2025-07-18, 10:18 PM
“There they are!” Matt cried out as he stood and waved to the group that had just entered the bar.
Kerri grinned. “So I’m finally going to get to meet the people you work with. I’ve been wondering if they were figments of your imagination, and you’re actually a janitor at NASA and not a psychologist.”
Matt gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then showed her his palms. “Do these look like the hands of an environmental superintendent?”
She took his hands and turned them over, revealing the dirty fingernails that were left over from their overnight camping trip. She grinned. “Yes.”
He clutched his chest theatrically. “Got me!”
They were still chuckling when the others reached their table.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Kerri Ricardo. Kerri, meet everyone.”
The newcomers, three guys and two girls, smiled and offered various greetings. The girls took the chairs at the end of the table, while the guys sat opposite Kerri and Matt. As they sat down, the guy in the middle, a trim young man in his late twenties whose blond streaks gave the impression that he would be more at home on a beach than in a crowded bar, reached over to shake Kerri’s hand. “G’day, Kerri. Matt’s told us a lot about you. Some of us have been wondering why he’s been hiding you away, but I can see why. He was afraid of the competition wanting to steal you away.” His smile showed he wasn’t being serious.
Kerri grinned. “Thanks. You must be Sam.”
Sam cocked an eyebrow and flicked a glance at Matt before returning the grin. “What gave it away?”
“Your accent. Matt told me that despite living in Houston for six years, you still sound like an Aussie.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
One of the other guys answered. “A good thing, especially when it comes time to find a date. Hi, I’m Rod.” He glanced around the room. “And unless I’m very much mistaken, you’ll get to see Jailbait in all his glory tonight.”
Sam frowned but didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached for the serving unit and placed his drink order.
“Jailbait?” Kerri gave Matt a puzzled look, as it was obvious that Sam was well over any age of consent.
“Jailbait is Sam’s nickname in the unit.” Matt continued when he saw that Kerri was still perplexed. “I’ve told you what we do at the space center.”
She nodded. “You’re evaluating the couples being selected for the Alpha Centauri mission.”
“That’s right. It’s a one way trip, and by far the longest manned mission NASA has ever undertaken, so there’s a lot of effort being put into the psychological profiles, to make sure the group will have long-term stability. Sam’s doctoral thesis was on group dynamics in isolated populations, and that’s how he got invited to work for NASA, and why he’ll probably be my boss when Dr. Klingston announces his successor next week.”
One of the girls rolled her eyes. “Matt, you talk too much without saying anything.” She smiled at Kerri. “I’m Opal, and this is my partner Rachel. Sam got his nickname because he’s so good looking and such an all around nice guy that he’s almost irresistible to anyone who’s attracted to guys. His research showed that the best candidates for the mission would be couples in long-term monogamous relationships, so it was made clear that to avoid any sexual tension ruining the mission only committed couples could apply. Just by working closely with the candidates, he’s eliminated four couples because three girls and one guy hit on him. That’s more than anyone else on the team.”
Sam’s head was bowed. “That’s not a record to be proud of.”
The other guy took Sam’s chin and forced him to make eye contact. “On the contrary, you should be very proud of what you’ve achieved. I know you’re disappointed that your own research eliminated any chance of you going to AC, but you’ve done everything in your power to maximize the chances that the mission will be a success. That’s why everyone knows you’ll be promoted to Director of Psychological Evaluations, even though you’re only twenty-nine. No one, and I mean no one, has put in more effort to ensure that the final group of astronauts selected will be as psychologically compatible and stable as possible.”
Sam gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Paul. I owe you one.”
Paul grinned. “You can pay me back tonight by attracting a nice hunky guy for me to meet. It’s been too long since I broke up with my last boyfriend.”
Sam gave Paul a playful punch in the arm. “Is that all I am to you? A guy magnet?”
Rod protested. “Of course not! Now that Matt’s attached, you’re also a girl magnet for this lonely heterosexual on the team.”
Matt caught Sam’s eye. “Is it okay to tell her?”
Sam rolled his eyes and then nodded. “Go ahead. Everyone else knows, so she might as well know, too.”
Matt turned to Kerri. “I told you how Sam’s research was on group dynamics in isolated populations–”
“You’re still talking too much, Matt,” Opal jeered.
