The human mind can imagine anything, for good or evil. What do you suppose Billy Jeeling is thinking about now? You can be certain it is not good.
—From “Jeeling: the Awakening,” one of General Moore’s propaganda articles
Yürgen Zayeddi had imagined this might happen if he were ever alone with this spectacularly-beautiful woman, but it had been more erotic fantasy than anything else—a flight of the imagination to make his blood flow, but not to take seriously. Besides, there were the obvious dangers involved, preventing him from living out his fantasy. Yet, it had become a reality anyway.
He lay in bed watching Sonya dress, slipping her underclothes over the pleasing curves of her figure. They were in her studio apartment, which was not large, but was more comfortable than his humble room. As a proctor, she didn’t have to suffer the inconvenience of a roommate. After a few drinks, the two of them had sneaked in during the darkness of enhanced night on the great vessel, giggling like teenagers eluding their parents.
The moment they entered her apartment and closed the door, they were at each other in a frenzy of passion, throwing off clothes and making love—first on the carpet and then on the bed, and then again on the bed.
It was an hour before dawn now, when Skyship’s internal systems would increase the illumination across the airborne city in a realistic-appearing way, running parallel with the coming of day outside. There were not enough windows on the great ship to do this naturally, but the effect inside was so close to perfect that Yürgen sometimes forgot where he was.
She looked at him, smiled gently. Her blue eyes sparkled. “You’d better get dressed yourself, and be on your way. Don’t forget, I live here, not you!”
He grinned, swung out of bed and looked for his clothing, which was strewn across the floor, from the front door to the bedroom. “That was really something,” he said. “You’re really something. I could hardly keep up with you.”
Her gaze narrowed. “I’ll have you know, I am not a nymphomaniac.”
“I never said you were. Of course, you’re not. It’s just that—”
“I’ve never been this way with anyone else,” she said. “I knew the moment I saw you that we had something between us, a strong magnetism, a chemistry. Oh, I’m not saying I’m a virgin or anything crazy like that. But, well, you know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
“I know exactly what you mean. We have something special.” He paused as he put on his shorts and an undershirt. “More than special. That’s not a good enough word for it.” And he really felt that way, beyond the powerful physical attraction he felt for her. They had talked for hours during the night, in between the lovemaking. She was interested in many of the same things he was—science, art, history, philosophy, and goals in life. Sonya was intensely devoted to Billy Jeeling, just as Yürgen was, yet she also wanted a family someday—and so did he.
He dressed quickly. They kissed at the door by a statuette of Billy Jeeling, spoke of when they might see other again, that evening. After a long embrace, they separated and Yürgen opened the door.
He was shocked to see Devv Jeeling there in his Security Commander’s uniform, his face contorted in rage. Yürgen felt an impulse to take a step back, but held his ground.
“What are you doing here?” Devv demanded. He slammed into the other man, hitting him with a shoulder, and tried to get past him. But Yürgen gave him a forceful shove in return with his hands, knocking him hard against a wall and causing his officer’s cap to fall off. The statuette rocked on its stand, but didn’t fall.
Sonya ran forward, said, “I want you to leave, Devv. Now!”
Ignoring her, Devv drew a laser-bow from a holster and cocked the weapon, causing it to flex backward, ready to fire. It didn’t need to flex. This was just for show, like the visual display of a wild animal, to intimidate and frighten an adversary. But the device really was capable of firing arrow-shaped shafts of light, and they were known to cause extreme pain and a slow death, from internal hemorrhaging. He pointed the deadly weapon at Zayeddi’s chest.
Yürgen sneered. “Not man enough to fight me without that?”
“I don’t need any more than my fists to deal with you!” Devv uncocked the laser-bow and holstered it. He advanced toward the other man.
Sonya stepped between them. “Stop this. Both of you!”
With an angry grunt, Devv pushed her to one side.
But she stepped between the men again. “I want you to leave, Devv. Now! Get out of here, damn it!”
He punched her in the face, and she cried out in anger, then swung her own fists at him, striking him on the arms. Yürgen tried to pull them apart, but Devv managed to hit her again, an even harder blow to the face. This backed her up, and this time she looked injured, putting her hands to her face, while cursing him.
Yürgen shoved Devv back toward the doorway. He simmered with anger toward the intruder, felt like hitting him. It was a peculiar situation, a man in a security officer’s uniform, acting unlawfully.
“That was a real manly thing to do,” Sonya said to Devv.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “but you shouldn’t be here with him, shouldn’t—”
“I told you to get out of here,” she said. Sonya picked up his fallen cap, threw it at him, and he caught it.
“You heard her,” Yürgen said. Pressing his face close to Devv, he mustered more courage and said, “You’re a creep. Sonya knows it, and that’s why she’s with me.”
Devv didn’t say anything. His eyes burned with rage and pain as he glared at Yürgen, and then at Sonya.
Yürgen would fight him if he had to. They were around the same height and weight, but Yürgen assumed the other man had training in combat techniques he didn’t know. That didn’t deter him. He would protect Sonya any way he could.
Sonya went around both men and held the door open. “Out,” she said to Devv. She didn’t look well, seemed to be in pain and had red bruises on her face.
Devv put on his cap, as if to leave, but said, “Look, I’m really sorry I hit you. It will never happen again.” He appeared to be near tears.
“That’s right,” she said, “because we’re finished. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Looking as if the world had fallen on top of him, Devv Jeeling started to say something, but wilted under her glare. He turned abruptly, and hurried away.
When he was gone, Yürgen examined her reddened cheek and forehead, saw both areas beginning to swell up. “You’d better get some ice on your face.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Thanks for being here, but I need to be alone now. Okay?” She didn’t meet his gaze, looked away. Now she appeared to be confused.
Yürgen felt uncertain about what he should do. She might have a concussion. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded, but motioned for him to leave, waving a hand in the direction that Devv had gone. Yürgen left, saying, “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
Sonya didn’t answer. She closed the door quickly.