Stick and Carrot

Tara Dayton squinted at the security video of the science lab intently. Angry. Watching Colby Smith just let someone not from the science department just waltz in and see explicitly classified information infuriated her.

Dayton reviewed the notes Smith had made on the intruders. They were clearly trying to stay unknown, that much was evident. But not totally hidden either: there was no effort at camouflage, no stealth rocket undetectable by radar, and no outward sign these people were hiding. By all evidence, they’d just turned up on Mars without telling anyone.

“Weird,” she muttered.

The next file she opened was a situation update from Green Mars Corp HQ. She skimmed the document, which amounted to nothing more than an acknowledgement of Smith’s observations. They contributed nothing and had no answers for her. She cursed under her breath and closed the screen.

“Fucking useless.”

In the lab outside her office, the two science team members were working at their respective terminals. Occasionally, through her open office door, she would hear muttering or words spoken in hushed tones. They were nervous, she guessed.

“Smith! Get your ass in here,” Dayton barked. Smith entered the office sheepishly. “Close the door.” She did as instructed and then sat in the chair across from Dayton.

“Explain yourself,” Sheldon said acidly.

“I um, OK, so the report,” Smith started, clearly nervous, “I didn’t know what a piece of equipment was and I guess I just um, needed help.”

“So you asked Pam to help you,” Dayton asked, trying to catch Smith in a lie. She knew she had to tread carefully; she didn’t want to reveal anything about the security system.

“No uh, she approached me,” Smith explained, “but I guess I told her I didn’t know what a piece of gear did and she uh, asked to see.”

“I see,” said Dayton coldly. “So you decided because you didn’t know something, you’d violate security protocols to find out?”

“I um, she was worried about the mines,” responded Smith.

“Of course she was, she’s a geologist,” Dayton retorted coldly. “I expect geologists to worry about mines, but what I don’t expect is people who have been informed there are security worries to flaunt them!”

Smith looked at her feet, her face a mask of sadness. Stick, now carrot, thought Dayton.

“Look, Colby,” she said softly, “I get it, you were stumped and needed to get the job done. Right?” Smith nodded. “So you took the easy way instead of talking to me.”

“I shouldn’t have talked to Pam about it,” Smith, looking crestfallen, said.

“You shouldn’t have; you’re right. Listen, I’m not mad, Colby,” Dayton said softly, “not very mad anyways. I’m disappointed. I expected when I said this was classified that you would respect that. I know when you wrote your report, you were trying to get the best information possible. I see that.” Smith nodded, looking sad but less so. “I expect better, and it won’t happen again. Are we clear on that?”

“Clear Tara,” Smith said, making eye contact.

“Good. Listen, besides the information in it you didn’t actually know,” Dayton said, referring to the cover story she’d given Smith as to how she found out about Sheldon, “it was an excellent report. You did good work, OK?”

“Thanks Tara,” Smith, still chastised, said.

“Next time you don’t know something,” continued Dayton, “you tell me. It’s OK to not know stuff, we’re in the science department Colby, we need to be able to say we don’t know something when we don’t know something. It’s the scientific method, Colby.”

“Is Pam,” ventured Smith, trailing off.

“Going to get in shit. Yes, to a point,” Dayton explained, “as with you, she did good work, but the methodology was wrong. I’ll be talking to her next.”

“She um, she was just trying to help,” Smith said.

“That’s between me and her Miss Smith,” Dayton responded coldly. She admired the fact Smith was going out on a limb for Sheldon, but she wasn’t going to admit it. Smith nodded. “Anything else while I have you here?” Smith shook her head. “Very well, return to your duties as you were doing them and pray that we never, ever, need to have this conversation again.”

Smith, chastised, left the office quickly. Dayton could hear her talking to Hayden in low, hushed tones. She returned to the documents on her computer, rereading what Smith had written. It was quite good, she reminded herself. Miss Smith had done excellent work. The picture of the colonist, standing there looking right up at the satellite was striking and concerning. She wondered if the colonist knew it was there. That would explain why they never saw activity when it was directly above, but then again, how many times would they see anything at all?

