The second my tutors' holograms disappear, Adam's voice fills the room and the command bridge suddenly becomes a warm, cozy place. God, I love to hear it so much. A wide grin instantly brightens my face. I'd wear him on my wrist as a bracelet, so that I can carry my man everywhere with me. I still can't believe he is no longer hidden in his tiny chamber during the day. Even better, he seems willing to spend his time with me.

   "Hey, Puppy," Adam greets cheerfully. "Is everything okay on the front line? Aurora told me the big bosses had just left. I hope they didn't stress you out too much."

   "Mhm... Hey..." Why am I at a sudden loss of words and blushing like crazy? I look around as if there is anything in the cockpit that would help me act more normal. Nothing of the kind can be found, so I finally mumble, "I missed you, Daddy."

   "Haru, you're such a schmuck when you fancy someone," Aurora puffs like a deflating balloon. "It's a pity you can't see how hard I'm rolling my eyes. I tell you honestly, I wouldn't have gone anywhere with you if you were this badly whipped two years ago. You'll have us all abducted by aliens. Cool your jets for God's sake."

   "Cool my what?" I hiss. "Respect your captain, lady, or I'll deactivate your speech module. And what the hell is a schmuck? Who told you this word? It wasn't me for sure."

   Adam is laughing his head off and I really wish he was here. I'd gladly give him one of my glares. 

   "Misha expanded my vocabulary while everyone was waiting for you to crawl out of bed," Arora informs me proudly. "He said you deserved a little revenge for continuing to mess with his programs after he clearly asked you not to."

   "Both you and Admiral Orlov are schmucks," I scowl.

   "Do you want to tell him in person?" my audacious ship giggles.

   "Go count the spheres," I send her away. "That's an order. You heard what The Commander-in chief said."

   "Yes, Sir," she retorts cheekily. "Oh, and we don't wanna shock our extraterrestrial visitors, do we? Behave, kids! Byeee! Red-hot mama out."

   "I love her," I grumble. "But Orlov is going to pay for this."

   "I doubt it," Adam snorts through laughter. "Smile, baby, cause I'm coming over. You don't expect other VIPs from Earth, do you? What if the president also decides to check on you?"

   "Really? You're coming here?" I squeal. "I don't think they'll visit again anytime soon unless there is a drastic change in the situation. And the president is surely too busy to chastise poor Admiral Hwang. I'll make a quick call to Commander Chai and then there's nothing else for us to do but wait for the rounded bastards to reach a thousand in count, so that I can load the big, bad gun."

   "So we have time. Perfect," Adam says. "You missed dinner, and breakfast, so I cooked lunch. How about a date on the bridge? It'll be great. I've always wanted to see the view through the windshield."

   "You are spoiling me," I mutter. "A space date. Who would say no to that?"

   "Good boy," my man purrs approvingly. "I'll be with you in thirty minutes."

   "Don't get lost on the way," I tease him. "It's a big ship. There are many hallways. Follow the glowing green marking."

   "Don't worry," Aurora chimes in. "I'll keep an eye on mah boy."

   "How many?" I grunt, only because she has become really annoying and I want to remind her of her duties. The worst part is that, once Orlov has made the new settings, it will be hardly possible to reverse them. He is too good even for me. Not that it will stop me from trying.

   "Seven hundred and thirty-three," she informs.

   "Estimated time to one thousand?" I ask.

   "Five hours, thirty-three minutes, seven seconds, three milliseconds, ninety..."

   "Enough," I wave my hand to stop her. "Contact Starlight. It's time to check how Commander Boonrueng is doing. And watch your mouth. Michail Orlov won't be here to save your ass when you finally manage to piss me off.

   "One would think you'd be much more agreeable after last night..." Aurora starts, but my warning growl does the magic and she adds matter-of-factly, "Connection established. Starlight on the line."

   "Hello First Rank Commander Hinode," the other ship responds amiably. "It's a pleasure to hear from you."

   "Hello, Star! The pleasure is all mine," I smile. Chai would never ever touch her original program. She is a polite and punctual girl. It would never cross her computer mind to tease a captain. "Are you keeping up with the schedule? Any technical issues?"

   "I am, Sir. We will arrive in due course. No impediments," she reports. "All systems are operating at full capacity."

   "Glad to hear it. Thank you, Star," I nod. "I would like to speak to your captain now."

