Alone on the Edge (The Chronicles of Anna Foster)

by Patrick Stutzman

  Climbing to his feet, he shook her hand and said, “I’m Ryan. Ryan McIlheny. And, you are?”

  “Annika Foster,” she stated as she returned the handshake. “But, you can call me Anna. What brings you out this way? I didn’t think there was a lot of traffic in this area of space.”

  “Navigational error,” he replied while the two of them stepped away from the airlock. “I hit the wrong star in the computer, and it sent me here. Probably should have double-checked it before going to sleep that night.”

  “Well, I am glad you didn’t,” assured Anna. “I don’t get many visitors out this way.”

  “Really?” he questioned with surprise in his voice. “I ‘m surprised that you don’t get people coming out here all the time.”

  Anna blushed while she answered, “We’re not viewed as much of a tourist attraction. We’re boring apparently. Nobody seems to want to see that we mine gas and ship it back to Earth.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Been doing it for over a hundred years.”

  “Wow!” he said. “You look good for being over a hundred years old.”

  Anna smirked and remarked dryly, “Funny.”

  Ryan merely smiled knowingly before he prodded, “Are you the only one here?”

  “Not anymore,” she jokingly replied.

  “Okay,” Ryan nodded, affirming his understanding.

  “Not meaning to change the subject,” Anna suggested matter-of-factly as they approached the mess hall. “But, are you hungry? You’ve had a long trip and probably could use something to eat.”

  “Actually,” he paused and placed a hand on his belly. “I could nosh a bit. What have you got?”

  “Right this way!” she announced, leading him through the doorway.

  As they stepped into the room, Anna’s wristcomp signaled a message from the computer. She activated the screen to see its question, “What would you like to eat?”

  “What can I get for you, Ryan?” she asked as her gaze shifted from the hologram to her guest.

  “Do your speakers not work?” he asked back, pointing to the ceiling.

  Confused temporarily, she hastily replied, “What? Oh, the speakers. They work. I can play music. But, something about the computer’s voice has not worked right for the last few years. It’s not hardware related, and I’m not a programmer. So, I have been without the computer’s voice for quite a while.”

  Solemnly, Ryan observed, “I’ll bet it would get pretty lonely around here without anyone to talk to.”

  Nodding, Anna answered softly, “Yeah.”

  A few seconds passed, when Anna broke the silence. “But, you’re here now. Now, may I take your order?”

  Ryan thought for a few seconds and asked with a wink, “Do you have any fish and chips? I haven’t eaten any of those for months.”

  Anna grinned, “I think that’s a safe bet. What would you like with it?”

  “A bit of salt and vinegar, please.”

  “Salt and vinegar?” she asked with a hint of revulsion.

  He nodded, “Yeah, it’s pretty good.”

  Skeptically, she continued, “Okay.

  “Computer, give me two orders of fish and chips, one with salt and vinegar,” she ordered, emphasizing the condiment with fake attitude. “And, the other one with tartar sauce.”

  “Tartar sauce?!” he shot back with a smile and similar fake attitude, inciting them both to start laughing as her wristcomp signaled a new message. Anna turned on the screen and read the computer’s acknowledgment.

  “Doesn’t that get annoying after a while?” asked Ryan as his mirth subsided.

  Waving away the question, she replied, “You get used to it after a while.”

  The pair found seats and sat next to each other while they waited for their food to be prepared.

  “So,” asked Anna. “What do you do in your spaceship flying around the galaxy?”

  “Well, I mostly scout out star systems and look for potential worlds to colonize.”

  The jovial expression instantly disappeared from Anna’s face.

  “Really?” she asked flatly.

  “Yep. It seems to most people to be a dull and boring job, but I like it. It’s rather exciting. Flying into new star systems, discovering new planets and new life forms, and exploring uncharted space keeps me interested.”

  “Isn’t that expensive?” she asked, trying to hide her fear that he will discover Paradise and claim it as his own.

