Spacy Date
R. L. Copple



Larry gazed at Rebbecca

as she stared at the stars from the view port. "Sure you don't want to join us for the Christmas party?"

She didn't move. "No thanks."

He rubbed his chin. She'd volunteered for this expedition to the outer edge of the solar system, yet the whole time she'd paid minimal attention to her work and spent hours staring at the stars. Yet, she remained closed off to everyone.

He moved toward her. "Maybe it would help to talk about what's bothering you."

She met his eyes, her sandy-brown hair danced upon her shoulders. "No offense, but I'd rather not."

Larry stared out the port. His eyes caught sight of Pluto, which they had been following for a few days. Eventually, they would catch up with it and set down to explore for a while.

He nodded out the window. "You looking for something?"

She frowned but refused to face him. "I'd rather be left alone. Please."

He sighed and walked away. "I hope you'll find a way to join us for the celebrations. Christmas is tomorrow, you know."

She remained frozen at the port and refused to answer.

He shrugged and headed for the door.

An annoying buzz crackled through the air and red lights flashed on the consoles. Larry jumped, and then hurried to the console. A second passed as he studied the readings.

Rebbecca watched over his shoulder. "Radiation is increasing."

He nodded. "Yes, but why? Remains of a solar flare?"

The captain pulled the door open and entered. "Report." Several crew members filed in behind him.

Larry stood at attention. "Sir, radiation is increasing. Cause, unknown. Investigating."

He rubbed his chin as he sat in his chair. "How long before it reaches critical?"

"At this rate, about five or ten minutes."

"Don't stand there, then. Investigate!"

Larry whispered in Rebbecca's ear. "I'll need your help. And your full attention. Got it?"

She nodded and pulled her hair back.

"Trace the trajectory. See if you can discover where it came from."

She already had her hands on the controls, doing just that. "I'm on it."

While she worked on that, he struggled to find a solution. How wide and big did the radiation span? Could they fly out of it in time? He scanned the area to get an idea of its extent.

She jerked her head up. "It's coming from an asteroid not far away."

The captain leaned over in his chair. "Do you have a fix on it?"

"Yes, Sir."

He focused on Tom. "Get those coordinates and destroy that asteroid."

"Yes, Sir."

"No! Wait!" Rebbecca rushed toward the captain. "You can't do that!"

He frowned. "We have a few minutes to live if we don't. You'd better have a good reason and spit it out fast!"

"Well, I believe..." She stared at the floor. "...that its my husband."

The captain's mouth dropped open. Larry realized his had too. Silence prevailed in Control.

The captain blinked. "We don't have time to confirm what you just said, but even if its true, we'll all die if we don't take out that asteroid. I'm sorry." He nodded toward Tom to fire.

Five missiles blasted from their bays. Larry watched through the port as they landed on the rock drifting about a mile away, and it broke apart.

The captain fixed his eyes on Larry. "Report."

Larry checked the instruments. "Radiation is going down, Sir."

The captain slapped the chair and rose to his feet. "Good work, everyone. Now we can continue with the party."

The Control crew filed out behind him, leaving Rebbecca and Larry alone. He stared at her for a moment. Could that really have been her husband? How and why? Did she know something he didn't? Or had grief made her delusional?

Obviously the captain didn't think anything about it. But, even if it wasn't true, it was to her. He figured she would prefer to be alone, though he longed to comfort her in some way. He turned and headed toward the door.

"He's really dead."

He halted in mid-stride and spun around.

Her eyes turned to meet his. "He died last year, right before Christmas. His last words were, I'll meet you in the stars, out on the outer rim of the solar system."

She returned to staring out the window. "I knew he would be out here somewhere. He promised."

"And you think we just killed him again?"

"No, not killed. That already happened." She let out a long breath. "It's where I should have joined him on his journey into the stars. But now we're separated. Forever."

A chorus of laughter echoed through the metal walls and then a song rose to Larry's ears.

Peace in space and good will to all, Christ is born in Bethlehem...

He smiled. "Maybe not, forever."

       }
~~~~~ <~
       }


R. L. Copple enjoys writing space opera and fantasy stories that are not only good for you, but entertaining as well. He's had two books published: a novella, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0979307961/" target="_blank"> <i>Infinite Realities</i></a>, and a full novel sequel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981926118/" target="_blank"><i>Transforming Realities</i></a>. A third book yet to be published will finish that series out. He has also written numerous short stories, flash fictions, poems, and even some early comics as a teen. You can check out all those items on his web site: <a href="http://www.rlcopple.com" target="_blank">http://www.rlcopple.com</a>.