Without looking, Matt flipped a finger at her. “Well, he was over the moon when he was asked to join NASA as a junior psychologist on the team that would come up with a short list of six couples for the crew of the Endeavour. He made no bones about the fact he wanted to go, and was devastated when he realized that, being single, he wasn’t eligible.”
Kerri’s forehead wrinkled. “Didn’t you tell me that they were looking for couples that had been together for five years? If that was six years ago, maybe he could have found someone…”
Matt shook his head. “Nope, that wasn’t an option.”
Kerri looked at where Sam was chatting with Rod and Paul. “Why not? He’d have no trouble at all meeting someone — he really is as good looking as you said.”
Matt glanced around and lowered his voice. “Because he knew it wouldn’t work out. The whole point of picking monogamous couples was to avoid sexual tensions destroying the group. That would be difficult if one member of a couple is asexual.”
Kerri blinked. “Asexual? What’s that?”
Matt put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Despite his great looks and charming personality, Sam’s not interested in sex. He got the bad end of the normal distribution curve, with his sex drive being so low that it’s essentially non-existent. However, he’s quite content being single, and doesn’t seem to mind that he doesn’t have a partner. He complains about people hitting on him at times, which is why he doesn’t come out drinking with us very often, but you couldn’t find a stronger and more loyal friend.”
Kerri sighed. “How sad,” she said softly.
“I know, but he doesn’t agree. We’ve talked about it a few times — he’s pretty open about his situation — and he really does seem to be happy with his life. Opal wasn’t being quite truthful when she said that Sam has eliminated four couples from the program. The real number is much higher, even if he may not realize it. Opal, Rod, Paul and I have taken notice of anyone who hasn’t gotten along well with Sam. In every single case, we’ve dug into why and found issues with that person. Two thirds have been eliminated from the program as a result, and the other third have managed to resolve their problems, usually having to do with jealousy and insecurity.”
Their quiet conversation was interrupted by Sam standing up and attracting everyone’s attention.
Sam smiled. “I’ve got some good news to share, if you’re interested.”
“Sam, spill it now, or…”
Sam grinned at Opal. “Or what?”
She grinned back. “You probably don’t want to know.”
Sam laughed. “No, I probably don’t. Anyway, Andy — Dr. Klingston, our boss,” he said in an aside to Kerri, “was telling me that approval’s been given for a second interstellar mission; this time to Barnard’s Star. It’s due to be announced officially next week, at the same time as he announces the final six couples, and the three backups, for the Centauri mission. They’ll start building the laser launch facilities near Mercury later this year, and we all get to start evaluating new candidates soon afterwards. He didn’t actually say, but he implied that the candidates who don’t make the Centauri mission will be on the trip to Barnard’s Star in seven years’ time.”
Matt chuckled. “So Dr. Klingston gets to go out with a bang. The final crew selection for the current mission, announcing his successor, and the news of the next mission, all at the same press conference.”
They chatted for a few more minutes about work, and then Sam steered the conversation to other topics, allowing Kerri to join in.
They were arguing about the best places to go for a vacation when a tall, statuesque blonde interrupted them. “Excuse me, but someone told me that y’all are from the space center. Are you astronauts?”
While Rod smiled and answered, Matt leaned over to whisper to Kerri. “It’s started. Notice how she’s not really looking at Rod, how all her attention is on Sam? He’ll let her down gently, and then another girl or two will try. After they fail, there’s usually one or two guys who think that means Sam’s gay, and make their move. It happens almost every time we come here. Rod and Paul have a chance of picking up Sam’s rejects, but that’s hit-and-miss.”
Kerri sighed. “I think it’s sad, but each to their own. If Sam’s happy, then that’s the only important thing.”
…oooOOOooo…
Matt gritted his teeth and tried again. That time the light went on.
“I really don’t know why I have to do this,” he said as he stood up and let Hans Schmidt have a turn at the CPR manikin.
“Because first aid training is always useful,” Sam said as he watched Hans start CPR. “At the moment, I’m the only one in our unit who has that training, and I don’t think that’s good enough. Since we’re doing refresher training for the Endeavour candidates, I suggested to Andy that someone else should join in. He agreed, and you lost the draw.”
Hans completed the test and Sam waved the next candidate forward.
Hans grinned at Matt. “Just be happy that you have Sam here as the instructor. You could have had Petra!”
