Sunsets and Nameless Faces

Solar Breeze Space Port Resort was not big but it had a number of unique qualities that made it very popular. First, it had been designed and financed by the Swiss and was neutral ground. Uniforms of any sort were strictly forbidden as were weapons. Second, it was built on a small planet that due to a high level of organic material in the air provided remarkable sunsets and sunrises every six hours. The artificial climates provided everything for the tourist from Alpine skiing to tropical scuba diving. But the best thing about Solar Breeze was that your reservation was a numbered account. No names and no faces were ever revealed. On arrival, each tourist was fitted with a metal bracelet that could not be removed by anyone but the Swiss authorities at the space station. It was preprogramed so only those you had selected could see your real face. Others would see only a digital created image reflecting your racial and sexual status. As the ads said: On Solar Breeze, you leave your self behind and get to be the person you always wanted to be. Discover the inner you. Spend a holiday that no one will ever know you had. Be free in paradise. In short, it was a perfect place for a clone-cyborg officer to explore a relationship with an enlisted human.

Anna was nervous. She had never done anything like this before. Of course, she'd heard about Solar Breeze and other such resorts scattered through the systems but she'd never been to one. If half the stories she'd heard were true, then the resorts must be pretty wild places. She felt uneasy about going and yet these were places used by many space travelling people for a little relaxation. She'd picked up a galactic transport seven days ago and had changed to civilian clothes that morning. She now stood by waiting for the space elevator that would take her to the resort. Already she'd had her bracelet attached by a greeting official and been told that her friend had already arrived.

The elevator doors opened and several strangers exited the compartment. The only one remaining inside was Jill. Anna smiled and stepped into the elevator her concerns left behind for the time.

“I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too.”

The doors closed and Anna stepped closer and wrapped Jill into her arms. They were still kissing when the elevator slowed to ground level five miles below.

Stepping away from each other although there was no need, they waited for the doors to open.

“You look wonderful in civilian clothes,” Jill commented as they stepped out into the main terminal of the space port. “Come on. Your bag will be sent to our hotel. I booked us in to a small cabin on a deserted island. Tropical, great diving and sailing and all the time and privacy we need.”

Anna smiled, here among thongs of people coming and going she felt awkward again. She hadn't got used to the idea yet that only Jill could recognize her. Jill seemed to understand and kept her distance, and the conversation general while they made their way to their rented flier and programmed in their destination. A few minutes later, they were air borne and Jill reached over and took Anna's hand.

“You okay about this?”

Anna considered. “About us, yes. But I'm nervous. I've never been involved before. I don't know how my body will react and I don't know how to please you.”

Jill gave Anna a nudge. “I think we can work it out. We have so far.”

Anna smiled. Jill always knew just what to say to make her feel calm. She never dwelled on her cybernetic side like others did but focussed on her as a human. For several minutes, they had been flying over a beautiful ocean. The flier now banked and they could see below a chain of islands. The flier slowed, lost altitude and glided to rest on the beach of one of these tropical atolls. The bubble dome slid back.

Welcome to Solar Breeze's Aqua Waters Island Retreat. Your full stocked cabin will be your special and private home for the next week. If you require any special service please ring for island service. The staff and management of Solar Winds wishes you freedom and happiness while you enjoy Solar Breeze's special form of relaxation and recreation.

Anna and Jill climbed out of the flier and headed over to their cabin. Anna's bags were already there on the porch.

“Wow, that's quick service.”

“You're just used to the ISC system were everything has to be requested four times, and you add ten weeks to the promised delivery time. Let's go for a swim. Did you bring a bathing suit?”

“Yes.”

“You won't need it,” said Jill disappearing into the cabin to pick up a few beach towels. By the time Anna had brought her bag in, Jill was stripping down to her skin.

Anna's eyes got wide and a ball of desire dropped to her hips. “You meant it.”

“Sure did, Commodore. Strip, that's an order.” Anna obliged then made a grab for Jill, but laughing, Jill skipped away.

“Noooo. Swim first. I've got this mission planned out to the second.” Jill offered her hand and Anna smiling foolishly let herself be led down to the white sand beach. Jill spread out the towels near the beach solar kitchen and then kissing Anna she sprinted off into the ocean. Anna was right behind her. They made a beautiful pair. Youthful, fit bodies knifed through the water side by side, turning and twisting around each other. Hair smoothed back and wet, drops of water glistening on their faces and shoulders and laughter floating in on the waves. They waded to shore and walked along the beach holding hands comfortable with their nakedness and totally free at last to show their feelings for each other.

Returning to their beach towels, Jill took a minute to program the solar kitchen unit and then pulled Anna down on the towels. At first, it was all about kissing; hot, demanding kisses followed by deep passionate ones. Kisses that caressed, explored and teased until want demanded more and hands explored and bodies rubbed and arched together.

Solar Breeze put on a magnificent sunset that night but neither of them saw it beyond the pink shades that highlighted their bodies as they at last claimed each other. The seagulls cries could be heard far out at sea, the ocean lapped gently reflecting an age old rhythm, a gentle breeze blew the scent on brine and tropical flowers around them and they noticed nothing but each other.

Later, they shared a meal of fresh lobster, warm bread, tropical fruit and wine. The moon rose, a pearl in a diamond studded sky of stars. They made love, slept in each others arms, woke and swam in the cool navy waters then made love again until they fell asleep in each others arms.

