Airborne

by Kimberly P. Chase

  When Aurora got in, the little capsule smelled like disinfectant and day old puke. Wonderful, she thought sarcastically. She’d get to breathe this in deeply.

  The Lieutenant Colonel closed the door effectively trapping Aurora inside. A glass panel sat before her that displayed a generic six-pack of instruments. (Instruments for airspeed, altimeter, heading etc. She wouldn’t be able see much of it anyway.) Aurora grabbed the joystick to her left tightly, hoping she could hold on to it throughout the ride. Her heart began beating wildly before the contraption even began to spin.

  The slow hum of the machine turned into a rushing whine as the pod began rotating.

  A few seconds later, Aurora knew her face was pale on the video being broadcast to anyone left watching. All of her blood had left her upper body, leaving her weirdly cold.

  Taking a deep breath every few seconds, Aurora tried to regain control. The stick in her left hand felt loose and her head tilted weirdly onto her right shoulder.

  ‘Three, Two, One, Engage.’ The Lieutenant Colonel’s voice sounded around her, guiding her.

  The long arm continued to spin her around the room and Aurora was pulled helplessly along with it.

  ‘Breathe … One … Two … Three … Breathe!’ Lieutenant Colonel Jackson barked.

  Oh right.

  Breathe.

  How could she forget something so vital?

  Taking quick, rapid-fire breaths, while simultaneously straining her leg muscles, Aurora tried to force the blood flow back to her brain.

  ‘Squeeze those legs. Keep it tight!’

  The additional weight on her body counteracted her efforts, her blood pooling into her feet.

  Aurora’s head tipped further onto her shoulder and her vision blurred when she lost her grip on the joystick.

  She distantly heard the Lieutenant Colonel. ‘Aurora, breathe and squeeze! Seven g’s.’

  Aurora’s eyes snapped closed.

  There was so much weight. Too much pressure. It doesn’t hurt were her last thoughts before darkness.

  Hands shaking her shoulders stirred Aurora to consciousness.

  She tried to remember where she was and failed. Tilting her head she noticed a glass cockpit that she seemed to be laying on.

  ‘You alright?’ The Lieutenant Colonel’s voice sounded distant.

  Damn, she’d passed out. On the bright side, she didn’t feel the need to puke.

  ‘Do you know what happened?’

  Aurora nodded. ‘G-lock.’ Before he could say anything, she rushed on. ‘I want to do it again.’ Lieutenant Colonel Jackson had given everyone else multiple opportunities. She’d figure this out.

  ‘Alright let’s do it again. Nine g’s this time.’

  The Colonel spun Aurora around in her tiny hellhole until she could remain conscious at nine g’s. At nine g’s, Aurora’s body weighed almost a thousand pounds.

  All had seemed well as she got out of the vehicle. Only when she tried to take her first few steps forward her stomach rebelled. It was officially pissed.

  As she puked all over the floor, she didn’t feel embarrassed. Her body had definitely earned that sort of response for what she’d just put it through.

  As she hunched over her vomit, she felt a sense of pride.

  Aurora passed the lesson. She wouldn’t pass out even when her body wanted to.

  When she’d made it back to her room, she chucked off her shoes and hopped into bed. Too tired to do anything else, she closed her eyes, the email from her dad forgotten in her exhaustion.

  Chapter 14

  Zane

  Professor Fontaine was in his usual dramatic teacher mode when Zane strolled into class. The lights were off and a three dimensional version of the Alliance space station took up a majority of the front room.

  Zane grabbed a seat by Aurora in the back of the dark classroom as class began.

  When she smiled at him, it took everything in him to force his gaze back to the teacher.

  ‘This is Aviary.’ Professor Fontaine pointed to the space station around them. ‘Where you’ll spend a month experiencing what it’s really like to live in space. How to sleep, eat, and—’ Professor Fontaine cleared his throat before continuing, ‘—and to use the facilities.’ That earned a few chuckles.

  ‘You’ll also experience firsthand the toll a lower gravity environment takes on the human body. How delicate your lives will balance between survival and death in such an unforgiving environment.’