Matt switched instantly from student to psychologist. “Why? Your wife is a charming person, not like this slave driver,” he said, waving a hand towards Sam. He was concerned, as Dr. Petra Schmidt was the only medical doctor in the nine couples left in the program. Potential marital problems could eliminate a couple who were considered a certainty for the mission to Alpha Centauri.
“Petra is indeed a charming person, and I’m very glad she’s mine, but when she turns on her clinician side, she is hard nosed and precise. She’d fail you for not keeping a constant rhythm or taking too long to give the poor dummy a breath.” He smiled as he stared at where his wife was admonishing one of the other crew candidates. “Wonderful traits in a surgeon, but difficult ones if you’re her student.”
Matt relaxed. He knew the conversation was being recorded, and others would review the comments, but he didn’t believe anything would change. It was just a friendly comment, and not something that indicated a deeper issue.
“Are you looking forward to your first trial at cold sleep next week?” Matt asked.
Hans shuddered. “Not really. I know it’s supposed to be safe, and the trip isn’t feasible without something to slow the aging process, but the idea of spending a week close to death isn’t one that thrills me. Petra’s told me there’s nothing to worry about, but I hope you’ll excuse me if I say I’m not going to be comfortable with the idea until after I’m been through it.”
Matt chuckled. “You sound just like me. I said almost the same thing when they told us that the entire psychology team was going to have to experience the process before you guys tried it. They said it would help us appreciate how you’d feel, and they were right. I know exactly what you’re feeling right now.”
“What was it like?”
Matt scratched his head. “Hard to say. As they keep saying, it was just like falling asleep. I don’t remember any dreams, just waking up a week later with a dry mouth and a mild headache. I felt weak, too, but they explained that the plan for you guys is to spend a couple of weeks in cold sleep, and then a week out, to help keep the body in shape and stop the muscles from atrophying.”
Hans nodded. “That’s what they said to us, too. Then Petra got into a detailed discussion on what medical issues may crop up, and the rest of us got left behind almost immediately.” He chuckled. “I think Petra is hoping to write a paper on the subject while we’re en route — that is, if we’re on the final list,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
Matt laughed. “Nice try, but no, I don’t know who’s going. I really wouldn’t want to try to guess, either, because I think you all deserve the chance.”
Hans shrugged. “It was worth a try. Any word on Sam’s promotion?”
Kerri grinned. “So I’m finally going to get to meet the people you work with. I’ve been wondering if they were figments of your imagination, and you’re actually a janitor at NASA and not a psychologist.”
Matt gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then showed her his palms. “Do these look like the hands of an environmental superintendent?”
She took his hands and turned them over, revealing the dirty fingernails that were left over from their overnight camping trip. She grinned. “Yes.”
He clutched his chest theatrically. “Got me!”
They were still chuckling when the others reached their table.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Kerri Ricardo. Kerri, meet everyone.”
The newcomers, three guys and two girls, smiled and offered various greetings. The girls took the chairs at the end of the table, while the guys sat opposite Kerri and Matt. As they sat down, the guy in the middle, a trim young man in his late twenties whose blond streaks gave the impression that he would be more at home on a beach than in a crowded bar, reached over to shake Kerri’s hand. “G’day, Kerri. Matt’s told us a lot about you. Some of us have been wondering why he’s been hiding you away, but I can see why. He was afraid of the competition wanting to steal you away.” His smile showed he wasn’t being serious.
Kerri grinned. “Thanks. You must be Sam.”
Sam cocked an eyebrow and flicked a glance at Matt before returning the grin. “What gave it away?”
“Your accent. Matt told me that despite living in Houston for six years, you still sound like an Aussie.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
One of the other guys answered. “A good thing, especially when it comes time to find a date. Hi, I’m Rod.” He glanced around the room. “And unless I’m very much mistaken, you’ll get to see Jailbait in all his glory tonight.”
Sam frowned but didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached for the serving unit and placed his drink order.
“Jailbait?” Kerri gave Matt a puzzled look, as it was obvious that Sam was well over any age of consent.
“Jailbait is Sam’s nickname in the unit.” Matt continued when he saw that Kerri was still perplexed. “I’ve told you what we do at the space center.”
She nodded. “You’re evaluating the couples being selected for the Alpha Centauri mission.”
