Tag: space habitat

Distant Love (Part 43)

Hours pass, and the Earth now looms large in the viewport. Derek stares in fascination at the multitude of space habitats now visible in orbit. “Which one is the New Yorker habitat?”

Maeve smiles and holds her hands out in front of him. “There it is. It has a blue hue. See it?”

“Wow, it looks so small, hard to imagine one hundred million people living there. Did you ever visit?”

Maeve stays silent for a moment, then responds, “Yes, I have. It looks small from here, but it actually has a huge living space. There are huge areas with no one. Of course, it’s very crowded in places too. It’s crazy, though, looking up and seeing people living their lives above you.”

Derek drives forward, “Is it true that it is the wealthiest place in the solar system?”

“Oh, yes, no poor people allowed. If you can no longer afford the fees, off back to Earth with you. It’s supposed to be very cutthroat. All smiles to your face, but get lost if you have nothing. I guess that’s why they left Earth.”

Derek nods his head in agreement. Do you know any of the others?”

“Of course, there is New Ireland, that’s Gallois, there’s Quantus. I could go on for a good half day, I’d say, there are so many.”

Pegasus (Part 124)

As the cargo bay creaked open, I wondered what awaited us. Tabitha and I went one way, Tabitha and the smuggler the other. We set up a communication link between us and the group remaining on the ship. Communications were to be kept to the absolute minimum, as habitat security would almost certainly be listening in.

The habitat was bright. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. Lush trees and grass surrounded the ship parking area. The air was clean and easy to breathe.

There was nobody else within view. I looked into the hazy blue sky to see the barely hospitable Earth in the distance.

I had studied the map before leaving and told Tabitha to follow me along a narrow pathway.

She held my hand. “It’s like heaven.”

I stopped and kissed her on the mouth. “It does feel like that. This habitat has pheromones in its atmosphere that give you a happy feeling.” I winked. “But we have to remember that this is a business trip.”

She nodded, and we continued on our walk.

After another few minutes, white pyramid-shaped structures appeared in the distance. Drones were darting from one to the next.

I clenched my jaw.