Ilana rarely wavered as much as she did that night. On everything.
What to wear. How to make up her face and hair. Whether she should splurge on a fabulous little black dress from the replicator.
If she should even go.
Nearly her entire life – since the first star she saw through her father’s telescope – she’d always had a clear goal in mind. Now that she’d accomplished her goal…
She’d thought it would be easier at this point. She’d finally gotten to space. She would cruise for a couple of years with a contract that wasn’t ideal but would allow her to get acclimated to space life. To be fair, two years on a data hex in the outer system had been a hard pill to swallow but she figured she’d make the best of it. Maybe even transfer early if she got a better offer somewhere else after a year.
Now a new opportunity had come along that promised all the adventure Ilana could want – not to mention prestige, too. Something her mother could actually be proud of. Except she might have to turn around and return right back to Earth. Hell, her mother would be elated to see her stuck planetside again.
But would she ever get off the planet then?
She let out an aggravated sigh at her reflection in the mirror.
Maybe she shouldn’t go… to any of it. Gabriel’s friend’s ship. The Admiral’s team. The draw of Ilana’s original contract had already dulled in comparison to the chance of busting a solar trafficking ring. She was afraid if she chased any more of the excitement that had thrown her so off course… well, she would derail completely.
And if she gave up on her dreams now, what did that mean about all the years she spent in their pursuit? All the grief she’d put upon her family in her dogged dedication to her goals?
The thought brought tears to her eyes but Ilana wiped them away. Whenever she felt stuck before she’d just grit her teeth and forge ahead by the force of stubborn will. She held out her face for the makeup machine to airbrush the golden shimmery smokey-eye she’d chosen from the holo. Meanwhile, the stylist cap treated and pulled her hair into a half updo braided through with thin gold ribbons, highlighting the natural shine in her dark strands.
She looked fine enough when the machines were finished, though something still felt missing. The look was classical, maybe a bit basic. Safe.
She chose a deep, saturated pink for her lipstick.
And flats for shoes, because she was nothing if not practical.
Ilana hesitated one last time when she got to Frontier One’s shuttle docks and put in the coordinates to her destination.
Fuck it. She was going all in. What was the point of her life right now if not trying new experiences? Wallowing in her room was not an option so she stepped into a hovercab. She might as well hang out in a space yacht if she was going to get sent back to Earth soon.
The Silver City shone beautifully on the surface of Luna. On the bright side of the moon, the signature monochromatic architecture blended into the dramatic peaks and valleys of the surface. The dark side of the moon sparkled with warm lights like strings of gems.
The yacht was docked with a brilliant view of the Earth and Luna, like the posters Ilana had stared at on her walls before upgrading to holographic displays. A couple of dozen smaller ships came into focus docked around the yacht as Ilana’s shuttle neared. The yacht looked massive with the smaller ships in comparison. Not quite as large as Frontier One but certainly large enough to make Ilana wonder what a single person would do with all that space.
Then she remembered the limitless glory of the vast outdoors. No one really needed much acreage these days but it sure felt nice to gaze across it.
The hull of the ship glinted off the sun with a metallic purple sheen. The shuttle dipped under and pulled up next to a platform inside an atmospheric shield.
Ilana stepped out and followed the lines of soft lighting on the floor up a ramp with mahogany rails, into the center of a low-lit lounge. The oblong room she entered was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. The centerpiece of the space was a bar wrapped around a glowing aquarium bustling with sea creatures. The rest of the room was laid out in an elegant display of plants and cushions, about half of which were occupied by people Ilana assumed were other guests. She could hear a low, sensual beat underneath their mingled murmurings.
A holographic display of a woman appeared in front of her, the sides of her head shaved and the rest of her hair pulled high into a black ponytail saturated with blue ombre. She wore an opalescent multilayered gown that dipped near the center of her chest with only a hint of cleavage. The interwoven loops of her earrings spun as if with their own gravitational force.
“Hi Ilana, Maisha here. I look forward to meeting you in person. I’ve already heard so much about you from Gabe.” Her eyes glinted with a mischievous smile. “In the meantime, I wanted to welcome you on board with a message because what kind of host would I be if I didn’t? Take your time, have a libation, maybe settle in for a friendly conversation. I’ll send over my coordinates for when you’re ready to find us.”
The holo disappeared. Ilana was grateful for the low lighting because she felt wildly out of place, the entire vibe worlds more sophisticated than anywhere she’d been in her life. Even the “nice” bars in the small town closest to her village paled in comparison.
Ilana chose a quiet part of the bar where she could hang back and take in the scene. Her contacts were on low input but if her eyes lingered on anyone she could open up whatever public profile they had available on the net. Instead, she turned off her visual inputs.
She pulled up a menu on the bar top and ordered a whiskey neat. A part of the bar slid open within moments to present her glass from the replicator below. The smokey syrup spread over her tongue with a light floral note as she sipped.
“Makes me want to try what you’re having.”