“That’s right. It’s a one way trip, and by far the longest manned mission NASA has ever undertaken, so there’s a lot of effort being put into the psychological profiles, to make sure the group will have long-term stability. Sam’s doctoral thesis was on group dynamics in isolated populations, and that’s how he got invited to work for NASA, and why he’ll probably be my boss when Dr. Klingston announces his successor next week.”
One of the girls rolled her eyes. “Matt, you talk too much without saying anything.” She smiled at Kerri. “I’m Opal, and this is my partner Rachel. Sam got his nickname because he’s so good looking and such an all around nice guy that he’s almost irresistible to anyone who’s attracted to guys. His research showed that the best candidates for the mission would be couples in long-term monogamous relationships, so it was made clear that to avoid any sexual tension ruining the mission only committed couples could apply. Just by working closely with the candidates, he’s eliminated four couples because three girls and one guy hit on him. That’s more than anyone else on the team.”
Sam’s head was bowed. “That’s not a record to be proud of.”
The other guy took Sam’s chin and forced him to make eye contact. “On the contrary, you should be very proud of what you’ve achieved. I know you’re disappointed that your own research eliminated any chance of you going to AC, but you’ve done everything in your power to maximize the chances that the mission will be a success. That’s why everyone knows you’ll be promoted to Director of Psychological Evaluations, even though you’re only twenty-nine. No one, and I mean no one, has put in more effort to ensure that the final group of astronauts selected will be as psychologically compatible and stable as possible.”
Sam gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Paul. I owe you one.”
Paul grinned. “You can pay me back tonight by attracting a nice hunky guy for me to meet. It’s been too long since I broke up with my last boyfriend.”
Sam gave Paul a playful punch in the arm. “Is that all I am to you? A guy magnet?”
Rod protested. “Of course not! Now that Matt’s attached, you’re also a girl magnet for this lonely heterosexual on the team.”
Matt caught Sam’s eye. “Is it okay to tell her?”
Sam rolled his eyes and then nodded. “Go ahead. Everyone else knows, so she might as well know, too.”
Matt turned to Kerri. “I told you how Sam’s research was on group dynamics in isolated populations–”
“You’re still talking too much, Matt,” Opal jeered.
Without looking, Matt flipped a finger at her. “Well, he was over the moon when he was asked to join NASA as a junior psychologist on the team that would come up with a short list of six couples for the crew of the Endeavour. He made no bones about the fact he wanted to go, and was devastated when he realized that, being single, he wasn’t eligible.”
Kerri’s forehead wrinkled. “Didn’t you tell me that they were looking for couples that had been together for five years? If that was six years ago, maybe he could have found someone…”
Matt shook his head. “Nope, that wasn’t an option.”
Kerri looked at where Sam was chatting with Rod and Paul. “Why not? He’d have no trouble at all meeting someone — he really is as good looking as you said.”
Matt glanced around and lowered his voice. “Because he knew it wouldn’t work out. The whole point of picking monogamous couples was to avoid sexual tensions destroying the group. That would be difficult if one member of a couple is asexual.”
Kerri blinked. “Asexual? What’s that?”
Matt put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Despite his great looks and charming personality, Sam’s not interested in sex. He got the bad end of the normal distribution curve, with his sex drive being so low that it’s essentially non-existent. However, he’s quite content being single, and doesn’t seem to mind that he doesn’t have a partner. He complains about people hitting on him at times, which is why he doesn’t come out drinking with us very often, but you couldn’t find a stronger and more loyal friend.”
Kerri sighed. “How sad,” she said softly.
“I know, but he doesn’t agree. We’ve talked about it a few times — he’s pretty open about his situation — and he really does seem to be happy with his life. Opal wasn’t being quite truthful when she said that Sam has eliminated four couples from the program. The real number is much higher, even if he may not realize it. Opal, Rod, Paul and I have taken notice of anyone who hasn’t gotten along well with Sam. In every single case, we’ve dug into why and found issues with that person. Two thirds have been eliminated from the program as a result, and the other third have managed to resolve their problems, usually having to do with jealousy and insecurity.”
Their quiet conversation was interrupted by Sam standing up and attracting everyone’s attention.
Sam smiled. “I’ve got some good news to share, if you’re interested.”
“Sam, spill it now, or…”
Sam grinned at Opal. “Or what?”
She grinned back. “You probably don’t want to know.”
