Planet 2

Two prospectors, Richard and Caroline, are heading for launch towards a metal-rich planet, when they stop to pick up Alan Smith, a massively depressed computer tech. He seemed to know his stuff, so maybe he'd be useful. He probably couldn't help Caroline with Richard, who had who had been in love with her for years. That wasn't going anywhere.

Then, Alan saw Frances, a late-for-work kitchen assistant, and smiled. Widely. Over jet-black, red-hot coffee, they chatted. Alan smiled again. Wider, this time. So did she, and she was very pretty when she did.

Was he really flirting with her? He hadn't intended to.

Was she really flirting with him? She hadn't intended to.

Whatever the intention, something was in the works.

Very well indeed...