  ‘That sounds a little scary,’ Kaylana called out, perfectly comfortable voicing her opinion.

  Zane wondered what it would feel like to live so openly and honestly. To not have the desire to stay out of sight, unnoticed in the back of the room.

  ‘It is.’ Professor Fontaine gravely nodded. ‘In order to successfully live fulltime in space, you must know how dangerous it is. Only then will you be able to survive.’ He paused before using a laser pointer to highlight a section of the virtual space station. ‘You see this rotating circle?’

  A white circular wheel with evenly spaced modules spun in front of them. Aviary was basically a spinning circle with bumps covering the outer part of the loop. An X in the middle of the circle connected everything together. Solar panels covered everything, while the open areas around the X section were designated for arriving and departing space shuttles.

  Professor Fontaine pointed to the pods. ‘This is the only area of the space station that holds gravity. As this moves, a centrifugal force creates a one-third earth g. Close to the moon’s gravity.’

  The professor continued to explain the layout of the station. Zane couldn’t believe he’d actually be flying there soon. Zane Paxton, an abandoned orphan, an unknown to society, was going to leave this world.

  Un-freaking-believable.

  And the best news. His status wouldn’t matter up there. No retinal scanners. The societal structure in space would be completely different because there wasn’t one. He’d be free.

  ‘How do we sleep?’ Kaylana asked on a role of questions for the professor.

  ‘Usually an astronaut will be given their own sleep station. However while you’re on Aviary training, you’ll all be in one room together sleeping in a bag attached to the wall.’

  ‘So we’ll sleep in zero gravity?’

  ‘Yes. You won’t even need a pillow. Zero gravity will probably be some of the most relaxing sleep you’ve ever had. Once you get used to it anyway.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because there’s no gravity. Your body is free, relaxed. There’s no muscle or bone fatigue.’

  ‘How will we exercise?’ Rick asked joining Kaylana’s question-a-thon.

  Professor Fontaine pointed to one of the outer modules. ‘This is a gym. And you’ll probably also be required to complete daily runs in the simulated gravity ring here.’ Professor Fontaine pointed to Aviary’s outer circular ring.

  So they’d basically be like lab rats running around on their own little moving circle. Zane shuddered at the thought.

  ‘How do we wash our hair?’ Kaylana jumped back in again, but Professor Fontaine didn’t seem upset. He answered every question thrown his way with ease.

  ‘With small amounts of water, a brush, and no-rinse shampoo.’

  ‘How do you pee?’

  Aurora choked out a laugh, glancing toward Kaylana with wide eyes.

  Professor Fontaine chuckled. ‘That’s actually a good question. We have specialized toilets and there are straps if you need them. The guys have it easy, they can just use a hose.’

  Kaylana giggled.

  ‘Don’t worry. You’ll get to practice. We have a positioning urinal trainer here at the Academy.’

  ‘I’m sorry. What?’ Kaylana asked, barely holding back her laughter.

  ‘Yes, we have a trainer toilet where you can position yourself correctly to make sure there’s no leakage.’

  ‘We do that privately, right?’ Aurora squeaked.

  When Zane saw pink tinge Aurora�
��s cheeks, he felt his mouth crack into a smile.

  ‘You know how the Academy feels about privacy. Everyone needs to get used to dressing and undressing publicly. There’s not much privacy in space. Of course, you can practice using the facilities alone, but, Aurora, any modesty you may still hang onto will need to go.’

  Aurora ducked her head, nodding in response.

  Zane wasn’t totally sold on this Alliance policy. Yeah, he understood the need to be able to take on and off their suits in front of one another. But the no modesty rule seemed to make everyone horny.

  Maybe he should work on the modesty issue with Aurora? Make her more comfortable with her skin? Yeah … he liked that idea. It was the least he could do for the Academy. He snuck a glance at Aurora. She was biting her lip like maybe she was thinking about it too.

  ‘The station will recycle everyone’s urine for drinking water,’ Professor Fontaine continued with his lecture.

  ‘What?’ someone Zane couldn’t see called out.

  ‘That’s right. Water is a high commodity in space. We can’t ship the amount of water you would need up, so we have to use what’s available. As you pee, the urine travels through several filters and funnels until it’s processed back into clean drinking water.’

