“Strap yourselves in,” Nirblob says. “We’re airborne in T-minus thirty seconds.”
Kai and I hurry to two open seats that have a good view out the panoramic navigation window and buckle ourselves into the chest and lap harnesses.
“Is it wrong that I’m super fucking giddy right now?” I ask Kai, my legs bouncing where I sit.
He favors me with a heart-stopping smile full of so much adoration it leaves me breathless. “You can be as giddy as you want, my love.”
Kai understands me. He’s the first man I’ve ever been with that accepts all my so-calledextrapersonality quirks, and you bet your sweet ass I appreciate the fuck out of him!
“River, it’s time,” Nirblob intones with all due seriousness.
I nod and say with my best Captain Jean-Luc Picard voice, “Engage.”
One moment we’re on the ground and the next we’re moving through the sky with a sleek speed and smooth trajectory that’s nothing like what I’ve seen in movies when humans are going to outer space. Our takeoff is downright quiet apart from the Christmas tunes, no shaking involved. I’m not even convinced that we actually need to be strapped in. However, I suspect this is mainly a safety precaution in the same way it is on airplanes until you reach cruising altitude.
I can’t help but admire how advanced extraterrestrial ships are compared to Earth vessels. It’s going to be a very long time until the human race can actually navigate the universe like Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew. Fortunately for me, I’m part of the Alliance of Neutral Alien Lifeforms—aka Team ANAL—and now have special clearance to travel the universe with my hubby-boo.
Yet another bonus of marrying my Iyaran soulmate!
My eyes remain glued to the view window as we enter orbit around the planet. The breathtaking scene leaves me speechless—whichneverhappens to little old motormouth me!
Leaning closer in his seat, Kai wraps a tentacle around me. “What do you think?”
That question manages to kick-start my momentarily stalled brain-to-mouth pipeline. “So fucking cool! Ohmyfreakinggod, I’m really doing it. I’m really traveling to outer space.”
To my complete surprise, tears start streaming down my cheeks.
“Is everything all right?” Kai asks, concern in his voice.
“I-it’s j-just so beautiful and amazing and so much more than I ever could have imagined,” I blubber.
It’s like all my sci-fi nerd dreams are manifesting before my eyes.
Kai sighs in relief. “Your first time witnessing the majesty of the universe is unforgettable, but I’ve found the wonder of it all never really fades.” He reaches over and grasps my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m so happy that I can give this experience to you.”
I clutch his hand back tightly but can’t yet take my eyes away from the stunning vista before me. I’m doing my damnedest to carve this memory into my mind forever.
Nirblob swivels his command chair to face us. “I’m afraid we don’t have time for a lot of sightseeing on this journey, but I’m sure there will be other opportunities for you to witness the beauty of different galaxies, nebulas, star systems, and planets someday.”
I give him a thumbs-up. “It’s all good, my friend. Baby steps seem totally appropriate when it comes to space travel. I’ll make all my intergalactic adventure fantasies happen, no matter what!”
“Your eternal optimism is unshakable,” Kai whispers with a smile.
I grin back. “Damn straight, baby.”
Nirblob enters a command into the navigation system and our speed increases exponentially until the stars become blurred trails of light and we leave Earth far behind. After about ten minutes, he unbuckles his protective belt. “We’ve reached our cruising altitude, as the humans would say, and will arrive at our destination by morning. My automated system is guiding our navigation for now, but I will be monitoring our progress alongthe way. I’m a veteran when it comes to space travel, so you two can relax and enjoy your evening together.” He glides toward the door on his skates. “I’m off to my quarters to video message some of my compatriots who are also en route to the convention. Ta-ta for now.”
“He’s definitely… unique,” Kai says after Nirblob’s gone.
I unbuckle and get to my feet, stretching. “Nirblob marches to the beat of his own space drum. I can relate. Plus, I respect the way he’s unashamed to be one hundred percent himself. I’m the same.”
Kai pulls me into his arms. “I still don’t love the fact that he kidnapped you before, but I’m coming around to liking him, especially after Operation CHAOS.”
I pat him lovingly on the butt. “Good. I knew you would.” I pull back and stare up into his eyes. “So, no weightlessness on alien ships, huh?”
Kai adds another tentacle to his embrace. “Most extraterrestrial species who have mastered space travel have also overcome the challenges of zero gravity in their ship design and technologies. Alas, humans are a long way off from achieving that same accomplishment.”
I lean my head against his chest and sigh happily. “This is like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.”
