I hope you’re worth it.
He seemed to be, but she wasn’t sure, and life was a terrible thing to waste.
She normally used her powers for creation, not for taking lives or destroying.
Dad obliterated civilizations for defying him. I at least tried to save someone I care for. There were only a dozen or so of them, and I need to protect him. Right? He protected me…
Justifying her decision did not go well.
She heard Stephan mutter, “Crap” across the abyss of her mind. Whatever his problem might be, it would have to wait. She ran complex calculations in her mind, altering minor variables to see if she could reach an outcome other than the ship exploding around them, or Stephan dying. It was hard to predict the future with any certainty, even for her; it was always changing, always moving, but she had a good focal point in him.
The ship rocked around her and Stephan cursed.
“Move, you old bucket of bolts.”
The computer reported, “Direct hit on level three. Deploying fire-controlling measures.”
They’re already shooting at us. Even if he gets away in time, they’ll track him down.
As improbable as it might seem, some of the futures showed he might be more than just another drunken flesh and blood biped. Disposing of the ship behind them would have consequences, but so would letting him die.
He swayed the odds to his favour through turning away from the consoles, facing her. She felt his fingers caress her cheek.
“Don’t worry. I’ll die before they get you.”
Dammit. Well, I guess he is under my protection, and protect him I will. I’ve waited for so long, been alone for so long, don’t I deserve a chance? They’ll all be reborn anyway, probably as flies or something, but who cares, right? Ooooh, I know what to do with them.
The pirate ship fired again, but its hull buckled, subjected to a pressure far exceeding anything anyone could encounter in space. It became smaller and smaller, shrinking but retaining its mass, and within a second, it reduced to the size of a pinhead. The bodies floating in space caught in the gravity of the new black hole, circling it slowly like planets around a blackened sun.
Now, they’ll be pretty surprised when they appear in a dungeon in a deserted castle. They’re thrifty, they’ll make do. Maybe I’ll check in on them later.
She sensed the ship enter hyperspace and Stephan crouch in front of her chair.
Return to the here and now. You’re worrying him.
He ran a hand over her arm.
“We’re safe. Are you okay?”
She blinked a couple of times, forcing herself to return to the present.
“Yes, I’ll be fine. I just had to… take care of something.”
“All the people in space, that was you.”
“Yes… I wanted to save you.”
If you’re going to run away screaming, now’s the time.
He gazed into her eyes.
“Thank you. You saved my life.”
“Would you really sacrifice yourself to protect me?”
A wry smile flew over his face.
“Heard that, did ya? Caring for people is normally against my modus operandi, so don’t make it a habit.”
Acting on an impulse, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. He hesitated before hugging her back, but once he did, the touch seemed to fill a space that had been empty for far too long.
He murmured, “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you?”
“Of course.”
He was solid and real, and she clung to him a moment longer before letting go. Breaking physical contact shouldn’t be this difficult…
When she relaxed her grip, their faces came very close, and he brushed his lips against her cheek. The gentle touch sent a tingle down her spine. Looking offended and yelling at him would be prudent, but she had hugged him first, and scolding him didn’t seem fair.
Or, do I think that just because I want him to kiss me? This is a very strange day.
“I meant that.”
A moment later he was several steps away, making a humorous gesture of pleading for mercy. Maria lifted an eyebrow and he grinned.
“Hey, you still have my gun, and women are crazy.”
A few minutes passed and Maria leaned back in the chair, looking at her hands. She needed to distract herself from the day in general and him in particular. Then, a red light flashed and the ship dropped back into normal space.
“Is your life always like this, filled with chiming sirens and blinking lights? I never had an alarm go off, at least not until you rammed me.”
He sent her a sheepish look.
“I forgot about that. One of the long range sensors has been coming loose. I was going to go out and fix it last night, but decided I was too drunk for a space walk.”
Probably for the best. You would have lost your footing and ended up floating into a nearby star. Walking on the floor seemed quite enough of a challenge.
“I’ll have to go out there. Imma go gear up, maybe you can stay here and keep an eye on things, and watch the radio for me?”
He didn’t seem too happy about all this, but she shrugged the thought off and sunk down in the copilot’s chair.
“Sure.”
She could fix his ship without going outside, but maybe he liked climbing around in no gravity. Humans could be so peculiar, especially human men. It might make him feel more masculine, or something.
*****
Stephan loved being in space in a good ship and hated being in it in just a suit; there was too much of it. Walking around out there all sober wasn’t appealing, but he supposed he had to, and checking the ship might be a good idea. His bird had been through a lot during the last day or so.
He couldn’t remember anything from the previous night, but his passenger claimed he crashed into her, and he took her word for it. There might be more things needing an overhaul than just a sensor.
What happened to the pirates? Oh well, they’re not here. Maybe she did something to them, that’s one weird chick. Pretty, but weird.
