Asteroid Enterprise

by Seth Kinstle

  She was sleeping when I woke up. Her hair was a few different colors and had a nice sparkle and shine to it. They must have some sort of advanced hair styling here in the future. It wasn’t just dyed a few colors, it had some sort of special dye in it.

  I ordered some room service but I didn’t really want to wake her up. I mean this might be her weekend off of work or something. I didn’t get to really talk to her too much but I assumed she did something for a living.

  Unless she was some robot or some crazy shape shifting alien. She looked normal to me though. Just a little bit more cultured than what I’m used to. You could sort of see human history in her face. How everything sort of ended up at this point.

  Everything in this future is so strange and confusing. I’m not even sure what love means to anyone around here. I’m sure if it’s like it is in the past. Some stay together and some just keep a list of people to sleep with. I wonder if meeting me meant anything to her.

  For all I know she could’ve tried to rob me or something. That wouldn’t have been a surprise. Still, at the same time there isn;t any fun without risk really. I couldn’t stand to be alone on that ship another weekend. I guess I’m happy I just got to hang out with a female for a while.

  I heard her situp in bed and looked over. “Oh, hi good morning” I said. She smiled and looked up with a freshly woken face “Well what do we have here?”she said. “I ordered some food if you want some.” “Oh yeah that’ll be great.” She got up and we both had some breakfast.

  “I’m from the past.” I said. She looked up as she ate some sort of bagel “Okay, what do you mean? You time traveled?” she asked. “ Yeah, I was recruited by the Asteroid Enterprise to fly a ship and they saved me from dying in the past.”. She laughed and looked up at me”I knew there was something weird about you”. “Well, yeah I really have been having sort of a tough time.” “I heard about people like you before but never met one.”

  We finished up breakfast and she sat on my lap. I didn’t expect her to be so upbeat and nice. “So what now?”I asked her. “Well now we can go do something if you want, I can show you around or something, how’s that sound?” “Sure, I was planning on going to the Zoo if you wanted to join.”.

  We had sex in the shower and I never thought I could be so relieved. I mean one night out and I found this gorgeous girl who was into me. I didn’t really want to be attached or overthink the situation. For all I know all the girls here are like this. It must be something to do with the future I’m living in. This girl was definitely not from my time.

  She had her personal robot bring her some fresh clothes. It seemed like everything in the future was so much easier. Convenience was obviously well evolved past what I was used to. There was all sorts of crazy technology out here that I never thought was possible.

  The Zoo was supposed to feature some of the universe's weirdest animals. I couldn’t miss that for anything, I mean who could? There were some crazy pictures on this web page I was looking at. I was excited to check it out.

  “Hey, you never told me your name” I said “ Breza “ She said. “Fred.”I said back. She smiled “You never hear that name, it's so old.” I smiled back at her “ Maybe I’ll have to change it then.”

  We got all ourselves collected and made our way out the door. She looked so good in the little stylized dress she wore. It really made her look sexy. She made me feel like I was someone I wasn’t. Like I owned the world and she gave it to me.

  The city was alive and people were buzzing around. The vendors sold strange food and there were all sorts of alien’s in crazy clothes. The colors were just mesmerizing to look at. The city definitely was designed to capture your imagination. All of it just made the day that much interesting.

  She told me about some of the city's history as we walked downtown. We made our way to the Zoo as planned just chatting onward. I never got to experience the city in this way let alone with a personal tour guide. There were so many things to look at. Strange sculptures and decorative pieces of art. It was crazy to think this place even existed.

  We made our way to the Zoo and bought our way in at the front gate. I could hear animal noises outside and knew that I was in for a treat. There were all sorts of interesting creatures there. There were birds and monkeys like you would see in a regular earth Zoo. Then there were all sorts of alien animal variations.

  The Zoo itself was huge and featured tons of animals. I think you could walk around there all day without getting bored. It seemed like there were new things to look at around every corner. There were all sorts of things going.

  There was a robot animal simulator where you could operate some robot animals. There were these crazy mascots doing magic tricks and stuff. It was more than an ordinary Zoo. It was a transcendence of what a typical Zoo from my time would be like.

  We decided to get some lunch at one of the restaurants in the Zoo. We could hear all sorts of people chattering and animals making noises as we sat down. “This is a crazy place.”I said. “It’s probably more crazy for you”her eyes gleamed back at me.

  The food was always so weird but there were normal things on the menu too. I guess pizza is something that never gets old. They had some versions of it on the menu and I ordered some. It was the most delicious pizza I ever had. I couldn’t believe what I was eating. I guess this good of pizza was just casual for the people here.

  We spent the day walking around the city and checking things out. Breza showed me some of the crazy stores they had. We chatted and had a good time. Living in the future never felt so good until now. I think after today I might be able to settle in easier.

  Chapter Eight

  The Hour Is Among Us

  We went out to party at a different club that night and had a blast. I needed to have some fun and let go. I definitely got my fix that weekend. As the weekend came to an end Breza even seemed like she wanted to keep in touch. I really thought she would’ve ghosted out on me for sure.

