Decisions Part 1
21 Nov 2017MMMMMalcolm
Commander's Log of Kay WantzSol 18 Nov 3303
I awoke with a splitting headache. It felt like a monkey was on my shoulders pulling my hair hard with one hand, while banging my head with a flight helmet with the other. I slowly sat up on the edge of the bed; the helmet hitting my head in perfect sync with my heartbeat. I barely noticed the numb tingling in my left arm. I figured I slept on it wrong and it fell asleep.
Somehow I made it to the shower. As I emerged, the pain seemed to dissipate with the steam. It was then I realized Malcolm was gone. Standing in the doorway between the bathroom and the bedroom, one towel wrapped around my chest another around my hair, I looked disappointingly at the empty bed. Suddenly a slight smile curled my lips as memories of pleasure rose in my brain. They quickly faded like the steam.
Where was Malcolm? More importantly, who was he? I replayed my encounter, listing what I knew. He's a male. I smiled again. A tall, strong, handsome, black male. He said his name was Malcolm Xavier. He said he was born and raised here in Sol; on Earth. Maybe that's where he went, back home. But he didn't even say goodbye.
Oh well, serves you right. You spent three years in the Black trying to get over Marcus. Then your first week back in the Bubble, what do you do? You answer the call for hunters from the Wolves of Janai and hook up with the first pilot you meet whose name starts with M A. Get yourself together girl, you're better than that. Marcus taught you better than that. He always said, "Hunt pirates on your terms not theirs; guaranteeing you're the hunter not the prey." It's been three years and you're still the prey of your heart.
Malcolm is not Marcus. Yes he's tall and handsome, but that does not make him Marcus. Yes he seemed just as comfortable talking to you all day as he did making love to you all night. But you did just return to the Bubble after three years in the Black alone. Maybe you did most of the talking. And who could blame you for tiring first during sex? He is NOT Marcus. So who was he? He was a pleasant welcome home present. That's all. Vacation over. Complete the contract in your Transaction Log, then get home to family for the holidays. Let this go girl.
I don't think I will be going back into the Black alone for a while. I appear to have picked up the habit of talking to myself.
I finished getting dressed, determined to put yesterday behind me. When I dug my new flight boots (gees, why did I let him buy my clothes?) out from under the suite's coffee table, I noticed a hand-written note hanging out of the top of one shoe.
Kay,
It was truly a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I had hoped to continue getting to know you today, but unfortunately I was called back from my vacation early. You were sleeping so peacefully, so beautifully. I imagine you woke up just as gorgeous as when I met you. ("Yeah I wish," I thought aloud.)
Forgive me for not saying goodbye; to be honest I did not want to. Hopefully, we can see each other again.
Sorry, my time is short, so I'll get to the point. I've been assigned to the HIP 118321 system. If you ever find yourself hunting in that section of Imperial space, look for the signature of Warm Embrace.
Malcolm
Who does this guy think he is? We had one night and he thinks I'm just going to drop everything and chase him across the Bubble? Boy please. I'm no fool. You don't get to dictate the terms of this hunt.
A message chime on my data slate refocused me on my contract. My Cartographic Data from the Black was enough to order a brand new "A" rated FDL and the local ship yard just notified me it was ready to go. I rushed out of the suite. I had no idea who Malcolm was and at that moment I didn't care. My contract was in Ra. And beyond that was my family, which I hadn't seen in three years, and the holidays.
By the time I reached my new "Black Widow", I was confident I had made the right decision. I fired up the engines, and roared away from Sol. Mama sure will be surprised when I walk through the door Thanksgiving day.