The Trip

Donovan stood in front of a huge window overlooking the vastness of space. He was waiting for a transport to take him to a research station on one of Saturn's moons. Below him was the earth, that big blue marble hanging on nothing but held in place by the gravity of the sun.

He was both anxious and reluctant as the minutes passed. He was anxious because it was the opportunity of a lifetime, but he was reluctant because it meant he would have limited contact with others of his kind. There was only a dozen people stationed at the research center and the isolation would mess with his head.

He had been trained for that. He spent 12 months in a biosphere with 4 other inhabitants. He knew what he was getting into, he was prepared. He was just staring out into space, but his attention was brought back. He felt a shift in the movement of the air which caused him to turn around. He was face to face with a young woman. She looked like she was in her early twenties. She had dark hair and dark eyes and was wearing standard issue clothing.

"May I help you?" Donovan asked matter-of-factly.

"It's pretty big, isn't it?" the young woman asked, staring out into space.

"Excuse me?" Donovan responded.

"Space." The young woman clarified, "There's just a whole lot of space. No matter how many times I see it, I just can't get over how big it is."

"Have you been in space?" Donovan asked, trying to be polite.

"I've been to Mars." the young woman explained, "I have some friends that live there. I don't know why anyone would want to leave the Earth, but I guess curiosity makes people want to go out into space. Where are you going?" The young woman added the last part because she didn't want to seem impolite herself.

"I'm headed for the research station on Titan. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity." Donovan answered.

"Wow" the young woman said softly, "You must be really smart. How long are you going to be there?"

"4 years." Donovan answered.

"That's a long time." The young woman followed up, "If I had to be in a research station for 4 years, I'd go bat-shit crazy." The young woman's voice was low and steady.

"I've had training." Donovan followed up, "I was in a biosphere for 12 months."

"How did that go?"

"It took some adjusting to, but I managed it well."

"That's good."

"Where are you headed?" Donovan asked, wanting to get his mind on something else.

"I'm going to the research station on Titan just like you are." The young woman answered.

"I didn't know anyone else was going to the research station." Donovan said with some uncertainty in his voice.

"They don't always tell you things you should know." The young woman admitted.

"Why are you going there?" Donovan asked.

"It's my home." The young woman admitted, "I don't like to be gone for too long."

"I didn't know that anyone permanently lived there." Donovan said.

"Like I said, there don't always tell you things you should know." The young woman restated.

"What else should I know?" Donovan asked.

"You'll find out." the young woman answered playfully, "but don't worry, you're in good hands with me." A chill went down Donovan's spine.

"Were you born there?" Donovan asked.

"Yes, I was born there." The woman answered. She let the words hang in the air and then started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Donovan asked.

"I was just messing with you. I just got back from Mars and I'm going back to Earth. The look on your face was priceless." Donovan felt relieved.

"Do you always mess with people like this?" Donovan asked.

"Only ones I like." She said as she walked away. Donovan felt the desire to pursue her but stopped himself. He was going to be gone for 4 years, falling for someone right before he left didn't seem like a good idea. It was better to just let her go.

The call finally came for Donovan to board the transport. He found his seat and was strapped in. Soon he lost consciousness. He was put in a state of suspended animation for the duration of the journey. When he "woke up" he was there.

He got up out of his seat and was walking toward the exit hatch when he heard a familiar voice from behind him. "Hey, stranger." The young woman said. She came up and took a hold of his hand like they were lovers and had known each other for years. She led him off the transport and into the research station. Once they were on the station she gave him a passionate kiss. "I have to go now." She said, "But I'll see you later."

After she had left, the chief administrator of the station greeted Donovan. "Donovan" He greeted him by shaking his hand, "I have been looking forward to meeting you." The administrator noticed Donovan's bewildered expression. "Is there something wrong?"

"Who was that woman?" Donovan asked.

"What woman?" The administrator asked back.

"The woman on the transport?" Donovan clarified.

"You were the only passenger on the transport." The administrator stated matter-of-factly.

"There was a woman. I met her at the transport station and then appeared on the transport when I got here." The administrator smiled.

"I know what is going on here. It is an effect of you coming out of hibernation. A side effect is that sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. You meet the woman at the transport station. You liked her and so your brain brought her with you here. Don't worry about it. The effect will pass."

"Are you sure?" Donovan asked, not entirely sure.

"You will see for yourself." the administrator assured, "I will show you to your quarters and you can get settled in." The administrator led Donovan down several corridors until he stopped in front of a door. After opening the door, it led into a single room. The room had a bed and that was pretty much it.

"Don't I get more than a bed?" Donovan asked.

"We live simply here, most of our time is spent in our work." The administrator replied.

After saying that, the administrator left, and Donovan was alone. He sat on his bed and put his head in his hands. He was still reluctant, but he was here, he couldn't back out now.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw the young woman again. "Don't worry" She said, "I'll help you relax." After saying that, she sat on his lap and started kissing him slowly and passionately. She felt real. She looked real. He pushed her away. She grabbed his hands. He tried to break free, but she was strong. She was stronger than she should be. She smiled and went back to kissing him. "You're my pet" said told him, "And the sooner you accept that, the more fun we'll have."