Diagnostics

Pamala Sheldon brushed her brown hair back from her face, then unlocked her intercom to check her messages.

Joe: Tell me about last time.

She rolled her eyes. This game the two of them were playing was getting a little frustrating. Getting close to the crewmembers on ship had thus far been easy enough, not to mention fun. The games she played getting information, the manipulation, the intrigue, the sex, she found every part of it thrilling. It was the demands from Joe that were getting under her skin.

It’s not like she didn’t find that fun too per se. He was enthralled by her, and by her adventures, by what she did with the men on the Hermes. But it was always so entirely one-sided. She did the spying, she did the fucking, and he got to hear about everything she learned and did. She tapped out a response.

Pamala: Tell me about how you know Tara is pissed first.

Sheldon was pissed too. That piece of information had come out of the blue, and it hadn’t come from her. Not only did that make her feel unsafe, but it came off like an afterthought. Her life on this ship, an afterthought of Joe’s.

The delay in transmission was a twenty-minute round trip, so no answer would be instantly forthcoming. Sheldon had her suspicions of course. She always had her suspicions. But the fact she was being told about it by Earth made her nervous.

They already know who I am, she thought, trying to suppress the dark thoughts. Fear had permeated this entire voyage for Sheldon, and now, with so many moving parts, she felt at sea in it.

She set her thoughts to the task at hand. Lyndon Carson was the next objective. He’d be the one who knew what Tara Dayton was thinking, or at least, the closest to it anyways.

The first stop would be a pre-work trip to the gym. Sheldon put on her workout attire; a tight pair of athletic shorts in the same red as her coveralls, and her white singlet with a sports bra. Keeping fit wasn’t just important to her; the .4G of Hermes and Mars would cause muscle atrophy, and the crew would need regular workouts to alleviate it. As Sheldon walked the narrow, curved hallway to the gym, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket.

Joe: Relax, we don’t know anything. She’s just mad cus someone was doing some research on SpaceY and she thought it was too on the nose after everything that’s happened.

Joe’s response didn’t make her feel any better. She typed angrily as she walked into the gym.

Pamala: You relax. I have shit to take care of. It’s my ass.

She stuffed her intercom back in her pocket. Tara Dayton was on one of two treadmills, and in the corner, Colby Smith was doing push ups. Dayton smiled when she saw Sheldon enter.

“How are ya hun,” she asked jovially. Like Sheldon, Dayton was dressed in a white singlet, and her tight shorts were white too, matching her science jumpsuit colour. Sweat ran down her neck and chest, and the thin cotton material of her singlet was semi-transparent with sweat, displaying the outline of her bra.

“Hey Tara, I’m good,” she said, claiming the available treadmill next to Dayton, “same idea as you.”

“Gotta keep fit right.” If Dayton was mad still, Sheldon saw no sign of it. Sure, she’d been stressed out recently, that much was clear, but between sabotage and the landing coming up, who wouldn’t be?

Sheldon was glad anyways that Dayton was there. She had no intention of approaching her about this, or anything suspicious, not yet anyway, but a vibe check was important. They didn’t speak much. Dayton panted quietly, her long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, swayed with her rhythm. Sheldon’s intercom vibrated in her pocket.

Joe: Ok ok jeez. I’ll tell you as soon as I know, ok?

Pamala: You’d better.

Colby Smith left the room around halfway through Sheldon’s run. She thought this would be a good time to say something, but “hey Tara, I’m not the spy,” was harder to broach than she expected. It was Dayton that broke the ice.

“So Pam, how’s your prep going? Excited to finally be able to break out the mining and geological gear?”

“I really am,” she said with excitement. She hadn’t had cause to talk much about the mining gear or her mission. “I pre-landing checked the survey equipment, the geo-recon satellites are already out, I’m confident.” Dayton slowed her treadmill to a walking pace, her chest heaving.

“I’m glad to hear it Pam. I’m going to lean on you a lot in the coming months. I know you’ve been stuck simulating all this and doing odd jobs, but soon, you’ll be tired of me breathing down your neck.”

