Starship X-15 Page 6

  We are dismissed from the class early, and are told to watch his more in depth lecture on video file. I plan on doing just that, but I stop by the cafeteria first for a snack. They do have good food, and I did finally see them serve fish for the first time last Friday. I had it, Grouper steak with a delicious egg-free mayonnaise sauce. Right now I think I’ll have the stuffed eggplant with the lemon grass and caper pesto. There sure are a lot of new faces around today. Many of these people I’ve never seen before, but they all seem to be ranked as Lieutenants and above. I don’t know what gives. As I am looking for a table, Admiral Romero sees me and waves me over to join her with some other flag ranking officers. I am a little nervous, but I join them with a bright smile.

  “Hello Cadet Stanley, please join us.” Stephanie is very warm, as always it seems. “Ladies and gentlemen this is Devon Stanley, she is our new Cartography Officer, or she will be soon anyhow. Her major is in Theoretical Astrophysics.”

  “Excellent! We really need smart people Devon.” An older male Rear Admiral greets me.

  “Thank you for the opportunity.” I respond.

  “This is Admiral Lathrop, he was the project manager for building NET Nine.”

  My brows raise. “This is an extremely impressive space station Admiral, quite a project.”

  “Yes, it sure was.” He grins.

  Another female officer, a Captain, asks Admiral Romero, “Is Devon going to SCC alpha one for the orbital observatory?”

  “Yes, as soon as she has earned her Rising Star.” Stephanie answers her.

  I can’t help but ask, “Is that my first mission Admiral?”

  She smiles at me and nods. I can tell she doesn’t want to say any more, so I leave it alone.

  “There sure are a lot of new faces around today.” I say just to change the subject.

  “They are all coming back from leave. They are going to SCC alpha one tomorrow.” Stephanie tells.

  “The second wave.” Admiral Lathrop smiles.

  “Is that the new colony we built?” I ask.

  “Yes, Star Command Colony alpha one. It has begun.”

  “I heard that it is in the Epsilon Eridanus system.” I act innocent, and keep eating.

  “Correct again Devon. The second planet of four. A fairly arid world with a thin habitation zone where plant and animal life thrive. There is sufficient water, but not an abundance.” Stephanie informs me.

  “Is it pretty there?”

  “Yes, from the pictures I’ve seen, it is.”

  “Good, I can’t wait to go.”

  Stephanie smiles and she has the same challenging bold look as when I first met her. I return it with sincerity, and she nods.

  One day at Advanced Physical Conditioning class the instructor tells us that we will do Yoga for the day. I relax my mind. Then she explains that this type of Yoga is Chinese, and comes from the Buddhist temples there. Then she has us start doing some really crazy exercises and poses under severe isometric tension. This is anything but easy, and it just gets worse. It is the longest two hours I can remember. Pain, suffering, and sweat. Lots of each! Again I miss my dinner with friends, as I sleep right through it.

  It dawns on me that I really do need to work out besides just at class, but I need a work out partner. The next time I see Alicia, I ask her if she wants to be my work out partner, and when I do she is all for it. We get together for a run around the wheel every evening. At our third workout, or run, I decided that I would have to be the one to make the first move. I ask her while we jog. “So Alicia, have you ever been interested in a girl?”

  She smiles, “Just you.” She huffs.

  “Same here girl.” I huff.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” I think we both know we are lying.

  “We should do something about it.” She offers.

  “Yeah.”

  “Your place is more private.” Alicia is hopeful, I can see it in her eyes.

  “As soon as we get around this big freaking wheel, let’s go.”

  “Yeah.” She nods.

  Just as I close the door to my quarters she tells me, “We can’t fall in love Devon, Star Command means everything to me. We have to be discrete and careful.”

  “I concur.” I say sounding like Spock, or at least what I can do.

  It works, she is laughing and in my arms in a flash.