  Okay, so maybe the no modesty thing made some sense. Now every time he took a sip of water on the station, Zane would be wondering whose pee it was keeping him hydrated.

  ‘That’s gross,’ Kaylana muttered. ‘Is that sanitary?’

  ‘Perfectly. In fact, it’s probably cleaner than water many people drink here at home.’ Professor Fontaine somehow used that question to segue back into an actual lecture. ‘That’s something else we’ll be focusing on over the next few days. Living on the station requires excessive sanitation. There will be hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the ship. Anyone care to venture why this is so important?’

  Akemi raised his hand, the medic side of him apparently making him brave enough to volunteer. ‘With so many people living in such tight quarters we’ll have to be very careful not to spread germs.’

  ‘Very good.’ Professor Fontaine nodded, pacing the front of the classroom. He swiped the image of Aviary away. ‘Even though we’ve all been vaccinated for most diseases, we still need to be careful. Things behave differently in space.’

  ‘How so?’ Kaylana questioned.

  ‘Living outside of this world …’ Professor Fontaine motioned to the room around them. ‘Outside the planet we were meant to live on … is a risk. A trial so to speak. Of course, we seem to be doing well adapting. But—’ the Professor shrugged, ‘—you just never know.’

  ‘Are you still talking about sanitation?’ Kaylana asked.

  ‘Yes and no. Let me ask you this, Kaylana, since you’re in the medical area of concentration. What have your professor’s taught you about sickness aboard the station?’

  Kaylana shrugged. ‘Honestly, not much. Like you said it’s never really been an issue. Everyone’s vaccinated.’

  ‘Okay. But how do you think germs may behave differently in space? Even if we are all vaccinated, it’s still probably something we should know and study, right?’

  Nope, Zane thought. He didn’t like the idea of medical experiments anywhere. Note to self, avoid the medical lab on Aviary too.

  ‘I guess germs wouldn’t spread the way they do here.’ Kaylana chewed on her lip.

  Professor Fontaine nodded, encouraging her to continue. ‘And?’

  ‘So they wouldn’t fall to the floor. They would float in zero gravity.’ Kaylana’s face seemed to pale. ‘They could spread anywhere. Up. Down. Sideways.’

  Professor Fontaine smiled, clapping his hands. ‘Very good. See, even if we don’t ever run into a problem, it’s fascinating. We have yet to uncover all the rules of the world beyond us.’

  That’s because there are no rules, Zane thought.

  Chapter 15

  Sky

  Pressing the ‘call’ button in front of him was the hardest thing Sky had done in awhile. And if that wasn’t absolutely ridiculous, he didn’t know what was. Sky had never called a girl in his life. Why hadn’t she tried to contact him? Even if she regretted their kiss, he thought they’d had more of a connection than that. Sky couldn’t wait any longer. He had to see her face. Had to know she was okay—that they were okay.

  The screen in front of him changed from black as Ms Lovell’s surprised face appeared before him. Her words were a little delayed, but clear. ‘Sky, it’s so nice to see you.’

  Sky nodded, hating that he couldn’t just call Aurora directly. But calling from the moon made things a bit harder. Her techiwatch wouldn’t have a big enough signal to connect with him without being patched into the Academy’s line first.

  He didn’t bother hiding his reason for calling. ‘Can you get me in touch with Aurora Titon?’

  Sky drummed his thumb against his knee as he waited for her response. He knew the moment she heard his question because one of her eyebrows rose before she could get control of it.

  ‘Is there anything I need to be worried about?’ Ms Lovell responded.

  Sky laughed. ‘Other than my sanity, no.’

  ‘Alright.’ Ms Lovell glanced away from the screen, probably trying to figure out Aurora’s schedule. ‘She should be in her room right now, but before I patch you through …’

  Ms Lovell’s lips pursed and Sky knew she was concerned.

  ‘You do realize who her father is, right?’

  Sky smiled.

  ‘And that he knows who you are now?’ she continued.

  ‘You know I don’t do anything without—’ Sky shrugged, ‘—flare.’

