Chapter 3 Meet The Crew

Chapter 3 Meet The Crew

Liliana walked through the clearance doors with Andrea beside her, her heart hammering in her chest. This was it. No more stimulations, no more training modules.

The moment she has been waiting and anticipating for has finally come. She was going to space, and will soon be looking at the stars from up close.

"Final call for Polaris 91 crew. Proceed to launch deck," the intercom announced.

Andrea squeezed her hand. And with a bright smile on his face. "Ready?"

She nodded, barely trusting her voice.

They walked hand in hand towards the ship.

At the entrance stood a woman with ice blond hair and a stare like cold steel.

"Commander Yelena Kovacs," she introduced herself. "Get to your assigned zones. No drama, no delays. We launch at seventeen."

Liliana tried not to shrink under her gaze. Andrea gave her a polite nod and guided her toward the crew hub.

The ship's interior was larger than she imagined, divided into sections. Bunk quarters, observation bay, medical pod, and the circular crew lounge. As they passed through, four unfamiliar faces caught her eye.

A tall dark skinned woman with twin buns looked up from a glowing tool case. " You must be the famous star girl. I'm Zara. Try not to break anything."

"Liliana," she said with a nervous laugh.

Next was a soft eyed man tending to a set of sealed plant pods. "I'm Eli," he said gently. "You write poetry, don't you? About the stars?"

Liliana blinked, surprised. "I… how did you know that?"

"Your file," he replied, blushing. " I read everyone's."

Then came a confident man with a warm accent and a teasing grin. "Santiago. CO pilot. And flirt specialist."

"Don't mind him," Andrea muttered. Liliana laughed.

The last was a cheerful man adjusting a medkit. "Tomi a medic, you faint, cry, or panic? I'm your guy."

Liliana shook hands with them all feeling a little more grounded and excited, "these people are so friendly, they are going to be my space family" she muttered to herself smiling.

She waved at a group of people already seated at the back.

They reached their bunk zone. Andrea and Liliana had pods beside each other.

Jason, cold and silent, was across from them. He gave her a curt nod and looked away.

Liliana climbed into her pod. And brought out her digital journal.

Day 1: I've never felt farther from home. And closer to who I'm meant to be

Just in, her phone vibrated in her suit's pocket.

It was a video call.

"Mrs Andrea, what's up, already flirting with the aliens?" Jayden said immediately she answered the call

Liliana laughed, "as if you will be able to call from there once I am in space. Don't worry I will get you an alien wife" she teased back.

"Please do, an alien wife will be perfect for Jayden, I support that idea" Jasper said,

"I second it," Jeremy said.

"Then it's sealed," Liliana replied, unable to hold her laughter.

"Now, that wasn't very nice",

Jayden said while trying to put on a puppy face.

"Y'all are crazy, make way let me see my baby. Their mother's voice echoed from the dining table.

"Mom" Liliana called in her most cutest voice.

"My baby, I miss you already, her mom replied.

"I miss you too mom, don't worry I'll be back before you know it." Liliana assured

"Tell her am saying hello" her dad's voice came through.

"Hi dad, take care of yourself and Mom, I will be back soon. Liliana said with a smile.

"Strap in!" Commander Yelena's voice echoed. Five minutes to launch."

"Alright, bye everyone our ship will be taking off soon. Liliana said and the call came to an end.

"You have such a great family," Andrea said, smiling at her.

She smiled back.

The vibration under their boots intensified.

Liliana's breath quickened. Andrea leaned closer. "Hey. Look at me. You're okay?"

She nodded, gripping his hand.

First time leaving earth," she whispered.

"And not the last," he replied.

The roar of the engines built beneath them.

3… 2… 1.

The ship jolted.

Gravity yanked her back. Her heart felt like it stayed behind. The Stars outside the viewing port blurred into streaks and the earth grew smaller.

Her eyes burned. Andrea held her hand.

Mike stared ahead, jaw clenched.

"Unstrap", came the call.

Liliana let go of the belt and floated upward. Andrea drifted beside her. She turned towards the glass windows looking down.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Andrea reached out, touching her hand. Their fingers laced.

"Not as beautiful as you."

She leaned in, their foreheads touching.

"Okay now, you guys need to be on Wattpad," Zara said.

From the corner of her eye, Mike stared at them with a grumpy face.

Liliana noticed but pretended.