A Space Story 2

            And before Janessa could protest Junitha was leading he by the hand towards the emerging crowd of press agents.  They heard the digital clicking sound of cameras shooting pictures.  Men and woman in suits with press badges formed a circle around a group of people entering the commons.  The bridge command crew came out first in their white dress uniforms.  They were followed by two men and a woman in military uniforms with the insignias of their home nations.  The woman had the white rectangle with the red circle in the middle, the flag of Japan.

            “That must be Ryoko Jeagan,” said Janessa.

            “Yeah the super soldier from the Human Enhancement League,” said Junitha, “Oh wait no, its superior right, that’s what they’re called.  Superiors.  I wonder what asshole came up with that name.  Anyhow she wears the uniform well.  It doesn’t hurt that she’s gorgeous.”

            The man on the left had the red white and blue stars and stripes of the United States of America, he had short blonde hair and pretty blue eyes.  The other one had flag of black, red and green, the flag of Afghanistan his head and face were clean shaven, and he might have looked handsome if his expression had not been so humorless.

            “The American and the Afghan superiors,” said Janessa.

            “I didn’t ask,” said Junitha, “are you American?”

            “I was raised in the US but my family wasn’t your typical Americans.”

            “You’ll have to tell me about that one of these days.”

            “I don’t remember their names,” Janessa, “the male super soldiers.  I guess I paid more attention to Jeagan because she was a woman and she was chosen to be our squad commander.”

            “Yeah girl power and all that,” said Junitha.

            “What?”

            “Don’t worry half the time even I’m not sure what I’m talking about.  The other super soldiers, the American is Raddy Volcane, from what I hear about his reputation, don’t be surprised if he tries to sleep with you.  And the other guy is Samal Hectorese the finest soldier the afghan military has ever produced.”

            “Do you know him?”

            “What you think all western Asian people know each other?”

            “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean too…”

            “It was a joke, you are way too easy.  I’m from Pakistan originally, but I haven’t lived there for many a year and I don’t plan on going back.  I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world.  Hey here comes the men of the hour or some shit like that.”

            Janessa looked up.  And what for?  Was she trying to get a glimpse of him?  What she saw first was Vanz Kerrigan CEO of the Solar Fleet.  He walked proudly with his head held high.  He had long blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes.  He was followed by a short pretty young girl carrying a data pad. 

The girl checked things off and whispered something to Kerrigan then he shooed her away.

            “That guy is such a douche,” said Junitha, “Look at his outfit.  It’s white.  Like he’s pretending to be part of the command crew.”

            Janessa did not say anything.  It was true dressed in white the way he was Kerrigan blended well with the command crew.  But Janessa did not feel she knew him well enough to be justified agreeing that he was a douche but she did not want to lose the first person she was likely to make friends with on the ship.

            Then Janessa saw him.  He was wearing his white commander’s uniform.  His dark hair was slicked back.  He looked different than the last time she had seen him.  He looked harder.  He still had his boyish features but the look in his eyes, the way he carried himself, it was like he was ever ready for war.

            Kerrigan began speaking, “I would like to present the man who will lead the Daedlus mission, Commander Duron Ardiniero.”

            Duron was followed closely by a woman in a green uniform.  She had big long curly hair.  She was lovely but had a similar demeanor about her of hardness, ready for battle at all times, she kept looking around as if trying to find an opportunity for something.

            “Who is she?” Janessa wondered out loud.

            “That’s Therazan Sajan, head of ship security,” said Junitha.

            The reporters were asking questions now.  They kept snapping pictures, mostly of Duron and Kerrigan and the three superior soldiers.  They took a few shots of the command crew and the crew members watching.  A few crew members struck poses when the cameras were aimed in their direction.  Kerrigan did most of the talking.  Ryoko Jeagan and Raddy Volcane both obviously loved the attention.  Samal Hectorese did not seem to care about any of it.  Duron Ardiniero and Therazan Sajan obviously wanted to be somewhere else.  Janessa noticed the girl who had been following Kerrigan waiting patiently off in a corner.  Then Duron looked in her direction.  For moment Janessa froze.  Then his eyes widened, he was looking directly at her.  He kept his composure, but his eyes, all he could see was her.  Janessa could stand it only a matter of seconds before she had to get away.  Janessa pushed her way through the crowd out of the commons.

            In the corridor Junitha caught up with her.

            “Something wrong?” she asked.

            “I just had enough of that.”

            It was obvious Junitha knew there was something else going on, but for the moment she would let it go for Janessa’s sake.