The afternoon changed to evening, and Tara Dayton decided to call it a day. Dinner was a salad with beans on the side. Hardly satisfying, but tolerable she mused as she ate. Dinner over, she left to go to her room and relax for a time, but relaxation wasn’t on the cards for her. No sooner had she got into her room than email notifications began coming in.

The first two were administrative, but the third was a follow-up from corporate. In it, they explained that the believe the new colony was not an annex or separate sub-colony of one of the already established colonies but a new one entirely. No shit, she thought, I could have told them that. Another ding on the computer caught her attention.

The email she received was entitled ‘Friendly Relations,’ and the sender address was @redrock1. Inside was a polite, very formal, invitation to a meeting at Red Rock to discuss a friendly working relationship with that colony. She had expected they would be willing to cooperate, but a meeting at their colony she hadn’t expected. It could be fascinating, or dangerous she mused.

RE: Friendly Relations

Yes, I am willing to attend a meeting at Red Rock Base to discuss this. To confirm, would I be able to bring one or more members of my crew along? I look forward to hearing from you and am very excited to cooperate with Red Rock.

Tara Dayton

Mission Commander, Green Mars Corporation

No sooner had Dayton hit ‘send’ did she hear a knock on her door. She opened it, and standing in the entrance to her quarters was Pamala Sheldon, looking sheepish. Her red jumpsuit was grubby, and her hair was a mess.

“Hi um, Tara, can we talk,” she said softly. Dayton indicated for her to enter, and she sat on the bed, and Dayton sat beside her.

“I’m sorry I took so long getting back,” she explained, “I got your message when I was at the secondary site doing some tests.”

“It’s fine, it’s better that you finished what you were doing first,” Dayton said.

“First,” began Sheldon, in a voice that made Dayton think she had prepared a statement, “let me begin by saying I’m sorry to have violated your trust and your orders.”

“I appreciate that Pam, but why did you,” Dayton responded.

“I was… am, worried about the mines,” Sheldon said, “the fact there were five sites already was bad enough, the fact there’s now a sixth is at best, problematic.”

“Explain,” Dayton said impassively.

“As you know, mining rights are half the reason we’re here. More than half, actually,” Sheldon explained, “I was sent on the mission to ensure that this aspect of the mission runs smoothly…”

“You were sent on the mission to follow my orders Pamala,” interrupted Dayton.

“Of course,” Sheldon, exasperated, said, “but I have my responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is the mining operations. The company expects me to do my job, Tara.”

“Listen, you’re not wrong Pam,” Dayton explained in an understanding tone, “but understand me when I say that security must, and I mean must, be your top priority.” She waited till Sheldon acknowledged what she had said with a nod before continuing. “Trust is a circle, Pam. I look out for the colony, you look out for the mines, and Colby looks out for the security of her work. Understand?”

“I do, Tara, I’m sorry,” Sheldon said in a tone that Dayton thought was earnest. “I shouldn’t have pressed Colby to reveal something she shouldn’t have.”

Dayton wanted to go farther. She could have said that pressuring Smith was an act of espionage, if unintentionally so. She could have said that by doing so, Sheldon had violated her trust. But she didn’t, deciding instead to let it lie. The point was made, and heard, was there really a need to belabour it?

Dayton observed Sheldon as she sat awkwardly on Dayton’s bed. She seemed nervous and hesitant. Dayton thought about her instructions to Lyndon Carson about Sheldon and her heart raced.

“How was the site Pam,” Dayton asked, trying to soften the mood a little.

“Oh it looks OK,” Sheldon responded weakly. “The site isn’t as good as Gamma-1 but it’ll do as a secondary site.”

“Listen, I know you’re upset about what went down and I also know you were doing what you thought was right for the mission OK,” Sheldon reassured, “your heart and soul is in the right place Pam.”

“I appreciate that Tara,” Sheldon said, smiling and looking into Dayton’s eyes while she brushed some stray brown hairs out of her face. “I did ask Colby, and she told me you’d told her not too. Please don’t be too mad at her. It’s uh, it’s on me.”