  Alicia has to leave before midnight, and we make plans for another rendezvous before she goes. Most of the cadets seem to be on a curfew, and this makes me think that I am a special case… why? Why me? They could have thrown me in jail for my forgery… why? I’m going to ask agent Wilkins next time I see him.

  That next evening after classes, I meet Alicia at one of the observation lounges. She told me that there was an impressive show to see. When I get there I see her, and she simply points out the clear dome. Above us and in line with the central hub of the station is a large ship, a very large flying saucer shaped ship.

  “That’s the S.S. New Hope. She is taking on her passengers and crew right now.” Alicia is also staring at it.

  “That is all the new faces I saw, heading to SCC alpha one.” I tell.

  Some small craft are flying to it from the station, and some are returning.

  “I hope I get to go there.” Alicia wishes.

  “You will. Hell, I think all of us are going to see some very wild things girl. We’re in the thick of it.”

  “Hell yeah we are. I’ll guide us there.”

  I laugh. “I will have my own command someday Alicia, and I’ll chart all the stars.”

  “I’ll be your first officer, your Spock any day Devon. We won’t get lost.”

  “Not as long as you’re with me we won’t.” I laugh with joy. “My Spock. I like that… it’s funny.”

  “It’s only logical Captain.” Again she busts me up.

  We end the evening in my quarters in each other’s arms. I know without a shadow of a doubt right at the moment, that I am a lesbian. The word that used to scare me, now it is mine, I own it. I still am excited by the thought of a virile, good looking man, but that pales in comparison to my thoughts of Alicia. She is the best by far, and the sexiest too.

  The rest of the first semester falls into a dedicated regimen, and it goes by so quickly. I get my final scores and am very happy; I get perfect marks. Alicia and I are trying to keep it discrete, but it gets harder every day. It is impossible to not want to hold her, caress her, and kiss her. Still we both love Star Command more, and nothing is going to stop us.

  My second semester is the same rotation of four classes, but this time they are; Stellar Cartography 302, Universal Laws and Ethics, Calculus, and the one that sounds the best to me, Cosmology 101. Angela and Ed are deeply immersed in their study of starship operations, and I am actually picking up some good information from them. Things I make sure to remember.

  During the second week Command tells me that I will be taking an additional course called Stabilization Training. This is to teach me how to survive interstellar travel. The next morning I decide to test out of my Cosmology course, because I already know all the stuff they are teaching. Of course I passed the test, but there were some things it seems which I did miss out on. The trade-off for this was the unrestrained time I had for the Stabilization class. It helps.

  I learn that we wear vented pressure suits that have many cooling and heating vent hoses attached to it. Our breathing air is from a snug mask over my mouth and nose. It will also vent fresh cold air, or warm air as needed into my lungs. The suit is also so vented from all the other hoses attached. They scare me when they tell me that I will change temperatures rapidly, from cold to hot, and then back again in cycles. I will feel hotter than I ever have, and also colder than I ever have. Not only that but quickly between so. This definitely sounds dangerous now.

  None of my friends are taking the Stabilization course yet, and that makes me think that I am going to the new colony pretty soon. Knots are in my stomach, maybe I’
m just building it up too much for myself. During the sixth week of the second semester my instructors all tell me to take the finals immediately. Fortunately I pass them all. Captain Goodwin sends for me, and I’m told to wear my dress uniform.

  I report as ordered, and am led by a Commander to an auditorium. There is no audience, but there are several Line Officers, and Captain Goodwin waiting at the stage. I join them and stand at attention.

  “Cadet Stanley, you have shown exemplary devotion to your duty, and studies, and as such have earned your Rising Star. This is the symbol of a graduate of Star Command Academy. Even though you haven’t technically graduated yet, we require you to perform your duty for us, and as such your studies are temporarily suspended. You will leave here today with the full rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade of the Scientific Corps of Star Command. An immediate leave of thirty days is granted to you, after which you will return here for your first deployment. You will be assigned to SCC alpha one for six months. Full orders will await you upon your return. Remember that you are not to speak of any of this to anyone.” The Captain pins a metallic emblem on my uniform’s breast. A star rising above an arch, like above a planet, and then the single bars of my new rank on each side of my collar.

