by Terri Lane
“You’re kidding?” she asked Tessa.
“Nope. Guys like that would mess with anyone who they believed screwed with them. So they assume everyone else works the same way. The concept of a soldier’s honor is beyond some people,” she explained. The Commander nodded.
“You have a point. So you have been on the job a few weeks now. What do you think? I imagine you are not getting much computer work.” Commander Earhart asked companionably. Tessa thought about it as they walked to the port in the officer’s office. Tessa would always love looking out at the stars.
“I think I am loving it. I never really knew what I would end up doing once I got out here, but I am really enjoying it,” she said.
“And Lindesty, is she having as much fun?” Earhart said with a grin.
“She may bitch, but she is. Although having to go to the Gorgons’ home world for some training was a surprise,” Tessa said and laughed. “It is funny you know,” she finished staring out into space with a half-smile on her face.
“What is?”
“I was always the space happy one. Then she gets sent off and I stay here,” Tessa said with another laugh.
“Do you want to go somewhere else?” Tessa thought about it and shook her head.
“No, I don’t need to. I have enough space right there,” she said gesturing out the window. “Aliens around every corner and you never know what is going to happen next. Do I sound crazy?” she asked looking at the Commander.
“Maybe a little but then so do I. By the end of my first year on station I was hooked. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Anything I ever wanted to do with my life is happening here. We are rapidly becoming the center of the galaxy Tessa. This is a place for dreams. It worked for you and me, and Lindesty too,” she finished and Tessa agreed. She liked the idea. The place of dreams. They finished her drink and Tessa picked up her folders.
“Was there anything else I could do for you Commander?” she asked before leaving.
“Oh yes, I am glad you asked. Could you meet the Lither delegation in the morning? They are arriving early but I have a security briefing and frankly they prefer the diplomatic corps,” she said.
“Sure, my morning is free. Did they book big enough rooms?” She asked.
“What do you mean?” The Commander asked frowning.
“They travel with their twelve wives,” she informed the Commander.
“Twelve!” she exclaimed.
“Yeah, they don’t leave home without them. It is a status thing. She said walking to the door.
“Damn I couldn’t even handle two men,” the Commander said. Tessa managed to not blush when she looked back. The Commander was sitting at her desk with a twinkle in her eye. She knew about Tessa’s relationship, but never mentioned it.
“It bet it is a juggling act,” she said and heard the Commander laugh as she went down the hall. She passed Chief McDonald on the way down.
“How you doing Tess?” He asked.
“Living the dream Chief. You?” she returned. He growled something unintelligible. That was the norm for the Chief of security. That was a job she would never want. She made her way home whistling softly to herself. The Station seemed even brighter these days. Welcoming and inviting. The Commander was right. The place was becoming the center of the galaxy and she got to play here. Life was amazing, she thought to herself. As soon as she got in her quarters she removed her jacket and hung it over the back of a bar chair. Her blouse followed, leaving her in her one piece under top and her gray skirt. She kicked her shoes off and went behind her bar. She decided on some Kindar wine. Her lovers got her some special from their home world. She had to remember to thank them properly. The thought made her giggle.
“I don’t know what you did to get here girlfriend but keep it up. This is the life,” she said to herself and turned on some soft, ancient classical music. Tessa could not help grinning. She had been truthful with the Chief when she passed him in the corridor. She believed she was living the dream. She was not naïve enough to believe there would never be any more trouble. Some races were not pleased with all the attention being paid to Station One. Tessa didn’t care though. She was making a difference out here on the Edge and that was the important thing for her. She turned and got some munchies from the little refrigerator unit behind her and pulled out some chocolate.
“A little relaxing, some snacking, and then it is time to find my boyfriends. As good as it gets,” she chortled to herself.
“Is that so,” she heard a familiar voice and almost choked on her wine. Jobol and Jindal came walking out of the bedroom and she groaned and then cursed.
“Damn, I am never going to get used to having more than one room quarters,” then she smiled at her friends.
“How did you two get in here?” She asked getting out two more glasses.
“You really should change your lock code from time to time,” the Ambassador said with a smile. He leaned over the bar and she gave him a kiss and then one for Jindal.
“I will remember that. So how has your day been?” she asked pouring them some wine.
“Good, good. We concluded a few negotiations on trade with the Gorgon. They are much easier to deal with since the crisis. I think they realize how much we need to stick together. It sounds like you had a good day too,” Jobol said after a sip of wine.
“It was fantastic and still getting better. I never imagined I could be so happy. I am actually working more with the Commander than I thought I would be and that is going good to. I really like her. I could never do her job and she handles it so well. She is something of an inspiration for me,” Tessa admitted. Jindal held out his glass and they clinked a toast.
“To inspiration. May we never run out of it,” he said with a loving smile that always warmed Tessa.
“Indeed,” Jobol added.
It pleases us to see you so happy darling. When we met, you were as beautiful as the Kilgar nebula. This evening you outshine the sun,” Jobol said and Jindal nodded. Tessa was never sure if she would get used to their extravagant compliments and wasn’t sure she wanted to. They always made her feel so good.