  “Well, yes and no. Yes, the costs for maintaining the ship and purchasing supplies can cost quite a few credits. But, I managed to cash in on a find I had a few years back, so I can operate worry-free for a few more years.”

  “You found a colony world?” she asked while attempting to sound excited.

  With his confirming nod, Anna pushed on, “Which one?”

  “Ever heard of New Avalon?”

  “The one orbiting ...” her voice trailed off as she struggled to recall the facts, snapping her fingers as she did. “Oh, which star is that?”

  Ryan leaned in and suggested, “Upsilon Andromedae?”

  “Yeah! That’s the one!” Anna cried, pointing her finger at him. “That was the new colony world they announced just before I got shipped out here.”

  Pointing to his chest, he said, “That was mine.”

  Anna beamed, “Wow! Not to be rude or anything, but did you get the full 10 million for it?”

  “Twenty, actually.”

  “20 million?! Liar!”

  Ryan laughed, “No, really! They just upped the price right before I cashed in on it.”

  Rubbing his arm lightly, she complimented, “You lucked out!”

  “No, just really good timing,” he returned modestly, pausing long enough to watch Anna finish yawning.

  “Am I keeping you up?” he asked with a smirk.

  Blushing slightly, she replied. “Sorry about that. It is kind of late for me here.”

  Glancing at her wristcomp long enough to see the time and three messages from the computer, she continued, “Yeah, it’s almost 2200 hours Greenwich Time. I’m usually asleep by now. I’m not sure if you’re tired or not, but I can set up a bunk for you to use during your stay.”

  “I really shouldn’t,” he declined, shaking his head. “I’d hate to impose. I can sleep on my ship.”

  “I assure you that it’s no trouble. I have twenty-three spare cabins here. I’m pretty sure we can find something. I can get the cleaning drone on it right now, and it’ll be ready for you in a few minutes.”

  “Well ...” Ryan hesitated.

  “Please ...” she urged, tugging on his sleeve as she leapt from her seat.

  Chuckling, he agreed, “All right! Let’s check out this room I’m renting.”

  They arrived at the door a couple of minutes later and opened the hatch. Turning on the lights, Anna and Ryan gazed at the room that waited for its newest occupant. Laid out much like Anna’s quarters, the metal bedframe, chair, and dresser barely filled any of the space in the spartan room. The gunmetal gray floor and walls only served to accentuate the ceiling composed of similarly-colored grates through which the ducts of the ventilation system could easily be viewed. Despite its lack of use, the room was spotless.

  “I feel like I’ve just moved into the London Ritz,” Ryan commented dryly.

  “You should see my room,” added Anna with a wink. “I’ve got a collection of whips and chains hanging on one wall and several sets of handcuffs on another. My dresser is full of all kinds of leather outfits.”

  The guest turned around and, with a raised eyebrow, asked skeptically, “Seriously?”

  Smiling in response, she corrected with a sarcastic grin, “Actually, no. Really, I painted the walls pink, and I have white lacy curtains draped all over the place. It’s really girlie girl.”

  “I think I preferred the first one.”

  Anna merely smiled at his deadpan response.

  “Thank you for the accommodations, ma’am,�
� Ryan said with a slight bow. “If you’ll excuse me, I shall retire for the evening.”

  “Oh, um ... okay. Well, if you need anything, I’m just down the hall.”

  With a slight nod, he responded, “I’ll remember that.”

  Anna nodded in return, closed the door, and returned to her quarters. Once she had passed through the door and secured it behind her, she checked the messages the computer had sent her.

  “Be careful, Anna.”

  She frowned and muttered softly, “I was careful.”

  “Something about your visitor does not feel right.”

  “Jealous much?” she asked, her voice failing to hide her amusement.

  “Your food is getting cold.”

