Here's where the android named Lupe comes in. See if you can guess her secret. If you can't, that's okay.

Chapter Four: The Android At the Ball

It wasn't long after B.E.N. was appointed to the large merchant ship known as the S.S. Venture. But it wasn't the only ship he was working for. Over the past many months, he was transferred from ship to ship. Apparently, he was so good at navigating; a great deal of captains wanted him as their navigator. When Martin had said B.E.N. would see the entire universal empire, he really meant it. B.E.N. traveled on many different ships to many different planets and galaxies such as Proteus One, Pelsinor, and the Lagoon Nebula. Though he was being transferred many times, the S.S. Venture seemed to be the one ship B.E.N. would always return to. And all of this took place within 10 whole years, his first 10 years as official navigator.

Every single day, B.E.N. wrote Luna5 a letter, telling her what had been going on and how much he missed her and wanted to see her again. Of course, Luna5 tried to write him back, but because he was traveling so much the letters weren't able to reach him. B.E.N. was aware of this fact, so he continued to write her, despite that during those 10 years he was unable to see Luna5 at all.

One night, Smithers McDermin-Hagen planned on throwing a party in honor of the S.S. Venture's 1st full trip across the etherium. Many entrepreneurs and McDermin-Hagen's closest friends were attending the celebration, which would be taking place in the ship's vast and high-class ballroom. About a hundred tables were placed in the ballroom alone, along with golden decorations all around, including a wonderful view of the stars out the room's tall and open windows. McDermin-Hagen even invited the ship's crew to attend. And that included the ship's trusty navigator, B.E.N., who readily and happily accepted the invitation.

But B.E.N.'s only problem was that Luna5 couldn't be here to enjoy the party with him. Well, he figured it would give him the opportunity to get to know the entrepreneurs. He also figured that if he got a good look at the party he would be able to tell Luna5 all about it if he ever saw her again. Unfortunately, being a navigator, he was obligated to travel quite a bit, but McDermin-Hagen, Martin, and Captain Starling of the S.S. Venture had promised him that he would get to see Luna5 once again. However, that didn't mean he could stay with her, so the next time he could see her, he would make the most of his time with her.

Tonight was the night of the celebration and everyone who had been invited attended. In his own personal quarters, B.E.N. pulled out his blue tuxedo and bow tie, stood in front of his full-view mirror, and slipped on the tux and bow tie, smiling. "This is gonna be fantastic!" he exclaimed excitedly. "I just can't wait to tell Luna5 about this!" In less than a minute, he was ready.

The party began at 6:00pm. B.E.N. stared in awe as he wandered a little bit around the enormous, decorated ballroom. The 80-foot height of the ceiling where the huge crystal chandeliers hung made him dizzy with wonder. The sight of the entire room rendered him almost speechless. "Wow. This is…unforgettable…" B.E.N. smiled, utterly astounded. "Wait tell I tell Luna5 about this."

A large strings group played in the background as the party went on in the ballroom. The view of the etherium couldn't be more beautiful tonight. Fine wine was served to the guests. Being a robot, B.E.N. was served pure, black petroleum, just the way he liked it: shaken, not stirred. Throughout most of the evening, he chatted with the guests and the crew, snacked on metal-made hors d'euvres, and enjoyed the musical pieces of the strings group. But as the night wore on, more than ever he was beginning to really miss Luna5. It was somewhat depressing. Soon enough, the guests were dancing on the ballroom floor, and B.E.N. without a dance partner.

Just then, B.E.N.'s night became brighter because someone approached him with shy timidity. "Excuse me," said a sweet, gentle voice. Looking behind him, he came face to face with an android, but it wasn't Luna5. This android certainly was female, and she had a silver face, wore a long, red dress, and her black hair was tied up in a bun on her head. Her eyes were a solid white. "Good evening, sir," the android greeted B.E.N. apprehensively with a gentle smile.

B.E.N. smiled back, the collar flaps of his tux involuntarily fluttering like little bird wings as they reflected his zeal. "Uh…hi, there," he chuckled nervously. He had to keep in mind that Luna5 was the love of his life, but for some strange reason he was falling for this girl as well. She boasted a familiar air about her, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Everyone's dancing," said the android, "but I don't have anyone to dance with."

"Wow! Me neither!" B.E.N. exclaimed. But he toned it down a bit. "I-I mean…um…" The female android giggled. "What's you're name, Miss?"

"Oh, my name is…Lupe."

"Lupe? That's a pretty name."

"Thank you."

"I'm B.E.N." He enthusiastically held out a hand for her to shake. "Bio-Electronic Navigator. I…uh, I navigate this here ship."

Shaking his hand, Lupe said, "Do you? I bet you must be pretty important, to know where to go and when and how to get there."

