Destiny Among The Stars - Chapter 1
July 12, 1990 - Austin, TX.
As the lights dimmed and the familiar flicker of the projector started, I settled into the plush red seat, the scent of buttered popcorn and the soft murmurs of anticipation enveloping the room.
"Remind me why I had to come?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, but I knew my companion for the evening had heard me because she gave a put-on sigh indicating she was getting tired of me repeating the question.
Not that I had repeated it that much.
Just a few dozen times.
"This movie is about space exploration, and you didn't want to watch any movie with me that wasn't along those lines."
My eyes went to her, barely able to see her blue eyes as the light of the projector intensified, a quick look from the corner of my eyes showed the title card of the movie. I, for the first time, saw what movie she had brought me to.
"Love in the Skies, really?" I asked her incredulously.
It took a lot of work to take that movie seriously, despite the numerous technicians and scientists that had helped make the movie as realistic as possible it was still considered a horrendous movie science-wise, not even talking about the numerous inaccuracies of the schematics of the equipment used.
Not that he did not understand why that was the case. We wouldn't want the commies out East to get any intel on our capabilities from a badly written romance fic based on hearsay and rumours.
She rolled her eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Come on, Adam, you have to admit it's a classic."
"It's a cheesy romance with bad science," I countered, shaking my head. "Why not a documentary on real space missions?"
Sam chuckled, leaning closer. "Because, Adam, sometimes it's nice to see the human side of space exploration. Besides, I know you have a soft spot for romance, even if you won't admit it."
I scoffed. "I do not. I'm here for the science."
She batted her eyelash at me, putting a lock of her long fair hair back behind her hair. "Sure, Mr. Science. But maybe you'll enjoy the romance this time."
All my thoughts stopped for a moment before a realisation came to me which I unwittingly whispered out loud.
"Wait, this is a date?"
She patted my hand on my seat with an infuriating smile that made butterflies flip in my stomach.
"It always was, dear."
I stayed silent after that, blushing at the endearing term she had addressed me as, just watching the movie without truly watching it. If my hand and hers were intertwined, I gave it no attention. Still, at a certain moment, a scene struck a very familiar nerve in me. It was strange.
"-The reactor is about to explode, we need to disarm it!"
"We have no suits, it will kill you!"
"Gordo, you could use the tape and-"
"I won't let you go out there alone, we go there together!"
"Together!"
As the actors on screen shared a kiss, my other hand went to my head where a massive headache rumbled; for a moment, I felt feverish.
"Are you alright..? Adam?"
Sam's voice sounded as distant as my mind surely was. Then, everything returned to normal. I blinked. Cerulean eyes stared into my own, and I nodded apologetically, even as the movement caused my surroundings to spin.
"Sorry, I just had the mother of all headaches for a moment. Everything is alright—"
That was all I had to say before the world faded away, and I fell into what could only be classified as my subconscious.
Suddenly, images began to flood my mind, disjointed and overwhelming. I saw myself in a different life, wearing a lab coat, walking around a bench, and looking through the lens of a microscope. The Moon loomed large and beautiful above me, a sight that filled me with awe and a sense of profound envy for the people who went there years before I was born.
I remembered jumbled snippets of life: the tense moments before I was accepted into my university, the camaraderie with my fellow scientists as we worked. A name echoed in my mind, but it felt distant, forbidden—it was mine. Or was it? No, that wasn't my name. The memories felt so real, so vivid, yet they were distant, muted in some way.
I saw a woman with brown eyes, her face both familiar and strange. We were laughing as she carried me in her arms. I was young, I looked around and saw other mothers with their children all sharing a moment of joy, staring at the television where the first man landed on the Moon. However, I felt my mind freeze as I witnessed the American, not the Soviet, flag being planted.
I remembered my name being different, as was my nationality. I was a fan of many things considered worthless by the people around me—animation shows, movies, and more. My memories, for that is what they were, paused on the last show I remembered watching, one that was eerily similar to my new reality. I was in a previously fictional universe.
But how could this be? I was Adam Hillard, and my father was one of the founders of Helios Aerospace. I was a nineteen-year-old on a date with a girl called Sam, sitting in a cinema. The memories clashed and merged, leaving me disoriented and confused.