“I wouldn’t tire of you Tara,” Pamala responded with a flirty grin. She hit the button on her treadmill to slow down, and added with a more serious tone, “I’m looking forward to the work, truly.” Dayton smiled warmly.

“Thanks, I’m looking forward to seeing ya in action,” she said, responding with a flirty tone of her own. She stopped her treadmill and stepped lightly off, her breathing now light, and the sweat running down her body the only sign she was tired. Sheldon slowed her treadmill to a stop.

“Hey look, Tara, I really wanted to say, before we land and all, I’m really looking forward to working on Mars for the company. The Green Mars Project is a dream and…” she blushed and trailed off.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Dayton said, smiling. “It is a dream. A dream, made into reality.”

“It is! It really is and I guess… I guess I just wanted to tell you that I’m proud to be part and excited. We’re settling a new planet, and I can’t wait to set foot on it,” she gushed, the words flowing out of her. It was all true, her excitement was very very real but being unable to tell Dayton exactly how dedicated to the cause she was, felt this was her best play.

The expression that crossed Dayton’s face warmed that icy pit in her stomach for the first time in days, if not weeks. Sheldon couldn’t define what it was she saw, but she felt trusted, really trusted. She wished in that moment she could tell Dayton everything. Tell her that she was a spy, but for the good company! That she’s the one more than any Dayton could truly trust. Instead, she stepped off the treadmill and sat on the bench by the gym wall.

“I’m glad to hear it Pam. It’ll be an honor to colonize Mars together,” she said in a proud, yet quiet voice. Had she been told, Sheldon wondered. Was she keeping it secret that she knew her assignment? Sheldon was briefed that every crew member was worthy of oversight.

“Thanks Tara,” she said softly, deciding that those voices in her head, the spy, the manipulator, were wrong on this. She was trusted because she warranted that trust. Dayton leaned over and gave Sheldon a sweaty hug. Her skin was hot and moist against Pamala’s. They broke apart and no sooner had they done so, the door opened, and Lyndon Carson walked in. His eyes scanned the room and locked on Sheldon.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said with no emotion.

“Hi Lyn,” said Sheldon with a smile. She was hoping she’d run into him. Though she’d made progress today with Dayton, it was Carson that she had in her sights. Her phone buzzed again.

Joe: You’re in charge lady ;)

Joe: srsly tho, we need everything you can get, EVERY way you can get it.

A smirk crossed Sheldon’s face as she responded. She knew now how to take back control or at least have some fun with it.

Pamala: I will, but what’s in it for me? I’ll do my job but I’m sure you want extras…

As she typed, she felt a smile on her face, but after she hit sent, she felt Carson’s eyes on her. Interrogating her.

“I’m going to wash up and get to the lab. Have a good day both of you,” interjected Dayton. As she walked away, her hips swaying as she did, Sheldon cursed mentally. There was more to talk about still.

“You seem preoccupied,” commented Carson dryly. Sheldon’s mind changed gears.

“I have correspondence and besides, it’s none of your beeswax.” Sheldon grinned in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“Hm. Well, be careful. We don’t know who our friends are out there.” Sheldon rolled her eyes sarcastically.

“We know the risks Lyn,” she said, trying to stay light. Inwardly, the patronizing tone was infuriating, but she needed Carson happy, so she persisted in keeping it as positive as possible.

“Fine fine I’ve said my piece,” he said gruffly. He put down his things by the treadmill and started walking on it slowly. Sheldon stood and walked over to him, placing her hand gently on his.

“Look… Lyndon. I know you’re working hard for this mission. I… I guess I want to say I appreciate the work you’re doing. I see it.” Carson smiled at the last part.

“I ugh, appreciate that uh Pam,” he said, suddenly awkward. “I don’t live off credit, don’t care who knows my skills or nothing but I… thanks.”