"Oh, yeah! We navigators are really important." He began to over exaggerate somewhat in an involuntary attempt to impress Lupe. "I mean we're kinda in charge of everything that goes on! Leading the crew on the adventures through outer space, exploring new and exciting places like the Lagoon Nebula, Proteus One, the Planet Pelsinor…" Then, he noticed that Lupe was chortling from amusement and she could clearly see his exaggeration. "Okay," he admitted, "so maybe the captain helps out a little, too." He also knew now the exaggeration he was creating and made it sound like a stand-up comedy joke.

"I like your sense of humor," Lupe commented.

"Ya do? Really? Oh, good. I almost thought I was boring you to tears."

"Oh, no, of course not."

"You know," B.E.N. said, putting one hand to his hip and the other on his head, scratching the top of it in thought, "you remind me of someone I happen know, someone very beautiful, someone I am extremely close to."

"I do? Who is it?"

"Um…oh! I know! You look just like Luna5!"

Lupe seemed almost stunned. "Do I?"

"Yeah! But you couldn't be her, could you?"

"Well, no. I've never even met this Luna5 person before."

"I got it! You're her sister!"

"Yes! Yes, I'm her sister. You figured it out."

"How come she never talked about you?"

"Oh, it must've slipped her mind."

"Yeah." B.E.N. chuckled.

An awkward silence fell between the two.

"Well," said Lupe, "there's still time for one more dance."

"Oh, yeah!" B.E.N. remembered. "Uh…" In a second, he turned himself into a professional gentleman, took a bow as he gestured towards the dance floor with a smile, and inquired in a formal and polite manner, "My lady, may I have this dance?"

"Why, yes, you may," Lupe replied daintily, taking the robot's hand, and the two of them walked out onto the dance floor.

For the whole song that was being played, B.E.N. and Lupe passionately danced with one another. A couple of times, B.E.N. stumbled, but Lupe didn't mind. She just laughed as he did. Soon, the time for dancing was over. So, the two used the time they had left to go out on deck and gaze at the beautiful blue and violet etherium.

"What a peaceful night it is," Lupe mused.

"Yeah," B.E.N. agreed. "Oh, Luna5 would sure love this, wouldn't you think so?

"Yes, she would. That reminds me." Lupe's voice turned serious.

"Huh?" He turned to her.

"I have something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Well…just that…"—she hesitated—"…I hope you get to see Luna5 again soon. I—er, she's been missing you so much since you left. And…she never really has time to write to you, but she loves all the hundreds of letters you've been sending her. She wants you to keep on writing to her and letting her know what's going on with your travels."

"Awww, isn't that sweet of her. So, she knows I've been writing to her every single day?"

"Of course, she does." She then remembered something and quickly said, "Well, I have to go. I'm feeling a little sleepy."

"Yeah, me, too," B.E.N. yawned. "It is getting kinda late anyway."

"Good night, B.E.N." Lupe made haste back inside.

"Wait!" B.E.N. stopped her. "What's the rush?"

"I have to hurry to bed, or I'm up all night."

"Ya know, that's a good idea. Luna5 would probably be mad at me if she knew I had been dancing with you."

"Why would she be mad?"

"Well, I have to confess. And I can do it in just five words: I'm in love with Luna5!" B.E.N. burst out loud with great spontaneity.

Lupe was taken aback, but she suppressed the urge to withdraw. "You are?"

"Oh, yes! I'm in love! Hooked! Infatuated! Besotted! Obssessed! Enamored! Smitten! Captivated! Charmed! Head-over-heels! However you wanna slice it! Luna5 is the love of my life! My one and only! The girl of my dreams! I've loved her since I the day I first met her! Which, by the way, happens to be the day I first woke up when I was made."

"…Really?"

"Yeah! I'm even thinking of proposing to her! When I get home, that is."

Lupe gasped. "You…you are?"

"Oh, please! Don't tell her I said any of that!" he begged.

"You want to tell her yourself?" Lupe smiled knowingly.

"Uh-huh." B.E.N. nodded vigorously.

"Okay, I won't tell her. Promise."

"Aw, thanks. You're a real pal."

"No problem." Continuing back inside, she said, "Good night, B.E.N."

"Good night, Lupe. Be seein' ya again!"

"No. You won't."

"Huh?" What did she mean?

"But you will be seeing Luna5 again. Soon."

"I will?" B.E.N.'s heart suddenly felt warm and light with hope.

"Yes. I guarantee it."

With that, Lupe made her way back inside. But in a split second, she came right back and pecked a friendly kiss on B.E.N.'s cheek before leaving for good. B.E.N. grinned and sighed affectionately, feeling that familiarity again.

Lupe was right when she said B.E.N. would never see her again. He would never see Lupe again, but he would Luna5.

To be continued…

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So? Could you guess? If not, oh, well. Reviews are most appreciated. Please review!