Outpost 23: Sol Control, #1

By L. A. McGarvey

Rosemary is a dockworker on Outpost 23, a distant asteroid being mined for its rare ores.  

 

Someone with a grudge has been targeting the Outposts belonging to the powerful, wealthy Van Citra conglomerate for the last few years, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

 

When a handsome new stranger shows up during her midnight shift, Rosemary can't help her attraction, even when she starts to question his real purpose on Outpost 23.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trouble Twins Publishing
• Release date: Dec 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215846964

L. A. McGarvey

L. A. McGarvey is a goat wrestling, loader driving, horseback riding author with a unique sense of humour. Find her on Facebook @LAmcgarveyauthor  Email: [e-mail] 

Book preview

Outpost 23

Sol Control #1

L. A. McGarvey

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Trouble Twins Publishing

Copyright ©2021 by L. A. McGarvey

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Cover by:  https://selfpubbookcovers.com/mmrainey

Contents

1. Rosemary

2. Oscar

3. Rosemary

4. Oscar

5. Rosemary

6. Rosemary

7. Oscar

8. Rosemary

9. Oscar

10. Rosemary

11. Rosemary

12. Oscar 

13. Rosemary

14. Oscar

15. Rosemary

16. Oscar 

17. Rosemary

18. Oscar 

19. Rosemary

20. Oscar 

21. Rosemary

22. Oscar 

23. Rosemary

24. Oscar

25. Oscar

26. Rosemary

27. Rosemary

28. Rosemary

29. Rosemary

30. Rosemary

31. Kelvin

32. Rosemary

33. Kelvin

34. Rosemary

35. Rosemary

36. Kelvin

37. Kelvin

38. Kelvin

39. Kelvin

40. Rosemary

41. Rosemary

42. Kelvin

43. Rosemary

44. Kelvin

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Rosemary

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Rosemary

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About Author

one

Rosemary

The sounds of Docking Bay seventeen were soothing and familiar. Rosemary preferred the night. The shifts were busy with unloading and reloading the shuttles from the orbiting space station, Mainland. Busy with cargo and most importantly for her, no passengers on the night shift. She hated working day shift because there were just too many people. She rarely saw passengers, but tonight was one of those nights.

She was working alone, waiting for the shuttle to finish its docking procedure and the bay to re-pressurize. The alarm buzzer signalling that the bay was ready blared. She pushed the button to open the cargo doors.

Dragging the cargo sledge behind her, she entered the docking bay through the shipping airlock. The ramp was already down on the ship. She punched her employee code into the pillar by the ramp, logging in as the cargo handler. She hauled the sledge forward, grunting with the effort. Maintenance still hadn’t fixed the front glider, and it was sticking again, making it nearly impossible to drag. She was not looking forward to the night of loading and unloading.

Excuse me, a voice called out from behind her.

Swearing under her breath, she stopped with the sledge halfway up the ramp. It dragged her backwards. Turning her head, Yes? she asked, wondering who was interrupting her.

As she did so, she looked directly into the deep brown eyes of a man who was standing way too close to her. She felt her heart skip a beat and her breath catch. An electric shock jolted through her entire body, catching her by surprise. She flushed. 

He beamed, leaning towards her and offering a hand in greeting. I am Oscar Trey, temporary security engineer.

Feeling like an oaf, she clumsily shook his hand. Rosemary. Dock grunt. She winced internally at the awkward greeting. Something about him set her hormones on fire. She felt her whole body flush with heat. He couldn’t help but notice.

Keeping hold of her hand, he placed his other hand on top, trapping her. Leaning closer to whisper conspiratorially in her ear, he said, I seem to have no idea where to go. Perhaps you can assist me?

She took a deep breath. His spicy cologne caught her unaware. She choked and sneezed violently into her elbow. He let go and stepped back out of range. Turning back to him, unwrapping her face from her elbow, she said, Sorry. Allergies. She sneezed into her elbow a few more times.

Fishing a rag from her pocket to use as a hanky, she said, New arrivals go through that door. She pointed, but he kept staring at her. Probably at her watering eyes and running nose. Real attractive Rosemary, she thought.

He smiled again, Perhaps, you could take me there?

Uh, sure, she abandoned the work sledge and led him across the docking bay to the door, clearly labelled New Arrivals. In big red glowing letters, one metre high. In eighteen common languages. You absolutely could not miss it.

Here you go, she said, pointing lamely at the door and pushing the open button for good measure. She wondered how he ever got to be an engineer if he couldn’t find a door. She eyed his real leather satchel. Probably bought his degree, she decided. He was still far too close to her. He smiled again, showing his perfectly straight teeth. Braces, she thought incongruently, wondering how they would feel against her skin. She flushed again. What was wrong with her?

Thank you, Rosemary, He winked, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again. brushing past her, he lightly ran his fingertips along her arm as he went through the door and disappeared. The door automatically hissed shut behind him. 

She stood staring at the door, wondering what the fuck had just happened. She never felt sparks. Her hormones were screaming at her to run after him and drag him to her apartment, or any convenient location really. She fought the urge. It was damn near overpowering her. Men did not hit on her. At least not sober, handsome men. 

Rosemary! Her supervisor, Dan, was checking up on her. Probably wondering why the shuttle wasn’t unloaded yet.

Rosemary! What are you doing over there? You’re supposed to be working, not lollygagging. Get your ass over here.

Scurrying back to the sledge, she groaned with the effort it took to get started up the ramp again. Dan was already inside, inspecting the contents in the holding area. She got to work packing crates of medical supplies onto the sledge. Dan, finished with his round, stopped to watch her work.

You okay?

Yeah, why?

He watched her for a minute, squinting at her. You look positively ill, Deathly. Maybe you should go home and get some rest.

Very funny, sir, Rosemary laughed weakly, I’m fine, she said, shaking her head, feeling anything but. Thanks for being concerned, though, she smiled wanly at her boss.

Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting to make that deathly ill joke, Rosemary?

No, she said, shaking her head again.

From the moment I first saw your name on the passenger manifest list, before you even touched down.

He frowned, squinting, looking at her more thoroughly. I worry about you. You never take day shifts. You work all the time. When was the last time you even took a day off?

Rosemary paused, stacking crates. I don’t know. I’m fine though, seeing his skepticism, Really. Fine.

He squinted at her again, unconvinced, hands on his hips, You’re sure you’re not coming down with something? Your colour looks a little weird.

She sighed, I’m sure.

I know you’re scheduled for the next few shifts,

I can’t afford to,

 Hang on, he cut her off,  I’m not cancelling your shifts, but when this stretch is done, I’m not approving overtime on your next down cycle.

What?

No arguing. You can’t just work all the time. You’re one of my best handlers. I’d like to keep it that way.

What will I do?

Whatever. Laundry. Try something fun. But you’re taking the time off. Am I clear?

She put the last crate on the sledge. "Fine. But I’m fine. Really. I don’t need to go home