It was Anna who woke first just as the pink shades of light rose over the ocean. The crests of the waves sparkled and the sunrise spread its warming colours turning navy to royal blue, to red, pink and then gradually the agua blue of a tropical ocean. Jill sat between Anna's legs leaning against her breasts. Anna leaned forward and dropped kisses on her neck.

“I love you.”

Jill turned to capture Anna's lips with her own and then murmured, “I love you too.”

They sat contented watching the new day dawn and then programmed in a breakfast of fruit cheese, chocolate croissants and coffee.

“I learned to ride an animal,” Anna suddenly said, between sips of coffee.

“What?”

“A horse. It was big too.”

Jill laughed. “You learned to ride a horse? Where?”

“New Mexico. Carlos took me to stay with his family while we got over planetary readjustment. They have a cattle ranch and his parents said I could be one of their children too. I really like the area. I didn't think I would at first because its so different from a space ship but I do. Carlos said you are from that area so I thought we could buy land there and...”

“Anna, slow down. What are you talking about? Why would Carlos know I was from there?”

“He knows your family. He said your parents raised excellent rodeo bulls.”

Anna thought that Jill would be happy that she had learned and enjoyed a little of her heritage but Jill stiffened in her arms, got up and went to slip into her shorts and t-shirt.

“You'd better get some clothes on. The sun is getting strong and you'll burn sitting there.”

Anna got to her feet and brushed the sand off her body before reaching for her clothes. “What's the matter?”

“Nothings the matter.”

“Jill, something is the matter.”

“I don't like talking about my past, okay. Let it drop.”

“Okay, we don't have to have land there we could get a place on a Star Port or another planet.”

“Anna, for God's sakes this is sex! It's not a commitment. We barely know each other.”

Anna was totally confused. She thought they were in love. She thought it would be forever. She didn't know why Jill was so angry. Maybe is was because of the sex abuse. She wondered if she should mention it then decided not to. Jill was angry enough. She swallowed hard trying to force back a wave of pain and disappointment. Maybe she'd been too needy, thinking that she had found at last someone who cared about her. Maybe she wasn't a good enough lover. Or maybe Jill just didn't believe in commitment. Jill was right. They didn't know a lot about each other.

“I'd better go unpack.”

“Anna?”

“Yes.”

“I'm sorry I was so prickly.” Jill gave Anna a hug. “There are some issues from my childhood that I'm not ready to face yet. Let's get you settled in and then maybe we could try out our swim suits and do some driving on the reef. Okay?”

Anna smiled although she still felt slightly off kilter because of Jill's remarks. “Sure. Let's do that.”

They spent a magical week together. Playing in the sun, having dinners out at various resorts, sightseeing and making love to each other with no inhibitions or worries. At the end, Anna wished that she could stay there forever just loving Jill. It was a nice fantasy but she knew that was all it was. She was the Commodore of a small but important fleet and her life was not meant to be lived at a pleasure port but on the fridges of space. As they dressed to leave, the worries of Anna's new assignment came back to haunt her.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

“What?”

“Its an archaic expression. It means what are you thinking?”

Anna sat down on their bed and pulled Jill on her lap. “I was thinking that maybe you shouldn't go on this mission. Maybe you should stay behind and get a good start on your engineering degree.”

“I'm taking my degree through the Gigantean Council of Engineers. They're the very best but it also allows me to study under Toda so my education will not be hampered in any way by my being aboard. You know that so what is the real reason you want to leave me behind?”

Anna blushed. “You didn't pass your security check. I had to vouch for you to get you aboard at all. Maybe, its not a good idea. Maybe its wrong for me to back you like that. You should be free to earn your own respect and trust with the ISC.”

“True, but I can do that better by proving myself on a top security mission. No, Anna that argument won't hold water either. Tell me the truth.”

Anna held on to Jill and spoke into the nape of her neck. “I've been told it's a suicide mission by an anthropologist who worked in that sector. There seems to be an alien race living in the dark matter who have been systematically taking hominoids from the planet surface. I don't want to lose you. I can't.”

Jill pulled herself free and stood up, hands on hips looking down at Anna. “Commodore don't you dare pull that shit on me. We are professionals. When we are aboard ship we do what our duty commands and if one of us meets death then the other one will have to find the strength to go on. We know the risks of our jobs. And if you think for a minute, Anna Cyborn, that I'm going to stay behind while you face dangers alone you are sadly mistaken. I'm going to be right there with the rest of the crew watching your back.”

Anna managed a weak smile. “I love you for your courage and loyalty but it still scares the hell out of me.”

Jill slipped back into Anna's arms. “Me too. Put part of any relationship is knowing someday you will have to say goodbye. It's the price of happiness and it's a high one. Can you accept that?”

Anna nodded too emotional to get the words out. She knew Jill was right that didn't make it any easier. She'd had no idea how complicated this love thing was.

Five hours later, Anna waited while the Swiss Solar Breeze Authority removed her digital identity bracelet so that she could take the space elevator to where her transport waited. Jill had left hours before and would arrive back at The Mariner in four days time. Anna would report to Star Port Gagaran before returning to her ship. She would be a full day behind Jill arriving.

She found this sneaking around about their relationship more and more awkward and annoying. Many people were gay and that was no problem but her rank was and the fact that she was seen as a cyborg was an even bigger issue. Just reminding herself of the problems made Anne feel irritated. She took her seat, buckled in for the acceleration stage and tried to focus on the job ahead.