Read By the Fire: Issue 3 for Free Online Page B

me” he said.
    Alicia waved to Delaney. “See you on the flight deck in a bit?”
    “Can’t wait Captain.”
    When they were out of the hangar and in the corridor the soldiers with her started laughing. “Someone has a new boyfriend” Stanwick joked.
    “Oh shut up” Alicia said while shoving him away.
    “Hey, we’ve seen how you two flirt” Perkins chimed in.
    “Don’t worry cap” Said Greene, “We don’t blame you. Besides, that Crewman Jones is pretty cute. Thinking about asking her for a personal tour of the ship.”
    “Yeah, you can keep thinking, but I saw her first” said Watkins.
    “You boys can argue all you want but I outrank you both” Perkins said.
    Alicia just rolled her eyes and was grateful that they were off of her case. Dr. Simons looked around at the arguing soldiers.
    “Are they always like this?”
    “Oh yeah Doc, every soldier I’ve ever met was like this. It keeps the boredom away. Sometimes it keeps the terror away.”
    “Oh! So it’s a psychological release. We studied things like that in my undergrad.”
    “Something like that Doc” Alicia said with a smile.
    “These are your quarters” their guide cut in. “We’ve placed you all in the same section. If you need anything feel free to call.”
    Alicia thanked him and walked into her new quarters. As an officer she rated a single as did Doctor Simons. The others were bunking two to a room.
    Inside were more steel gray bulkheads. The only color in the room was the green of several potted plants. She threw her bag on the bed. Unzipping it she pulled out two small pictures and taped them to the wall. The first was an older couple posing, all smiles and comfortable embraces like most couples who have been together for years. The second was of a young girl with blonde hair in pigtails flying a kite.
    ****
    The holo-imager showed the Morrigan orbiting Mars. Alicia shook her head again when she saw it. Her team stood around her and all but Watkins were staring open mouthed around them at the flight deck. Doctor Simons stood next to the holo-imager staring intently at the minute details of the image.
    “Incredible” he said to no one.
    “I take it that he is impressed” Delaney said from over her shoulder.
    She nodded. “Looks like. We ready to get underway?”
    “Near about. Excited?”
    Her heart was pounding and she could feel excitement coursing through her. “Maybe a little.”
    “Just a little?”
    She held her fingers a half inch apart. “Just a little.”
    “Ok then. Systems check” he called out.
    “All systems report green across the board” Crewman Jones responded.
    “Very well. Lay in course for Earth command.”
    “Sub light or jump sir?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t think we’re prepared to attempt another jump just yet. No telling where we’d end up. Sub light, best possible speed.”
    “Aye sir.”
    Alicia leaned over to ask “how long will it take us at that speed.”
    “About two and a half weeks” Delaney replied. “At least that will give us plenty of time to sort everything out onboard ship.”
    “Well, if we have nothing but time how about you show me some more of your ship later Commander?”
    “I’d love to. How about I pick you up at O six hundred?”
    “Sounds like a plan.”
    ****
    O five thirty found Alicia staring into her mirror wondering what to do with herself. “No hair to fix” she mused out loud. “At least I brought a little bit of makeup.”
    Unfortunately she wasn’t sure how dressed up to get. Well, as dressed up as one could get in a flight suit. She had already put on makeup and then washed it back off once. Now she was applying more as lightly as she could make it. “Why do I feel giddy” she asked her reflection. Too bad the mirror didn’t have any answers for her. When the door chime beeped her heart kicked into overdrive. She gripped the sink and took three deep breaths. By the time she opened the hatch she had her game face on.
    “Good evening