   It's a great news. I can't wait to see my good friend and reach The Sky City as quickly as possible. Deep space pilots consider every colony home, even though it is not Earth. It may not show, but the spheres' persistence is starting to bother me. The desire to find safety among my own kind grows more and more with each passing hour. I sigh deeply. This is not the time to lose my composure. Chai was always able to raise my spirits during the harrowing examination sessions at the Academy. I hope he can do it for me again, now that I desperately need it.

   "Haru! How are you?" He sounds calm and as sweet as ever, but his excitement is evident in his slightly trembling voice. "You know everything is going to be okay, right? We'll step on the gas and get home in no time."

   "Yeah, all good," I try to sound nonchalant. "Of course! That's exactly what we're going to do. I'm more than fine. Nothing to worry about. They look harmless. Al Amin said they were not here, maybe in another dimension, probably just studying us."

   "He knows best," Chai agrees. "The guy is smart. If he said it, it must be true. Hey, I heard you activated The Universal Companion. Adam, right? Can't wait to meet him."

   "Mbabazi briefed you, huh?" I chuckle. "How about you? Still single?"

   "Ugh... You know me," he laughs nervously. "I didn't even dare read the manual. I can't get a word out, if someone I like talks to me. I was thinking about a co-pilot, but it made me feel too uneasy, so I gave up the idea."

   "A co-pilot?" I laugh out. "If you wanted someone to hang around while you steer the wheel, you would be flying a cruise liner, not the fastest spacecraft in the galaxy."

  We hear a cough, coming from the door. Chai is too quick to say goodbye and cut the connection. I have never seen anyone more shy than him. We sat next to each other in lectures every day and it took him a whole month before he decided it wouldn't kill him to speak to me. I shrug and turn around only to gasp at the sight. Adam is standing in the middle of the panoramic, glass hallway, staring dreamily into the starry infinity of dark space outside, torn by the ship's headlights.

   "I knew it was big," he mumbles, "and yet, I'm startled. The Universe. You can't imagine its magnitude until you see it with your own eyes. Do we actually exist? Specks of dust, floating in the boundless ocean of emptiness."

   "Yes, we do," I step towards him and take his hand, putting my palm over his heart. He seems lost and confused. I get it. His brain may be loaded with all available knowledge, but in reality he has never left my house. I tell him something I firmly believe in. "It doesn't matter what is there. The universe that exists here, inside us, is much, much bigger and I want to welcome you to mine."

   He smiles and pulls me into a tight embrace. His lips brush my ear when he barely whispers, "You are my universe."

   "What is leaking on my floor from that picnic bag you dropped at your feet?" Aurora's disgruntled voice interrupts our intimate, surreal moment. "I don't like it. Gross. Who's going to clean?"

  "My red wine steak sauce," Adam shrieks, quickly fixing the mess. "Sorry!"

   The conference table, the very place where Earth's fate was being forged no more than an hour ago, looks completely different in few minutes. It has everything necessary for a romantic date now, instead of the five admirals, exchanging views on how we shall present ourselves to the first ever sentient, extraterrestrial species we encountered. My amazing man has arranged lunch for two in a pretty tableware set of white bowls and plates with golden rims and tiny lavender flowers, painted on them. I have absolutely no idea where he might have found them. The kitchen is more than well equipped, but to be honest, I haven't opened half of the cupboards at all. The tablecloth is whiter than morning snow. There is a thick, pillar candle on an ornamented, class plate in the middle. Adam peeks questioningly at me and lights it when I nod in approval. The room is filled with the delicate scent of jasmine.

   "Well done Matsusaka beef, green beans and mushed potatoes and what's left of my sauce," Adam explains while carefully plating the food. "I brought only water and apple juice. We better be of sound mind, considering the circumstances. This here is my cotton cheesecake with strawberries."

   "Aww! You didn't have to cook a full Japanese menu, but I really appreciate it." I am so touched by his efforts to make this the perfect date that I can't find enough words to express my feeling of utter happiness. I only cup my flushed cheeks and mutter, "Thank you, baby. You're the best."

   "I have some ideas on how you can express your gratitude later," he grins and pulls out a chair for me to seat.

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Photo 178552708 © CURAphotography | istockphoto.com

Illustration © prettysleepy1 | pixabay.com

A/N

Hello at the end of Chapter 19.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting the story ❤❤❤

Do you like Aurora's extended vocabulary?😀

What was the most interesting place you've been on a date or what would choose for a future one? 

Do you think the spheres will reach a thousand in number and what is going to happen if Haru loads the weapon? 🤔

Share your thoughts, ask questions and criticize and I will be happy to respond.

And don't forget to vote, if you liked the chapter.

Love: Anny