Three-Day Flight to Freedom

By Mariya Koleva

Shine is 17 and longs to get rid of school and her family issues. A catastrophe sends her, with a group of total strangers, to another planet. Shine was keen on leaving school, not Earth, but you don't always choose your serving.

Meanwhile, on Elegrin, a prison planet nearby, a group of androids are planning a rebelliion agains the prison management. The local Resistance movement are starting their revolution.

The story covers Shine's three-day flights to her new identity and life, along with her growing to maturity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mariya Koleva
• Release date: Nov 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311267160

Mariya Koleva

After graduation in 1997 I spent some years teaching at university level. I used to teach seminars in English Literature - Victorian period. I used to teach English, too - Translation, and Writing. Later I started working independently, teaching and translating. Then, I worked as a Content Editor in order to write all the time. I used to write mostly poetry and essays (or reflections, as I would call them). In 2010, however, I started writing prose. And it turned out to be smashingly invigorating.

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THREE-DAY FLIGHT TO FREEDOM

by Mariya Koleva

Published by Mariya Koleva at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Mariya Koleva. All rights reserved

ISBN 978-1-31126716-0

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to Smashwords.com to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

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Chapter I – This Isn’t the End of the World As We Know It

October 31st, 2134 AD, Earth, City of Revin

20:45 GMT

We’re going to die! Shine wanted to yell like crazy. Her thoughts jumped up and down, left and right in her head just like a hectic ping-pong ball. The ball was hitting the walls of her head so hard that it hurt, yet it bounced off so fast that she couldn’t feel it.

Come! Don’t stand over there. Come, let’s go! Shine saw it was Vanilla yelling from the other end of the room and beckoning her there. There was dense smoke in the bar and Shine almost choked. She was surprised Vanilla’s voice reached her in the first place. The blast had deafened her.

David jumped from behind Vanilla and came to Shine, grabbed her by the elbow and dragged her to the service door. Shine was nearly blind. She was hardly conscious for the smoke, so David continued pulling her by the arm. Soon, they were in the back of a truck that was taking them somewhere. Shine couldn’t think clearly, so she just let go.

**

Vanilla’s Neighborhood

21:15 GMT

Take this one to the left. Vanilla shouted out and the sound was like a thin sharp knife. You missed it. You idiot, you missed it. She’ll be dead by now. All because of you. Vanilla’s voice was on the point of breaking.

Calm down, will you? If it wasn’t for us, she’d be dead anyway. David said and turned to the back. Shine, are you OK?

Shine heard his voice from a distance, it seemed to her. Her head ached and she felt there were cotton pads in her ears, but she knew she was fine. She moved her arms and legs, and apart from some stiffness due to keeping the same position in such narrow space, everything was in order. Yeah, I’m fine. Where are we? What happened?

OK, take this one now! Vanilla yelled again.

The truck driver, for that was not David, swerved in the block just soon enough to avoid hitting the car that was dashing their way. Horns were sounded, but Vanilla didn’t seem to care. Her voiced topped everything.

The building over there. The black one. She supported her words with pointing gestures.

Shine touched David’s shoulder, Are we going to Vanilla’s place? Are we taking Forest?

David turned back and nodded. He looked ahead again. Shine wanted to ask him what had happened, but she lost courage. She sat up and looked out of the windshield. It was very dark, there were no lit lamps and dense smoke was everywhere. Still, it seemed that the city was squirming with motion. There were other cars on the streets, and shapes were moving rapidly around.

Military Air-Base Bar

20:15 GMT

I’m just saying you have to think this over very well. Vanilla said reproachfully and after a close inspection, having got completely satisfied with the impeccable shine of the glass, she left it aside. Then she took another one. Very slowly.

Shine got irritated, You left school!

Yeah, I did. So? Do you really think it is anything to me when you remind me that?

Uh, what? Excuse me, what did you say? I didn’t quite get it?

Vanilla repeated very slowly.

If it is anything to you… What is that supposed to mean?

"What is that supposed to mean? Vanilla mocked her. That’s supposed to mean that I can’t be more hurt by your words than by what I did to myself. Do you understand that?"

I do. Stop talking so slowly and emphatically, as if I’m an idiot.

Sorry. I thought I heard you ‘didn’t understand’, so I guess, I just wanted to be clear.

No need for sarcasm.