Ilana turned to face a newcomer at the bar. He was tall, with striking silver hair and broad shoulders framed in a perfectly tailored purple suit and matching tie.
She wasn’t new to this dance. On the contrary, she was grateful for its familiarity. She shrugged and sipped again. “It’s nothing special. I’m just impressed at how well the replicator gets all the little details. I’ve been missing out all these years.”
Her new companion leaned against the bar next to her. “What details do you taste?”
Close up he was impossibly attractive, with a lean face, sharp cheekbones, straight nose, and full lips. Carved out of Mediterranean tones like a real live Greek sculpture. Gaia, did everyone in space look this amazing? Was it the lack of UV radiation or the result of being freed from Earth’s constant grueling pull? Did everyone just get enhancements as a default?
She held up the glass of golden liquid and tipped back the rest. “If you told me this was the real deal, I’d tell you it was aged in charred oak barrels with notes of vanilla.”
Her new companion slid two fingers onto the bar. “I’d like another two of the same.”
The replicator returned with their order within seconds. Ilana clinked her glass with his. With a mutual nod, they drank.
Ilana couldn’t help but follow the swipe of his tongue as he licked the sweet liquor from his lip. He gazed thoughtfully at his glass. “I get a hint of lemon, too.”
She smiled then finished her drink – maybe a little too fast, she realized as the buzz hit her system. Then the initial rush eased into a full-body warmth.
For a minute they contemplated the fish floating before them. Ilana watched a flat oval fish with shimmering rainbow scales swim up and down the side of the enclosure.
She had no known middle ground with this human except for what was immediately in front of them. “Which one’s your favorite?”
The man followed her gaze to the aquarium. He nodded at a large, colorfully striped fish with long spikes as fins. “That guy, probably.”
“A lionfish?” She watched as smaller creatures skittered out of the way of the flamboyant redfish. “I didn’t realize they got so big.”
“Not normally.” He smiled in private amusement then took another sip of his amber drink. “But Maisha likes to improve on the base model.”
“Does that mean she made it less or more venomous?”
He chuckled. “This one’s extra sharp but won’t sting you.”
She gave him a sidewise glance. “You sure know a lot about this fish.”
He grinned, finished his drink, and looked her up and down with an openly appreciative slant. “My name is Hadad. I don’t normally talk this much about fish, I promise.”
“Ilana.” She shrugged. “I did ask, so I can’t really fault you for the fish talk.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ilana.” His velvety smooth voice dripped with just enough innuendo to tickle her senses. “I’d be happy to talk fish anytime with you.”
“There you are.” Gabriel approached them from behind Hadad. His gaze on Ilana was intent and magnetic. She couldn’t look away but she didn’t want to, anyway. The rest of the room faded from her mind, even the charming silver fox next to her.
“Hey,” he breathed as he neared. Then he noticed Hadad and his expression turned perplexed. “You two have met.”
Hadad patted his back. “Not five minutes ago.”
Gabriel’s shoulders relaxed. “You were in good company, then.”
“Indeed.” Hadad bowed his head as he stepped away. “I hope to get the chance to talk again, Ilana. Until then.”
“He’s smooth,” Ilana said as Gabriel stepped into Hadad’s vacated spot.
“He is, but the charm is all genuine. Hadad is the most generous man I’ve ever met.” Although he was speaking of someone else, Gabriel never looked away from her – and she basked in his focus. For a minute they took each other in, then he spoke. “Hi.”
How could a single syllable feel so vulnerable? Ilana almost felt shy, a blush spreading over her face along with a smile. “Hi.”
He leaned against the bar and spoke in low tones, words meant only for her. “I’m glad you came.” He reached out to her then paused, his hand suspended between them. She dipped her head in assent and he brushed the backs of his fingers over her arm.
Goosebumps spread up Ilana’s arm while sensation pooled between her thighs. He was close enough now that she caught a hint of his scent, flooding her body with memories of the pleasure they’d shared like some kind of primal imprint. She turned up her palm to receive his hand in hers. His eyes lit up at her touch as their fingers entwined.
Inside, Ilana was fighting a battle. Something about Gabriel made her want to throw abandon to the wind and dive in head-first, like a crystal clear pool at the foot of a waterfall – utterly irresistible and too good to pass up just because the water might be cold.
On the other hand, Ilana had no frame of reference at all for the strange and colorful lives around her – people who had already left significant marks on the galaxy in their fields. Meanwhile, her own anchor had been cut loose and she was adrift. Her path, normally so finely charted, so meticulously planned, threatened to dissolve in front of her. She’d resisted the pull to hitch a ride with someone else for so long that she recoiled from the possibility now.
And last but not least, she had the voice inside of her that always wanted to chase the heat of thrill, urging her to experience all the things while she still had a chance.
Her body made the decision for her but her mind fell into line shortly after. She would have her fill with whatever this new and exciting world had to offer, come what may in the morning.
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