The Eleusian Effect

August 3, 2169 0209 Hours

I removed the patch from my thigh and laid down next to Bill. I decided to stay with him to make sure he’d be all right. He might even think we had made the move. I didn’t really need much sleep anymore but I like to keep the routine and I did feel better afterwards. Another effect was that I could sleep as deep or as light as I wanted to. I laid back on the bed and I thought about having a life as a civilian. A husband, kids, and a comfortable career as a local doctor. Sounded nice. Yet, the stars called to me. I didn’t think I’d spent my entire career with GASA, exploring space, although I wanted to see what was out there. To be one of the first to contact an alien race. I had dreams like that since I was a kid. I looked at Bill and wondered if he would wait for me. Would that be fair to him? Would I survive to come back? These were all the reasons I stayed single-to go into space unfettered. I slept for a few hours and got up. Bill was still passed out so I went down to the restaurant for coffee and a light breakfast. I decided to let Bill sleep it off and went exploring in downtown Salem. I was charmed by its old world flavor. The old colonial buildings, the House of the Seven Gables and the wharf. I stopped into a little book shop called The Omega House and looked over some New Age books. The New Age movement was a popular fad about 100 years ago and this store catered to those who still gave it any credibility. I found something interesting, though. There was a section of books in the corner that looked like no one paid attention to it for a long time. There were ancient texts, like ‘Chariots of the Gods?’, and ‘Out On A Limb’, but there was one that was very unassuming. It spoke of ancient beings and their thirst for conquest. ‘Gods and Man, Are we Truly Alone in the Cosmos?’ It piqued my interest so I purchased it and went back to the hotel.

I went to the room and Bill was in the shower. I decided to put the patch on again, just to be safe. I started to have thoughts about him naked in the shower. I hadn’t showered for a while, so while I had the urge to hop in the shower with him, I still wasn’t sure of his intentions. I knocked on the door and cracked it open. “Bill? You okay?” “I’ll live,” He moaned.

“You really tied one on last night.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin your evening.”

“No, it was fine. I guess I didn’t drink as much as I thought.”

“Really? I thought you matched me dead on.”

“Well I never finish a drink. The waiter wasn’t happy with me.”

“Oh.”

“It’s 10am. I think you can still get breakfast downstairs.”

“No, just coffee. It’s about all I can handle.”

“All right.”

Bill didn’t seem in the mood for anything other than recovering so I went along. I brought up some coffee and we went to the veranda. There was a love seat and we sat closely. Bill still had a hint of alcohol odor but was functional. “Well. We do we have planned for today?” “It’s been a nice weekend. I’m not obligated to anything today.”

“Awesome. The hoverbike should be fully charged by now. We can cruise around town or head back Nantucket, or go back to the city.” I moved in close to his face. “I’d prefer to stay put for a little while.” I took control and kissed him. We made out for about an hour and I couldn’t take it anymore. “Let’s go.” He obediently followed me with his hand in mine and we rushed back to the room. The patch would only be good for another day so I didn’t waste it. I was a virgin, in the female sense, so many of these sensations and emotions I was feeling for the first time. I wanted to wait until I was married but I just couldn’t help myself. The lovemaking process seemed different than I thought. My cells seemed to vibrate and I felt like I was charged with electricity. About 2 hours later, we lay in bed, tired but relaxed. “That was amazing.” Bill said.

“Thanks. You were pretty good yourself.”

“Just pretty good?”

“Well, it takes practice.”

August 3, 2169 1145 Hours

We decided to check out Salem State University before we headed back to Nantucket. We found the campus and enjoyed its academic splendor. Bill showed me his old dorm, we toured the campus with some prospective students and got some food at the O’Keefe Center. We went up to the Sky Campus (a floating platform that housed the astronomy department and a planetarium) to visit the astronomy department and see a show at the planetarium. Unfortunately, the pleasant atmosphere was interrupted by some Anti-Space protesters. A group had formed on the landing platform with their tablets and mesh digital picket signs.

“Keep Man on the Ground!”

“Stay on your own planet!”

“Don’t pollute the universe!”

College campuses have always been hotbeds of liberalism and protesting. Young students learn about many issues and then find time to oppose them. Their idealism was admirable, albeit sometimes misplaced. Bill and I decided to go back down to the ground and avoid the commotion. The protesters blocked us from the launch point so we tried to work our way over. I noticed a young boy, a freshman I would imagine, who seemed lost and nervous. The crowd was starting to get unruly and Bill and I were separated. The safety field had been turned off and the controls smashed. I was able to force my way through but I needed to find that boy. I could see the hoverbike and Bill had left the fusion key in it. The nervous young man was dangerously close to the edge and it was a half mile drop to the ground. I tried to keep an eye on him as he was being pushed to the edge. I had a bad feeling about his immediate future so I fought to get toward the bike. Finally, I leaped over 3 people and landed on the bike. I fired it up just in time to see the young man slip off the edge to certain death. Instinctively, I gunned the hoverbike and dove after him. I knew how to build speed and I raced the bike directly toward the falling student. I was on him in a couple of seconds and grabbed his arm. The angle he was at allowed me to use momentum to swing him up and behind me. He grabbed me around the waist and held on for dear life as I pulled up on the controls. The bike shifted upwards and I gunned the engine to stop our descent. We bumped the ground but shot up again. I did a full circle around to blow off the momentum. Once we landed I asked him, “Are you okay?” He nodded then vomited off to the side. “Are you sure? I am a doctor.” He composed himself enough to say, “Yes. Thank you! You saved my life.” “Well like I said, I’m doctor. That’s what I do. What’s your name?”

