Midnight

13. Challenger in Space

We arrived at a private airport. The drive was disturbingly quiet. Ethan remained the gentlemen, however. I wasn't naive enough to think Ethan Nance would take a commercial plane. I figured he had a jet, helicopter, or something. I was correct to assume. It couldn't even be an ordinary private jet, noooo.... It was the most futuristic structure I've ever seen up close. From the outside it appeared to have no windows, not a single one. The aircraft was all black and sleek. I stepped onto the plane withholding my awe, even though I was blown away. Ethan was all luxury no play.

"What is this a g6?" I gawked. I absolutely wouldn't know a g6 from a g5 from a Delta. Seriously.

"Hyacinth," Ethan walked in behind me. "You have any plans, Winston?" he conversed with the pilot as I scaled the wide plane, taking a seat in one of the plush leather chairs. It was as if I stepped into the year 2300. No. 5300. Technology like this shouldn't be around till another 3000 years. The chair was probably worth more than my Toyota. Ethan approached me. His demeanor still radiating pissed. I couldn't showcase my enthusiasm for his scowling stare.

He sat directly across from me, tapping twice on the wall next to him and a small screen appeared. He tapped a few more buttons, and the entire cabin walls turned into a night sky. It was 09:15a.m.... I checked my phone. Yes! 09:17a.m.! My very chilled-don't-be-a-non-traveling-dork persona exited the plane.

"What happen!? What's this!? How did that do that!? It's still day right?" I stammered.

Ethan drew out a long still displeased sigh at me.

"The parallax barrier technology allows multiple displays on one screen." He rotated his pointer finger all around.

"Soo this entire cabin is a huge 360 degree screen?" I lilted with my eyes fixed on the dark starry night that surrounded us in our seats.

"Correct."

I looked back to Ethan, who was watching me with a half smirk, his hand rested, balled on his bottom lip. I was happy he wasn't giving me the death glare anymore...even though it was kind of sexy. He leaned forward towards me. "You keep me wondering..." his eyes gazed with an uninterrupted existence into mine. Biting his lip before shooting me that dazzling smile and dimples. "So, these cabin walls have panoramic exterior views in real time from the fuselage and wing mounted cameras." he pointed to the wings outside the jet. He was in entrepreneur mode. Gosh, I love that mode.

"This is beyond hi-tech...it's evolutionary..." I praised.

"Thank you...it's my tech."

"Are you fuuu...are you kidding me right now!? Ethan!....WOW!" I rocked back in my spinning seat in admiration to his work...his work. This explained his fortune. I knew the man was smart, but this was going to be the future.

The excitement, evident in his voice. "I've created unlimited design possibilities for interior ambience," In a few swift swipes we were flying over beaches, mountains, buildings, and space. "Only 5 have been manufactured and sold right now."

"How much does one of these costs?" I impishly inquired.

Ethan narrowed his eyes on me. "Are you interested?"

"Oh, no...just curious. I imagine something like this would cost a fortune. I know, I couldn't afford a ride on this thing," I said jokingly, meaning the words more serious than they sounded. Ethan looked at me with a dour expression and a raised eyebrow.

"Come here, Cala." he sat back.

"Aren't we about to take off? I don't want to fall."

He bit his lip as he swiped the screen and beautiful clouds rolled in every direction in front of a big blue sky, displayed across the cabin walls. I looked on, astounded, again.