Going outside would feel better if he knew he had someone to talk to. Hopefully, she’d stay by the radio. It didn’t seem likely; thus far she hadn’t done anything he asked her, but she still looked a little shook up, so maybe he’d be lucky.
It only took a few minutes to gear up, and he hoped for the best when he pushed the radio switch.
“I’m out. Your ship gave mine a good beating yesterday.”
He could hear her smirk, but was too relieved to get an answer to worry about the sarcasm in her voice.
“No, actually, your ship ate mine, and it’s only fair if yours suffered some indigestion.”
“Oh yeah...”
He didn’t intend to stay outside for long, but ended up having to go back in for more tools. Once he was out on the hull again, he sweated in the thermal suit.
Isn’t this thing supposed to regulate temperature? Oh well, I guess it’s me.
It was difficult to work in the space suit’s gloves, and he grumbled, “We need to land somewhere, or dock. Flying piece of shit.”
“What’s that?”
The radio’s on? Fuck, how much did she hear?
“Nothing. Glad to hear you’re still there.”
When he was finally done and returned inside, he wrinkled his nose. He reeked of sweat and burned clothing where a shot grazed him earlier, all mixed with the stench of old booze.
“Damn I stink.”
This time, the radio was turned off and he sighed, relieved. He didn’t want his passenger to hear him talking to himself any more.
He ran a hand over his face. This has been a long day and it’s only noon. A drink would be good… No, I need to show her a better side of myself.
His feet were tired and heavy, and seemed reluctant to carry him to the intercom.
“Maria, you still there?”
*****
On the bridge,
Maria tilted the chair back and grabbed an old-fashioned magazine from a pile on the floor. It was filled with naked women, and she tossed it over her shoulder with a grimace.
This place is hopeless, and there’s nothing to do. Wonder if the computer plays chess...
Stephan’s voice crackled over the radio.
“I need to hit the shower. Any chance you could fix us a pot of coffee?”
What? Does he think I’m a maid now?
“Maybe.”
There had to be a kitchen somewhere, it made sense not even an alone man in space could live on just alcohol, and she got up to look for it. Not because he had asked her to, of course, but it might be good to know. In case she was staying. No other reason.
Her instincts led her downstairs, to the right in the corridor. The door slid open and she stopped to stare.
“Holy sheep shit.”
It wasn’t at all what she expected. The room was large, inviting, and lit with overhead spotlights dimmed down to a soft, warm glow. The ceiling was made of wood, the kitchen equipment seemed both real and modern, and he had wooden furniture and paintings on the walls.
She turned around and looked at the bare corridor with steel walls and a rusty ladder hanging askew next to the elevator, then back to the kitchen.
I guess he likes food.
Wandering in, she let herself be amazed; it reminded her of a country house back on old Earth. A little greenhouse held spices and herbs, and a large terracotta pot boasted a tomato plant so tall it almost reached the ceiling.
Peeking into cabinets and large stainless steel appliances for preserving food, she found the ship supplied for living well for months in space. She knew how to cook the ordinary way, she just usually didn’t do it, but she still couldn’t even guess what half of the things would be used for.
One of the counters supported a large black and chrome kitchen appliance. She stared at it and crossed her arms.
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
It looked like something she’d seen in a restaurant back in the 21st century, but she never used one. It was the coffee maker, it had to be, but with all these pipes and faucets it seemed built for people with a master’s degree in engineering.
She poked a piece of it, and her touch reported the appendix was meant for skimming milk.
“No way. If he wants coffee, he’ll get it the Maria way or do it himself.”
She didn’t intend to say the words aloud, and jumped at the sound of her own voice.
Sauntering around the room once more, she decided she liked the high counter made of wood polished to a warm glow, and climbed up to sit on a high barstool next to it.
The door opened a few minutes later, and she glanced over her shoulder.
Ooh, he looks even better now, I guess staying was the right decision. He must have a shower with water in it and not just sonic, that’s a nice surprise.
His hair was still a little damp, and it was hard not to look at muscular arms dressed in a bright blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up... She slapped herself mentally; what was she thinking? She wasn’t thinking at all, that was the problem.
His eyes smiled when he reached her.
“No coffee, huh?”
It was hard to look away, and for a moment she allowed herself to drown in his gaze. Then, she flashed a smile.
“Oh yeah, coffee.”
Two cups appeared on the counter next to a pot of coffee and little jugs filled with milk, sugar cubes, and cinnamon.
Stephan gave his head a slight shake.
“How do you do that? Who are you, really, Maria Callaway?”
~ 5 ~
To Stephan, the woman sitting in his kitchen looked like an untouchable beauty in a painting. He didn’t really expect her to be honest; no reason she would trust him. Not yet.
She sighed and poured herself some coffee.
“I usually make something up, but you’ve been really sweet, so I think I’ll tell you the truth.”
Her words made him laugh.
“I’m sweet? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Not at all. You’re sweet.”
She sipped the black brew, added a dash of sugar, and sprinkled some cinnamon over it all. Every movement looked carefully calculated. Did she do it to distract him, or herself?