  I guess one night stands don’t always end there. Sometimes you think it's a one nighter but ends up lasting longer. Not that I was trying to have a one night stand. It’s just kind of expected when you meet someone in a club I guess.

  I missed the nightlife and drinking. Drinking alone on my ship wasn’t exactly friendly. Out here the city is full of life there for anyone to bask in. Partying in a club is nothing like drinking at home alone.

  I think there’s a lot of people that need to break away like this. Alien or human alike you need some time to just let loose. I guess not everyone learns how to do that. They just live the same serious life they always do. Sticking to routines and quiet nights at home.

  I can see how it’s safer to stay at home all the time. Yet how is that living your life? When you just stay at home all the time closed in those walls. It’s almost like you’re never alive, like you’re already in your casket. Closed in by walls sealed in from the outside world.

  Like all good things this weekend had to close down. The hour came when I had to get back in my ship and go to work. Breza stayed with me until Monday morning. I think next time I’ll just sleep in my ship. I just wanted the full experience with a hotel and all that.

  I kissed Breza goodbye and it seemed quite promising that it wasn’t the end. I could see her after work if I wanted. She was really nice and seemed to like me a lot. I mean even when I left I was still kind of in shock that I got laid. I mean this turned out to be one hell of a weekend.

  The hour always comes where you have to throw in the towel. Jobs need to be done and bills need to be paid. I had to buy supplies and fuel for my ship. Make sure everything is clean and get back to work. I wonder what next weekend will bring.

  I really didn’t expect Breza to stick around that long. I really figured she wouldn’t care to a certain point. I mean I did meet her at a club and all. Maybe it's because I’m from the past or something. Maybe that interested her to stay with me.

  We’re not really in a relationship. Shoot, I know fo
r a fact some girls have several guys on their list. They could be fucking ten differant guys throughout the week for all I knew. Still, some people at least tried to keep it traditional and stick to one. Yet here I am again living in the future not really knowing how it goes.

  Not everyone is as truthful as anyone wants to believe they are. You would have to be a complete fool to trust anyone, especially in a place like this. A city such as this has crime everywhere. It’s why I was sceptical about even coming here in the first place. Yet this weekend the city treated me well.

  I guess there’s a point where you can just settle that you know nothing of women. Some can be predictable or not depending on how crazy they are. Most of them from my experience turned out way crazier than I ever thought. You never really know how long they’ll want to stick around for.

  The hour is among us where our work lives commence. It’s not so bad at least we have something to keep us busy. Beats watching sitcoms all day until your brain explodes. Or whatever crazy television they have out here. From what I’ve watched the T.V. shows are pretty strange.

  There are so many radio stations it's hard to choose one. They have these talk shows about all sorts of stuff out here. Sometimes I find one on some crazy stuff and just sit back. Maybe do a little drawing or something.

  I wasn’t trying to get super invested in Breza sticking around. I didn’t want to expect her to really do anything. Still, at the same time I wish she would because I liked her. I wanted to see where this whole encounter would take me.

  I guess that’s what it’s about sometimes with love. You just kind of throw yourself out there and go with the wind. Sometimes it blows your way, sometimes not. Not always but on rare occasions, you make off on a sailboat with the women of your dreams.

  Some people aren’t born to get involved in true love. They aren’t built like true lovers are. They feel the need to move on to the next person. They want to taste all the flavors and have new experiences. One could even state that true love wasn’t even real. There were just two people that wanted to believe it was.

  I’m sort of on the fence I guess. I think there are a lot of people that live on the fence. If true love comes then it does other than that, I’ll be lucky to get anything. Anything is better than nothing especially when you’ve been alone for as long as I have.

  Chapter Nine

  How Did This Even Happen?

  The work week was filled with the usual orders. Nothing too exciting happen no one got robbed or anything. The stars were beautiful as always and the deliveries went as planned. I couldn’t help but think about Breza.

  She didn’t really tell me where she worked but I assumed she got by. I mean she did own a robot so that means something. Why was she even there to begin with? She was just all alone there it seemed like it was meant to be. Maybe she was there for the same reason.

  Regardless, I wonder what it was like back home. To go back after seeing so much in this time. I don’t know if I really want to go back now. I mean I could visit my parents and tell them all about what happened. Maybe I could even bring them into the future.

  Time traveling was illegal for the most part. Except under special circumstances such as mine. They were very strict on leaving the past unaltered. You could get in a ton of trouble for trying it. Still I know there has to be someone that can make it happen.

  With all the criminals out here, laws were just here for peace of mind. They were more guidelines than things all beings followed. I mean just because some beings like to think they live in a moral world. It doesn't mean they actually do.

  I mean logically speaking laws are there just to keep order. I mean you have to try to control it to an extent or society can’t function. Regulating seems to never change I guess. How else is a guy like me supposed to have a nice night on the town?

