Jane flicked open the lighter and lit it, stared at the shimmering light of the flame for a few moments and then snapped it back shut. Around her the creaking timbers of the ship echoed her shipmates snores resounding throughout the cabins. With one hand resting behind her head, Jane again flicked open the lighter, a smile on her lips. After the excitement of the launch, Dr Albatross had introduced her to her three fellow nurses; two melbargaynian men with blue lilac tentacles so alike they might have been twins, and a caristair woman, the same species as the captain, although unlike her she had dark ebony hair.
They had seemed quite surprised by her arrival."A human?" The caristair woman had purred in tones distinctive to her native planet. Realising her mistake she put a hand over her mouth, but Jane could still see the smile beneath her fingers. Once introductions had been made James and Adolf, the two melbargaynians, had warmly shaken hands with her and the caristair had introduced herself as Christina. In the communal nurses cabin her three companions slept across from her wrapped in a deep sleep. Jane sighed restlessly, and tucked the lighter back into the pocket of her new uniform. It would be an early start tomorrow, but the unfamiliar surroundings left her unable to close her eyes, a buzzing sensation still left over in her fingertips from taking flight.
Thinking of the distant lights, Jane suddenly wondered what what the stars looked like from deck above their heads. Sitting up she thought it over for a moment, and then quietly swung her feet to the stared at Christina for a moment. It was no secret that Earth was a little less technologically advanced than some other planets. "She thinks she's so supririor..." Jane muttered towards the sleeping feline. Then, for a moment, an image of Captain Amelia flashed before her eyes. Jane frowned and dismissed the thought, getting to her feet.
A stark chill had wrapped in self around the nights air, and Jane hugged her arms close to her wishing she had thought to bring a blanket. A bright silver blue light was thrown over the deck, made by the ships lights reflecting from the microscopic fragments in the artificial atmosphere, creating an illusion of moonlight. Jane kept within the shadows, well aware that she should not be out at this time. Far above her head and surrounding her were a thousand drifting stars. The distant lights of Orions nebula paled before the glorious wealth of the treasuries of space, swallowed by darkness and reborn again by light. It was breathtaking to say the least, and very difficult to tear herself away from.
With a sharp eye Jane caught sight of the patrolling officer by the helm, and shrunk back a little further into the darkness, not meaning to stay longer. It was then that she saw her. The figure was somewhat cast in shade and stood to the far left, their hands resting on the sides, staring out towards the endless beauty of the universe. Jane recognised first the hat and then the profile of Captain Amelia. Pale under the elegant light she smoked cigarette after cigarette, not bothering to extinguish them the glowing stubs lay around on the ground like petals. The expression on her face was agitated, but then lost, all feelings wiped clean as if by an invisible hand, and in their place a mask formed. Something sculptured, formal, beautiful and yet cold.
Jane wondered suddenly what the the captain could be doing out this late, and quickly rebuked herself. She ought to ask herself the same question; but then she thought that maybe the captain, like her, had wanted to see the stars. She was certainly staring out into space very intently, almost as though she were searching for something. It was said Captain Amelia was an expert on star formations and would have certainly seven these parts of the galaxy before. Curiosity drew Jane closer, despite knowing that if caught she could be in serious trouble, she felt a singular unity, perhaps almost like familiarity towards the woman. If only she could talk to her... "Halt! you there!" Jane froze as she spun around to face the patrolling officer. "What are you doing out on deck at this time of night?" He barked at her.
"I ur..." Jane stumbled, glancing again towards Captain Amelia only to find she had disappeared, leaving no trace that she was there. Jane wondered if perhaps she had imagined her entirely.
"Back below stairs before I report you to the doctor!"
"Yes sir" Jane affirmed, turning to return to her cabin, the image of the captain glowing in her mind.