Returning from a month-long expedition to several asteroids, Olympia and Galileo hurried to Jonson Station's tropical environment to enjoy the (artificial) sunshine while immersed in the warm waters of the hot tub. The Explorer's spartan interior offered few amenities, so they were determined to take advantage of this luxury while they could. The substantial load of specimens they had collected, along with extensive survey data, could wait until they recovered from the rigors of the trip.
As two of JE's most important staff members, they had long cooperated on numerous exploratory missions across nearby regions of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Robotic missions had conducted many preliminary surveys, but experience had shown that there is no adequate substitute for the creative ingenuity and dexterity of humans when ferreting out the critical samples needed to determine whether a given asteroid might be suitable for mining. Their successful missions had proven essential in developing the asteroid mines that now not only supported Jonson Station itself, but also provided valuable exports needed back on Earth.
Not that Oly and Gali were naturally inclined to work smoothly together -- far from it! Both are strong willed, stubborn people who prefer doing things their own way, and they initially seemed constantly at loggerheads when Sea assigned them joint missions. But he recognized their basic compatibility, and that their distinct areas of expertise could, with some subtle encouragement, be melded together into a first-rate team for exploratory missions. And, to be honest, their mutual emotional and physical attractions helped out too -- especially on some longer missions, when the discomforts of their demanding work tasks within the claustrophobic confines of the Explorer were somewhat offset by the welcome escape of enjoying each others intimate company.
"Finally we're back to civilization, or at least what passes for it, at this remote station," Oly sighed with relief as they floated together in the warm water. "Yeah," Gali admitted, "Even though the old ship is tough as nails, she's a cramped old tug, for sure ... this station seems luxurious by comparison." Oly continued, "Oh this sunshine and hot water feel so good, the first time I've been really warm in weeks ... well, aside from when we cuddled in the bunk." Then she added, "But what's this message from Sea, about yet another mission? Good grief, he needs to give us a break!" Gali murmured in a low voice, "Well, he can wait until tomorrow ... let's go play in the gym, get some dinner in the lounge, and then hit the sack ... much more spacious and comfy than the Explorer, so we can have some fun in style ...." And they did!