“No problem hun,” she said, giving his hand a pleasant squeeze. “I’ll talk to you later, OK?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you later,” he said, smiling back to her. She knew he was hers now. It would just be about picking the right time and place. She took out her phone as she left the gym and checked the messages.

Joe: I could show you something I know you like ;)

Sheldon typed quickly.

Pamala: I want information Joe. You tell me how you know Tara is suspicious and why, and I’ll give you what you want.

Sheldon closed her intercom. The rest of her day was filled with pre-landing checks. Like everyone else on the ship, she knew Mars was looming large in their view and soon, she’d be doing her job. The real one, the one she’d trained for. The machines were tightly packed in the Hermes’ hull, and to access the telemetry from them, she’d be using the Hermes computers.

Her long hair floated in her face in the silent, weightless capsule of the Hermes flight deck, and she checked her intercom while the computers chewed on the diagnostic programs.

Joe: Using me to get information, are we?

Sheldon didn’t like his tone. She read the message as him not being willing to do the things she had been doing since day one to get him the information she wanted. She unzipped her jumpsuit and shrugged it off her shoulders leaving her wearing just her thin tank top. The cold prickled against her skin. She teased her nipples through the thin cotton until they stood out hard and visible through the singlet, and she snapped a selfie.

Pamala: Using each other I’d say. Besides, don’t you want to see more of this?

She shivered a little in the cold of the capsule and put her jumpsuit back on. Diagnostic one finished, and she started the second diagnostic program. She knew there was no reason that this equipment would malfunction in the weightless storage of the journey, but she also knew if she didn’t check and the gear wasn’t working on landing, it’d be on her.

While the computer chewed on the program, she wondered about what her next move was. All she’d need to do with Carson would be to make him feel powerful and appreciated, and he was putty in her hands. Then there was Hermann. Could she afford to alienate him?

No, she couldn’t; she would have to proceed carefully for now. Hermann had been useful so far. He was a talker, self-important, totally convinced of his own brilliance, and easily manipulated with sex. Carson too, could be led by his cock Sheldon guessed, but not for the act, but for the power it represented. Her intercom buzzed. It had been almost exactly the time she expected it to take for Joe to respond, meaning he must have responded instantly.

Joe: I do. I really do. I’ll see what I can find out ok?

Sheldon smirked. Now the fun begins, she thought, chuckling softly.

Pamala: Good. Do whatever you need to do and don’t forget to tell me how you got it. EVERY way you can get that information.

She smirked at turning the tables on him. This game would be fun.

The computer beeped. Diagnostic two complete: no issues found. She nodded to herself and shut down the program. She sat back in the cold, now darkened, capsule, enjoying the quiet and solitude for a moment, then decided what to do next.

It was late when she walked softly though the long curving halls of the Hermes. Most of the crew was eating dinner. She saw that Wagner and Schwartz were eating, and knew this was the time to act, she turned around before anyone at dinner noticed her and headed for the botany hall.

Lyndon Carson was still working in the hall when she poked her head cautiously though the door. His green jumpsuit was grubby and wet in spots and he was focused intently on the plants in front of him.

“Whatcha doin Lyn,” she asked softly, and he jumped with surprise.

“Fucking shit!”

“Sorry sorry sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you,” she exclaimed, walking over to him, a pouty, apologetic expression on her face.

“Hey… hey Pam, it’s ok, just surprised me is all.” Sheldon placed her hand softly between his shoulder blades.

“Plants happy?”

“They are, I’m pollinating this squash right now. See the little flowers here,” he said, indicating to vines in front of him.

“Mmm those squash tacos last week were the tits,” she said, keeping her hand on his back, feeling him start to relax to her touch.

“It’s one of my favorite plants, plus they keep so good.”

“It’s hot in here,” Sheldon said, and backed away and unzipped her jumpsuit, pulled it down and tied the sleeves around her waist. She felt Carson’s gaze fall to her braless breasts.

“Yeah, it can uh, get pretty warm,” he said, his eyes flicking over her body. He had a hungry expression on his face, and Sheldon knew she had him exactly where she wanted him.

