Saylee grimaced as she saw who else was waiting in line ahead of her.
She swiped on her screen, and looked once again at her flight information.
Row 47, Seat 6. I doubt I’d be seated next to him. I should be fine.
This is so awkward.
Please don’t look this way.
I don’t he’ll look this way.
I should be fine.
The man, who she didn’t know the name of, just stood in line with his head down. His attention currently focused intently on his tablet. His fingers swiping through some pages on the screen.
He’s distracted, good, He hopefully shouldn’t notice me.
Saylee returned her attention back to the large panoramic windows. Outside, she saw the hangers that housed the enormous commercial passenger ships. The ship attached to her gate had four floors of passenger seating.
They reminded Saylee of passenger aircraft back home, except with some noticeable differences. The nose of the ships reminded her of how the front side of the space shuttles that NASA use. The front nose of the ship being pitch black. The wings, including the tail wings and fin. Had an engine. The plane, with an exception of it’s nose, was painted gray. The words, “Continuation Inc.” painted in large bland corporate font on the side of the ship. She glanced at the line for the gate, at least a hundred people waited in the queue line behind her. The the waiting area seats at the gate were occupied with people. She was grateful she arrived at the gate early.
How many people can sit in this plane? They haven’t even called all the groups yet.
The line started moving.
She saw the man scan his tablet at the desk before walking down the aero-bridge.
Hopefully I won’t see him again.
She slowly stepped forwards as the line of people ahead in line scanned their boarding passes.
Saylee felt a small vibration from her tablet.
She turn on the display, a red led light up the top middle of the screen. A glanced at the notification banner.
She received an message from Chaplain Benny.
Sorry Ben, I’m leaving you on unread because I’m really not in the mood.
Saylee walked up as it was her turn to scan her boarding pass. The worker behind the counter, had her eyes on her own tablet. When Saylee presented her tablet, the employee tapped her badge onto it. The screen lit up green and the employee waved her on in.
Saylee trended carefully as she stepped into the hallway. She felt uneasy as the walls looked to be made of tarp, and the floor held metal sheets that are scratched up due to the many times the aero-bridge has compressed or decompressed for use.
As she neared the entryway to the ship. A tired yet friendly looking flight attendant waved her in, “Welcome aboard. Let me see your boarding pass”
Saylee presented her tablet, the flight attendant took only a quick glance, “Okay dear, when you step in, walked forward till you get to the adjacent wall. From there, make a right. you’ll see a stairway that leads up and down. Go upstairs, you’ll find your row soon from there”
Saylee smiled and said “thank you” The flight attendant started immediately talking to help the passenger behind her. Saylee quickly stepped inside.
She glanced around the surroundings inside, speechless. Each row, had 20 seats, with a hallway split every 5 seats. Saylee didn’t count the seats, but guessed this level could easily fit at least over 1000 people. Passed the rows of seats, appeared to be some sort of recreational area. She saw several lounge couches next to a bar. There were Foosball tablets, and even a…
Is that a pickle-ball court?
“Excuse me, don’t just stand there. Move”
Saylee shook her head, “Oh sorry”
“Yeah yeah. Hurry on up, there’s a line waiting”
She felt the embarrassment swell up. She strode quickly forward towards the stairs. Making her way up.
At the top of the stairs, she had to do a double take as there were no easily visible row numbers.
There’s no overhead compartments…so where the row numbers?
A flight attendant standing next to the stairs, tapped on Saylee’s shoulder.
“uh-ah”, Saylee flinched forward, startled.
The flight attendant raised her hands, “Whoa, I’m just a friendly flight attendant. I’m sorry story to startle you, I don’t believe you noticed me standing at the side and I just wanted to let you know the numbers are on the ground. I can help you find your seat if you’d like”
“Um, no thank you. I’ll be fine from here”
“If you need anything, I’m Serina. I’ll be this level’s flight attendant”
“Thank you” she said in haste, she quickly walked forward, glancing down constantly to read the row numbers.
Today is just not my day
The row length was shorter on this level. The rows in this level were in sets of 10, instead of 20, with one hallway in the center between the fifth and sixth seat of each row.
