MRS KNECHT RUPRECHT
It's all very well saving the planet, or attempting to with my scientific talents but to spend yet another Christmas alone at Ice Station Zebra Nine two miles from the North Pole was not a prospect I looked forward to. I'd arranged to do a satellite call with my Mum, Dad and my Sister and I'd got some curried turkey and ham in a tin to have with rehydrated mash potatoes. I also had a bottle of scotch I'd been saving and a little teeny Christmas pudding I could boil in its bag. What I didn't have was a woman and it was driving me daft. I suppose it's not like anyone would want to actually be here except me anyway -- testing the ice cores for data on climate change and monitoring ice melt rate doesn't rate highly on most people's idea of fun.
I poured myself a healthy glug of scotch and thought of all the good stuff I'd accomplished this year. I'd definitely consigned the wreckage of my last relationship to the bin. That was well and truly over. It no longer stung to recall those times. It's a shame it ended how it did. And I wonder if Genevieve didn't suffer more than me because of what happened. It just wasn't like her at all to be a cheat. And with my friend? I can only think it was the long separations. I've been down this road before examining it all. I've made my peace with it. I'd not change anything. My work comes first, she always knew that. It's for the survival of our race.
I decided to put some music on and turn the heating up just a tiny little bit. Corny Christmas songs filled me with nostalgia. The scotch was warming me too. I was getting in the mood. It was almost time to message my folks, so I reminded myself I'd better not get too tipsy.
Suddenly the lights went out and the generator died.
Crap
There was no need to freak out though. It would soon come back online. The lights flickered on, my music resumed and then there was a loud knock at the door.
What?
There it was again. Someone was there. I hadn't been notified of incoming personnel. So who was this? My mind raced. The closest research station to me was manned by Gregorechevs -- eighteen miles away at Yelbroska Station. He'd surely not come tonight? There were two boats in the area. It seemed highly improbable for it to be any of them. That only left one other option -- whoever it was had arrived by air.
This could be bad.
I lifted my rifle and approached the door.
'Who is it?'
No answer.
Had I imagined it?
I started to turn away then the knock sounded again.
Drawing a deep breath I opened it, poised to fire.
There in front of me was a woman standing there wearing clothes that made me quite speechless. In truth she was barely wearing any clothes at all.
'My my...what a big gun you're packing soldier,' she smirked and waltzed in kicking the door shut behind her.
I backed up, lowering my gun slightly.
'Ah...can I help you?'
Dressed in nothing more than a white silky baby doll with a fur trim and sporting little peep toe kitten heel mules, she ran her hand seductively over her left breast and fluttered her lush eyelashes.
'Don't be ridiculous darling. Mrs Ruprecht is here to help YOU.'
As she spoke I couldn't help but notice the alluring peach glossed plump lips that seemed to suggest wicked things just by moving alone.
'I'm not sure what you mean but you certainly must be cold after being out there dressed like that. Let me get you a drink and a blanket. Would you like coffee or tea? I'm having a Christmas tipple. You can join me if you like.'
She smiled and nodded graciously. I poured the enigma a stiff one and handed her a blanket.