There was silence. Shine was chewing over what she had just said and heard. She hadn’t managed the conversation particularly well. She didn’t put across her points. She sounded like a child with petty troubles, making a big deal out of nothing. At the same time, Shine was sure she has some quite valid points to make. Only what were they? Vanilla countered every single of Shine’s points. Honestly speaking, Vanilla has too many reasonable objections. However, Shine didn’t despair.

Vanilla just went on wiping the glassware spotless. That was her job. That was one of the few things a 23-year old lonely mother who hadn’t finished school was qualified enough to do. She wiped on stubbornly.

OK, Shine exploded, but brought her voice to moderate levels. Tell me why.

No, I won’t say a word more on this tonight. Do as you please, it’s your life.

I would listen, Shine’s voice softened to insecurity.

Fine.

Shine blinked. Vanilla had an awful lot of glasses to wipe that night.

Would you put away the cutlery and pay attention? I haven’t crossed the entire polis to watch you polish those glasses.

No. I told you. Live your life, I can live only mine. And I am busy. Plus, this is not cutlery, it’s called ‘glassware’.

Shine stood up and wanted to leave. She wanted to bust out of the café in a defiant manner that will be noticed and admired. But she took too long to think it out.

What if I just go now and stop talking to you whatsoever?

Oh, Vanilla looked up from her glasses. You are still here!

Then suddenly, he walked in the café. Both girls spotted him and their eyes riveted on him.

Dave, how are you doing? smiled Vanilla. Take a seat. Anywhere you like. And she looked hard at the high stools at the bar just in front of her.

Dave sat on one of them. He took the stool next to Shine. Meanwhile, Shine couldn’t take her eyes off him. A gorgeous young man he was. Shine could see only that. One word – gorgeous.

Vanilla, you look stunning. I’m so glad I had time to drop by tonight.

The usual?

Sure.

They smiled to each other too sweetly and dreamily for Shine’s taste.

So, Miss March, started David. Will you introduce us? He looked from Vanilla to Shine. Shine wasn’t aware she had been looking at him so intensely and blushed.

Shine - Dave. Dave – Shine. Consider yourselves introduced.

An awkward moment, in which Dave shook Shine’s hand, followed.

OK, then, Vanilla said. I’ve got work to do. You two entertain each other.

Shine was smashed. Just a minute ago she was planning a gorgeous exit and now she was feeling so small she couldn’t brace herself to some words. So, she kept silent. Not for too long, though:

You married? she blurted out, immediately regretting that and hoping madly he wouldn’t have heard. Bullsh*t. Of course, he heard.

Excuse me? Dave sounded a bit surprised. Excuse me, did you just ask if I’m married?

No, bluntly lied Shine. I am Vanilla’s cousin. Who are you? And she immediately shrank back from the bar. I’m sorry. She whined. I meant something different. Let’s start this over.

But she wasn’t able to say another word. Suddenly, there was a terrifying explosion, a rending noise thundered and it was as if the room was torn apart by the sound. Thick smoke filled the bar and it wasn’t possible to breathe. Shine was paralyzed. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t hear, she couldn’t move.

There were crowds running to and fro, a lot of heavy people pushing her and stomping on her feet. Shine grabbed the edge of the bar and tried to stay in the same place, so as not to be drifted away with the stampede and run over.

***

31st October 2134 AD, Mars, Military Base Martian Splendor, Capt. Slade’s office

Newsletter, 31st October 2134 AD

To: Military Base Martian Splendor

Attn: Chief Commanding Officer Captain William Slade

Re: Earth

Note: bring to the awareness of staff

31 October, 2134, Sunday, at 20:34 hours GMT, a nuclear head was detonated in Air Base B56-TY1, City of Revin. All surface personnel have been evacuated to different places. Command group has been sent to Orbital Station with a mission to get transported to Mars and your base. Lieutenant David Burke brings official note to Captain William Slade.

Instructions: stand by for possible rescue missions. Prepare two vessels for Elegrin.

Wait for further orders.

External Territories Affairs Commander-in-Chief: General Sunders, Gerald

PS (hand-written): Will, please be reasonable and listen to Dave when he comes. Be careful!

Your friend, Gerald

**

Revin Daily Newspaper Digital Edition

year 234, issue 56, October 31st, 2134 AD

Extraordinary Late Release

Vince Hardy, Reporter

The Municipality has not made any official statement as yet. We have solicited the assistance of the Ministry of Defense, yet we have not reached any success. Our readers and colleagues claim that total panic has started in the city. Shops are being ravaged; people in gangs are roaming the streets and looking for abandoned buildings to rob.

