Terraformed Skies

by Anna Lewis

  A knock came from the door. Erika looked up at the clock, not realizing what time it was. She stood and opened the door to find Leonard holding up a collection of flowers he had picked from the field.

  “Oh, Leonard,” Erika said. “These are so beautiful.”

  “I left some of the roots on them so you could replant them and perhaps experiment,” Leonard explained. “I don’t usually pick flowers, but I thought you would like these. They smell like lavender.”

  Erika smiled.

  “Thank you. That was quite thoughtful,” she said while carrying the flowers over to a pot of soil. “This should work nicely.”

  As she tended to the flowers, she watched Leonard stand awkwardly in the doorway and giggled to herself.

  “You can come inside,” she said. “None of my plants will bite you.”

  “Except for that rather large flytrap over there,” Leonard said while shutting the door behind him. “How did you get it to grow so big?”

  “I injected it with a hormone serum I’ve been working on,” Erika replied. “It was approved today, so we’ll be getting some better produce in the near future.”

  “Your brain is quite amazing, if I can say that,” Leonard commented.

  “Thank you,” Erika said, her face growing red.

  She watered the flowers with her special H2O blend and they sprang to life, blooming even brighter than before.

  “I’m absolutely intrigued by your work,” Leonard said. “It’s why I wanted to take you to dinner.”

  “I’m not sure what to say,” Erika said, going to her locker to grab her purse.

  “Just tell me about yourself,” Leonard responded. “And feel free to ask me anything.”

  Erika smiled.

  “I need to change first. Could we stop by my apartment?” Erika asked.