  After the ceremony Captain Goodwin gives me a flight itinerary of when I can get back and forth to Earth. There is one flight per day I see. I guess I should go back home and see my mother. Tell her that everything is great, and I’m loving life, but I really just want to spend the time with Alicia. I know what class she has now, so I go and wait for her outside it.

  “Hey girl, I got my orders just now.” I tell her with a long face, I have no doubt. It’s how I feel.

  She sees my Rising Star right away, and she gently touches it as if with reverence. “Damn Devon, you really are a special case. That was quick!”

  “I got thirty days leave, but I don’t want to go home. I want to stay here with you.” My voice sure got whinny at the end there.

  “You know I want to tell you to stay here, and love me extra hard baby, but I think you should go and see your family back home. You need to let them know that you are good, hell; great, lover.”

  I love Alicia. “Damn. I know you’re right. I’ll come back early though, and make you squeal my name baby.” I take her and kiss her deeply right there in the hallway. It only draws a couple looks, and they are passing.

  “Yeah, you do that baby. I’ll be here waiting for you, always.”

  God how did this woman get so sexy, and how the hell did I get so lucky?

  The flight home is quick and before I know it I am on another flight from Las Vegas to Sacramento. What a freaking expensive cab ride to my mom’s house, and I sure hope she is even home. I should have called first. Her lights are on, good. Okay, shit. It has been awhile… here goes. I ring the bell. It takes another ring after a good bit, but then I see someone coming, through the thin pane of ornamental glass in the door. The porch light comes on, and I back into its’ beams so she can see me clearly.

  “It’s me mom, Devon.” I holler.

  “Who?”

  “Devon! It’s me Devon… your daughter!”

  The door opens a slight crack and old eyes peer at me with scrutiny. “Who?”

  “It’s Devon. Devon Stanley… your daughter!” Come on!

  “Oh…” The door closes almost the whole way, and then I hear a chain being taken off, or rather a clumsy attempt at it. Finally I hear it fall free, but then another chain is being fumbled with. In a few moments I hear it fall free, and the old woman opens the door, but she is not my mother. Wait! I recognize her.

  “Aunt Laura?”

  “Oh… yes. Devon. Oh goodness… yes, come in, come in. Close and lock that door behind you now. Make sure.”

  “Aunt Laura, what’s going on? Where is my mom?”

  She is limping into the other room, as if she can barely make it, so I rush to help her, and sit her down on the couch.

  “Are you okay Aunt Laura? Can I get you anything?”

  “Ohh… some water…please.”

  I hear a muffled, yet hoarse voice from the hallway.

  “Bring me the water girl, and then I can tell you.” Aunt Laura insists.

  I give her the glass and she drinks like a camel at an oasis.

  The muffled voice comes from the back again.

  “Oh my. Thank you dear girl.” Then Aunt Laura leans up and shouts to the back. “I’ll be there in a minute! Shut up!”

  I should have stayed on NET Nine. This is sad. I know it’s my mom yelling from her room, and it makes me regret this trip.

  “Your mother has heart failure, congestive heart failure. She isn’t doing so well my sweets, neither am I. We are both a sad lot.” Aunt Laura wheezes.

  Again the hollering from mom.

  “Shut up! I’ll be there in a minute!” Aunt Laura shouts. “Oh god she’s so trying sometimes.”

  “I’ll go say hi to her.” I get up, and retreat down the hall. Her door is open a crack and her light is on. I knock gently.

  “Hello, mom. It’s me Devon.”

  “Who?”

  “Devon, can I come in?”

  “Ohh….”

  I open the door and go in, damn my mom looks bad. She doesn’t recognize me. “It’s me, Devon, mom.”

