
Subj : New Beginnings
To   : All
From : Skyhawk #1
Date : Sun Jun 25 1995 03:39:01 PST

                           New Beginnings
                       by Daniel C. Harrison(Skyhawk)

     She awoke with a start as she heard the distant thunder reverberate off
the hills. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, Candar moved toward the window of
her bedroom and looked out. In the distance she could see it..a mighty starship
soaring upward into the heavens as another group of colonists was headed
outward. Soon, she would join them. Finally able to escape this godforsaken
nightmare once called Earth. How it had gotten so bad that government had to
stick it's node into even when you used the head, she would never figure out.
But soon, her shipo would be leaving..and nothing was gonna stop her. Smiling,
she watched as the craft disappeared into the clouds and the noise subsided.
Pulling her head back in, she looked at her full length mirror as she began to
undress, admiring the figure she had worked so hard to keep. At age 37, she was
probably one of the more "fit" veterans that "Universal Star" had workin for
them. Even if she wasn't she was the best damn star pilot they had...and she
knew it! Still, the time had come for change. Change for the better. As she
pulled her nightgown off and took out a corporate jumpsuit from her closet, her
mind drifted back...to yesterday..
     "What do you mean, your leaving? You cant go, I need you! I've always
thought we could be together, Candar and, now you tell me your just up going
for good? Why?"
     The hurt in Jerry's eyes had killed her but, it was now or never. She was
about to throw a career away..in favor of a new life. When she had been a
little girl, she had worked on the hydroponic farm of her father's. Now, she
would put that skill to use.. "I know, Jerry," she began, "but it isnt that
simple. I've tried to tell you this for awhile..I cant stay here anymore. And
although I know you love me, I cant return that love..not the way you want me
to anyway. I've got to go out there and find myself. I dont know how or why but
I have lost something. And, that's something you can't help me with.."
     Jerry looked as if he was going to break down.."Yeah, I know. I should've
proposed to you a lot soner. Now, it's too late, isn't it?"
     Yes, Jerry, it is. Even if you had, my answer would have been the same.
What can I say? It's a calculated risk but, one I need to take..for me." She
reached up and brushed the hair from his eyes. "I don't expect you to
understand."
     "Weve been spacing together for the last five years, honey." he stopped
and drew in a deep breath. "Your hurting me..really bad. Were a winning team
and, don't tell me your throwing away a career as a pilot in exchange for that
of a farmer! That's not the woman I know!" she winced as he tried to hold her
close.
     Pulling away, she shook her head. "I guess you don't know me as well as
you thought then. I'll be flying the colony ship to Hycenda IV tomorrow
afternoon. I wont be coming back."
     "I'll fly with you then...this last trip together okay?" she could see the
hopeful look in his eye..a last attempt to hang onto her.
     "Suit yourself babe." she relaxed and held him close. "But when the ship
reaches Hycenda..yu'll be going back alone. I'm sorry." she reached up and
kissed him gently on the lips.
     "I know." he whispered and held her close again.....

     The bong of her grandfather clock in the hallway snapped Candar back to
reality. Sighing, she put the jumnpsuit on, making sure that the seal around
the neck was intact. Then, she picked up her logbook from the dresser and moved
downstairs. As she came down, a woman came from the kitchen. Only her sister
Jenny would be as predictable as this.."Jenny, I told you I didnt want.."
     "But you need some breakfast before you go." Jenny smiled and beckoned her
into the dining room. "Did you get your apt cleaned out okay?"
     "Yes." Candar sat down and attacked the fried eggs and biscuits. It would
be her last homecooked meal for awhile. "I paid off all the rent yesterday and
sold off what I didnt want to take. Thanks for letting me stay with you
overnight."
     Jenny nodded. "I wont be seeing you for a long time, little sister. Maybe
never again. You've never made a trip this far out..and not planned on coming
back. Mr. Crawford showed up last night while you were in bed..he left another
offer for you."
     Candar stared smugly down at the envelope which lay on the table. So,
Crawford hadn't given up. Well, why not? She was a damn good pilot and
experienced pilots were hard to come by. Too many idiots out there who were
pretending they knew how to fly...not enough real pilots. "I told him my
decision..it stands." She sipped her coffee.
     "Aren't you even going to open it?" Jenny was understandably curious.
Candar made more money than her and her husband combined. Yet, she was giving
it all up, for what? Hell it wasn't fair.
     "No reason to." Candar finished her second cup and got up. "I guess it's
time. Thanks for everything." She hugged her sister tightly. "I'll send you
mail first chance I get."
     It'll arrive in what..five years?" Jenny snickered. "David will be out of
high school by then. And, I'll have gray hairs."
     Candar smiled. "I know. Take care okay?" she hugged her sister one last
time and, grabbing her gear walked out the door. So, this was it. She slid
behind the wheel of the sleek Magna-flux car that had once been her's. She had
sold it to her brother in law, Mike, two days ago. Now, she was driving it for
the last time. Mike would pick it up later from the spaceport. Firing up the
engines, she smiled as the craft lifted gently off the ground, the magnetic
flux of the planet being used to push the opposing poles in balance and lift
the vehicle. A novel idea and it had worked for the last fifty years. As she
maneuvered her way through the streets toward the spaceport, she thought of
the past...and dreamed of a future..soon, she would be part of it..(part 1)

