Fire Falcon, page 12
part #1 of Force 9 Series
“Here? Why?” I skimmed over the lineup on the display. I didn’t recognise any of the band names, but then I wasn’t exactly up to speed with what was out there.
“I’m not sure,” he shrugged. “It looks like an interesting place. If it’s no good we can go somewhere else if you like.”
“Sure, let’s check it out.”
As we handed over our jackets and weapons at reception, the girl behind the counter gave us a slightly nervous look. It was normal for people around Asvellah City to carry defense but this was probably excessive, even around here. But my companion just flashed his attractive smile and she shrugged, tagged the entry pass onto the back of our hands and waved us through.
Atmospheric music drew us in to the darkened room, a wall of muggy heat from dancing bodies washed over us, a contrast to the chilled outside air. Downtempo music performed by humanoids on organic instruments created an enjoyable ambiance, a sort of soft rock-electronica fusion. Vann took me by the hand and led me to a gap in the crowd closer to the stage. I was forced to stand close to him as the faint smell of his cologne added to the intoxicating buzz. As the bare skin of our arms brushed lightly together, tiny hairs on my forearms stood upwards as if they were reaching out to him. A young guy carrying his drinks through the crowd bumped into me, forcing me in front of Vann. He ran his fingers from my elbow to my wrist and took hold of my hands as he wrapped his arms around my body. I relaxed into his chest, lost in the enchantment of his embrace, barely registering the music. We stayed in that position for the rest of the set even though my cheeks were burning and I wanted to spin around and make out with him no matter what form he was in. But I controlled myself, deciding to let him take the romantic lead tonight, seeing as he suggested this date.
All too soon the musicians finished their last song and the crowd disbursed. He let go and reluctantly I drew away.
“Time for somewhere else?” he asked.
We retrieved our jackets and weapons then continued up the strip, holding hands like teenagers, dawdling along until we came to a sign pointing to a roof-top movie theatre.
“Art-house films under the stars,” I read.
“You keen?”
“Yeah, why not. Looks like we’re just in time.”
We ascended the narrow wooden staircase, paid for tickets and sat in the comfortable, slightly worn armchairs in the front row.
“This is tremendous fun,” whispered Vann. “Is this what normal people do with their lives?”
“Yes I suppose it is, one way or another. It’s better than sitting alone at home in a onesie.”
“In a what?”
“It’s like a full length furry jumpsuit. They’re really warm and cozy, good for shut-ins. I can get you one if you want?”
“It sounds hideous!”
“On most people, but I bet it would still look good on you.”
“Oh! So you think I am attractive, Atrana of Asvellah?”
“Of course! In your usual form, not this Luca business. But I’m still not sure if you’re a good man, or not.”
“Oh little one, I am trying to be, especially for you… are you enjoying yourself? Am I doing this right?” His eyes were wide open, pleading. What happened to the alluring, sexy Vann? The mysterious one with an air of bad-boy? This guy was more like a puppy dog than the dark character I rescued from Searna. I couldn’t tell if it was just the Luca holograph, or if he had actually dropped his broody countenance and cheered up.
“What?” he picked up on my subliminal musings. Luckily at that moment the lights dimmed and the crowd hushed.
Each feature lasted about ten minutes, the first was a documentary about life in the Arctic Circle of Earth. It was filmed perhaps a hundred years ago when polar bears still roamed the un-melted Northernmost region of the planet. It was breathtaking to see the magnificent creatures and their offspring, but so sad that the planet had lost a great deal of its natural heritage through careless use of resources and greed.
The next film was about a collection of abstract native art from Cytaria that had lain buried in a cave for hundreds of years. The paintings were discovered when an earthquake had shaken away the rockfall which covered the entrance. It was a bit boring and I found it hard to concentrate with Vann’s arm pressed against mine. The next movie was another old Earth production, a cartoon story which was silly, juvenile and funny – a welcome break from the other serious documentaries. Then the last film was a crazy music video set to an intense, mighty soundtrack that assaulted our senses. It took us on a visual journey through mind-blowing nebulas, planets, comets and asteroids. I realised that as I travelled the galaxy jumping in and out of wormholes, I never took notice of what was outside my window.
