First Flight

Emily opened her eyes, and, almost instantly, her excitement started to build. Today is the day, she screamed to herself, and leapt out of bed. She moved around her quarters with a dancer's fluidity, at a pace that betrayed any secrets she may have had of her feelings about this day. Within minutes, she was in uniform, had ingested her breakfast pill, and was out the door. The corridor outside was the familiar blue-gray that comprised almost every surface at the station. Today, it seemed to her that it took on a brighter shade. She began to walk briskly; not even having to think about in which direction to go. She’d practiced this path at least a hundred times in the last several weeks. She knew she would not get lost, and, more importantly, she would not be late.

         Emily rounded the first corner, and stopped just in time to avoid a collision with someone she immediately recognized. “Captain Harlan. G-Good morning, sir. Please forgive my carelessness.”

         Harlan wore a frown. “It’s quite alright, Carter,” he said, his voice quickly softening. “Be careful where you’re walking. You don’t want anything to screw things up today, do you?”

         Emily smiled. “Of course not, Captain,” she said, mockingly, as she moved in to embrace him, and she felt him hold her tightly. “I’m glad you didn’t change your mind about coming to see me off.”

         He pulled apart from her, allowing a gap wide enough so that he could face her, keeping his arms around her waist. “You know I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” he assured, but sadness quickly overtook his otherwise hardened face.

         There was no way she could have ignored his expression. “James,” she started, “I don’t know what else to say to make this any easier for you. But you know that I’ve got to do this. It’s…my destiny.”

         Captain James Harlan straightened himself and dropped his arms to his sides. He was a tough man, with a reputation around the station that made people—cadet and superior officers alike—shudder in nervousness around his presence. “Of course,” he said plainly.

         Emily knew the other side of that reputation, a side that had kept her love for him for the last five years. But, today, she needed him to be that strong exterior that everyone else had come to both respect and fear. Harlan realized this, too, and stepped aside, motioning her to continue walking. She smiled before proceeding, and Harlan kept with her pace. They soon approached a lift, stopped in front of it, and waited.

         ”Now, remember,” Harlan broke the silence. “You will be temporarily disoriented after the launch, but the flight is configured so that you shouldn’t have to worry about navigation.”

         ”I know,” Emily managed, trying to conceal a slight exasperation in her voice, as she looked in his direction. “I’ve been through all the simulations, James. I’ve trained for this— I’m ready for this.”

         Harlan held her eyes for a moment, before allowing a sheepish grin to escape his face. “I know. Forgive me.”

         The lift arrived, and the couple stepped in. “Control Room,” Harlan spoke, and the lift sprang to life, obeying the command it was just given. Harlan faced Emily, who was already looking at him, seriousness drawn on her face.

         “There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said, trying to maintain composure. “My mission’s name is Billy.”

         Harlan’s expression tightened, and he couldn’t hide the agitation in his voice when he spoke. “A male? Nobody told me it was a male! It has to be a mistake!”

         Emily let out a soft chuckle. “Relax,” she said, soothingly. “This is why nobody told you. And, besides…he’s two.”

         Harlan cocked his head, confused. “That young?”

         ”Yes,” Emily nodded, and grinned enthusiastically. “Isn’t it exciting? For my first mission!”

         ”How’d this happen?” Harlan inquired. “I’ve never heard of them being that young before.”

         ”It happens more frequently than we thought it did,” Emily said, turning to face the door, as she sensed they were almost at their destination. “The only thing that matters is that he’d made the request, and we have to respond.”

         ”But for your first mission?” Harlan asked, clearly concerned. “And a male…you haven’t been trained for that—“

         ”Commander Leighton trained me,” Emily interrupted, and instantly regretted the eagerness in her voice. “I’ve been training with her for past the two months. She didn’t want me to tell you because the missions are confidential. You know that. I only told you now because…”

         Harlan felt his anger dissipate. “Oh,” was all he managed before silently deciding to end the conversation. The lift gently stopped, and the doors slid open to give them a magnificent view of the Control Room. Harlan had seen it many times before, but Emily couldn’t hold her excitement as her eyes swam in the scenery. Unlike the dull, blue-gray walls of the corridors, her quarters, and most of the common rooms at the station, the Control Room was brightly lit and bursting with color. She wasn’t as impressed about all the machinery and computer equipment that abound in this heart-and-soul of the station as she was with the egg-like pod at the far end of the room, its smooth white surface seeming to beckon her. Of course, she knew why. She’d seen the pod before, but only in simulations. The reality of it overwhelmed her, and she found Harlan’s hand without even looking. “It’s…amazing…”

         The Captain squeezed her hand, and tugged at it lightly. She looked at him and, with full understanding, let go of his hand, and they both proceeded to walk in the intended direction, with Harlan walking a few steps behind.

         All around the Control Room, technicians, at one station or another, stopped whatever they were doing to stare in amazement at the figure walking toward the pod. Members of the Guardian Squad were always an impressive vision of beauty, and Emily was no exception. In the bright lights of the Control Room, she took on a disarming radiance that none of them—male or female—could ignore. During the brief walk, even Harlan found himself regarding Emily as if enamored with her beauty for the first time.

