Embarkment 2577 Read online

  I could barely restrain an urge to stick my tongue out at the console. “Make something edible. Like coffee and a sandwich.”

  My friend leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Computer, you heard the lady.”

  A mug filled with steaming hot, sweet smelling liquid appeared next to a croissant filled with chicken salad. I rubbed my forehead. “Thank you.”

  He answered, “You’re welcome,” but it sounded automatic, and he made a grimace when he added, “I have to go. We have a situation, and I want you to stay in here today. No matter what you hear or see, don’t worry. You’re safe. I promise.”

  I opened my mouth, but shut it again.

  “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. You know that, right?”

  Of course he wouldn’t. Except getting shot, killed, and ending up in the future… Preventing it had probably been beyond his abilities, and pointing it out seemed unfair, so just for once I kept my mouth shut.

  He turned to leave. “Adam, wait. What are you talking about? What’s happening?”

  Glancing back over his shoulder, he answered, “Don’t worry,” and disappeared out the door.

  It was sweet of him to check up on me if he was busy, but annoying too. His words implied there would indeed be something to worry about, even if he intended to keep me away from it, and I was both curious and anxious.

  Bringing my food to the table, I grumbled, “Men… Doesn’t matter if they’re human or machines, they’re still impossible.”

  Of course, nothing could spur a wish in me to go explore as much as someone saying I shouldn’t. I was still debating this an hour or so later, when the ship rocked. An urn fell from a shelf next to me, and I caught it before it shattered. I’d never been good at sports, and actually grabbing it instead of fumbling with empty air seemed a grand accomplishment. Maybe dying sharpened my reflexes.

  “Computer, what’s happening?”

  The voice answered, completely unfazed, “We are under attack.”

  It never occurred to me such a thing could happen. What was I supposed to do? What did one do when attacked by something unknown in space? Hiding under the bed seemed tempting, but somewhat insufficient. Shouldn’t people be wearing space suits, or something, in case the hull cracked?

  I placed the urn in the relative safety of the sofa, and went to once again peek out the window. The view outside had changed.

  Many smaller ships surrounded the Bell, firing at us, and she returned the fire, making every shot count. I recognized our shuttles scurrying around in the middle of the chaos, and when one of them was hit and exploded in front of my eyes, my fingers grabbed on to the windowsill, almost cramping. Space battles might be cool at the movies. In real life, not so much…

  Adam would be out in all that insanity, wouldn’t he? He might already be shot down. He might be dead.

  My mind painted out scenarios my heart couldn’t take. What would I do without him? All by myself in this strange time and place? “Stop it. Alex, stop it.”

  This time, talking to myself didn’t work. My inner voice claimed this would be an excellent time for hysteria. I had already lost so much. Wouldn’t losing him too be an appropriate excuse for going crazy?

  Forcing myself to exhale, I closed the blinds with shaking hands, sat down on the floor with my back against the wall, and tried not to cry. The last part didn’t work out all that well.

  *****

  To me, the battle outside seemed to last forever. Then, the ship fell still and silent, and the complete quiet was even more disconcerting. I sat on my knees and peeked out at a picture of perfect destruction.

  Shells of burned out ships drifted in space, and what was surely bodies along with them. Something floated right by my window, and I bounced into the room when I made out the shape of a hand. I crawled over the floor to the sofa, climbed up into my favourite corner, and sat there with my knees pulled up to my chin.

  When my door finally opened, I expected enemies to stomp in and demand my unconditional surrender. Second on my list was Anya come to announce Adam’s demise. I did not expect to see my friend, annoyingly perfect as always, without a wrinkle on his uniform, and completely unemotional.

  I flew to my feet, threw my arms around him, and buried my face against his chest. “You’re alright. I was so worried.”

  He wrapped one arm around my waist and ran the other hand over my hair. I half expected him to say my little outburst of emotion wasn’t logical, but he didn’t. “I’m fine. I can’t stay long, but I wanted to see how you are.”