  “Of course,” Leonard replied.

  ~~~

  At the restaurant, Leonard admired the long flowing gown that Erika had chosen to wear. He was wearing his best silk shirt and a pair of slacks that he had kept from his last formal event that he attended. Holding out the chair for Erika, he could smell her perfume. It aroused his senses. He sat in the chair opposite her and folded his hands on the table.

  “Where are you from?” Erika asked.

  “The Hampton Farm before the Green Field was created,” Leonard replied. “I was one of the originals.”

  “Oh wow, that’s impressive,” Erika commented. “Where did your family go?”

  “They all became workers for the province. We’ve been farming for centuries, paving the way forward when it comes to agriculture. Of course that was up until the Guilderans came and introduced new ways to plant and harvest. The advancements have been amazing,” Leonard replied.

  “They have, indeed,” Erika said while looking over her menu.

  “And where are you from?” Leonard asked.

  “I grew up just north of this province in Greensburg,” Erika replied. “And then I went to agricultural school in my teens. I’ve been here ever since.”

  “What did you hope to do with your life?” Leonard asked.

  “This,” Erika replied. “Being a scientist and making life better for others. I want life to be better for everyone so they never have to suffer the diseases of our ancestors.”

  Her eyes sparkled as she explained this. Leonard admired the way she spoke passionately. When she mentioned her job, her smile dipped and then returned to its place as she looked up at the waiter who greeted them. They each ordered water and then looked through the digital menus for something delicious to eat.

  “What about yourself?” Erika asked.

  “Me? Well, I’m content just farming,” Leonard replied. “And I hope to make a family someday.”

  “That sounds lovely,” she said.

  “You don’t think that’s boring at all?” Leonard asked.

  “Well, no. The future of our existence relies on good families and strong genes, right?” Erika asked rhetorically.

  “I feel like it’s more than that. I think our end game is really just happiness,” Leonard said.

  “Even that can be boiled down to survival. It makes me happy to enrich other people’s lives, so I continue to do it,” Erika commented.

  “Do you always think like a scientist?” Leonard teased.

  Erika giggled.

  “I suppose I do. I work formulas and run trials all day, so I tend to retain that practice in my daily life,” Erika replied.

  “I admire that,” Leonard said.

  “Really? You don’t find it boring at all?” Erika asked.

  “No, not at all. It’s fascinating. You have this different view of the world that I would have never encountered had I not met you,” Leonard responded. “By the way, how was Factory G yesterday?”

  “How did you know I was…?”

  Erika trailed off, a shy smile crossing her lips as she crossed her arms.

  “Have you been the one messing with that electrical system?” she asked.

  Leonard looked up at the ceiling and shrugged.

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said with a grin. “But it sounds utterly complicated for a field worker such as myself.”

  Erika eyed him suspiciously, her lips uncontrollably curling up into a smile as the waiter returned to take their order. When he had typed it into his miniature touch pad and sent the order to the cook, the couple sat in silence for a moment.

  “You’re quite sneaky,” Erika said. “And that was simply impressive how you managed to pick my pockets.”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Leonard said with a grin.

  “Oh, come on. The gig is up and you’re totally exposed,” Erika said playfully.

  “Well, not yet,” Leonard teased.

  Erika blushed and giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “You’re so beautiful when you smile,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she replied. “You’re quite handsome. I’m rather glad you asked me to dinner. I’ve been wanting to ask you myself.”

  “Oh, really?” he asked.

  “Yes, I find you interesting. Your life, your work, your family – it all interests me. Maybe it’s just the scientist in me who wants to know, but life is just fascinating to me,” Erika replied.

  “I admire that deeply,” Leonard said. “And I want to tell you everything about my life. I really would love to get to know you more personally.”

  “I would love that,” she said.

  Their food arrived and they immediately dug in, chatting between bites and laughing loudly over the sound of the violin from across the room. Leonard noticed a few people eying them, but he didn’t mind it. Who cares? They were having a blast and he was beyond elated to have her in his company. After they had finished, he paid the bill and Erika offered to leave a tip from her chip which he gladly accepted.

  Arm in arm, they walked out of the restaurant and hopped into a cab to head back to her apartment. He had wanted to take her home to his, but felt embarrassed about how small his quarters were after seeing the lavishness of her apartment. He wasted no time at the door, pressing his lips to hers as soon as they reached 32A and wrapping his large arms around her waist. Erika could barely touch the keypad to type in her code to open the door. She traced circles on his neck, causing him to shiver.

  “Let me open the door,” she whispered.

  Leonard chuckled as Erika fumbled with the code, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear before it finally turned green to allow them entry. She led him inside and pulled him straight to the bedroom, shoving him down on the silk sheets and crawling up his torso. She purred and leaned down to nibble on his neck. Leonard groaned.

  Lifting the hem of her dress slowly, he ran his fingers up her thigh, eliciting a hiss from her lips as she bent to kiss him again. His fingers found their way to her portal, delighted to find that she wasn’t wearing any panties. One finger slipped over her petals and caused her to buck, lips tangled with his as he explo
red the sensitive skin within.

  Erika moaned. She unbuttoned his shirt and slowly pulled it off, tossing it aside while pulling down the straps of her dress. Leonard sat in awe of her breasts, cupping them in his hands and pulling them towards his mouth to suckle. She bayed in pleasure. Another hand reached down and unbuttoned his pants which flew across the room to join his shirt on the floor. She stroked his already erect tool and wiggled down the bed to slip him into her mouth, her lips sliding all the way down to the base.

  A moan left his lips and he cupped the back of her head to guide her lips up and down his shaft. Her tongue unfurled to lap at the head of his penis, his eyes watching her suck dutifully and admiring the way her lips wrapped around his member. She sat up. Leonard beckoned her with his hands, nearly begging for her to sit on top of him. She crawled up his torso and obliged.

  Pulling up her dress, she rubbed her petals against his member and slowly slid him inside, smiling as he watched her bounce up and down. Leonard sighed and gripped her hips, holding her steady as he began to pump into her flower. She leaned back and bayed, rolling her hips forward and gripping the skin of his chest. An array of emotions filled him as he rocked into her. Another moan echoed from her lips, inspiring him to sit up and wrap his arms around her waist.

  Leonard was fascinated with the soft roundness of her bottom, gripping her beautiful thighs and pressing his lips into hers. They moaned together as she rocked forward and he nibbled on her lower lip. He leaned back to get better leverage, pumping hard into her petals as her eyes slit shut in ecstasy. He smiled.

  “Darling, does that feel good?” he asked sweetly.

  “Oh, yes,” she moaned. “Give me more.”

  As his muscles flexed, her feminine portal deepened and he could feel her tensing around his member, inspiring him to whisper every want and need to her in his husky voice. She moaned again and shoved her face into his neck, groaning between gasps for air. He pumped harder and smiled as she vibrated against him, gripping the skin of his back while he began to dance on the edge of orgasm. Grunting loudly, Leonard released his hot honey inside of her and fell back against the bed, taking Erika with him.

  Gasping, Leonard chuckled and wrapped his arms around Erika who was still trying to catch her breath. She traced the nape of his neck with her fingernail, not bothering to move another muscle.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered.

  “You’re amazing,” he said. “Truly and absolutely amazing.”

  Erika giggled.

  “I have thoroughly enjoyed our evening,” she said. “Will you stay the night with me?”

  “Of course I will. Are you alright with that?” he asked.

  “Certainly. I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t,” she replied sweetly.

  Climbing over him, Erika curled up and invited Leonard to crawl underneath the sheets. He followed suit and wrapped an arm around her, Erika pressing her bottom to his body as she rubbed his arm.

  “This has been the best day of my life,” she whispered.

  Chapter Eight

  “I went up to Saturn recently. The beaches there are just gorgeous,” Ulita explained while sipping a cup of tea. “You really should take a vacation up there. The spas are simply marvelous.”

  The workers in the break room listened carefully while Ulita spoke, turning her cup around in her hands but not drinking from it. Underneath Ulita’s story, Erika could hear the other workers in the room whispering.

  Heard she’s seeing a field worker.

  That sounds preposterous!

  Such a scandal to be dating someone lower.

  I mean, is he attractive? If she’s a scientist, she can always alter her children.

  Erika looked around the room and the whispers stopped, each of the workers returning their attention to each other and switching topics. Had she really heard them whispering about her?

  “Erika? What’s the matter?” Ulita asked.

  “Hm?” Erika asked, looking up from her cup of tea. “Oh, nothing. I was just lost in thought.”

  “What, is my story boring you?” Ulita asked.

  “No, Ulita. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get distracted,” Erika replied.

  “It’s alright. You just look so worried,” Ulita commented.

  “It’s really nothing. I swear,” Erika insisted. “So, what were you saying about the spa?”

  “They have these little squid aliens that wrap around your feet and the massage is simply to die for, amiga,” Ulita continued.

  Erika nodded and raised the cup to her lips, sipping slowly. She tried to ignore the chatter surrounding her, but she simply couldn’t concentrate.

  “You would love it up there. We could go on your next vacation. What do you think?” Ulita asked. “Erika? You’re totally gone again, amiga.”

  “I’m sorry,” Erika said.

  “Seriously, what’s bothering you?” Ulita asked.

  “It’s just...” Erika trailed off and lowered her voice. “Everybody is talking about us.”

  “Who?” Ulita asked in the same whisper.

  “Our co-workers are discussing Leonard and me,” Erika explained. “Like, I think they’re talking about us and how we’re dating.”

  “Really?” Ulita asked. “That sounds terrible, amiga. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I mean...” Erika trailed off. “I guess I can’t control it, but it still hurts. Why does it matter if he’s a field hand?”

  “You know, as advanced as we’ve gotten, people still hold these beliefs that a woman should date lower than herself,” Ulita said.

  “But he’s not lower than me. He just has a different skill, right?” Erika asked rhetorically. “He’s different and that’s why I like him.”

  “Then, ignore everybody else. None of that is important,” Ulita said.

  “I know that. I’m just a little worried about the judgment,” Erika admitted.

  “Well, that’s not your problem,” Ulita pointed out. “It’s your business and not theirs, right?”

  Erika smiled, running her finger along the edge of her cup.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” she said. “Thank you, amiga. You’ve been really helpful about this.”

  “Any time. I want you to be happy. If this guy makes you happy, then go for it. Who cares what others think?” Ulita said.

  “I mean, I’m still going worry a little bit,” Erika said.

  “It’s not worth your time,” Ulita reminded her. “Trust me. Just go with your gut.”