Sam laughed. “No, I probably don’t. Anyway, Andy — Dr. Klingston, our boss,” he said in an aside to Kerri, “was telling me that approval’s been given for a second interstellar mission; this time to Barnard’s Star. It’s due to be announced officially next week, at the same time as he announces the final six couples, and the three backups, for the Centauri mission. They’ll start building the laser launch facilities near Mercury later this year, and we all get to start evaluating new candidates soon afterwards. He didn’t actually say, but he implied that the candidates who don’t make the Centauri mission will be on the trip to Barnard’s Star in seven years’ time.”
Matt chuckled. “So Dr. Klingston gets to go out with a bang. The final crew selection for the current mission, announcing his successor, and the news of the next mission, all at the same press conference.”
They chatted for a few more minutes about work, and then Sam steered the conversation to other topics, allowing Kerri to join in.
They were arguing about the best places to go for a vacation when a tall, statuesque blonde interrupted them. “Excuse me, but someone told me that y’all are from the space center. Are you astronauts?”
While Rod smiled and answered, Matt leaned over to whisper to Kerri. “It’s started. Notice how she’s not really looking at Rod, how all her attention is on Sam? He’ll let her down gently, and then another girl or two will try. After they fail, there’s usually one or two guys who think that means Sam’s gay, and make their move. It happens almost every time we come here. Rod and Paul have a chance of picking up Sam’s rejects, but that’s hit-and-miss.”
Kerri sighed. “I think it’s sad, but each to their own. If Sam’s happy, then that’s the only important thing.”
…oooOOOooo…
Matt gritted his teeth and tried again. That time the light went on.
“I really don’t know why I have to do this,” he said as he stood up and let Hans Schmidt have a turn at the CPR manikin.
“Because first aid training is always useful,” Sam said as he watched Hans start CPR. “At the moment, I’m the only one in our unit who has that training, and I don’t think that’s good enough. Since we’re doing refresher training for the Endeavour candidates, I suggested to Andy that someone else should join in. He agreed, and you lost the draw.”
Hans completed the test and Sam waved the next candidate forward.
Hans grinned at Matt. “Just be happy that you have Sam here as the instructor. You could have had Petra!”
Matt switched instantly from student to psychologist. “Why? Your wife is a charming person, not like this slave driver,” he said, waving a hand towards Sam. He was concerned, as Dr. Petra Schmidt was the only medical doctor in the nine couples left in the program. Potential marital problems could eliminate a couple who were considered a certainty for the mission to Alpha Centauri.
“Petra is indeed a charming person, and I’m very glad she’s mine, but when she turns on her clinician side, she is hard nosed and precise. She’d fail you for not keeping a constant rhythm or taking too long to give the poor dummy a breath.” He smiled as he stared at where his wife was admonishing one of the other crew candidates. “Wonderful traits in a surgeon, but difficult ones if you’re her student.”
Matt relaxed. He knew the conversation was being recorded, and others would review the comments, but he didn’t believe anything would change. It was just a friendly comment, and not something that indicated a deeper issue.
“Are you looking forward to your first trial at cold sleep next week?” Matt asked.
Hans shuddered. “Not really. I know it’s supposed to be safe, and the trip isn’t feasible without something to slow the aging process, but the idea of spending a week close to death isn’t one that thrills me. Petra’s told me there’s nothing to worry about, but I hope you’ll excuse me if I say I’m not going to be comfortable with the idea until after I’m been through it.”
Matt chuckled. “You sound just like me. I said almost the same thing when they told us that the entire psychology team was going to have to experience the process before you guys tried it. They said it would help us appreciate how you’d feel, and they were right. I know exactly what you’re feeling right now.”
“What was it like?”
Matt scratched his head. “Hard to say. As they keep saying, it was just like falling asleep. I don’t remember any dreams, just waking up a week later with a dry mouth and a mild headache. I felt weak, too, but they explained that the plan for you guys is to spend a couple of weeks in cold sleep, and then a week out, to help keep the body in shape and stop the muscles from atrophying.”
Hans nodded. “That’s what they said to us, too. Then Petra got into a detailed discussion on what medical issues may crop up, and the rest of us got left behind almost immediately.” He chuckled. “I think Petra is hoping to write a paper on the subject while we’re en route — that is, if we’re on the final list,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
Matt laughed. “Nice try, but no, I don’t know who’s going. I really wouldn’t want to try to guess, either, because I think you all deserve the chance.”
Hans shrugged. “It was worth a try. Any word on Sam’s promotion?”