Laughing, I twirl around, holding Luna tight in my arms. I don’t know what brought us together—luck, random coincidence, or divine intervention—all I know is that since Luna entered my life, it’s gotten a whole hell of a lot better.
Fuck yeah, I’m keeping that trend going.
Luna beams at me. “Let’s go tell Kheph to pick up the pace so we can get to the space station even sooner.”
And that’s what we do.
Approximately forty-eight hourslater in Earth time, we finally arrive at the massive space station that houses the Intergalactic Alliance’s central headquarters. During our journey here, Luna brought me up to speed on the Alliance and its larger purpose. From what I understand, the organization is an intergalactic combination of the United Nations on Earth meets a universe-wide legal system. They work on things like negotiating treaties between peoples and planets but also create and enforce certain types of regulations and laws that all sentient beings are expected to follow. From what Luna told me, they also appear to have smaller outposts on a number of key planets, including Earth, although the Earth outpost is entirely incognito. That one floors me. I had no inkling there were any aliens living on Earth whatsoever. Although when she told me their location is in Las Vegas, I figured that pretty much tracked. What better place to hide in plain sight than Sin City when you’re a bit strange and unusual compared to the planet’s typical citizens?
After the Sleigh Belle docks at the station, Luna and I part ways from the rest of our crew. They head off to do some shopping to replenish our ship’s supplies while Luna and I navigate our way through tall, pristine corridors and into a see-through elevator. It rockets upward and I hold on to the rail, eyes closed. One day I’ll get used to the speed of some of this advanced technology, right?
Once the elevator button dings and the doors whoosh open, I scramble out, relieved to be in what resembles a suite of offices akin to those in many a business building on Earth. Sure, the design and technology lean toward futuristic and are even reminiscent of things I recall on different Star Trek TV shows, but the principle is the same. Neutral colors, bland artwork on the walls, cheap carpet—the works. We stop at a reception desk and check in for our appointment with Elunara, then take a seat in the waiting area until they’re ready to call us back.
Restless, I twiddle my fingers and study the space around us.
“Nervous?” Luna asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I jolt. “Sorry, yeah. I think I’m a little bit stressed. After all, there’s a lot riding on this meeting.”
Only my whole freaking future.
Luna squeezes my shoulder gently, her eyes warm and soft as they study me. “There’s nothing to be worried about, darling. Like me, Elunara already knows that you are a super-talented, badass doctor who has the potential to make a massive mark on the universe if given the opportunity. I’m sure that, between the three of us, we can convince this head of the medical school, no prob.”
Something inside me unclenches at her words. Luna’s unshakable confidence in me gives me courage as well as all the warm fuzzies inside. I didn’t know love could be so… wonderful. Every day, Luna proves to me that she’s the partner I’ve been looking for most of my life. With her, I can envision a future where we grow old together—and I plan to do whatever it takes to make that fantasy a reality.
The first step, though, is making my dream happen. Everyone else is ready and waiting to turn the Sleigh Belle into an emergency responder ship, traveling the galaxy and helping others along the way. I need to be able to catch up with them and fast.
“She’s ready to see you now,” the pint-sized, purple-skinned receptionist says.
It’s now or never, Gemma. Bring your A game!
We get up and follow the receptionist down the hallway to Elunara’s office. He knocks, then opens the door and ushers us inside when she calls out, “Come in.”
Elunara’s office is definitely swankier than the waiting areas and has a massive floor-to-ceiling window looking out to the dark, starlit universe. I suppose this is their equivalent of a top executive’s corner office view.
With quick, efficient movements, Elunara gets up and comes to shake hands with both of us, smiling happily as she directs us to a conference table where another woman is sitting. She’s also dressed in some type of extraterrestrial power suit that’sall feminine business chic. She is fairly human in appearance, with long white hair and a rather busty figure. I’m only mildly shocked when Luna leans over and whispers in my ear, “She’s a Bellazoid. They have three—count ’em, three—breasts!”
She utters that last part with the glee of an overly excited adolescent, and I can’t hold back a faint snicker.
The stunning woman stands. “Welcome. I’m Dr. Melusina Hyneth, President of the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school. Elunara has filled me in on the basics, but why don’t you tell me what your objectives are, Dr. Taylor?”
It’s go time!
I sit up straight in my seat and launch into my story, from becoming a member of the Sleigh Belle’s crew to finding my new purpose in intergalactic emergency response work. When I come to the end of my tale, Dr. Hyneth strokes her chin thoughtfully. I have no clue how old she is, but she’s positively stunning.
Life goals right there!
“I’ve seen the reports of what you did for Elunara’s granddaughter, and I must say, I was impressed. In an unfamiliar environment, responding to a medical emergency involving someone from a species not found on Earth, you didn’t hesitate to jump right in and help. What you did saved a much-beloved child.”
“When something like that happens, my training kicks in,” I admit. “For me, it’s an automatic response. Helping folks with my medical know-how is what I was born to do.”
She smiles brightly. “Exactly. That is a critical ethos of our program. We aim to train doctors who are committed to ethical healing and care for those in need of medical treatment.”
I nod in total understanding. “I’ve always loved what I do and am passionate about that very objective.” I wince. “However, not so much the context of working in the medical system in the United States.” I shudder. “It’s pretty much a disaster at themoment, and it was sucking the life force out of me day by day. But here among the stars, I have a lot more freedom to follow my heart as a doctor. Here, I have the ability to be a lot more of a free agent, and I like that a lot.”
Dr. Hyneth nods. “Indeed. I have heard some accounts of how healthcare works in different places on Earth, and it is most distressing. The Intergalactic Alliance provides cost-free healthcare to those in need, and it’s subsidized by long-standing interplanetary dues paid every year. To be honest, I find it quite mind-boggling that a species would not consider healthcare a fundamental right belonging to all, and instead only prioritize those who can afford the exorbitant cost of treatment.”
“Amen and hallelujah to that,” I agree, a smidge bitterly.