“I’ll consider it,” Dayton said stiffly, “but understand that she knew she was violating my instructions.”

“I know, I do, but, um,” Sheldon began, but trailed off. She leaned close, and moved in to kiss Dayton. It was hesitant at first, and she broke away. “Sorry I just uh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s OK Pam,” Dayton said softly, reaching her hand around Sheldon’s head and pulling her into a gentle kiss. Their tongues swirled around each other’s, and she felt Sheldon’s hand on her leg.

“I can make it up to you Tara, just please don’t be too mad at Colby,” Sheldon pleaded. A rush of excitement flooded Dayton. She nodded slowly; her eyes were fixed on Sheldon as she slowly unzipped her jumpsuit. She pulled her arms out of the jumpsuit and wearing just a singlet, she leaned in to kiss Dayton again. This time, her confidence clearly higher, she kissed deeply, and her hands explored Dayton’s body.

“Listen, Pam,” Dayton breathed while Sheldon kissed up her neck, “mmm that’s nice, I want this, but you don’t have to do it for Colby, I… the matter between her and I is over regardless of what happens here, OK?”

“Thank you, Tara,” Sheldon breathed, and then continued to kiss Dayton eagerly. She felt Sheldon’s hand slide down her body to the zipper of her white and blue jumpsuit and slid it down. Sheldon’s hand slid under as they made out, and she enjoyed the sensation of the warm, delicate hand squeezing and teasing her hardening nipple. “I want this.”

“Me too,” whispered Dayton, who started to feel up Sheldon’s pert little tits through her singlet. Dayton squeezed her thighs together and felt the wetness on her underwear.

“Uh, can I tell you something,” Sheldon said as she slipped her tank top off over her head. Dayton nodded to her while felt up Sheldon’s bare breasts. “I’ve never done this before. Like, with a woman.”

“Really,” giggled Dayton, pulling Sheldon tight against her body, “I wouldn’t have been able to tell.” They kissed more and as their tongues danced, Dayton pushed her jumpsuit down and the cold air prickled on her bare skin.

“I’ve thought you were beautiful for like, ages,” said Sheldon with a smile when they broke the kiss. “It's just... I’ve just never like, gone all the way before… with a girl.”

“I’ll teach you everything you need to know,” smiled Dayton, who stood and let her jumpsuit fall to the floor. She stepped out of it and leaned in close to Sheldon and whispered; “take my panties off,” in her ear. Sheldon did as she was commanded and hooked her fingers into the straps of Dayton’s thong and pulled it down, revealing her shaved pussy. “Mmmm yes,” purred Dayton as Sheldon leaned closer and kissed her ever-so-gently on her pussy.

“Take your clothes off,” whispered Dayton. Sheldon stood and undressed while Dayton sat back on the bed and slowly fingered herself. She was already soaked and her heart hammered with excitement as the little brunette stripped naked. “Lay on the bed.”

Sheldon did as she was instructed. Dayton looked her over for a few moments, enjoying the sight of the beautiful naked Canadian, wet and ready for her touch. She stepped over to the bottom of the bed and slid between Sheldon’s open legs.

“How long have you wanted this,” Dayton whispered softly while she kissed her way up the soft skin of Sheldon’s inner thigh.

“Mmmm for soooo long,” moaned Sheldon, who started massaging her tits while she watched Dayton. When she arrived at her pussy, she began by kissing a small delicate circle around her, all while breathing in her intoxicating sent. Then she planted a very gentle kiss on Sheldon’s clit, making her moan softly. "S-since.... mmmm, Greenl-land."

“You have such a beautiful body Pam,” whispered Dayton. She started to gently lick in a circle around the clit, teasing and licking the little nub, making Sheldon seem to levitate higher and higher off the bed to her every touch of the tip of her tongue.

Dayton’s licks got more insistent. She licked Sheldon’s clit and sucked gently, responding to her body’s movements, her moans, her bucking hips, building her pleasure higher and higher until she was soaking Dayton’s lips and moaning loudly.