  I not only wanted, but half expected him to kiss me and take me to bed. What a bizarre idea. He might not exactly be an advanced iPod on legs, but he certainly wasn’t human. Silly me.

  He looked at my face, frowned, and dried my cheeks off with his thumb. Was the idea of me worrying for him, crying over him, that farfetched?

  “Don’t cry. We’ve suffered losses, but I am fine. I promise.”

  I nodded and struggled not to sob. I wanted him to hold me more, but didn’t think he would, so I headed back to the sofa. “What happened?”

  “This planet is a part of the Confederacy. They have been attacked, they called for help, and we were the closest ship, so we got here first. We tried to negotiate, but it didn’t succeed.”

  Maybe I should have spent more energy learning about this new world of mine and less on missing my house. “What happens now?”

  “We’ve shown our muscles, and now negotiations will ensue. I usually leave that part to someone else.”

  We sat in silence for a few minutes, and I fought an urge to reach for his hand.

  “Are you hungry?”

  I should probably be, and he sure was better at getting something edible out of the machine than I, but I wasn’t in the mood for food. “No… Thank you.”

  He fixed his eyes on me, but didn’t say anything. “Were you out there? In the battle?”

  “It’s my job. I should go back to it.” He leaned his head to the side and winked. “I’ll stop by in the morning. Call me if you need me, okay.”

  Was that something he just said, or did he hope I would? He always treated me affectionately, but managed to keep his distance. I wasn’t able to figure him out. Maybe I should have better things to worry about, but nothing else was as interesting.

  Chapter Seven

  A couple of weeks later, I had forgotten all about the perils of space travel. My life moved at a pleasant pace, and by now, I knew how most things worked. I felt amazingly good for having been dead.

  Ima came by to give me a check-up. She held a small instrument up to me and took readings of my internal organs. “I feel fine. Really.”

  “That’s good, but no harm in double-checking.”

  The readings didn’t come up as quickly as she wanted them to, and she hit the keys with one of her claws. A number of incomprehensible symbols flowed over the screen and she smiled, showing off little fangs. I could swear she wanted to purr. “You’ve been healing even better than I expected. There’s a slight deficiency in vitamin A, but that’s it and nothing to be worried about.”

  Vitamin A? I probably needed to eat more carrots or broccoli or something…

  She tucked the instrument into a pocket. “So, sweetie, how are you doing?”

  “I’m okay, I guess. The days just sort of go by. I think… The contrasts between my old life and here are so big I don’t really get it.”

  She nodded and pretended to be distracted by an imaginary grain of dust on her coat. Then, she broke out in a smile and gave me a quick hug. “What do you say we go get Anya and have lunch?”

  It was a pleasant way to kill an hour, even though Ima made sure I ate two carrots.

  Once back from Anya’s, I sat down in the sofa, put my feet up on the table, and exhaled. I hadn’t done much, but was still tired. I should probably look into exercising and getting back into shape. Just not… right now.

  The doorbell saved me from thinking too much about being healthy. I a
ssumed it would be someone I knew, but the person entering made me sit up straight. It was a tall and slender woman with dark purple skin and light blue freckles spread over her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were big and yellow like a cat’s, and where a human would have hair, she had a multitude of small gray snakes, so shiny they glittered like silver. Every snake had bright blue eyes, making a stark contrast to her own.

  She stepped up to the table and reached a hand out in greeting. It looked strong, and her long, light blue fingernails made it even more intimidating.

  “Don’t tell me. You’re Medusa.”

  The apparition laughed as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. “You’re just as funny as people say. I’m Jia’Lyn, second in command and head engineer on this space-boat of ours.”

  I grinned back. It was impossible not to; she had to be the most likeable person I ever met. I’d never thought of who was second in command, but it made sense there would be one if there were a Captain and a third.

  “I would have come to see you sooner, but Adam’s been saying you’re not used to aliens. I’ve tried to tell him I wasn’t gonna eat you or anything, but he never listens.”