         Two figures approached Emily as she was within a few feet from the pod. She recognized both of them. One was Commander Ashley Leighton and the other was Dr. Overman, whom she’d only seen in the simulations. Commander Leighton approached her and gave her a light embrace. “Are you ready, Emily?”

         “Yes, Commander,” Emily said, lightly nodding. “I’m ready.”

         ”Good luck, Lieutenant,” Dr. Overman said, offering his hand to Emily. She looked at the doctor, smiled, and gripped his hand tightly to shake it. “Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm.”

         Emily’s face flushed briefly, “I’m sorry, doctor. It’s just…very nice to finally meet you.”

         The doctor smiled, looked at a technician nearby, and nodded at him. The technician pressed a series of buttons, and the pod began to slowly open. “Initializing pod,” the technician casually reported.

         Emily turned around to look at Harlan, and was delighted to see his usual fortitude. He was, after all, a commanding officer, and had a distinct role to play. Yet even he couldn’t hide his anxiety at the sight of what was encased in the pod, which was now in full view. Emily followed Harlan’s gaze, and felt her own emotions build up. She realized right then and there that no simulation could ever have prepared her enough for this moment. The pod, now fully opened, displayed for all to see, a beautiful pair of wings seeming to float above the floor. They were bright, white, and, most importantly, thought Emily, They’re mine.

         Unprompted, Emily stepped forward and into the pod. Everything that followed was routine, and no words needed to be exchanged among the participants, even with Emily. When the pod closed, she disrobed, turned away from the wings, and backed into them. Emily shut her eyes, and the transformation began. She’d been through this simulation dozens of times, and expected the pain associated with the process, but this was no simulation. The pain was real as the wings adhered to her shoulder blades. But, just like in the simulation, the process ended as quickly as it began. To Emily, however, it did not finish soon enough.

         The pain eventually diminished to a dull twinge, and Emily was suddenly bathed in a sea of light. It quickly surrounded her body and formed a light, translucent layer over her skin. This, too, she expected, and knew that it was the final step. The pod began to open, and she saw the awed expression of the people in the Control Room as each face was revealed.

         When she found Harlan, she saw what she expected to see. A strong face—a face she’d known intimately—looking straight ahead at attention, but with a tear running down the right side. All at once, she was filled with emotion, but it was neither sadness nor happiness; it was just an emotion. She knew that her first flight was about to begin, and she wanted to say farewell to her lover, even if, at that moment, he couldn’t meet her gaze. And before the launch commenced, Emily opened her mouth to speak.

         Hearts sank among the occupants as a beautiful song permeated the Control Room. It was ethereal, the kind of voice that could only come from beings such as the one that Emily had transformed into. In each one, a feeling of calm and peace overcame their bodies, and each felt as if they were in the presence of an untouchable, intangible beauty. They couldn’t understand the song, as it was mostly a feeling that they experienced. Except for Harlan. He heard every word that Emily was saying in her song.

         Harlan finally turned to face Emily, whom he almost didn’t recognize anymore. He saw that she’d already become partially transparent—the launch nearing its completion. But even in her transparent state, Emily’s beauty was evident to him. He focused his gaze on Emily’s rapidly vanishing blue eyes, noting that this would be the last time he would allow himself to be captivated by them. Silently, he bade her farewell, and he didn’t have to use any words. Within moments, Emily disappeared into a fine mist, and then there was nothing.

         It took a few moments of silence before the activity in the Control Room resumed. “Launch complete,” the same technician, who began the process, reported. “Guardian deployed.”

         Harlan stirred himself back into composure, surreptitiously wiping his tears. But, no one chose to notice the Captain while in this state. No one in that room would’ve wanted to be in his shoes. Commander Leighton—herself, an image of poise—approached Harlan, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are dismissed for now, James.”

         The proud Captain nodded, turned around, and headed for the lift. His mind was racing with thoughts of Emily, of which he knew he needed to expunge himself very quickly. She was not coming back, and she had implored him to move on. It was one of the final few words she said in that beautiful song. Harlan knew that that was what he needed to do, but also understood it would not be easy. Emily was not someone he could easily forget. In time, he would, Harlan thought, but not just now.

***

Emily couldn’t recall the exact moment she became aware of being surrounded by the darkness of space, but she couldn’t focus on that. A beautiful blue-green planet loomed ahead of her, and was getting bigger. Rather, she realized, she was drawing closer to it. This seemed natural to her, and she didn’t question what was taking place. She glanced to her right and marveled at the sight of the beautiful white wing whose feathers were lightly dancing as a result of her speed. She didn’t have to look to her left to know exactly what she would find.

         For a brief moment, an image of a man flashed before her eyes, and she thought he looked familiar. But just as quickly as it appeared, she allowed it to escape from her thoughts. She had one goal now: his name was Billy, a two-year-old boy who somehow asked for their assistance. And, she was assigned to be his Guardian. She would fulfill her mission, a mission for which she was trained to successfully carry out. She knew she would stay with Billy for the remainder of his life— however long that may be— and that it was her responsibility to guide him in all the decisions he would make, and to guard him against any and all perils he may face.

         That was her mission. Nothing else mattered.