1. A Pit Stop


    Date: 10/26/2023, Categories: Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Author: Ephemeral_One 

    “Welcome to Station 427-Beta,” The automated voice chimed as the metal doors retracted. With a forced cheer, it continued, “It will take approximately forty hours for your transport to refuel. We suggest all attendants, crew, and passengers use these hours to maintain their physical fitness as this station marks the halfway point between the Lunar body of Earth and Mars.”

A bustle of several dozen bodies groggily stomped out from the narrow tunnel connecting the shuttle to the station. An artificial sky drifted above the city floating in space. With a large groan, a slender figure arched its back, stretching its stiff joints.

His muddy-colored skin matched the deep chocolate color of his eyes. The tight-fitting black clothing clung to his lithe form. Running a hand through his long hair, the man scanned the other exiting occupants.

Broad, strong arms slid under the slender man’s arms, lifting him into the air. A groan rose into a laugh as a fiery redhead bellowed, “This flight is taking forever, Ref!”

“You’re the one who wanted to help me on Mars, Voy.” the slender man laughed as he was spun to face the larger, redheaded man. Being lowered onto the carpet, the larger man rested his hands on his hips. Digging his fingers into the loops on his jeans, “And I meant it. But a half year's journey is still rough.”

“Well, then, we best make good use of this refueling time. Want to run laps or something?” Ref chuckled, jerking his thumb toward some other passengers who ...
    ... already were limping into a run. Their legs were all sore from months in a cramped ship.

Voy’s shoulders slumped, “Yeah, but just running is kinda boring…”

“Well, then let’s go do some stretches first. I know the perfect spot so we don’t cramp up!” Ref flashed a sly grin as he tangled their fingers. Pulling the larger man along, the pair moved through the wide hallways where the crew lazily watched over conveyor belts moving prepared supplies.

No one commented as they turned a corner to reveal a door labeled in blocky letters, “Observation room 5.”

Ref smiled over his shoulder as he entered. A large, see-through dome showed the emptiness of space marked by countless pinpricks of light. As Voy entered, Ref found a control panel against the wall. Moving a slider, the lights dimmed so only the external lights of the station could be seen.

“Ref, what are you planning?” Voy’s voice quivered. An anxious bite of his lip followed his question.

Without responding, Ref hit a button. All at once the room extended out from the station. Leaving the gravity field, both men rose off the floor. Ref grinned, “See? No gravity means we should be able to stretch with no risk of cramps.”

The slim man took hold of a nearby handlebar built into the walls. Showing off his flexibility, he bent in half to hook a foot into the metal handle. Voy drifted lazily around the room. Twisting his back and arms, he stretched out.

Then, Ref’s shirt smacked Voy in the face. Voy sputtered, ...
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