“You two are a big part of that, I hope you know. The job and the prestige aside. You make my heart flutter in a good way. I hope I can do the same for you two,” she said honestly.
“Every moment of every day. Don’t ever doubt it. So did you hear about the new arrival next week?” Jobol asked.
“No, just the Lither tomorrow. I told the Commander I would meet them when they arrive, she has a security briefing,” she said.
“Well the Earth embassy from Vega is stopping in on their way back to Earth. We just heard the Vegan neighbors, the Nartock are not happy about it. There was a problem during last year’s negotiations and the Nartock specifically blame the Vegan Earth delegates. Some muttering about weapons and the Prime Minister’s niece. I haven’t heard the specifics. If the Commander has come to rely on you, I imagine she will ask for your help once she learns of it,” Jobol said. As usual he knew things before anyone else. Jindal just snorted in amazement. He couldn’t figure out how his boss did it either.
“It will be touchy?” Tessa asked.
“You could say that,” Jobol returned. Tessa nodded and then pushed it aside. She would worry about it later. All part of the job.
“Want some chocolate?” she said sliding the tray across the bar top and they pounced. She had introduced them to the sweet and they were hooked. They all three munched on the candy until there was one left and Tessa snatched it up.
“No fair,” Jindal cried foul.
“You two ate the whole box when I wasn’t looking last time. This one is mine,” she said and she tucked it in her top between her breasts.
“You can’t have it,” she told them with a grin. They both chuckled and eyed her frame. Tessa could feel their energy and knew what was coming and she wanted it. She sipped her wine keeping an eye on them. They both pretended upset and then laughed and picked up their win
e.
“You know Little Tess, if I had known you strip off your clothes when you come in the door I would have started breaking in here weeks ago,” Jindal said. Jobol and laughed and Tessa grinned.
“No doubt. I look forward to it,” she told them. “So how does the rest of your week look? I was going to take a few days off at the week’s end. I haven’t had a day off since I started two weeks ago,” she asked. They looked at each other.
“I think something could be arranged. What were you thinking?” Jindal asked.
“I was thinking about the Star Suites. They are expensive, but I think I can spring for a night. I have heard they are spectacular. They are right against the hull and the ceiling is clear so you can see nothing but the stars,” she told them and her voice echoed with her excitement for the idea. They both grinned.
“Then we will have to arrange it my dear. I have never been to one and I am a little surprised at myself. I would like to see it,” Jobol said and Tessa was ecstatic they like the idea. This whole having money thing was fun, she thought. Jindal was looking at her curiously, suddenly.
“What’s up sport?” She asked him smiling.
“I think, I would like, some chocolate,” he said and leaned quickly over the bar and picked her up and brought her over the bar. She laughed in a shriek as he lay her across his shoulder and started for her bedroom. She lifted her head from against his back and saw the more dignified Jobol following with a smile.
“I will make you work for it,” she cried out as they entered the bedroom.
THE END
= Bonus Book 14 of 20 =
Cosmically Yours
Rapidly dashing between corn stalks and trees was a woman with purple hair. She was rushing to the site of this great light that glittered over a small area in the field. Her hair whipped behind her in flashes of purple and blue, a reflection of the beautiful cosmos that beckoned her to enter it. As she darted between the yellow and green of the corn, she heard her name being called from just a few yards behind her.
“Amelia...”
Strange, enormous flowers came into view, dazzling her with their myriad of colors, and filling her nostrils with a sweet scent that lured her to the light. The field grew thicker with these flowers that illuminated the ground, their bulbs seeming to glow brighter, as the sky above grew darker. Though she had never been here before, she could have sworn it was familiar and reached out to touch the soft petals of the absurd flowers that stood as tall as the corn stalks. The length of their stems was incredible, their petals stretched towards the sky as if calling for the universe to bring down something otherworldly. A slew of colors decorated them, colors that she could not identify. But they inspired such happiness that she pushed on.
The beam of light glowed in the distance, expanding and compressing every so often as to alarm the runner. Her heart was beating fast inside her chest as her legs pumped smoothly against the moving earth, feet trampling stalks that were in her path. The light dimmed suddenly and she thought she might not make it in time to see what it was. For all the years seeking this strange, beautiful light, it would be such a disappointment not to be allowed entry into it. This dream had been a persistent part of her existence and she was determined to discover its meaning, even if it meant pushing the physical boundaries of her body and mind.
Amelia sprinted harder as a loud ringing filled the air and vibrated the very fabric of existence. Heart pounding, she came upon a clearing that seemed to sit outside of time, every minute stopping in that moment as she crossed the threshold into it. She spun around as her eyes danced across the stalks surrounding the area, their stems pushed down to the ground to create a gentle circle. Looking up, she found a metal structure that hummed faintly in the evening breeze coming from the north. It clicked a few times as a circle formed above her head, watching as the metal separated to allow the same light gradually to come into view. It enveloped her and defeated the darkness around the small circle while pulling her up towards the sky, a floating sensation overcoming her body.