  Suddenly dawning on her that they never picked up the food they ordered, Anna laughed at herself and walked to the mess hall to discard their orders. Upon lifting his food out of the slot, she spotted the small cup of salt and vinegar next to the plate of fish and chips. Curiosity got the best of her, and she set the tray down on the nearest table. Picking up one of the filets, she dipped it into the cup and took a bite, instantly cringing from the taste. Dropping the fish back on the plate like a hot potato, she dropped the food into the waste chute and left the room regretting her decision.

  As she walked out of the mess hall, she felt something shift on her thigh. Looking down, she remembered that she was still armed. Scowling at the thought of having a firearm on her night stand, she returned it to the arms locker on the command deck before retiring in her quarters.

  “Computer,” Anna inquired as she slipped her shirt off. “I will let you speak, but you have to warn me if Ryan is approaching. Okay?”

  “Acknowledged,” the computer’s voice answered.

  “First thing I want to know is, in your opinion, what’s ‘wrong’ with Ryan?”

  “He seems too friendly.”

  “And?!” she asked incredulously. “He’s been flying out in space by himself for who knows how long, finally comes across somebody else out here in the middle of nowhere, and he should be what ... standoffish and rude? Not likely! I’d be extra friendly, at least to make sure that nothing goes wrong with that first meeting.”

  “I also saw how he looked at you.”

  Anna paused for a second, surprised that the computer would say such a thing.

  “And, just how was he looking at me?”

  “I caught him glancing at certain areas of your body, particularly your breasts.”

  “Typical,” she commented dryly at first but continued with a more thoughtful tone. “But, that could mean anything. Maybe he’s interested.”

  “Interested in what?”

  Anna smiled and replied, “Me.”

  “Are you interested in him, Anna?”

  Kicking off her boots, she sighed and sat down on her bed, contemplating the computer’s latest question.

  “Anna?”

  She gave no response, unconsciously twirling a strand of her hair around her fingers.

  “Anna?”

  Still no response.

  “Anna?”

  “Hmm,” she absentmindedly responded.

  “You are interested in Ryan. Are you not?”

  While her smile remained fixed on her face, she obliviously answered, “Yeah.”

  Suddenly snapping out of her trance as the weight of her answer finally sank in, Anna quickly appended, “What? No! No! I’m ... not ... infatuated with him. I was just ...”

  “Daydreaming about him,” the computer interrupted.

  “No! I was only ...”

  She stopped and reflected on what she was doing. She realized that she was acting like a little school girl, trying futilely to cover up her emotions to the computer. It had already figured her out, and any attempt to deny her interests would only create a rift in the relationship she had forged only a couple of weeks ago.

  With an air of defeat, she admitted, “Okay. Yes, I like him. I’m interested in him.

  “I think he’s cute,” she continued, her voice increasing in sarcastic intensity with each uttered word. “I want to be his girlfriend. I want to go away with him, get into his pants, and have his babies! There! Does that make you feel better?!”

  “This station is not a conducive environment in which to raise offspring, Anna. You should reconsider your decision.”

  “I was only kidding, computer! Sheesh!” she exclaimed.

  “So, you aren’t interested in him?”

  “No!” she cried. “I mean yes! I mean ...”

  Stopping to take a breath, she calmly added, “I was kidding about the whole babies comment. I ...”

  Anna paused for a few seconds and continued, “You know what? I’m going to bed now. I’m going to get up in the morning, have breakfast, and go to work like I always do. But, I expect to see Ryan at some point during the day, so I don’t want to hear anything more out of you until I say. Got it? No talky!”

  She scowled, removed the wristcomp along with the rest of her clothing, and tossed it onto the top of her dresser before climbing into bed and quickly falling asleep.

  Chapter 19

  Anna was thrown out of sleep by the thundering sound of an explosion. Shaking from the sudden and unexpected disturbance, she leaned up and back from her prone position on the bed and frantically looked around the room, trying to find the source of the blast. Flipping over too quickly, she tumbled off the bed, her arms flailing in a futile attempt to maintain her balance before she slammed against the cold, metal floor wearing nothing but the bed sheet tangled around her slender legs. The sound erupted throughout the room again, startling her into a more awakened state. As she became more aware, she heard the sounds of trumpets blaring between the concussive bursts of sound.