“I... I lived in New York for a while with one of my brothers, back in the late 20th century. On Earth, you know. We tried to blend in and needed normal names, so he called us Frank and Maria Callaway. The name stuck with me. I mean, I’ve been Lois, Laura, Anne, Christina, Renee, Aileen, Alexandra, Phoebe, Sapphira, Xylina…”
She counted names on her fingers and frowned. “I can’t even remember them all anymore. Maria is easy, it’s one of the most common girl names both in Greece and the world. Most people can spell it and say it. I mean, imagine introducing yourself as Hypatia Papaioannou.”
“You’re Greek?”
She made a dismissive gesture.
“Yes. No. It doesn’t matter. Anyway, in New York, Frank pretended to be the devil. He scared so many people, you wouldn’t believe it.”
If I smile and nod, maybe she’ll think I’m actually following all this.
“I’ve had this appearance for a few hundred years now. I borrowed it from a performer I liked and enhanced it a little. She was a singer. I was born just outside old Earth around 2000 years BC. My people don’t really age, but our powers grow with time and usage. I can travel in time. I can create objects with my will and many other things. I’m...”
Wait, your appearance?
He didn’t have time to say anything; she flashed a bright smile.
“I’m your friendly neighbourhood Goddess.”
She can’t be serious. Yes, she’s serious. Great... Of course she’s the perfect woman. She’s not even a woman.
He didn’t know what to do with his hands, and scratched his head to keep them occupied.
“Do you... Do you read thoughts too?”
Her answer didn’t soothe his fears; she grinned.
“Yes, I am both telepathic and empathic.”
Crap. Don’t think. It’s impossible not to think about sex when her tits poke out like that. Dammit, I did it again. Think of something else. Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee... Oh lord she’s so beautiful, I wonder what she looks like under the shirt.
Seconds ticked by, and he felt a drip of sweat form on his forehead. Finally, Maria laughed.
“Don’t worry, I usually don’t read minds, especially not the people I care for. I think everyone is entitled to at least that much privacy.”
He wanted to sigh with relief and go knock his head against a wall somewhere. He kissed a Goddess, not on the lips, but anyway. He flirted with a Goddess, held her in his arms even, just how big an idiot was he?
I guess it all fits together, but she looks so warm and human and beautiful, so happy and bubbly and gorgeous…
She would be, of course. No wonder people worshipped them for all times.
I’m lost. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life building her temples, dreaming of her, and worshipping her. No human will ever be able to compete.
Maria’s hand on his woke him from his thoughts.
“Are you okay?”
“Of course I am.” He kept his eyes away from her.
“I don’t usually tell people all this, but I like you, and I didn’t want to keep it a secret. I’m tired of secrets.”
Squeezing his eyes shut, Stephan pulled his free hand over his forehead. The Goddess was holding his hand, saying she liked him and didn’t want to keep secrets. Great, just great, this day only became weirder and weirder.
I should have stayed out of this sector, or stayed drunk. Maybe that’s it, I might be hallucinating all this. Don’t they say some drugs can come back and mess with you even after many years?
Her hand on his felt pretty real though, and her touch was so sweet. He would have to look at her eventually, but for now, he kept his attention on the cup.
>
I wonder what she really looks like.
She cradled his hand in both of hers, making him feel like a clumsy giant who might accidentally break her.
“Stephan… It’s not as creepy as it sounds... all this seemed to appear out of nowhere, right? But it didn’t really. There’s only a certain amount of matter in the universe, and when I want something, my mind seeks out the molecules I need and create things out of them. Sort of... like teleporting, or a replicator. It’s just that I do it with my head.”
The humour in it all wasn’t wasted on him, and he finally looked at her with the corners of his mouth twitching.
“You’re a several thousand year old Goddess with a teleporter in your head.”
She giggled and nodded.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“What do you mean? You do whatever you want to do. If you ask me to leave, I will.”
Yeah, that’s not happening.
“I have seen a lot of weird shit and been in space for a long time. It’s not every day a deity comes visiting. Do I worship you? Build something in your honour? Start a... cult or something? I mean, I’ve been many things through the years, but religious hasn’t been one of them.”
She opened her mouth and closed it again.
Did I make you uncomfortable, Goddess? Didn’t see that one coming?
“Only if that’s what you really want to do, but I rather you didn’t.”
Meeting his eyes, she added with laughter in her voice, “You’re weird.”
What I really want to do? I really want to carry this Goddess off to bed and see if her body is as perfect under the clothes as the parts I can see.
He wasn’t kidding, though. If she wanted a statue, he’d build one or die trying.
“So, what about you?”
Her words didn’t make any sense to him; he was too distracted.
“What about me?”
She snickered, “Aww silly, Stephan Forks, who are you really?”
That was unexpected, and something he’d rather not talk about.
“Oh. I’m not interesting.”
“How do you know?”
He didn’t say anything and she made a face.
Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess Page 3