Light of weight and filled with hope, Amelia smiled while floating up into the metal craft. It was as if everything had finally come together and she would be able to see the true nature of this elusive detail in her life. All of her dreams had featured this moment where she was weightless in the glittering light that catapulted her into another world enveloped by mirrors. She looked around to find herself looking back in every direction, turning only to find more clones of her image. They floated in a vast black hole dotted with bits of light that shimmered brightly. It seemed such an odd thing to be caught in a small space that seemed so large, but that’s how she had always felt on earth. This place offered a sense of refuge from the daily torment she felt being trapped on that planet, having mostly nothing to do with social norms and regular human contact.
It wasn’t that Amelia was a hermit, not exactly. She simply felt that her life was meant for something much greater than attending college and obtaining a degree in astronomy. Her eyes yearned for the great sights beyond the atmosphere, a universe filled with endless possibilities that stretched towards the far reaches of existence. But how could she discover that by engaging in the ridiculous social demands of her town? She didn’t find much of a need to be part of a group or even to hold a relationship, yet she yearned for the intimacy that the cosmos might provide. Her desire was to know the world and that beyond it, to become one with everything all at once.
Unfortunately for Amelia, in her cream she would always begin to fall from the mirrored room that depicted the many different forms of her against the cosmos. The lightness would fade and her body would hit the sheets as she gasped for air, realizing that oxygen didn’t exist past the atmosphere where she was catapulted. As she sat up, she reached for the ceiling as she so often did after the wretched dream; a dream which teased her with the hope of escaping the mundane and made her feel as though she might never be able to discover anything other than this ridiculous life she led. Looking about, she found her dorm room in a heap of clothes and books, the shelves cluttered with planetary models and sci-fi figurines.
There were space ships lining the ceiling and glowing stars decorating the walls. The majority of her decorations had something to do with space. A little blue box next to her bed read 3:03 AM and she sighed upon seeing it.
“What am I doing?” she asked herself out loud. “Why am I awake at this hour every night?”
But soon, drowsiness overcame her, and her body began to drift back into the sweet slumber. She would have the answer to her question, though she did not know it yet. Time was moving forward whether the purple-haired beauty liked it or not, and she would soon meet her destiny.
***
Pacing nervously around the cockpit of his ship was the prince of the planet Degau. All of the accomplishments in the universe had made Ero’an one of the most popular Degaurians in history, yet he still felt as if something was missing from the wonderful life he led. While contemplating what had him feeling so incomplete, a miniature blob was sitting atop the gray chairs near the navigating equipment fumbling with a ray gun. The noise the blob made caused Ero’an to twitch with displeasure.
“Herman, would you please stop fiddling with your atomic ray? I’m trying to think!” snapped Ero’an, stopping in front of his incredibly short companion.
The little green blob looked up with his round eye at the prince, who was fuming from his nostrils. What a sight the prince made when he was under great duress, the gills on his neck flaring as he huffed.
“My apologies, your highness,” said Herman, setting the gun down on a nearby control panel. “I was simply trying to fix it. What has you so vexed, sir? You’ve been in this fit for weeks.”
“I have been very discontent, Herman, very discontent!” replied the prince loudly while waving his arms. “It’s as if the universe has conspired to make me the most accomplished, yet unfulfilled man in existence!”
“You are to be the next ruler of a wondrous
planet and you have achieved every success known to the galaxies. How could you possibly be unfulfilled, my good lord?” asked Herman.
The green glob rolled down to the metal ground, his eye appearing on the other end of his body, making a soft popping noise. Perturbed, the prince peered down at the giant iris and studied it briefly before replying.
“I have no lover, no girlfriend, no wife. I have no one to travel with me, save for you. You have been such a wonderful companion, but I yearn for a woman’s touch. Moreover, I fear my age requires marriage in order to properly rule my planet,” said Ero’an.
Herman considered this thought for a moment while rolling his eye, his wiggling lips curving into what might have been a smile or a grimace. No one could be sure with Herman, for he was such an oddly shaped alien with no real bones or skin. The amorphous blob was indeed a common genetic trait of his planet who sought only to help others. They made great companions, though when they died, usually without warning, they simply melted into their surroundings. It was truly an awful sight for anyone who loved the little gelatin creatures, but it was also the way of the universe. While rolling forward over the prince’s boots, he left a little inkling of a print on the surface that Ero’an scuffed out while huffing again.
“Have you considered consulting the mystics, sir?” Herman asked while rolling towards the navigating screen. “They are not far from us.”
“Hmm. Agreed. Take us to the planet of the ancients for consultation! Use the hyper speed so that we may make haste. And don’t fiddle with that gun until I’ve received my news,” said the prince. He stepped up to the platform in order to view the blackened skies filled with magnificently colored clouds.
Without hesitation, Herman rolled over to the navigation board and began pressing buttons with his gelatinous fingers – or whatever one might call those strange, stubby arms – and they zipped off into the direction of the planet Mykonos, which was named, oddly, after a Greek island on the planet earth that was mostly a tourist location.