Jake. Jake Stevens.”

“Well Jake. Go home and rest. You’ve had a traumatic day.”

“I will. Thanks, Doc.”

He wobbled off toward some buildings and I took a moment. I realized I forgot something up at Sky Campus. “Bill!” I fired up the fusion drive and climbed into the sky. I took my time so I looked out over the city as I went upward. I landed at the platform and Bill was waiting for me. I smiled the sweetest smile I could muster and landed. “Hi, Bill.” “Are you okay? I was scared to death!”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Did you save him?”

“Yes. Jake is fine. Shaken, but nothing a hot shower and a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”

“That was incredible! How did you do it?”

“I couldn’t have done it without you. I watched you ride the bike and I am a quick study. As a GASA doctor, you have to be creative under pressure.” “You are amazing.” Bill planted a passionate kiss on my lips.

“Let’s go home.” I was ready for a quiet evening.

August 3, 2169 1800 Hours

We took our time flying back to Nantucket. I wanted to see my parents and sleep in my own bed. I felt a little more tired than usual. Bill landed the bike in front of my house and we sat on the front porch. We didn’t talk much but we did want to see each other again. I thought that a full day apart would give us time to recharge. Bill had some business to take care of anyway so we made a dinner date on Tuesday. I kissed him for as long as I could stand it and we said goodbye. “So Tuesday, then? About 4pm?” He really didn’t want to leave but being ever the gentleman, he gave me some space.

“Count on it.” I giggled.

We parted ways and I floated into the house. My Dad was watching television. “Hi Dad.”

“Hi Sweetie. How was your date?”

“It was amazing.”

“I’ll bet. Have you seen the news?”

“No.”

My father had that sarcastic, joking tone in his voice. “Apparently, some lady doctor in Salem saved a young student from certain death. The young man was the Governor’s son.” He handed me a tablet. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. They didn’t get her name though.”

“Wow. That’s a good thing.”

“This is why I didn’t have any problem about your change. You are still the same caring, amazing person that I raised. Plus it wasn’t your fault.” “What wasn’t my fault?”

“Your gender change.”

“What if it was?”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say that I wanted to change into a woman. Would you feel the same way you do now?”

“I honestly don’t know, Sweetie. It’s unprecedented. But what I do know is this: if even if you did, I would never stop loving you. No matter what. I would whatever I had to protect you, too. But see, I knew I raised you right. Whatever happened I knew you were a person of great integrity. So I wasn’t worried.” “Thanks, Dad.”

“You bet. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Where’s Mom?”

“On her way back from her Alzheimer’s treatment. She only has a few more.”

“Great. I’m sure that’s a big relief.”

“You betcha. So how are you going to handle this hero thing?”

“Handle it?”

“People are going to want to know more about you. ‘The woman doctor that saved the governor’s son’. People will be curious.” “Crap. That’s not what I wanted.”

“You may need to keep a low profile then. You can camp out here til it blows over.”

“I may need to cancel my date.”

“With Bill? When?”

“Tomorrow at 4pm. We were going to grab an early dinner. Maybe a movie.”

“If you stay local, it may be easier. I suggest staying here on the island. Oran Mor Restaurant may be open or the American Season.” “That’s a good idea. Let me give Bill a call.” I got my tablet and dialed. “Hey there. I was hoping you’d call.” “Yeah. I gazed at him for a moment. “Anyway, about tomorrow.”

“Are we still on?”

“Yes! Of course. But I was hoping we could stay on the island.”

“Shunning the spotlight, are we?”

“You’ve heard.”

“Yes and I am proud of you-and still very amazed.”

“Thanks.” I mooned over him more. “What do you say to Oran Mor or American Season?”

“The Season has live entertainment.”

“The Season it is. See you at 4.”

“See you then.” We both hesitated to hang up. Finally, I snapped out of my school girl fog and said goodbye.

Dad spoke up with concern, “Not to be a downer, but what happens when you ship out? You’re not supposed to have any ties here.” “I know, and he knows I’m going back into space.”

“I just don’t want you to get sidetracked. Just be careful.”

“Okay, Dad,”