Page 9 of A Million Stars and Shadows

As a trained mid-level engineer and scientist working remotely at the next space facility a few hours away, I was suddenly the next available one to go, if the only one left.

I had only marveled at the magnificent spacecraft from afar, outside of the ship itself for years as it was being built. A top-secret craft, I had seen glimpses of its blueprint. It looked like something out of a vintage science fiction film. Round in shape, the Red Genesis was also lighter, faster, and built stronger than any of its previous space travel models.

The concept was simple. It utilized the physics of a flat disc, like a Frisbee, which glide rather than propel, thus requiring less energy and fuel. It resembled the UFO spaceships of the 1950s. Circular with windows; silver metallic. I liked the retro Jetson-style of the 1950s. Like the roadside motels, the missile-shaped RV trailers; the cool retro style embodied the bold spirit of adventure that made Americans and the world go forth and explore.

After most of the passengers had already settled onboard, I walked onto the ship with my vintage-style suitcase, admiring the craftsmanship that went into every detail. While it looked like the spaceship from the 1950s, which was called a flying saucer in those days, the Red Genesis was nothing but old. In its interior, only the latest technology enhanced every detail.

“Wow,” I said to myself, looking from the entrance straight on up. “It’s like a city in here.”

“Like what you see?” a friendly, but deep voice asked from behind me. It came from so close that his warm breath brushed against my ear, causing me to jump.

I turned around, nearly bumping into the tall man behind me.

“Whoa, watch it,” he said, grasping my shoulders to steady me.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I apologized, using my hands to hold onto his hips. They were strong hips on a hard muscular body.

“You can stop handling me now,” the man said, “I’ve got you.”

I quickly snatched my hands down off the man’s body, not realizing that I had not only held onto his hips but had moved my hands up to his narrow waist, hard abs and broad chest. “Oh, I didn’t realize…”

“Sure, sure you didn’t, as they all say,” the man said.

“Wait, hold on,” I muttered, now getting angry instead of embarrassed. What an arrogant S.O.B. “Like I wanted to put my hands on…”

“Admit it, doll,” the man said, “You wanted to feel me up, so you took the opportunity to. I know you couldn’t help it.”

“What the…?” I stammered. “Are you just so full of yourself that you think every woman would…” I stopped as I looked up to see the most amazing warm golden green eyes staring into mine. They were fringed with full dark lashes that matched the dark chocolate of his hair that cascaded over half his face. From the half that I could see, he had a cleft on his chin, full lips, a straight aristocratic nose, and full eyebrows that was turned down into angry wide strokes. Taller than me by almost two heads, he towered over me as I came up to his shoulders wearing my high platform boots.

Darn. He was devastatingly handsome. The kind that makes your heart flutter if he even looks at you. No, if he even looks your way. Movie star, pop idol handsome. No wonder he was used to women throwing themselves at him.

“As you were saying,” the Pop Idol said, his face frozen into an arrogant sneer.

“Of all the people to save on Earth, they had to save an arrogant good-for-nothing diva pop idol,” I said, crossing my arms. “There was only so much room on this ship for survivors, and they picked you to take the place of someone more worthy.”

“Hey, I’m perfectly happy to stay on Earth, but the powers that be wanted me onboard…so here I am,” the gorgeous semi-God answered.

He looked me up and down, his frown turning into a half smile, “Well, if I must be on this ship, they might as well supply the ship with some pretty girls.”

My mouth dropped. “What the… pretty girls?” I said. “Look, I’m not here to be your plaything if that’s what you think I am. And your attitude…”

“What about my attitude, missy?” the Pop Idol asked. “It seems you have an attitude, not me. When is it okay for you to grope me?” His eyes were dancing, but he still looked angry. “I know you couldn’t help yourself, so many women can’t when they come into my presence, but still, I have rights. Just because I look like this…like your book boyfriend dream fantasy come true, doesn’t mean I want to be groped.”

“Oh please,” I said sarcastically. “As if…”

Before I could finish, the Pop Idol walked off in a hurry, leaving me in mid-sentence, looking like a fool. “How rude!” I muttered.

“Jana,” a kind, elderly voice called out to me from my right side. I turned to see a white-haired gentleman in his late sixties approaching.

“Dr. Herbert,” I smiled, happy to recognize the physician, who had contacted me to join the Red Genesis, the only person I knew in the crowd of passengers who had gathered in the large lobby, that resembled the lobby of a high-tech luxury hotel about the size of a shopping mall.

Dr. Herbert reached me and patted me on my shoulders. “Jana, good to see you’ve made it onboard.”

“It was harrowing getting here, which is another story, but I made it.”

Dr. Herbert shook his head. “I’m glad you did. Some of our team weren’t so fortunate.” He looked grim, and I knew what he meant. The Monsters had gotten to them.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hate to ask because it seems so insensitive, but which ones are we missing still before we can take off?” I asked.

---