Riley's Tigreshan

Chapter One

RILEY

Today's the day I embark on the adventure of my dreams. Life takes on a new perspective, as I wade through the various species of the others that surround me. It's not the first time I've seen aliens, but it is the first time I'll be leaving earth. I'm excited but my nerves are on edge, evident enough from the rapid beat of my heart and the sweat on my palms. The others gathered around me are impatiently waiting to load onto the Zentar Shuttle with their tickets and travel credentials in hand. Many crowd together and I hear a variety of languages. Many I can't identify, since it's been a while since my translator implant was last updated. Some sound merely like coughs, clicks and garbled swallows.

The ship itself is not nearly as massive as I'd imagined. Possibly not much bigger than a jet from the twenty-first century, so I assume it'll hold the 300 or so passengers gathered. Small circular windows line the outside on both sides, reminding me of an old train car. It's not quite shaped like one though. It's not even shiny or new looking, but a rather dull space gray in color, with ZENTAR laser etched in red on one end.

Once we've been given the all clear to start boarding, the line moves at a surprisingly easy pace. That is until the passenger ahead of me suddenly stops and I bump into him. Almost dropping my ticket and travel creds in the process. Quickly I apologize, but he shrugs it off. He speaks in rapid fire motion with the crew member taking our tickets. But I don't understand a word of it. I really should have had my translator updated prior to coming to port. Before I know it, he's turned away and escorted out of line towards the security office behind us. All I can do is hope it's just a misunderstanding. Once it's my turn though, the crew member sticks her hand out, so I place my ticket and travel creds into her hand. She looks them over and hands them back along with a map of the ship with my quarters clearly marked.

As I make my way towards my personal quarters for the journey. I notice everything inside looks much newer than the outside. Pristine white walls line the halls, with abstract paintings hanging upon them. Sleek slate gray flooring, it's smooth but has a rubber-like grip to it as I step forward. Along the way to my quarters I watch as other passengers enter their own, and curiosity fills me with questions. Are they just traveling for vacation? Are they relocating to Osauri like I am? Is Osauri just a pitstop on the way to another destination? So many questions and not a single answer. Maybe I'll try to mingle a bit with some of the other passengers after I've settled in.

I notice a couple of Tamirans disappear around the corner. I've never interacted with their species on Earth before, but I've heard that some of them can be quite hostile and violent. But these two look like any ordinary couple to me, considering they were walking hand in hand. They are a beautiful species though, for aliens that is. They're tall and sleek, mostly humanoid. Their facial features are the most alien thing about them. Instead of eyebrows they have a ridged plating, a thick beak-like nose and pointed ears. On their heads it looks like serpents hang in ropes with golden clips adorned among them, instead of hair like a human. Wearing flowing robes of crimson that highlight the golden tone of their skin.

I hear a hushed conversation down the hall, from what looks like a small family consisting of a mother, father and small child. I don't recognize their species, but they look adorable together. The mother and father appear to be of different species and the child a perfect hybrid combination of the two. (Come up with descriptions later)

A few moments later I reach my quarters, I gaze around the room as I enter. It's slightly larger than my childhood room. Against the wall opposite me is the sleeping platform, that's narrower than a twin mattress. I set one of my bags on the crisp red blanket and admire the black mosaic design at the foot. The only other furniture I see are inlaid drawers in the wall and a small table with one chair.

The washroom door catches my eye, and as I approach the panel slides silently into the interior of the wall. I step inside, I've got to pee like there's no tomorrow. 'Well this doesn't look right,' I murmur to myself as I stare at the only thing that could be deemed a toilet. It's a shiny metal cylinder jutting out of the floor with an odd looking seat upon it. No time like the present to find out, I pull my pants down and sit on what I'm calling a toilet. Instant relief hits me as my bladder is quickly emptied.

The rest of the small washroom is taken up by the oval shower that's encased in frosted glass, and a small metal sink with what I learn is a hands free spout as I go over to wash my hands after using said toilet. Thankfully there's a cleanser pump attached to the oblong mirror above the sink.

Now that I've taken in my surroundings I sit on the sleeping platform. Running my hand over the soft red blanket, I jump when the sound of a roaring engine fills the room. A moment later it subsides to a gentle hum and I giggle to myself, holding my chest as my heart pounds rapidly. That wasn't too bad. I turn to open my bag and start unpacking when the whole room jolts and I'm thrown back onto the bed almost hitting the wall. I'm startled to say the least, but I didn't hurt anything so no harm done.

Reorienting myself. I think of the life I've left behind, it wasn't anything spectacular by any means. I was always happy, though I grew up in a boring small town in Washington State. I didn't even move around like most people that came and went. I went to school, came home and played to my life's content in the backwoods behind our small home. Then I graduated high school, and worked at the small cafe in town.

I was one of two people that could operate the espresso machine. So when an opportunity came up to travel off planet, I jumped at the idea because I'd always wanted to travel the world. But at the rate I was going, I'd have never traveled. Even though I'm only 20 now, I felt like I was doomed to a life in a small town. I couldn't think of a better way to travel than the one that was presented to me. I'm excited to work for some bigwig who has an all night coffee shop within a newer colony on Osauri. Better yet, said bigwig wants me to run it for him or her and I know without a doubt that I'll be the best damn barista I can be out there. All I have to do is set my mind to it and do it.

Osauri is still at least two weeks away. In the meantime I should settle in, and unpack. I grab the bag I placed on the bed and begin unpacking. I pull my clothing out and start putting the neatly folded items into the drawers in the wall. Seems like no time at all has passed before I've unloaded my two larger bags, and the two smaller ones.

I set up a picture of my parents. They loved the outdoors so I brought the picture I took of them sitting on an oak log last spring. The smiles on their faces are utterly beautiful and tranquil. Clutching the picture to my chest, I assure myself that my parents are proud of me and wouldn't want me to turn around and come right home. I'll miss them sure, but I can't let that take away from the excitement this new adventure brings.

The second is a picture of me, a candid that my mom captured. I remember that day fondly, because I was grooming my horse Romeo. He sure was a beauty. All black including his mane and tail except for the gray star on his chest and the one right between his ears on the top of his head. He'll be okay without me, but I hope he doesn't forget me.

The last is one of my favorite pictures. It's on the lake a few hours from home with the mountain in the background on a fall day. The trees are a myriad of colors ranging from deep reds, yellow, and orange with the occasional conifer speckled through with their rich dark greens. I thought it would be best to bring a little piece of scenery from home. To remind me what I have there in case things don't work out. I don't expect to fail. I'm determined to make this the most amazing experience possible, but part of me is still nervous.

Yawning, I steel myself out of my reverie. Suddenly I'm tired beyond measure. Glancing at the time on my wrist comm, it indicates we've been in flight for about an hour. But I'm tired nonetheless. It was around ten in the evening when we finally left the space port. I'm tired, but not so tired that I'd be able to fall asleep right away. Before climbing into bed, I change into my tattered sleep shorts, and an old tshirt. I pull back the covers and climb in, then stare out the window for a time into the vast darkness of space littered with stars. I know I've made the right decision by dropping everything that I've ever known to go to some new place out there in the galaxy.

I just hope that I'll be able to sleep tonight. 

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