Once the session had finished, we waited until the crowd had filtered out before making our way back to street level. The river boulevard was just a few steps away so we wandered down to the water’s edge and meandered along the wide, gently lit pathway.
“Come with me,” said Vann as we came to a large illuminated tree, its branches hanging like a shaggy monster. He took my hand and led me into its depths, ducking through the branches into the shadows where there was a clearing under the boughs. I looked up at the twinkling fairy lights surrounding us and smiled. It felt like I was standing behind a waterfall of glowflies.
He turned towards me and switched off his shapeshifter collar. Lantern-jaw Luca disappeared in a flicker of virtual pixels to reveal the smoothly shaven face and searching gaze of Vann. His mouth was unsmiling, his eyes as black as shadows cutting straight through to my soul, sending a shockwave of desire through my chest. At an almost glacial pace, he drew himself closer until our chests were nearly touching, then brought his hand up to my face, brushed the hair from my jawline and gently rested his it on the nape of my neck. Wrapping his other hand firmly around my waist he leaned down and kissed me with a warmth and softness I had never experienced before. It was the kind of kiss which didn’t demand to go further, a kiss which was purely an outpouring of emotion where words could not express. The depth of his affection in his kiss surprised me and I realised he was being sensitive, holding back slightly so as not to frighten me away. We kissed for what seemed like both seconds and hours, before reluctantly drawing apart.
“Best day ever,” he whispered with a smile.
“Best day ever.”
The short flight home was companionable and quiet. I felt exhausted and slightly intoxicated with emotion, my cheeks still burned and my lips tingled, but a sense of peace had crept in like a spattering of blossom after a long, brutal winter. I didn’t want to think about the walls of my heart crumbling, the uncertain future, or anything other than this night, and that kiss under the tree. I wanted to repeat it in my mind over and over until it was seared into my brain.
We cruised through the mountain range at a slower speed than usual, and eventually the familiar landscape appeared through the night vision windscreen. The hangar door opened on our approach, digital markers guiding us in which would be invisible to any other craft. We held hands as we disembarked and slowly wandered up to my apartment where I stopped and turned, ready to invite him in. But he gently tilted my head up towards him, planted one soft kiss on my lips and said “Goodnight, Atrana.”
“Goodnight?”
He kissed me on the forehead, sadness emanating from his eyes. “You know I would be there in a heartbeat, but I think we need to take things slowly, just for now.”
Disappointment and rejection unsettled me and although I respected his restraint, a tiny barb of anger pricked my soul. “Can’t you stay, and just… not do anything?”
“Atrana… I wouldn’t be able to restrain myself.”
“Best we play it safe, then. I’m too tired for that sort of thing anyway.” Why am I pissed about this? He’s just proving he’s a noble guy, not one that’s trying to get into my pants.
“I promise, when the time is right. I love you, Atrana.”
Stop saying that, you know I can’t say it back. “Goodnight, Vann.”
I closed my door, sat on the couch and tried to figure out why I was so confused.
◆◆◆
When I ventured downstairs in the morning, Vann was gone.
And so was my ship.'
Motherf…
Chapter ELEVEN
I stood there, mouth agape, staring in disbelief at the empty parking space in the hangar. I looked around the room as if to see my missing vessel on top of a cabinet or something. How COULD HE? A thousand questions were spinning through my mind, accelerating in a blur of fury and betrayal.
“Where is my ship?” I barged into the communal living space, interrupting my friend’s breakfast.
“Good morning sunshine!” Sten mumbled through a mouthful of toast. “Where did you leave it?”
“Not funny! It was there last night, now it’s gone! He must have taken it! I can’t believe he would do that!”
“Really? It wasn’t there when I woke up. I presumed you were still out with him.” He took a casual swig from his mug. “Good night, was it?”