  She had already plopped down in the sofa and made herself comfortable. Talking to her made me feel as if I’d always known her; she could have been my sister, or a childhood friend. “What changed his mind?”

  Her wonderful laughter echoed across the room again. “Nothing. I didn’t tell him I was going. He’s a real mother hen when it comes to you. You know that, right? Don’t give him too much influence over what you do, or you’ll be sitting in a glass cabinet where people can see but not touch.”

  She giggled, and all the snakes on her head seemed to giggle too.

  “So, Alex, what do you do here all day long?”

  “Not enough.” I was fine as long as my friends were around, but pretty bored in between.

  A blue hand patted my arm. “If you want to, I’ll find you something to do. I’m sure I can think of something even Adam would approve of.”

  What an interesting day. I already knew most people left all things ‘me’ up to Adam to decide. I hadn’t bothered to object since I’d been unable to take care of myself anyway. Up until now, I hadn’t realized the extent of his protection.

  “I would love something to do.”

  Jia’Lyn smiled. “Good. Have you run any of the computer’s learning programs? There’s a long list, just ask it.”

  When she left, my rooms seemed incredibly quiet and empty. I needed something to do. “Computer, teach me something.”

  “Please specify your request.”

  “How ‘bout layout of the ship.”

  A holographic drawing appeared, and the computer’s voice accompanied its movement. “The Bell is a starship constructed for long range travel, equipped with…”

  I went through a number of the easy programs. I might not remember all that much of them later, but for the moment, it was an excellent pastime.

  It was still hours before I could expect Adam to show up. Maybe I could try something more difficult. Basic navigation sounded almost impossible, that ought to last me for a while… I had a lifetime do it over and over again.

  To my surprise, the door slid open just as the computer’s explanation of everything moving made me dizzy. Adam stepped in, holding a large box under one arm. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

  He smiled and looked at the holographic galaxy that surrounded me. “I knew you’d find it when you grew bored.”

  I nodded towards the enormous hologram. “This makes no sense at all.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It will when you learn to think in more than three dimensions. Humans today start to learn this at the age when children in your time learned to write. If you’re really interested, you’ll get it eventually.”

  Sure. Eventually, if I lived to be a hundred. Not that it mattered; the odds of me ever having to navigate were slim to none.

  Adam held out the box. “I have something for you.”

  I didn’t expect that, and it made me shy. I sank down on the sofa with the large carton on my lap. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me before you see what it is.”

  Opening it seemed a shame. Someone in this weird world cared enough about me to give me a present, and I wanted to keep it. Holding it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach.

  I sensed Adam’s warm eyes on me. He expected me to open the box. I needed to get a grip and open the box.

  Whatever I might have expected would have been wrong. Pulling the lid off revealed a silky dress in a perfect shade of blue, and a pair of high-heeled shoes matching it. No one ever gave me a dress before, and this one was beautiful. I threw my arms around him. “Thank you. I love it.”

  As always, he hesitated before hugging me back, as if it was something he shouldn’t do. “You’re welcome. Put it on, you deserve an evening out.”

  The dress fit just right. It could have been made for me, and it probably was. The shoes were so pretty, and felt like walking on air.

  I ran a brush through my hair and tucked my face into a bathroom mask that automatically cleaned my skin and applied make-up. My pores had become invisible since I arrived to the future, and my skin never looked better. When I saw myself in the mirror, I twirled around, admiring my reflection. I was a princess on the way to a grand ball in the castle.

  Adam stood in the living room, clicking something on the communication’s terminal. He glanced over at me and kept his usual neutral facial expression, but sounded honest. “Alex, you look wonderful.”

  I tucked my arm under his, enjoying being close. “So, where’re we going?”

  “To the promenade deck. We have to celebrate that you’re well.”