  Instantly recognizing the final melodic lines from the “1812 Overture”, Anna covered her ears and yelled over the music, “Computer, shut it off!”

  In a split second, the music ceased, leaving the steady ringing in her ears as the only sound she heard. Scrambling free of the sheet and springing to her feet, she looked at the ceiling with fire in her eyes and screamed, “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?”

  No response.

  “ANSWER ME, GOD DAMN IT!”

  Still no response.

  Anna visibly calmed down and looked concerned for several seconds before she tenderly asked, “Computer, are you okay?”

  Again, she received no response.

  “Can you respond by text?”

  Her wristcomp signaled an incoming message, and she hastily snatched it from its resting place. Turning on the holoscreen, she frowned at the computer’s response, “You had instructed me to not talk.”

  “I meant verbally,” she sighed. “You can always respond to me by text. Understand?”

  “As you wish, Anna.”

  At that instant, she heard a knock on her door. Setting down the wristcomp back on the dresser, she walked across the cabin and opened the door to find Ryan standing on the other side with his hands on his hips. As soon as the door opened, he looked her up and down with raised eyebrows and a growing smile. She looked confusedly upon him, wondering why he was acting that way, when it suddenly dawned on her that she was still nude. Her eyes grew wide as she realized her grave error and slammed her palm on the switch to shut the door.

  Turning on her heel, she stomped to her dresser and grumbled under her breath, “Why didn’t you warn me that he was approaching?!”

  The signal from her wristcomp prompted Anna to pause for a second. Suspecting she knew the answer, she pulled up the screen and confirmed her thoughts by reading, “You had instructed me to not talk.”

  Anna’s gaze shot daggers through the holoscreen. She dropped the wristcomp heavily onto the dresser and proceeded to get dressed.

  A couple of minutes later, Anna answered her door again wearing a white tank top and olive pants. Bracing herself against the doorframe with both hands and presenting an obviously fake look of innocence, she asked, “May I help you, si
r?”

  Ryan quickly wiped the smirk off his face and replied, “Yes, do you always wake up to loud music?”

  Maintaining her façade, she answered, “Sometimes. Is that a problem?”

  He merely nodded and stated with an upheld hand, “No. No problem. Just wondering.”

  While Anna slowly nodded, he continued, “Say, I’m going to grab some breakfast. Care to join me?”

  “Just let me grab my shoes,” she said just before withdrawing back into her quarters and shutting the door.

  Ryan stood in the corridor, replaying the conversation in his mind, when Anna emerged about a minute later fully dressed.

  “Morning!” she announced cheerily as if she saw him for the first time today.

  He waved gently to her and replied, “Morning. Are you always like this?”

  “Like what?”

  “A little loopy in the morning,” he suggested candidly.

  Without missing a beat, she answered, “Only when I’m embarrassed.”

  “Ah,” he uttered, expressing his understanding as he fell into step beside her.

  The two of them enjoyed a simple breakfast together while talking about recent events back on Earth and other planets claimed by humanity. Anna soaked up every bit of the news like a starving child, and Ryan eagerly answered her questions as best he could.

  “Computer,” she asked as they returned the plates to the culinary system to be cleaned. “What is my work agenda for today?”

  She turned on her wristcomp’s screen after receiving the message and read, “Your work agenda for today includes replacing lights in Green-1 and Blue-2, visual inspection of Blue-3’s outer hull, cleaning of the intake feed of the culinary system, and routine maintenance of three mining drones.”

  “That doesn’t look too bad,” Ryan commented from over her shoulder.

  Looking back at him with a teasing smile, she retorted, “It’s not nice to read over somebody’s shoulder.”