“No! We…” I spotted Maren and Kalmin coming down the stairs. “Have you guys seen my ship?”
“I saw it take off this morning, I thought you and Vann were on another job,” said Maren.
“He probably just borrowed it,” Sten attempted to reassure me. “I’m sure he’ll be back.”
Anger boiled from my toes to my shoulders and fizzed down my arms, sucking the strength out of them as if the blood in my veins was icing over. My chest tightened. I tried to rein in my anxiety and think of an explanation for his betrayal, but nothing came to mind. He has stolen it and left me. That’s why he wouldn’t come in to my apartment last night. He spared me the humiliation. No… wait, I’m sure he was genuine. Or was he? Argh! I have to sort this out.
I hurriedly typed a message to him on my comm. Where the hell are you? Where is my ship?
I waited one minute, two, three, but no reply came. I wanted to cry, to scream, but my eyes were dry and the lump in my throat was gagging me. I couldn’t understand how he was so great last night, so gentlemanly, and now he had up and left, taking my ship! Thank God I didn’t sleep with him. Although from my strong reaction now, it seemed he had ripped off a chunk of my heart and taken it with him. Bastard.
“You guys will have to take my jobs today. I’m grounded.” I flicked my comm to unavailable. “I can’t believe he would just take it without asking.”
“I’m sure he’ll be back. But if I was him, I’d keep running,” laughed Kalmin.
“Did you check the tracker?” asked Sten.
“He’s switched it off.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“It’s an old ship. And he is one of the designated pilots, so he can do that.”
“That’s not cool. Don’t panic Atrana. If he’s not back by sundown I know a guy that will be able to switch it on remotely and find him.”
“Ok. I’m going to the gym. Let me know if by some miracle he comes back.”
“I’m sure he will babe. Give him the benefit of the doubt.”
I stomped upstairs and threw on my gear. There was only one way to release this level of rage, and that was through hard, violent exercise. So with the music cranked to volume eleven and my boxing gloves strapped firmly to my wrists, I smashed the absolute crap out of the heavy leather bag until my shoulders burned. Sweat poured down my skin, soaking wet pony tail flicking my face and sticking to my cheek as I fought my imaginary demons. How dare he? I was almost starting to trust him! Now he’s pissed off with my spaceship! There goes my trust, he’s never getting that back. But at least… at least I wasn’t left to die this time.
◆◆◆
Thom. Thom had left me to die.
After the humiliating toilet-washing incident, I dealt with the post-trauma fallout by throwing myself into study and hard physical training. Academically I earned top awards in science, medicine and aircraft piloting. Physically I pursued combat fighting with passionate vigor and reached on-planet competition level. I was learning how to socialise with club members, but held my cards close to my chest. They will never know the real me. People knew my name and skill, but nothing about my background, or who I was outside the Dojo.
As I progressed through the awkward teenage years my skin cleared up and my looks improved. I found if I treated life like a stage production, it became tolerable. I was an actor playing a part. The real me lived somewhere deep inside, peering out through the holes of a fabricated mask.
I pursued higher education in the medical field and specialised in trauma and paramedicine. I had transformed from a gawky, bullied teen into a normal, functioning young adult. I moved out of my parent’s home and into an apartment in Arusa on Planet Nuetar, found work as a courier pilot to support myself while I studied. The pay was low, but I enjoyed the work and it kept my on-world flying skills sharp.
Six months into the job a new delivery pilot caught my attention, Thom. He was reasonably good looking, warm, friendly and had a fun personality and in spite of my walls, I felt myself drawn to him. Something about his smile, his eyes, and perhaps a touch of mystery seemed to disarm me and my guard started to slip. In spite of myself, he filled my thoughts more than he should have. But I enjoyed thinking about him. His wit, humour, attention to me, and bright, clear blue eyes. I liked how he made me feel. It seemed like his smile was wider for me than anybody else, and his eyes rested on me longer than they should have. I liked how he would touch my arm sometimes when he was talking to me. I liked how he laughed at my jokes, how we would talk for hours when we were paired up on a flight.