Strode forward, with some of seats on the level already seated with people.
Saylee glanced down, mentally reading the numbers shown on the floor as she walked.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Row 38
39
40
almost there
41
42
forty…
Saylee paused.
She found her seat…seated next to her was a man she never met before. The man . He had disheveled hair and had a somewhat bored expression. He had his right leg crossed over, with it’s ankle resting on his left knee. It faced towards an empty seat. On the other side of the empty seat, was the window seat. There was a man sitting at the window seat…
Dammit.
What the odds? He’s gonna give me the stink eye the whole flight there.
She took a seat, the man by the window hasn’t noticed her yet, as eyes were focused on something out in open space.
The man next to her seat ignored her, as he was now suddenly trying to rip one of his sleeves off.
Ah, this is going to be great. I’m seated next to this oddball and my former neighbor.
Is former neighbor the right term? I don’t know-
The passenger next to Saylee ripped one of his sleeves off. The man smiled with satisfaction. He began to rip the other sleeve off.
The sound caught the attention of the man by the window, who started at the sleeveless man before directing his attention at Saylee.
Saylee was trying to look nonchalant in actively looking around in any other direction.
The man by the window spoke, “Hey, you”
The sleeve-less man turned, “You talking to me?”
“No, not you”
“Alright”, The sleeveless man began to mess with sleeve cloth.
Saylee slowly turned to look at the man who was squinting his green eyes at her.
“Oh, are you talking to me?” Saylee asked, feigning surprise
“…yes”
“Okay, why?”
“I just wanted to ask if you’re feeling better today?”
“I guess. I’m not going to cause a scene if that’s what you’re wondering. You can take a nap on the plane without worrying about me punching the walls”
“I’m just asking-”
The man between spoke, “You punch walls?”
“In my past life, I would’ve said no. In this new life, maybe. I did for a bit. I don’t plan to currently”
“Do you think on the New Earth that they have fight cl-”
The man by the window cut him off, “probably not, now, if you excuse me, we were talking”
“We’re? Don’t you mean currently talking?”
“Are you dense?”
The men glared at one another.
Saylee stepped in, “Calm it you two. I believe we are all going through a tough time right now. I don’t want to have an awkward…how long is the flight say on the boarding pass?”
The man by the window shrugged, “It doesn’t”
“So we could be on plane for several hours, I don’t want to sit here with feeling awkward next to you two”
The man by the window ran a hand through his hair, “This is space travel. Even though we got here from here from Earth fast. We don’t know how far New Earth is. It could take days”
The man between them spoke, “Months, or even years”
Saylee stood up, “Um, no thanks. Serina! Flight attendant!”
The other passengers seated in the rows in front of her, looked back at Saylee with an assortment of expressions. Ranging from annoyance and concern.
The flight attendants expression frowned slightly before she began walking up towards their row.
Serina leaned towards Saylee, “Yes? Is everything OK? Are you alright? Can I get you anything, you sound distressed”
Saylee’s heart was beating fast, “Please, for my own sanity. Please tell me that this is a short trip to New Earth”
Serina was hesitant for a moment. “I…I’m not supposed to say. Once the ship departments the station, the Captain will give an announcement on the flight details. Please be patient”
“Can I get an estimate, is it a few hours?”
Serina face went into a deep frown. She glanced around the cabin before she leaned over and whispered, “I wish I could say yes. I’m sorry. Please wait for the announcement”
Serina gave an apologetic pat onto Saylee’s shoulder before she turned away to walk towards the front of the plane. The flight attendant paused a few times on her way upfront, answering other passenger questions as she made her way up. The seats on the third level were nearly full as the stream of passengers walking up the stairs started to trickle down.
Saylee leaned her head forward, resting her forehead onto the backside of the headrest in front of her.
The man by the window spoke, “Hey, I wanted to ask-”
Saylee cut him off, “What is your name?”
“Josh”
“And you sleeveless guy, whats your name?”
