The Yellow Rover was nearing the outer orbital path of a pink planet. Delly sat comfortably in the pilot seat. The autopilot was a godsend. She turned around to see Kalayjian standing over the command post, still eating.
“Hey!”
He looked up and turned to her.
“What are you doing?”
“Just passing the time, I suppose. Still nothing on the captain, right?”
“Nope.”
Kalayjian nodded. It was apparent that the lack of contact from Biancuzzo was getting to him. It was frustrating to be sure, but they also had to remember that in space, they still were covering vast distances. His lack of contact could have easily been explained by him being out of range. Or at least that was what she hoped.
“I still can’t believe what Ponch told you before he died.”
“Why? Because he was prophetic?” Kalayjian smirked.
“Oh, that’s cute.”
“Thought you might like that.”
She scoffed and turned back to the front. He was a piece of work. A good lover, yes, but a piece of work all the same.
“So what made you join this outfit anyway?”
“As opposed to—”
“As opposed to anything else. You chose to be here, did you not?”
“No, I was selected. I mean, I was happy to be selected don’t get me wrong, but—I don’t know if I had much of a choice in the matter. Unlike say yourself.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question.”
“Then maybe you should rephrase the question?”
Delly looked back again and scoffed. He wore this cocky smirk that she just wanted to box off. She unfastened her harness and rose out of the chair. She approached him.
“You didn’t have to come all the way over here, I could still hear you.”
“You know, you’re a funny guy when you wanna be.”
“So I’ve been told.” He smiled.
She leaned against the bulkhead opposite him and folded her arms. She wasn’t going to let him charm his way out of this conversation. They had been intimate and she didn’t have the slightest idea as to who he really was, at least before he became a member of this crew. It didn’t seem fair that everyone knew all about her—due to the shadow cast by her father.
“So what made you join the Yellow Rover, specifically the Yellow Rover?”
“As opposed to—”
Fuckin A. Here we go again with this bullshit.
“Hello. Any of the other ships? Why this one?”
“Well—” Kalayjian rubbed his chin. “It was either this or become a mercenary like Zayne.”
“Zayne?”
“My little brother.”
“Your brother’s also on a ship?”
“Uh huh. The Green Rover.”
Delly unfolded her arms and thought for a moment. It never dawned on her that any of the three missions might be anything but exploratory in nature.
“I don’t get it. What makes your brother a mercenary?”
“His personality maybe. He’s a lot different than I am—and not just because of our age difference.” Kalayjian cleared his throat. “You see, the colonel—Colbourn—he was a little too creepy for my tastes. I figured ole Pete and captain Sanhueza would be better for my mental.”
“And were they?”
Kalayjian scoffed.
“Judging by our current circumstances, I’d say the jury’s getting close to a verdict. But I’d be lying if I said it’s been all bad. Cause it definitely has not.”
The two made eye contact. He was so rugged and manly. A real snake charmer. She blushed before looking towards the front to break the sexual tension. They were now within the unknown pink planet’s orbit.
“Wow, would you look at that?” She said.
She walked to the front, stopping behind the pilot’s seat. These new worlds were simply awe-inspiring. The universe in all of its magnificent glory. It was everything she had ever dreamed about and more.
A moment later, she felt Kalayjian firmly up against her.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She asked.
“Very much so. But it’s not our destination.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the view or do you take issue with that as well?”
“I’ve been enjoying it.”
She turned to see him staring at her. He leaned in, trying to kiss her. She didn’t disregard his advances and kissed him back. The planet had become the backdrop for their intimate encounter as his lips were sublime. She felt safe with him.
“Eh hem.”
They both pulled back as she turned to see Roko standing just inside the doorway with his helmet in one hand and a shotgun in the other.
“Did I come at a bad time?” He smirked.
Unbelievable. I swear every male soldier is a dickhead. Just to varying degrees.
“And on that note, I think I’m gonna put my spacesuit back on. Just to be on the safe side.”
Kalayjian headed back towards the command post. He grabbed his cereal bowl as Roko stepped aside. Roko wore a sheepish expression like he had made an honest mistake. The lieutenant exited as Roko turned to her next.
“Wow, so you and Sam. And here I thought that was a one-time thing. Isn’t he old enough to be—”
“Shut the fuck up.”
She pointed. He was lucky that she had left her sidearm under the dash, otherwise she may have shot him. He waved his arms like he didn’t want any trouble. She sat back down in the pilot’s seat and sighed.
Such a cockblocker.