SNIP

===============
In the shuttle.......

Daye sat with her feet propped up on the console as Dante flew the ship reading her galactic social media holozine. “Huh,” she said as she finished reading the article.

“Turns out that rich billionare Aedan Teller is trying to buy Outpost 42. Rumor has it he wants to own the station. Do you think that is even possible,” Natasha posed the question in a rhetorical manner. She knew it was not possible yet with civilians this obvious was not exactly what you might expect.

“Shuttle Geralt you are clear for landing,” a voice said through the comm line ending the empty chatter Daye had been filling the room with.

Daye immediately put down her holozine and leaned forward taking in the view. She had no idea where Dante was taking her until this moment. The view made her sign happily. The surface was covered with archipelago style islands. The planet had the feel of one large beach which was right up Nat’s alley.

Lt. Natasha Daye

“What do you think?” Dante asked her as the shuttle lost altitude over the planet, the many islands and tropical look to the planet being apparent as they approached a large land mass. Adjusting the flight path, he avoided large flocks of birds that seemed to be gliding on the warm air currents until they were not far over the water and approaching what appeared to be a city. “Sun, sand, beaches and fun,” he said as he looked at her with a smile, “Just like I promised.”

“I just want to be on the beach and relaxing,” Daye said smiling at Dante. The last year had been hell. It had its good points but also some low ones. The best point, however, was that they were together unlike the previous fifteen years of their life. Daye looked out the window and her eyes widened as more of the resort came into view.

It soon became apparent, that the tropical paradise that the islands had achieved had come with a marvelous technological achievement. They were approaching a city that appeared to be floating, but as they got closer, Natasha would see that the center of the city was above water on raised platforms and surrounded by what looked to be something straight out of the stories of Atlantis. The raised city was beautiful, and held parks, beaches and high rise style living and shopping centers with a rail transport system connecting the platforms above the water. Glimmering buildings passed them by as they approached the space dock and high tech hospitals, universities and apartment buildings stood out marking the high quality lifestyle of the inhabitants. “Oh my god this is even more gorgeous than the brochure” Dante said as he looked over at Nat and grinned.

“God when you promise you deliver,” Daye said a bit breathlessly. The resort was far more than she expected. “If I knew this was going to be the beach I got for saying yes to marrying you a third time I would have done it long ago.” Natasha winked at Knight as she spoke. Her smile faltered as the details of the city came into view. It was not out of disappointment but focused curiosity. “Wow I am not sure what is more impressive. The beach or the city,” she said leaning forward in her seat as if this would give her a better look.

Below them, the rest of the city was revealed to a small extent. Submerged under the water was a vast and sprawling complex covered in multiple domes and linked by more submerged transit tubes and even submerged vehicles. These residents appeared to live in an underwater paradise with the clear and glimmering waters of the tropical planet, among the fish and dolphins and out of the way of storms and harsh temperatures. A climate controlled underwater paradise as it was where all the actual landmass of the planet was set aside as natural parks and reserves, protecting wildlife and flora from pollution of an industrialized civilization. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to live underwater like that, Princess?” Dante said as he brought the Geralt down onto the landing pad, and seconds later the door to the shuttle opened.

“Love underwater is fine but one does have to come up every once in a while to breathe,” she replied using a line from their favorite movie about an ancient pink submarine and the madcap crew that commanded it.

Immediately, the sound of music and laughter met their ears along with the sound of water and birds. The warmth of the day and the smell of the sea also invaded their small shuttle and both of them would immediately feel a sense of relaxation and happiness as stress seemed to leave them as if they had breathed in something that could alter their natural state. “Here we are love” Dante turned to Natasha and took her hands, bringing her finger to his lips. “The start of something amazing we will remember forever.”

Captain Knight, CO

“You are amazing,” Natasha said rising on her toes to brush her lips to his. “Maybe skip the beach today. Maybe we go up to the room, open up the doors to the balcony and not take a nap,” she suggested biting her lip and wiggling her eyes.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” a dashing young man in his early twenties said walking up to them. “Welcome to Erewhon,” he said extending his hand to Dante. “I see you and Mrs. Knight are eager to get situated so how about I get you both into your room as soon as possible,” he said with a cheeky grin.

“Mrs. Dante Knight,” she looked at Dante with a sultry grin. It was not the first time she had been called that nor did she ever correct someone that did call her that. “Guess no time like the present to get used to that huh,” Nat replied sliding an arm around Dante’s waist. As the man passed the PaDD over for Dante to sign them in Natasha glanced around. The first thing she noticed was just how beautiful every aspect of the resort was. From the walls to the plants to everyone one of the people milling about. In fact, the only people that weren’t stunningly beautiful were a few of the guests. Daye scanned the room but let her eyes settle on a tall woman with an impeccable tan and brilliant smile. She felt her jaw tighten as the woman laughed at something Dante said that was neither particularly clever or witty.

“Thank you. We got is from here,” Natasha said pulling Dante towards the turbo that would take them to their room. She remained quiet until the doors closed and began to whisk the couple to their suite. “We will be sure to check that out in the morning,” Nat said in a deep voice that obviously was meant to imitate Dante’s reply to the girl moments earlier. Just to drive the point home, Daye let out a really bad guffawing laugh at the end and rolled her eyes.

Lt. Natasha Daye Medical