The above is the message we received over a telephone conversation with our reporter, Mr Hardy. He hasn’t come back to the office yet. We do not know how long we will be able to issue our newspaper and in what form. This is our last issue for the moment being. Take care and try to stay as safe as possible!

Affectionately yours,

Editorial Team

***

31st October 2134 AD, Earth, City of Revin

14:15 h

Mom, I know you are very busy, but I mean serious. Shine whined. She somehow felt it would be useless, but still wanted to make that attempt. For once, Shine wanted to do things right by her mother. She didn’t like her very much, nor had they ever been any close. And yet, that debilitated drunk on the dirty sofa was her mom. The one and only mother she ever had.

What do you mean, you know I’m busy? scoffed the drunken pile on the sofa. Shine didn’t want to stand close for she couldn’t stand the stench of old liquor and tobacco. She didn’t want to offend her mom by shying away, though. The mother continued, What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m not busy? Shine’s mom made an attempt to rise in the sofa, but her hand slipped on the edge and she slumped back in. So lucky there are blankets, Shine thought.

I am busy, her mom yelled in an unsure, clattering voice, as if some tin pots met the sidewalk. That good-for-nothing father of yours is good for nothing! she bellowed. Yes, that’s it! Now, go away and do some work around. Or leave me alone to finish it off myself. And she closed her eyes. Her lips started smacking as if there was something to munch in her mouth. Shine whispered, He is not my father. And you are good-for-nothing, too, mom.

Shine hesitated for a second before she stepped out of the cluttered living room. When at the door, she looked back again. Her mother was asleep and snoring. I’m sorry, mom. she sighed. I know you were younger than me when you life was hell and I admire you for the courage to have me, in spite of all, as I won’t be able to do that. I know you have made lots of sacrifice for my sake. Thank you for everything.

Fully determined on what she should do next, Shine went to her room where her little brother, Nico was asleep. He was 8 months old and a beautiful bouncing boy that made the house shine for a while. Shine leaned over the crib and whispered, Buy, honey. I’ll miss you and I’ll never forget you. I wish I could take you with me. But it’s better for you to stay with your own mom and dad. Take care of them, Nico, and don’t get too mad when they are acting bizarre. They still love you. She kissed him fast on the forehead for fear he might wake up and that would keep her.

Next, she went to her bed, smoothed the cover and took her backpack from it. In the backpack were some clothes she needed and he most valuable girlish treasures. No more would she return to this home, Shine thought. She took a final glance at the room, trying to imbibe each spot, tag it with the sweetest memory she could recall and chisel it in her mind. All her sketches remained on the walls. Most of them were since before 8th grade, the usual stuff – witches, elves, spacecraft and alien planets. There were some new, too. Nico in the hospital, just after he was born. Nico, 3 days old, in his baby crib. Nico, 1 month old, in the tiny green area of the block outside. Nico taking a bath, Nico trying to hold a spoon, Nico standing. There was one she especially loved. It was a sketched portrait of Nico where Shine had succeeded to get the loving look in his bright eyes. She pulled this sketch down, put it carefully inside a hard cover file in her backpack and drew the door half-closed. Then she sneaked out to go to Vanilla’s before her step-father appeared.

She hated to leave her brother, but she equally hated to see her step-father. Once I get out, I’ll never look back. she thought mentally pointing her index finger at him. She had a backpack with her, since she was to travel to school the same night. Of course, no one would be seeing her off, as no one cared for her. Shine’s mom was a former prostitute, long out of business. She was also an alcoholic, totally lost in her dementia or whatever that state was called and no rehab programs could help her. Shine was the baby of unknown father, her mom’s client. At times, Shine tried to imagine what it must have been to be a prostitute at that age. She was exactly 17, the age when her mom had had her. So gruesome! she would tremble with the idea every time.

Her school was an hour’s drive away, but the train took a bit shorter. Those super-speed trains were really cool. When the train would start to accelerate, Shine was wondering what it would be like to fly in space. She actually wanted to fly to some other planet and try and start a new life there. Home was driving her away, pushing her to be nasty and unthankful.

***

31st October, 2134 AD, Elegrin, Prisoners’ Dorm unit

22:00 local time (identical with GMT)

We can’t do it alone and we certainly can’t ignore the laws of Robotics. said an ARN-215 unit. He was of the older model, but humanoid and they were still the most popular androids in use. On his left arm there was a