“That’s so… so… I’m cumming, oh fuck I’m, cumming…. aaggghhh,” she wailed, her hands making tight balls of the blankets. Dayton was incredibly turned on. She was **** for Sheldon’s touch, aching for it, but she stayed between her thighs as the orgasm subsided.

“You taste soooo good Pam,” whispered Dayton, her lips grazing Sheldon’s pussy lips as she spoke. She started to lick Sheldon’s clit, but this time as she did, she slid her middle finger up to her pussy. She teased it around her pussy entrance before sliding it all the way in and was rewarded with a long low moan. She added her index finger, thrusting it slowly in and out, timing it to the rhythm of her licks.

“Oh fucking fuck,” Sheldon gasped loudly. Dayton started doing a ‘come hither’ move with her fingers against her G-spot. The moans got louder and ragged. Sheldon’s chest was heaving, her hips grinding her pussy against Dayton’s face, and her hand fell to the back of Dayton’s head to hold her down on her pussy. “That’s… fuck, that’ssss ahhhhhh!”

Dayton licked even faster and more insistently. Her fingers working inside with the same pace as her ever-accelerating fingers. The dam broke. Sheldon screamed with pure, unbridled pleasure, and Dayton’s mouth, chin and nose was suddenly soaked with her hot squirt. She kept licking and fingering, swallowing some of Sheldon’s juices, enjoying the feeling of her pussy clamping down on her fingers while she screamed out in incoherent pleasure.

Dayton lifted herself up on her hands and then flopped herself into the bed beside Sheldon, whose chest was heaving. She gasped, and with an exhausted, pleasure filled expression on her face, kissed Dayton firmly on the lips.

“That… mmm, that was incredible” Sheldon gasped. She reached down to Dayton’s pussy and gently rubbed her hands over her, making Dayton tingle with anticipation.

“Are you ready Pam,” Dayton whispered, watching Sheldon lean over her body and take her erect nipple into her mouth.

“I am,” she smiled, giving the nipple an extra lick before she moved down between Dayton’s legs. “I’m so happy you’re the first,” she added, before kissing Dayton’s pussy.

“Oh fuuuuck,” Dayton moaned feeling Sheldon’s tongue penetrate her before sliding back out.

“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” Sheldon teased. She started to lick her from the bottom of her pussy up to her clit, then back down, up and so on. Each time she passed over, she slipped her tongue a little inside Dayton’s soaking wet pussy, making her gasp each time.

“Fuck you’re so bad,” Dayton purred, the pressure building. The sensation of Sheldon’s tongue on and inside her pussy was gorgeous. She played with her tits while Sheldon licked and sucked on her clit. “Yes, right there baby right there! M-move with my hips. Shit, right there fuuuuuck!”

Dayton’s building orgasm rippled through her body in waves of electric pleasure that made her feel like she was floating high above the bed, held up in the air by Sheldon’s lapping tongue. She screamed, not caring if the entire station could hear her cum. Her hands felt hair as she reached down and held Sheldon’s head down against her thrusting hips. When her senses came back to her, Sheldon was looking up at her, her lips shiny with Dayton’s wetness.

“You’re a natural,” Dayton gasped. Sheldon climbed up her body, they kissed deeply, and Dayton tasted herself on Sheldon’s lips.

“I’m so glad we did that,” whispered Sheldon as she laid down beside Dayton. Sheldon put one arm around Dayton’s body and held her, gently cupping her right breast.

“Was it how you hoped Pam?”

“Better,” Sheldon responded with a giggle, “incredible actually.”

“We can do that whenever you want hun,” Dayton responded with a grin. Sheldon smiled and the two laid together, enjoying the afterglow for a little while before Sheldon stood to leave. She dressed slowly, and Dayton admired her body as she did.

“Imma take you up on that,” she said with a smile. “Hey can we uh, not tell anyone though? I’m not sure that… uh…”

“That Hans would be OK with it,” Dayton asked, finishing Sheldon’s sentence. Sheldon nodded and Dayton wondered what Carson would think too, but given Sheldon didn’t know Dayton knew about Carson, she kept it to herself. “No problem gorgeous.”