  *****

  Ever since I woke up, people mentioned the promenade deck. It was impressive beyond my wildest expectations. We strolled down a wide corridor arm in arm, and I stared at little pubs and restaurants mixed in with shops and casinos. There were groups of people everywhere, and we crisscrossed between a colourful mix of humans and aliens. “Wow. It’s like a giant mall.”

  “This side has more entertainment, and the other side more stores. There’s an arboretum in the middle, and conference rooms and large halls bow and stern.”

  I couldn’t remember which was which of bow and stern, but it didn’t seem important.

  He kept glancing over at me with a smile tugging at his lips, and I teased, “You’ve had all this available to you all this time, and you still spend your evenings playing chess with me?”

  My question didn’t faze him the least. He just said, “Yes,” as if stating an obvious fact, which it was. “Tell me if you see anything you want.”

  I squeezed his arm. “Okay, I want…”

  I giggled and looked around. A colourful picture in a window called out to me. “…a pink drink with an umbrella.”

  Adam nodded, making it seem like a perfectly normal request, and escorted me into the bar.

  The place made me feel at home at once. It looked like an old Earth pub with an English or maybe Scottish motive. Most of the people inside were in uniform, just like Adam, but there were occasional civilians like me. I wanted to ask about it, but got distracted by the fabulous “Arcturian voyage” and the taste sensations that exploded in my mouth when I sipped it.

  The bartender teased Adam. “C’mon Commander. You’re not on duty, and there’s no alcohol in anything served here anyway.”

  Adam shrugged. “Moot point. Any amounts of alcohol can’t affect me.”

  “Customers not drinking are bad for business. You could at least have a glass and pretend.”

  “Again, moot point. No one pays for anything anyway.”

  They sounded as if they’d gone through the same ritual countless times before. I grinned and shook my head, and Adam glanced over at me and smiled. Best day ever.

  It only took a couple of minutes before a tall man with thick blonde hair and beard came up
to us. He wore civilian clothes, but still reminded me of a Viking. It was easy to imagine him with a big and heavy sword.

  I was comfortable, perched on my stool, feeling pretty and protected, so I flashed him a smile and ignored him.

  The man nudged Adam. “Hey, Commander, this your girlfriend?”

  Interesting question. Maybe I could finally get some closure in the matter.

  The bartender rolled his eyes, and Adam answered in a detached voice, “Well, she is a girl, and my friend, but not technically my girlfriend.”

  The man let a heavy hand fall down on my shoulder and murmured, “Good. Then you won’t mind if I buy this cutie a drink.”

  Adam’s expression never changed. He lifted the man’s hand off effortlessly, and as he answered, “Actually, I do mind,” the man’s face wrinkled with pain.

  “Alex, this is Leonard who runs a multispecies club further down the promenade. Unfortunately, he was just leaving.”

  Leonard bobbed his head up and down in agreement, and groaned, “Pleasure to meet you, Alex. Dude, please let go of my hand, I wasn’t going to have her join the show or anything.”

  “That’s good, because I will throw you out an airlock before that happens.”

  I could visualize it, and deeming from the papery colour on Leonard’s face, he could too. I smiled and waved my fingers in the air, “Bye, Leonard.”

  The Viking jogged towards the door as soon as Adam’s grip on him loosened. The bartender leaned his elbows against the counter. “That man never learns. Remember when he tried to make Anya join the show and she shot his beard off?” Turning to me, he added, “You like your drink hon’? Want another one?”

  I most certainly did.

  Once we left the pub, the masses of people had thickened. My eyes darted around, trying to take in everything at once.

  “The afternoon shift is over. There will be a new burst of people at midnight.”

  It made sense. “Where are we going?”

  “Just a little further.”

  He took me to a restaurant, and disregarding most of the guests wearing uniform and the waiter being a shiny robot on three wheels, I could pretend we were on Earth. Adam even ordered food to keep me company, but mostly played with it. He built a fort of potatoes on one side of the plate. It was cute, and I wanted to say something about it, but I couldn’t think of the right words, so I pretended not to notice.