Kathleen S.

Allen Science Fiction Short Story SPACE JUNKET

The checklist glowed on the wall screen. I ticked off each one as I completed the task. A red X appeared next to the ones I hadnt done yet. The ones completed had a green check. Youd think with all the engineers working the process would be more streamlined. Nope, it still took the greater part of an hour. Three earth hours to launch, intoned the computer. Please respond. Affirmative, I said into the speaker. Captain Roth reporting. Check, the computer said. It lit up the control panel and I punched in the requisite codes to match the display. Blue, red, green, I said pressing the brightly colored buttons. Is there a question? the computer asked. No, continue. I finished in record time. Finally. I made my way to the holding room, peeled off my suit and changed into a green jumpsuit. Todays suit was a spring green color supposed to soothe the space travelers. I swiped my ID at the door. Captain Roth, you are exiting the holding room at 0500. You are expected back by 0700 earth time. Climbing into one of the taxis that waited at the holding center I gave it directions to my house. Swiping my ID to subtract the right amount of credits took a few of my precious minutes. As we sped down the streets I hoped Id have enough time for breakfast before I had to be back. Hey, Ive got your breakfast. Thought you already left, Sam said giving me a kiss hello. I woke up and you were gone.

I had to do the checklist first, you know that. He led me to the tiny kitchen. We couldnt afford to live near the edge of the horizon like the bigwigs. We had to make do with pre-fab homes barely big enough for one much less two. Or three. Hows the baby this morning? I asked sitting down to one of Sams gourmet meals. Join me? He nodded taking another plate and sitting next to me at the counter. The baby is fine. Fed, changed and sleeping. I took a sip of whatever the computer called caffeinated this morning. I made a face. Needs sweetener, I said. Sam shook his head. You know you cant have sugar this close to launch, babe. I know. When will you be back? he asked. Three hours there with these new engines, deliveries made, three hours home. Maybe by dinner if Im lucky. Youd think theyd want to deliver on their home planet, not on some godforsaken rock, Sam said finishing his own breakfast and carrying the plate to the washomatic. I yawned. Think I have time for a nap? I asked. I cant sleep on the trip there or back, its not possible. Too much to do. I dont think so, babe. Less than an hour earthtime to get back to the holding room. Oh, all right. Maybe Ill jump in the pool for a swim. Sounds good, Id join you but I have to listen for the baby. Come and get me in a little while. I dont want to be late. Last time I was late I lost too many credits. We cant afford to lose any more now that theres another one on the way. Sam grinned at me. The water in the pool was warm. I swam the length of it several times before stepping out to dry off. Sam held a towel for me. I leaned into him for a moment. Better not get carried away.

You going to say goodbye to the baby? he asked. Sam was always trying to get me to be more domestic. No, Ill see the little one tonight. I better go, bye, hon. Leaving Sam and the baby got harder each time I left. But, I guess it made the homecoming all that much sweeter. I changed into a clean green jumpsuit. The taxi waited for me. Once in the holding room, I donned the spacesuit again and walked out to the ship. Captain Roth reporting, is the cargo on board? Yes, Captain, said the mechanical voice. All accounted for and inventoried. Ready for launch sequence to begin. Commence liftoff sequence.

Once we were free of the atmosphere I made my way to the back of the ship to check on the cargo. The crates were secured, buckled down. Id hate to lose one like I did a month ago. The crate wasnt tied well and when we hit earths atmosphere it crashed into the far wall killing the babies inside. I still shudder when I think of telling the parents who waited at the holding cell for their offspring the sad news. Part of a physicians duty though. Satisfied I made my way back to the front.

The landing was smooth. I spied several of the new parents waiting anxiously as I watched the bots lift the crates onto a carousel that carried them into the birthing room. I sensed several about to be born. I hurried, shedding the spacesuit as I walked. The bots would see to it. Entering the birthing room always gave me a thrill. The warm soothing colors enveloped me along with the heat. Ah. Ready, doctor? One of the medical bots asked. I nodded. Ready. Lets hatch these eggs, there are parents waiting to greet their children. I glanced up at the plate glass window where faces were pressed in to watch the miracle of birth. Each crate I opened held four eggs, all of them intact. I breathed a sigh of relief. One by one the eggs began to crack

and I reached in to extract the babies handing them off to the medical bots to clean up before giving them to their parents. Look, doctor, that one hasnt cracked yet. I grinned. That one is mine. Sam and I are expecting again. Congratulations, how long until its hatched? Maybe by tonight, I hope to have a surprise to bring home. Were hoping for twins this time. A knock on the glass got my attention. One of the parents beckoned to me. I cleaned up before going out. You wanted to see me? I asked. We wanted to thank you for bringing us our baby, squealed a tiny new mother. I nodded. She looks like you, I said. Be sure to keep her in the warming tank until shes big enough to swim on her own. I will, thank you. A tentacle reached out to caress my cheek and I laughed. Captain Roth? The medical bot came out to get me. Yes? Your babys shell is cracking. I went back in, I didnt want to miss the birthing. As the shell cracked I thought about what adding another addition to our family would mean to us. Maybe I could cut down on my hours. These trips were getting to me. The baby stuck its head out. Another crack and a second head appeared. Twins! Wait until Sam sees them. Cuddling both of them in my tentacle I went over to the warming tank I installed for those born too soon and put them in. They swam right away. Theyre good swimmers, the bot said. I knew they would be, theyve got my genes. I called Sam on the room screen. As soon as he answered, he knew. Theyre here? I nodded. Show me. I swiveled the screen around to show him the warming tank. He laughed. They look like you, he said.

Well, if they looked human, theyd drown, I said. Thank goodness octopi genes are not recessive like homo sapiens are. Hurry home, babe. Will you bring the twins back? I will. But, this is the last time I am doing this, Sam. Its too difficult to hatch the eggs, carry them all the way to earth and back again to Mars as babies. Most of the parents on earth stay here. I know but they have a reason to live on earth, we dont. You know the pools here are superior to the tanks on earth. I know. I hate to deprive our children of being part of the community. You wont be. They dont join until they are almost adults anyway. By then our babies can make up their own minds whether or not to pursue a career at Disneyspace or not. Its part of me, Sam. I was raised in Disneyspace. We met there, if you recall. Of course I recall. I saw how graceful you swam across the pool and it was all over for me. I knew you were the one for me. He grinned. I better get back to it, Ive got a couple of late deliveries to hatch. I love you, Sam. And I love you, babe. Tell the twins their daddy is excited to see them. We have to think of names, too. You think of names, Sam. You know you like that part. All right, Ill have a couple of choices by the time you get home. Love you. I glanced over at my newborn twins. Sam would have his hands full with these two. Doctor? Another one is on the way, the medical bot said. I nodded going back to work. A doctors day is never done. ###