Sometimes we would share a drink together, even go to a movie if time allowed between jobs. One night he put his arm around my shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world, and I smiled. We had crossed the friend line at last, and it felt right.
At the courier base he wanted to keep our relationship a secret. “Just for now. They will stop putting us on the same flight if they know we’re an item,” he explained. I suppose that should have been my first warning sign, but his explanation seemed plausible enough and I didn’t want to lose our flying time together. Those times he put the craft on autopilot and dragged me to the cargo area to make out were like oxygen to me.
It was exciting to have a secret boyfriend, too. I would observe the other girls flirting with him and I would smile to myself as I knew he was all mine. I just knew he was different to those asshole boys at school. He was mature, attentive and genuinely adored me. He gave me the confidence to come out of my shell, to believe I was attractive and desirable. Although nervous after the assault at school, I wanted to take things further physically, but he refused. He would push my wandering hand away, saying he wanted to take our time and get to know each other better, to not rush things.
A couple of months after we had become some sort of item, we were crossing the mountains between Jayda and Esalir. The clouds were grey and thick that day and we couldn’t see more than a few hundred metres ahead of us. I voiced my concern that it was dangerous to travel at our current speed, but Thom waved off my suggestion to slow down, stating that we were behind schedule and needed to make up the time. Suddenly a huge flock of migrating birds appeared through the misty clouds and we couldn’t dodge them in time. They smashed against the windshield with a sickening smack and were sucked into the jet intakes, flames shooting out of the exhaust. Alarms screamed in the cockpit as the engines lost all power, we very quickly lost momentum and started to drop altitude.
“There’s nowhere to land, we’re going to have to abandon ship,” yelled Thom. Budget cuts with the courier company meant our aircraft lacked modern safety features of a detachable fuselage or ejector seats – the only way out was to jump from the gaping mouth of the cargo door and trust our parachutes.
Thom decided to jump first while I held the craft steady. “I’ll make sure the way is clear.” He climbed out of his seat and disappeared into the back of the craft. Of course the way is clear, I thought, puzzled. Everything is strapped to the sides. I waited for about thirty seconds then unclipped and dragged myself against gravity and momentum into the cargo hold, just in time to see Thom fastening his parachute with a strange expression on his face. That looks like guilt. I followed his eyes to the rack where my chute was supposed to be, and it was empty. It had definitely been there when I completed the preflight check, so where had it gone? Surely he would notice there was only one parachute, wouldn’t he? When I turned back around, he had gone.
Shocked, my heart slamming against my ribcage, I strapped into my seat and attempted to control the descent as the craft dropped through the clouds, scanning for a clear patch to aim for. Sweat trickled down my face as the ground got closer and closer, little contrast of light and shadow made it impossible to determine the terrain other than precarious rocks littering rivers of white. I was almost hyperventilating in terror as the ship’s belly skimmed the surface. I was now at the mercy of physics.
Snow smashed against the windshield like the crashing water of a giant wave as the craft ploughed through a drift, the metal fuselage screaming as hidden rocks scraped against its shell, pummeled violently by each bank it collided with. My stomach gave way as my ship slid down the icy shelf, lurched sideways and jettisoned off the edge of a cliff. There was a brief moment of stillness as it became airborne, just enough time for me to brace myself before the ground came rushing up to meet me. This is going to hurt. An almighty crashing sound accompanied the violent impact of my craft slamming nose-first into a deep pile of snow at the foot of the drop-off, coming to an abrupt stop as my body slammed hard against the restraints. My shoulders burned from the impact but I could barely register any pain before acrid jet fuel fumes filtered through my helmet. I have to get out of here fast. With trembling hands I unclipped my harness, hit the emergency hatch release and ignoring the agony of my whole body, I dragged myself out into the snow. But it was so deep and soft that I sunk up to my thighs, unable to move any further. I heaved and pushed desperately against the frozen powder, trying to get clear of the volatile bomb behind me. But the more I struggled, the further I sank. So this is how it ends.
