“We’re all carrying concealed just in case, and we’ve got our two-way radios. I’ll make sure Dr. Park gets a radio as well.”
Knowing how easily they malfunctioned in extreme cold, he’d packed spares.
“Good work today. We’ll get you home as soon as the weather allows.”
The meeting was over, so Thor packed up the laptop and cord.
Jones stood, stretched. “I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry.” Segal got to his feet, too. “I have a new appreciation for you tonight, Isaksen. I’ve never been that cold. It’spainful. Sleeping in a tent in that weather? Hell, no.”
They made their way back to their rooms so that Thor could stash the laptop and then walked upstairs to the galley, where people were lining up cafeteria-style for the evening meal. Most ignored them. Others shot them cold looks. Some of the women—and there weren’t many—looked them up and down.
Yeah, that happened sometimes.
The scents of fried chicken and pizza made Thor’s mouth water, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. He glanced around for Samantha, saw she was ahead of them in line.
“Damn, that smells good.” Jones grabbed a tray and started filling it.
“You’d think he hasn’t eaten in a week,” Segal joked. “Leave something for the people who work here, man.”
Thor got the chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad, then saw Vasily get up from his table and head straight for Samantha, who now sat alone, waiting for them to join her. Forgetting to grab a fork or anything to drink, he carried his tray toward her.
Vasily veered off.
Thor sat beside Samantha, saw the bandage on her hand. “You saw the medic.”
She spread a paper napkin on her lap. “Yes. Kristi, the station nurse, said you make a good field dressing.”
“I’ve had some practice.”
“I bet. Did you—”
“It’s happening.” Jason, the kid who liked to film people, walked up to the table, an apple in hand. “I knew you’d take the women. When do you leave again?”
Irritation flashed over Samantha’s face. “Jason, you’re out of line.”
“They’ve been here a day, and you’re already all over them. Just saying.” Jason shifted his attention to Thor. “Antarctica is a sausage fest, and you guys make it worse.”
Thor hadn’t heard that phrase before. “Sausage fest?”
Jason laughed. “Lots of dicks. You know.Sausage. More men than women. It was hard enough getting laid before you guys showed up.”
Samantha glared at him. “Most of us are here to do research. Not every interaction between men and women is sexual, Jason.”
Jason snickered. “Especially not withyou. The other guys say you never hook up with anyone. If a woman can’t get laid in Antarctica—”
Thor shot to his feet, glared down at the kid, enraged, Samantha’s words about being bullied still with him. “Apologize—now.”
A hush came over the galley, heads turning their way.
Jones stood, too. “You need to watch your mouth, son.”
Segal got to his feet, as well, a piece of buttered bread in his hand, his mouth full, his gaze fixed on the kid.
Jason looked from Thor to the others, took a couple of steps backward. “Sorry.”
Then he hurried away with his apple.