimpse of how life evolved on our planet perhaps millions of years ago. Even if we do find life on Europa, it will have evolved under completely different environmental influences. The chances that alien life will have any positive, tangible ramifications on humanity is near impossible. In fact, the true effects may be entirely negative. Sure everyone will be excited that we've discovered alien life. But what if we bring it back, expose people, and later find out that we've brought back the plague of the twenty-first century?"
Peterson's eyes froze for a split second. It was almost imperceptible, but Connelly noticed. He was afraid of that, too. But why ? She continued with her speech, not wanting him to know she noticed. "You see? There is no real benefit."
"That was a mouthful," he said.
"I just don't want this to end up being a big waste of time."
Peterson relaxed his body. "Somehow, I think you might change your mind when we get out there. Do you know much about our solar system? About Jupiter?"
Connelly shook her head, no. "Only what I learned in high school astronomy, but that was long, long ago."
"Why don't I fill you in over dinner? Maybe we can work on some of that skepticism?"
"I had lunch with you during a break. That was lunch. Between co-workers. What you're asking now is more than that, correct?"
"Yes, Dr. Spock. I do believe it is."
Connelly smiled. "Sorry, not on this trip, Romeo."
With that, Connelly, turned and headed for the women's locker room door. Why had she said no? Despite his arrogance, he was smart, funny and attractive—a rare combination to find in the sciences. But this mission was big. Too big for romance, and she would continue to push her feelings to the wayside, at least until they were all back on Earth.
She could almost feel Peterson's gaze lingering on her back, probably on her butt. She could feel the fabric of her sweatpants riding up, but didn't dare adjust it while he was watching. With a quick turn of the head, Connelly gave one last look back. Peterson waved with a smile and she felt a tightness in her chest, but this wasn't anxiety.
Connelly laughed to herself as she came to a realization. The punching bag wasn't Peterson, but her tension was caused by him. The energy she felt now, after speaking to the man for only a few minutes, wasn't going where she wanted it to go. So she was beating the hell out of a punching bag instead.
CHAPTER 6 -- GOING UP
Rubbing his eyes in the morning sun, Willard looked at the incredible view of the
Pacific Ocean
. The crew had been flown from the GEC training facility to
San Diego
where they boarded a GEC research vessel and headed out to sea. By nightfall they were all situated in cramped quarters within the walls of the Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility on
San Clemente Island
. Sleep came quickly to all, as it had throughout the duration of their grueling training, but an early start was on the schedule for today.
It was seven o'clock in the morning and the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter's tandem blades sliced loudly through the air. Loud snoring from across the helicopter's interior rumbled along with the chopping blades. Willard frowned and shook his head. Captain Harris sat across from him, sleeping as soundly as a dead man in the grave. Willard wasn't bothered by the sound, just by the fact that Harris could sleep at all.
Willard blinked and felt heavy weights dangling form his eyelids. He turned his attention back out the window to distract himself from his slumber lust. The water of the
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