Thread: The Passage (Rauk x ScifiNudist)

An ITS is a strange, hybrid creature of a spacecraft, designed to launch from the surface of planets, fly between planets and land again. Octavia had never before flown on any other craft so ridiculously overbuilt. Every other craft she had flown on were either surface to orbit or orbit to orbit vessels with a singular, modular purpose in mind. The ITS, on the other hand, were true all purpose spaceships, and luxuriously appointed with room and accommodations. In the uppermost parts of the ship there was, at the top, a gigantic dome of an observation deck with a geodesic, panoramic window. This, at least, Octavia could understand, it being mostly empty space, it was essentially an atmospheric fairing that served double duty as a recreation area, adding only marginal weight to the overall ship. But the level of facilities below the observation deck, additional restaurants, a separate gymnasium, a spa, were, even as she passed them by and saw them with her own eyes, unbelievable to the seasoned space-miner. She floated up the tunnel and into the open common area, and immediately had to grip the side of the tunnel with hands and feet, a futile reflex, as though she were about to be sucked out into space. Um, excuse me? Octavia's heart was racing, her breathing quick and laboured. Excuse me, Miss? Octavia whipped her head back, startled to look at the man hanging behind her in the tunnel. You, uh, you mind if I just squeeze past? The man was tubby and flushed, his face looking as though he was having an alergic reaction, his eyes tiny, lost in his swollen, overstuffed face. Octavia recoiled from the sight of the Earther and flipped herself with one hand on the lip of the tunnel both into the observation deck and away from the man. She took a deep breath and made an effort to steady her breathing. It was a very large space to be in without a space suit - a larger space than she had ever been in, since leaving Earth, without the comfort of a helmet close at hand. It was a disconcerting feeling, and for the first time in years, she felt very exposed. She felt very naked. Octavia! At the wall, Octavia, put a bare foot against the wall and pivoted, looking up. Coming her way were a couple of familiar faces, and, despite her discomfort, she smiled. Els! Martin! How are you! She clasped armed with Els as she floated in close enough and, her foot under a handhold in the wall, pulled her friend to the surface of the outer wall. Martin reoriented himself with a handhold. Doing well! Looks like we'll be shipmates all the way to the Red! I had no idea you two would be on this passage! How wonderful! Are you staying? I am, Martin's got another passage to make before his citizenship offer, but we've done long distance before, she joked. The term long distance was an understatement, given that Martin had, for a time, been posted as medical officer on Callisto while Els had been medical officer on the Mercury outpost, their relationship kept going for the better part of a decade via correspondence alone. Well I'm glad for the company. Oh, I see you're both official ITS staff now. Do you have a proper cabin? Or are you both in the crew compartments? I've a cabin, sharing it with this one. Company likes saving space where it can. I'm sure they'd be thrilled if we had agreed to take another company employee to bunk with us for the duration of the flight, rest of the crew would certainly be happy, more space for them! Els laughed. Octavia re-positioned herself so Martin and Els could press their backs to the outer wall. Martin's hand holding her ankle and stopping her from flying off she situated herself so she was floating just before them, her back to the middle of the large open space. I was so worried I wouldn't know anyone on this flight - so many Earthers in this lot, I was worried I have to go down to the crew areas to get any sensible conversation or company. Well, you've got us! Martin assured her. You're always welcome in our cabin, Octy, he winked. I'm so glad. I'm also... Octavia stopped and looked at Els, who looked as though she was trying, desperately, to stifle a laugh. What? What is it? Before Octavia could turn around and see what Els was looking at, another human body collided into her at that moment, pushing her into the wall. Els and Martin spread apart to avoid becoming part of the dogpile. Hitting the wall, very softly, Octavia, sputtering and swearing, pushed off and allowed Els and Martin to catch her by the ankle and wrist to stop her from flying off, slowly, into the central area of the room. What the fuck is this!? she shouted at the hand gripping her stomach and her thigh. A head popped forward from between her legs. Hi, ma'am. The name's Benedict Wilson, said the face looking up at her from between her legs. She could feel his breath on her crotch his face was so close to it. What the fuck kind of koala are you? She saw the level to which the young man's face was swollen and sighed. Another Earther. Are you really so lost in freefall that you find yourself gripping the first solid object you come across? she scolded. Els was having fits of laughter. Looks like you've found your cabin-mate. Octavia sighed and reached down to grip the young man's collar. Let go of me, boy. She pulled him up, from between her legs, and pressed him back against the wall, between Els and Martin. She put a steadying hand on his chin and looked at him. Well, he's handsome enough, for an flush-faced Earther, anyway. What do you think, boy-o? Do you think you could keep up with me in my cabin? Think you could get it up in microgravity yet? You're already grabbing my butt, do you think you can follow through?