Freedom Fought

Ch 2 Now Boarding

“Airports are a crime against the Goddess and man alike,” Michael thought as he walked through the bustling terminal. The crush of people was overwhelming, All around were people, some arguing, some happily embracing, others jostling with strangers for space. He made his way to the luggage carousel just as his tan leather duffle bag came around, perfect timing. He snatched up his bag and went to pick up his rental car. He would be here for the next few weeks finalizing a deal with one of the largest multinational consumer goods companies in the world. So while he didn’t LOVE being in Cincinnati, Ohio, this deal would not only solidify his community’s fortunes but it would validate all the years of school working on his chemical engineering degree. Most of his kind never went to college, they just didn’t see the necessity. They had different priorities than regular people. He had big ambitions for his community though. This was going to be a success, he thought. It had to be. He was going to prove he could do this and he was ready to lead his people. He wanted his father to retire and leave him in charge. He was 25 years old and it was high time he took his place at the helm. It was what he had been preparing for his whole life, physical training, combat training, school, college, and building his business, he was going to be the best.

As he approached the customer service counter the woman looked him up and down, her eyes widened and she smiled coyly at him. “Welcome sir, how I can help you?” she said, breathily. She leaned across the counter, pushing her breasts forward and tossing her long, blonde hair over her shoulder.

He wasn’t overly tall, at 6 foot even he was honestly shorter than some of the men back home, but he was broad, heavily muscled, and obviously strong. His hair was so dark brown it was almost black and his eyes were blue/green hazel with dark, thick lashes. When he smiled he had a dimple only on the left cheek and it gave him a boyish, Puck-like quality. He looked like he might get into mischief at any moment with a smile like that. He smiled back at her, looking at the display in front of him and reading the *ahem* prominently displayed name tag.

“Hi, Chelsey, I’m Michael Silva, I have a reservation for a luxury SUV for the week,” he said, handing over his Driver’s License. Touching her fingertips as he did.

She smiled back as she pulled up his information on her computer and printed it. She reached to the printer to get his paperwork and then got his keys from the peg board. She also took a business card and scribbled something onto it, and passed it to him. “Your car is parked out front in spot 6-A,” she said, smiling. He signed electronically, took the paperwork and card, picked up his baggage, and then winked at her before leaving.

There was his car, in the middle of the first row. He unlocked it and sat inside and looked at the paperwork and there, scribbled on the card was Chelsey’s name and phone number. He chuckled to himself, at least he’d have company.

Across the airport Penny was shoving her carry on bag into the overhead compartment. She sat down in the window seat just a man who was going to be sitting next her stopped at her row. He appeared to be in his late 40s and he looked irritated already. She took a deep breath, “It’s fine, Penny. You can do this. You’re going to be fine!” The pep talk she was giving herself started to work. She’s never flown before and she was terrified but look at what she just did. She was saving her own life, of course she fly. Penny gave herself a small fist pump and the man next to her gave her an apprehensive look from the corners of his eyes. She smiled back at him and shrugged. Oh well, not her problem. She wasn’t going to let him rain on her parade.

Penny reached up with both hands and took her wavy, pecan brown hair in her hands and then used the hair tie around her wrist to pull it into a messy bun on top of her head. She tucked the blue fleece neck pillow she bought in the airport around the back of her neck, zipped up her grey hooded sweatshirt against the chill in the cabin, buckled in, and closed her brown eyes. She had made it! She was on her way!