  “Devon? Ohh… where have you been? I’ve been worried sick, and Aunt Laura too. You don’t even care about us… ungrateful… little bitch.”

  “I just heard mom, I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

  “What? Do? Now…” She begins a coughing fit. “No!” More coughing. “Where have you been?”

  “I’ve been making a good life for myself mom. Something I think you would be proud of… really. I mean it mom.”

  “Proud? Oh you conceited little bitch. I raised you wrong… Daryl left…bastard! I had to do it alone, and you ain’t even grateful… bitch. Where’s Laura?”

  “I’ll go get her mom, relax. Bye now.” I leave quickly and tell Aunt Laura that mom needs her. She goes into the bedroom, and I sneak out the front door. With my phone I arrange for the cab to pick me up way down on the corner. That was a bit too much for me to handle. So much for home, and family. It really is just where you share your life, and with who. I’m going back to NET Nine, and to Alicia. She is my family now.

  Janet airlines takes me home, and I revel in the true peace and yet positive energy of the base, and all the bright stars in it. Alicia is quite surprised, and yet eager for the extra time with me. I try to explain what happened and why I returned so early, but it is obvious that she is struggling with this. I hate to say it, not; that Alicia has forever spoiled me sexually, and how!

  Too soon my leave is over and it is time to depart NET Nine. Alicia and I have the most romantic, and stimulating night of our lives, at least it is for me. Tomorrow I leave for Epsilon Eridanus.

  Chapter 5

  I don the thin pressure suit again, and wish I had taken the EVA course as I fumble with it. I just got a bit distracted during the training, damn Alicia is hot. I report to the hub and wait for transport to the S.S. New Hope. Over four hundred other passengers are on this flight, so it takes a while to ferry them all to the ship. I’m on one of the later shuttles.

  They escort our group from the ferry to a deck with hundreds of acceleration couches on it. Attendants get me strapped in and attached with the many cooling and heating hoses, including the hose that directly feeds my lungs; the most important one. The comm-link of my suit is also connected and instantly I hear the main command channel spark to life in my ear phones.

  “That is affirmative NET Nine Com. We have received full delivery of manifesto, and are preparing for departure. T minus ten minutes and counting.”

  “Rodger that New Hope. May the force be with you.” Comes a deep voice.

  “We are now on auto maneuvering NET nine Com, and departure is imminent.”

  “Copy New Hope.”

  I am nervous again, holy shit what am I
doing?

  Suddenly the attendant straps my arms and wrists down.

  “Relax, you don’t want to flail around, trust me.”

  So I relax.

  I hear the count-down pick up again at thirty seconds to maneuvering launch, whatever that is, and then I feel lighter somehow, in a moment it gets warmer too. We are moving.

  “Star Command personnel, this is your Captain speaking. We are now maneuvering clear of our solar system’s gravity-well. This will take several hours at our sub-light velocities, and then we will engage the Quantum Drive. Your attendants will inform you of this well ahead of time, and will remind you of the protocol. A calm mind is best for this transit, and though it isn’t pleasant for any of us, we will survive this. ETA arrival in Epsilon Eridanus system is two hours and twelve minutes until deceleration is complete. Then it will be another two and a half hours to dock with NET Ten. Please relax as much as you can, and endure the flight.”

  The attendants do come and make sure we are all ready for the quantum flight in a couple hours, and then they get back in their own acceleration couches and strap in too.

  “This is the Captain speaking… we are initiating quantum drive in ten, nine, eight….

  My heart is pounding hard. I remember what they taught us, and that the first gravitonic pressure change is just before the drive is activated.

  “Three, two…”

  There it is…I definitely feel heavier, oh yeah! And cooler.

  “One! Quantum drive activated.”

  Now it suddenly feels lighter, but damn I feel the heat too, from inside me everywhere. The air hoses feed me cold air and it sure helps. The air stops in a few moments, and I feel heavier again, and suddenly I’m cold. Everywhere! Now the air hoses blow real warm air to me.