“Friends call me Crackle”
“Of course they do. Now, Josh and Crack, if you could stay silent for a moment. I need to close my eyes for a moment or I’m going to-”
Crackle shoved Saylee.
Saylee nearly fell out of her seat, She adjusted herself back onto her seat. Crackle was glaring daggers at her.
“Don’t call me Crack. It’s Crackle”. The man sneered at her.
Josh, staring daggers at the man, clenched his fists.
Saylee spoke with an acidic tone, “Fine. Crackle it is.” She turned quickly, firmly slamming her elbow into his throat.
Crackle, caught off guard. Began having a coughing fit.
Saylee saw Serina rush over, with concern on her face.
Saylee and Josh shook their heads. Josh gave a thumbs up, “He’s fine. He’s laughing a little too hard. My jokes have that effect. If you could grab a glass a water for the man, I’m sure he’d appreciate it”
Serina nodded slowly while side glancing at the man coughing. She frowned, “Okay, I’ll grab some water”. She quickly strode off.
Josh patted Crackles back with some excessive vigor, “Hey friend, if you happen to lay a hand on her again, Saylee won’t be the only one here to strike you”
Josh’s expression displayed a friendly smile for any onlookers, but his eyes were anything but kind as they stared directly at the man.
Crackle eyed them both but said nothing. His body slouched as he crossed his arms and faced forward. His face was still red, from the coughing and from losing composure but eh wisely sat there and said nothing.
A projected red light at center of the cabin ceiling appeared. An icon for the seat belt to be buckled.
A voice echoed from above, “Hello newborns-I mean passengers.” There was silence in response, “…that was a joke. If you died recently on a aircraft and you now find yourself on this aircraft….I’m sorry. But hey, at least this different because it’s a spacecraft. No uncomfortable turbulence. Even as we prepare to fly past a meteor belt, this will be a less rocky experience than your recent experience you had on this space station”
There was a few soft chuckles heard from around the cabin. The captain seemed content by the response. “Where are my manners, let me introduce myself, this is your Captain Jerry speaking. The main door is closed and we’ll be preparing for take off. Please buckle your seat belt. Now, while I wait for the all clear for us to depart this grand station, please listen to your flight attendants. They will go over a important safety brief. I highly recommend listening to them. A commercial flight through space isn’t without its’ risks. I need you all to pay close attention. As per policy, If you die in space, Continuation Inc. is not responsible for locating your afterlife’s essence. Continuation inc will not search for one’s essence as it’s floating and screaming aimlessly through space for the rest of eternity. Lost passengers who fail to listen to safety protocols will not be located”
Captain Jerry’s announcement was met with what felt like a long uncomfortable silence but it really just lasted for several seconds. Captain Jerry spoke into the microphone again, “Now that I have everyone’s attention, please listen to your flight attendants. They will guide and educate you in on how to survive in space in case of any unforeseen circumstances during our journey to New Earth”
The flight attendant at the front of the deck, Serina, had slid open a side panel in the wall next to the staircase. She pulled out a space helmet and what appeared to be…a flotation device. She held them out in front of her. Smiling at the passengers and stood holding the items at the ready in front of her. The flight attendant strained the maintain the smile, as she appeared eager to get on with the usual safety demonstration speech she gave every flight, but couldn’t until the Captain was finished speaking.
“Now, passengers, before I pass your attention over to the flight attendants. I wanted to announce that once we get the all clear to depart to our destination and once I give the all clear to unbuckle your shiny space seat-belts. I highly recommend that you try out our new flight amenity…a brand new pickle-ball court! The pickle-ball court is available to use on the second flight level. In addition, I’m happy to say that we are offering free complimentary food and drinks are at the bar. You heard me correct, the wait is over, use those brand new stomachs cuz’ your friends at Continuation Inc. are picking up the tab!”
There were several cheers heard throughout the cabin.
There was an silent yet visible sigh from the flight attendant Serina before she began her safety brief.
Saylee placed her elbow onto her armrest, before slowly smacking her face onto the palm of her hand.
She began to Internally groan in annoyance.
From the corner of her eye, she caught Josh slip out a smirk as he turned to face the window.