  I bet there are some strange places out there. I mean the universe is a huge place and not all civilizations will be charted. There’s just too much ground to cover and such. I guess maybe they could have robots do the dirty work.

  Robots can be very useful but they’re nothing like a living being. Their circuits can be as sophisticated as they could possibly be. Still they’re just going to be a hunk of metal and electrical components. They’ll never be able to provide the work I can provide.

  I keep thinking how this even happened? It’s just insane to think that this place even existed. There I was in my little comfort zone of the past. All the sudden I pop out into this place saved by this massive corporation. It’s really a lot to take in.

  Legally corporations can only use so many robots for their works. Robots started creating problems for the economy and so many beings were left out of work. I mean I guess in theory we could make robots do everything and never lift a finger. Still, someone has to fix them and program them.

  I guess I don’t know why robots don’t just do everything. In that sense everyone could do whatever they wanted. Maybe the government would just give everyone a piece of the pie. Since it would be operated by only robots anyways. No one would ever have to work again.

  I think some people like to work. I mean it’s nice to do whatever you want. No matter what you do it gets old eventually. Still, it would be nice if the robots did everything around here.

  I might just have to find someone to take me back to the past eventually. I know it’s illegal but I have to try. I can’t help but feel trapped in this time. Although maybe those are just thoughts. I mean I know I can be happy here but still. I don’t want to leave my parents in the dark if I can help it.

  It might not even be that big of a deal anyways. I’m sure there are rules even for criminals that time travel. I mean you can’t alter things too much. I heard of the time regulators. They’re like this police force that keeps time safe. They work as detectives and bust criminals that time travel.

  I wonder why some people would even want to go into the past. I guess there are things they could try to change. Maybe steal something from the past or something. I guess I don’t know but I do have my reasons for wanting to go back.

  I’m told by some people at work that most of the time travel information is confidential. Only certain government officials know all the juicy details. So I guess some of it I’ll never know. Still, I have to know if there’s a way back even if it’s illegal.

  Chapter Ten

  Unexpected Arrival, Unexpected Exit

  As the work week came to an end I planned to meet Breza again. I was messaging her all week and she seemed excited to hang out again.

  Friday night, I piloted my ship down into the city. I rented a nice place to park for the weekend. Breza showed up shortly after and we made love again. I felt a deeper connection this time around though.

  Breza and I got to talking and she told me of this underground time machine. She said that not too many people know about it. That people paid to use it illegally.

  She even heard of a few beings like me that used it. “Even though the law says you can’t alter the past, it doesn't mean people don’t go back” she said.

  I bet I can afford the toll too. Since I’ve been working so long for the Asteroid Enterprise, I’ve saved up quite a lot. I looked at the city as I thought about what I should do. I had to go back sometime.

  I turned to Breza and said, “Will you come with me?” “I’m not sure about that.” she responded. “I feel like I have to go back but I can’t leave you here” I said. She looked off into the city not knowing what to do.

  A tear came down her cheek and she looked into my eyes. “I don’t have any family, so I guess I don’t have much of a reason to stay”. I didn’t want to ask what happened to her family just then but even still I had an answer.

  I didn’t really expect to leave the future so suddenly. Yet I never expected to be here in the first place. I felt like it had to happen right now. I had to get back to my time and get to my parents.

  I told Breza we would leave the next day. There was no harm in having one last night in
the city. I mean I might never get the chance again. Hopefully we’re able to use the time machine tomorrow.

  We danced and drank until we were blue in the face. It was almost better than last weekend. When I met this mysterious girl I think I’m falling for now. We had to go all out for this. This is our last night in the future.

  It almost didn’t feel right to bring Breza along with. I mean she really didn’t have to do anything. She was just some girl that I met last week. I guess maybe it was supposed to happen for some reason. I felt like we were destined to meet each other.

  We woke up the next morning hung over. Breza knew all the details and I had no idea where this time machine was. Apparently she had a connection or two in the city. She said she lived here all her life so it makes sense.

  We ate breakfast and packed our things. I guess I really didn’t need much. I mean my money won’t hold any value in the past. I had my robot fly my ship off and park in an asteroid. At least I could hide my ship in case I came back. I kept a tracker just in case I ever did.

  If they have time machines here then I think that means they do in the past too. It might be hard to find one though. I mean this kind of stuff can land you in some serious trouble. So, Breza must’ve gained some trust somehow.

  I followed Breza out the door as she led the way. I had no idea where we were going. I had the thought maybe this was when I got robbed. It seemed like it would be a lot of work for her to go though. I didn’t think she was trying to fool me.

  We ended up down in the subway station at a wall. Breza tapped the wall and a screen popped out. She typed in some kind of code and we walked in.

  There were beings everywhere and it appeared they were all time traveling. This operation was way bigger than I thought. I wonder how they keep it all under wraps.

  “Two tickets to Earth 1982” she said to an alien at the front desk. The alien nodded his head and typed into his computer. “Okay, we can have you out within the hour, in door five” he said. Breza grabbed the tickets and led me to a bench to wait.