Chapter 17

The docking of the ship took less time than expected, and before long, Joe led Chloe into the outpost they'd carved into the very rock of the asteroid.

"What is this place?" she asked looking around at the cavernous docking bay. By appearance alone, she'd wager they'd used an existing crater on the asteroid which they then covered with huge mechanical doors to close in the huge area. The walls remained porous rock, while the floor had the familiar perforated metal sheeting most space stations liked to use. Lights strung on thick metal cables hung from the ceiling, illuminating the area. The air was thin, but breathable, and she could have used a second sweater, the one Joe gave her not quite cutting the chill. As she walked, she almost bounced, the gravity not as strong as she was used to.

"This is one of many outposts we've created to allow us to watch the movement of your military and to provide a place we can refuel and regroup."

"So this isn't your permanent home?"

"No."