“I just… well I just came to tell you how much I appreciate your work Lyn,” she told him softly. “You do so much for the ship and well, like I said before, I see you hun.”

“I see you too,” he said slowly, a hungry expression on his face. His eyes all over her made her feel hot. The soft material of her singlet chafed on her hardening nipples. She walked slowly towards him until her pert tits were inches away from his chest.

“Is there… something I can do to show how much I appreciate you,” she said, biting her lip. “Our little secret…”

“Dirty girl,” he said softly, “I think there is.”

“Touch me,” she whispered as she pulled her singlet off. Electricity buzzed through her as his warm, rough hands slid up her torso and cupped her tits and tweaked her hard nipples. She unzipped his jumpsuit, then without another word, dropped to her knees in front of him.

“I’ve caught you looking at me before… I liked it,” she said, reaching into his suit. “It makes me hot, thinking about you wanting me.” Her hands found his cock already hardening in his underwear, and she pulled them down, making him spring out in front of her face.

“Aww fuuuuck,” he groaned as she engulfed his hot member. She took him deep straight away, cupping his balls in her hand and playing her tongue along his shaft. Then she started to bob on him, slurping loudly each time, looking up into his eyes. She felt his hand drift to her hair.

“Use… (slurp) my slutty mouth Ly,” she gasped, “use me.” His hand wrapped in her hair pushed his shaft deep down her throat with a groan.

“Take it whore,” he groaned as he fucked her face faster, “take it all.” She gagged a little, then grabbed onto his ass to pull him deeper into her. His cock pushed all the way down her throat to the hilt, and his balls bounced on her chin. She could taste his salty pre-cum on her tongue and felt tears from gagging run down her cheeks. Sheldon moaned loudly, and she felt saliva drip down her chin. She withdrew him from her mouth with a loud slurp and looked up at him.

“Cum in my slutty mouth daddy,” she cooed, stroking and licking his cock. “I want to taste your hot, (slurp) cum daddy.” Then she drifted lower, still stroking his cock, and took his balls in her mouth, making him moan as she sucked each softly.

“I… open your mouth slut,” he commanded, gasping, on the edge of orgasm. She did as he commanded, sticking her tongue out, ready for him. “Ohhh fuckfuck!”

His first spirt landed on her lips and cheek, then she took his pulsing cock in her mouth as he spent himself on her tongue and she sucked, slurping up his salty load as pulse after pulse painted the inside of her mouth. His hands fell back to her head, and he fucked her mouth, groaning and filling her mouth until cum dribbled out of the corners of her lips.

Sheldon withdrew the throbbing cock slowly from her mouth, letting cum drip from between her lips. She looked right into his eyes and watched the intense pleasure on his face when she swallowed his load, then started to clean up his cock, licking up all the beads of cum on his shaft. Then she stood slowly, and traced her finger around her lips, gathering up the last of his load, and licked them clean.

“You taste soooo good baby,” she said softly, and started to dress. Carson sat back in the chair near his workstation, clearly exhausted by the afterglow. Sheldon smiled seeing her handiwork. She wished in that moment for round two, for him to bend her over the desk and fuck her now soaking wet pussy. Another time, she mused.

“That was… fuckin hell,” Carson gasped, still recuperating. Sheldon giggled.

“I’ve wanted to do that for soooo long Lyn,” she said, feigning coyness, “I’ll uh… I’ll see you around ok?”

“Yeah you will,” he grinned.

“Don’t forget hun, our little secret,” she reminded him, and he nodded. With that she left.

It was late as she walked to the habitation area. The dinner hall was empty when she passed by and she grabbed a cup of water to wash down the taste of Carson. She wondered where Hermann was, and hoped he wasn’t suspicious. She didn’t feel bad at all about cheating, both men were the means to an end for her, and she had no issue manipulating them both. She knew however, she had to be careful.

And she was horny.

She headed to Hermann’s room.