Chapter 3
Three Months Later
It was Lena’s first night off in over two weeks, and she wanted to take full advantage of it.
After fifteen days of double shifts, she’d finally worked up the courage to ask Ochin for a break.
It was all hands on deck—even with her arrival they were still short-staffed—but she desperately needed some time to herself.
Her stomach had twisted in knots as she had asked, but all her worries had been for naught.
“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry! You should have said something sooner. You deserve some time to explore all that Henios has to offer.”
It had sounded like one of the advertisements that had lured her to the station, but Ochin had been genuine. Her boss hadn’t even let her finish her shift, shooing her from the bar with well wishes.
Lena had gone back to her quarters and taken a hot, steamy shower before lying on her bed and trying to decide what to do. Ochin’s was her safe space for an after-work drink, but she’d been on Henios for over three months now. Maybe it was time to try something new?
She felt herself settling in, and even though she had enough money for a ticket to Earth, she had no intention of leaving. At least, not yet. She’d barely had time to see anything beyond the bar, but tonight was the perfect excuse to splurge.
Before she could convince herself that staying in was a wiser decision, she got up and put on her best outfit, a slinky black dress that clung to her curves. It was something she’d been dying to wear for years, though there had never been the proper occasion on Earth.
But now she knew the perfect spot.
She brushed her hair, leaving it loose as usual, then gave herself a once-over in the mirror before heading out.
Her stomach twisted with anxiety as she made her way toward her destination, her dress seeming out of place in the bright lights of the hall. No one spoke to her, though she caught more than one double take, her face heating as she tried to ignore the looks.
Maybe the dress was a mistake. She should have just put on something casual and had dinner in the canteen like usual.
Before she could turn and escape back to her quarters, she saw a familiar friend making his way down the corridor, waving at her as they met in one of the countless connecting junctions.
“Lena! Not working tonight?” Adrax asked, walking in stride with her as they headed toward the central dome.
“Oh, uh, no. Ochin gave me the night off.”
She was aware of how silly she looked, but Adrax just nodded, giving her a polite smile.
“Ah, well, you look lovely. Enjoy your evening!”
He waved goodbye as they entered the central dome, making his way to Ochin’s. Lena smiled as she continued down the corridor, engulfed by the crowd and feeling a flush heat her cheeks.
The last few months had been… surprisingly pleasant.
Working at Ochin’s was tiring, but in a way that made her feel like she was part of a family.
Ochin treated her kindly, and even had taken the time to train her instead of delegating it to another employee.
The regulars were always so friendly and tipped well, and if there ever was an argument, Zegrox was quick to sort things out.
Lena was still reticent to venture out on her own, but tonight would be a good test. She didn’t come all the way to a space station on the edge of Alliance space just to mope around in her room, did she?
Sweat beaded on her brow as she reached her destination, a neon sign telling her she was in the right place.
Cosmic Pulse.
It was the busiest nightclub on Henios, and though it was still early by “nightlife” standards, there was already a long line. As she waited, her nerves felt frayed by electricity, and she wondered if this had been a mistake.
Just one drink. All she would do was get one drink, and then she could go back to her quarters and order takeout.
When she got to the front of the line, a buff alien bouncer scanned her implant for identification and waved her in. She went through a dark tunnel, the thumping beat of strange music getting louder and louder, until her chest clenched with anxiety.
You’ll make a fool of yourself. Everyone will be watching you, seeing how stupid you look. What are you even doing here? Trying to make a friend? Trying to get laid? Who’s going to want you?
Strobing neon lights blinded her as she entered the club, an enormous dance floor at the center of the space taking up much of the room. It was crowded with bodies, but as she sucked in a breath, she zeroed in on her target and hurried toward it.
An empty seat at the bar.
It felt like all eyes were on her, but as she sat and glanced around, she was relieved to find everyone in their own world. Only the bartender, a human male, seemed to notice her, and he stepped up, taking her order and pouring her a glass of Andrudian wine.
Lena tried to breathe, overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds.
They did not have nightclubs like this in Westlip, but this was the whole point, the whole reason she was here in the first place.
She had desperately needed a fresh start, anything to liven up what had been a perfectly boring existence on Earth.
And this was certainly anything but boring.
The lines between reality and fantasy were blurred, every inch of the space drenched in neon and pulsing with energy.
The walls seemed to shift subtly as if responding to the music, undulating dancers floating and spinning in sync with the beat.
There was a glowing central column in the very center of the dance floor, which connected to the translucent ceiling, swirling with some sort of holographic nebulae.
The DJ booth was manned by an alien with six limbs, the music blending rhythm and harmonics in a way that was felt more than heard. She definitely wasn’t overdressed, not with some wearing elaborate shimmering attire that seemed to adapt to the club’s ambient frequencies.
She downed her wine as she eyed the writhing mass of bodies and appendages on the dance floor, wishing she could join in before she headed home for the night.