  Ms Lovell sighed, like she knew there wasn’t anything she could do to stop him from pursuing Aurora.

  ‘If it matters, I like her. Maybe she’ll be good for you.’

  ‘It does. Thanks,’ Sky replied, but Ms Lovell was already connecting the call to Aurora’s room.

  When the screen showed a room covered with books, flight gear, and shoes, Sky knew he was seeing into Aurora’s room. She walked around the corner, oblivious to Sky’s presence, wearing short running shorts, blinking tennis shoes, and an Academy t-shirt. Her long, beautiful hair that Sky itched to run his fingers through was pulled back into a high ponytail. Her forehead was coated with sweat as if she’d come back from a run. She looked happy. Not the miserable wreck that Sky was.

  Fuck. How did she do this to him?

  Aurora reached for the bottom of her shirt, pulling it up. Sky sucked in a sharp breath as he got a quick glimpse of her toned stomach and white sports bra.

  At his sound, Aurora whirled around, dropping her shirt back down. Her eyes widened when she noticed Sky’s face on the screen before her. She looked around as if someone was playing a trick on her.

  ‘Hi.’ He felt the grin that spread across his face.

  ‘Sky?’ she asked, moving closer to the screen in her room. ‘How?’

  ‘Ms Lovell patched me through. And I’ve gotta say, I’m glad she did.’ Sky winked. That was the best five seconds of his past few weeks.

  Aurora huffed, putting her hands on her little waist.

  ‘Aww, are you mad?’ Sky teased. God, he loved this.

  Some of the tension in Aurora’s shoulder’s released. She walked forward, until she was standing directly in front of the screen. Her face was all that Sky could see. Her vibrant jewel toned eyes captured him completely.

  ‘No. I …’ Aurora faltered. Her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to figure out what to say.

  Sky didn’t wait for her to say anything. ‘I just wanted to check in on my favorite student. How’s the flying going?’ He struggled to appear like a concerned instructor and not the love sick fool he’d turned into.

  ‘Well, now that I don’t have someone up my ass all the time, things are good.’

  Sky’s eyebrows rose on the word ass and Aurora blushed.

  ‘Are you learning to handle the shuttle?’

 
‘Yeah. We practically live in the sim.’

  ‘That’s good. You know they’ll choose one pilot cadet to sit up front on the launch to the station, right?’ Sky already knew Aurora would be chosen, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep her motivated. He wished he were there to help her. Though she probably wouldn’t see it as help.

  ‘We do?’ Aurora moved even closer to the screen.

  Perfect. He’d been the first to tell her.

  ‘Yeah. There’s a jump seat on the shuttle that they usually let a cadet sit in on the way to Aviary.’ Sky shrugged. ‘Of course, only the best pilot cadet gets the spot.’

  ‘Nova,’ Aurora whispered. She bit her lip, stirring thoughts that would send Sky to the showers after this conversation.

  ‘How are you?’ Aurora asked.

  ‘Great,’ he said, a little more forcefully than he should have. ‘Things are good,’ he tried again. ‘You should try flying the lunar transport every once in awhile.’ Sky wasn’t sure why he suggested it, just that he wanted to still have a connection with her. Maybe when she practiced flying the lunar transport, she’d think of him.

  ‘Already on it.’ Aurora smiled proudly.

  Sky returned her grin. So she hadn’t forgotten about him completely then.

  ‘When do you come home?’

  ‘Why do you miss me?’ Sky fell easily into their typical banter.

  Aurora rolled her eyes and Sky even loved that gesture.

  ‘I’ll be back for your next semester of training.’

  ‘That’s a long time …’ Aurora’s brow furrowed.

  ‘Yeah.’ Sky didn’t know where he thought this conversation was going to go, but this wasn’t it. His heart ached more the longer he looked at her. ‘I’ll let you get going.’ Sky rubbed a hand through his hair.

  ‘I … I do miss you,’ she whispered directly into the camera.

  Her words should have relieved him, but they didn’t. There was something else in her eyes. And if Sky admitted it, he’d seen it there her first semester at the Academy too. The look she only reserved for Zane. Aurora was still holding herself back from him.