  ~~~

  Feeling exceptionally bold, Erika headed out to the fields after lunch and walked past the workers to find Leonard. He was in the center, holding a large mattock in his hands that he raised over his head and struck the soil with. She smiled. He looked incredibly handsome in the afternoon sun, his muscles glittering with sweat and arousing her instantly. When she approached, he set the axe on the ground and held out his arms to embrace her.

  For a moment, Erika hesitated. She knew the workers were watching. She recalled how Ulita had said she shouldn’t care, that she should embrace the bond she had formed with this man. She leaned into his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek, enjoying the wonderful feeling of his skin touching hers.

  “How are you, mi amor?” he asked when they pulled away.

  “I’m doing well. And yourself?” she asked in return.

  “I’m great now,” he replied. “Now that you’re here.”

  Erika smiled and looked down at the ground.

  “How’s work?” she asked.

  “It’s been great thus far. How about for you?”

  “Well, it’s been alright.”

  “Just alright?”

  “People have been talking.”

  “About what?”

  “About us.”

  Leonard chuckled.

  “That’s just because they’re jealous,” he said.

  Erika giggled.

  “Are you sure? It feels like they’re judging us for more than that,” s
he said.

  “It’s not our problem, darling,” Leonard said proudly. “It’s their problem if they want to judge us.”

  Erika smiled.

  “I get that. It just worries me. I’m a little concerned this might have an effect on my job,” she said.

  “It shouldn’t,” he said.

  “And if it does?” she asked pensively.

  “Then, we’ll face it,” he replied. “Together.”

  Erika leaned in for a kiss, but was interrupted by a loud whirring coming from the distance, causing her and Leonard to turn towards the sound. A large ship was hovering over the field, causing many of the crops to bend and sway under the great breeze. The couple raised their hands to guard their eyes and held on to each other as the ship came closer to the ground.

  “What is it doing?” Erika called over the roaring sound of galactic engines.

  “I think it’s looking for a place to land,” he yelled in reply.

  “Well, it’s in the wrong place!” she cried.

  The ship hovered momentarily, causing some of the workers to scatter and alert their superiors who were standing outside the main office building. Erika looked around. She couldn’t tell what was going on or what was about to happen. As the ship hovered back and forth, Erika and Leonard continued to watch with the rest of the field. It was an unmarked ship, possibly Horrtian, but not showing any significant indicators of what it was doing.

  It roared louder, appearing to move closer to the ground. They held up their hands to shield their ears from the powerful motors that screeched.

  Chapter Nine

  The cumbersome and hefty ship yielded for a moment, then headed for the military base on the other side of the field. It landed gracefully in the docking area and Leonard heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Well, that was something,” Erika commented. “I have to get back to the dome. I’ll see you after work?”

  “Of course, darling,” he said while kissing her cheek. “I look forward to it.”

  Leonard watched as Erika walked across the field, admiring the way her hips swayed side to side. A smile was plastered to his lips and he felt something poke his left arm.

  “So, how’s that going?” Peter asked.