"Adam, can you hear me?" Sam's voice cut through the haze, her hand gently shaking my shoulder.
I blinked, trying to focus on her concerned face. "Sam, I... I..." I swallowed, briefly focusing back on what was important—her. "I am alright."
Her eyes widened in worry. "Really? We should go to a doctor; this can't be normal."
"I know," I admitted, rubbing my temples even as I threw her a smile. "But I feel better now. It might be because I haven't slept or eaten in quite a while. I was writing my thesis all night yesterday."
Sam's expression softened, her hand squeezing mine reassuringly. This lasted for a while until she continued squeezing, and I started feeling pain.
"Um, Sam?"
"Yes, dear?" She said with a saccharine smile.
"Nothing."
I slumped down in defeat, and she giggled before apologising to the people around who had gathered to witness what was happening. After much grumbling, they went back to their seats, continuing to watch the movie.
"You know, I could have helped you write your thesis. No need to rush it; you still have time."
I shook my head. "No, Sam, this is different. I need to write it on my own." I sent her a smile, squeezing her hand lightly. "You are brilliant, and I am sure your thesis about quantum mechanics will be well received, but if you helped me, it would feel wrong."
She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, let's get you out of here. Maybe some fresh air will help."
"What?" I looked quizzically at her, and she shook her head.
"I am feeling hungry, and the movie is a bust."
I knew that wasn't true. I saw the look she had in her eyes as she watched the movie—she enjoyed the romance. But I couldn't force myself to stay. I wasn't lying when I said I hadn't eaten or slept in a while. Adding the memories of my past life deciding to manifest now, and you had a very grumpy soul in a starving and sleep-deprived body.
As we left the cinema, the cool night air hit my face, providing some relief from the throbbing headache. But the memories lingered, a constant reminder that something was very wrong as I saw a military truck going by.
We walked down the brightly lit streets of Austin, the neon signs of diners and cafés cast a warm glow onto the pavement. I couldn't help but feel nostalgia about what I was seeing, my past and present memories clashing. Sam glanced at me with concern, her brow furrowed in worry, but she didn't press me; God bless her heart.
"Let's grab something to eat," she suggested, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled between us since I had been rather occupied with contrasting both set of memories, noticing that my 'first life' had been more advanced socially and technologically even if the former wasn't a sure thing considering how far along the Space program of this life was. "You must be starving after staying up all night with your thesis."
I nodded gratefully, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, food sounds good."
We found a small diner on the corner of the street, Big Jon's Burger, its windows glowing invitingly in the night. The interior was cosy, with red leather booths and old-fashioned jukeboxes lining the walls. We slid into a booth by the window, and I sank into the cracked vinyl seat, letting out a sigh of relief.
A waitress in a uniform came over with menus, her name tag reading 'Ellie'. She greeted us with a warm smile and took our drink orders before disappearing into the bustling kitchen.
Sam glanced at the TV mounted on the wall behind the counter, where a news anchor was reporting on the latest developments.
"Looks like North Korea is at it again," Sam remarked, her voice tinged with concern. "Sending rockets into space."
I tore my gaze away from the TV screen, if his memories were correct, this would be the start of an accident which would put his father as CEO of the company. "Yeah, they've been trying for years. Seems like they're making minimal progress, though."
The news footage showed rocket launches, interspersed with images of military personnel and experts analysing the situation. It was a grim reminder for me, that this wasn't just an alternate reality, but the one from For All of Mankind, which despite the big potential there, was still on the brink of collapse from the struggle between West and East, Capitalism and Communism.
Ellie returned with our drinks—coffee for me and a milkshake for Sam—and took our orders with practised efficiency. My eyes momentarily followed the sway of her backside before quickly looking away. Sam's was better.
Speaking of her, she looked at me with concern.
"You sure you're alright, Adam?" she asked gently, reaching across the table to place her hand over mine. Her touch was warm and reassuring. And in some corner of my mind, strange. The dichotomy of what I was and now am is still fresh.
Nevertheless, I managed a weak smile, squeezing her hand in return. "I think so. Just... a lot to process, you know?"
She nodded understandingly, her expression thoughtful. "I get it. But I wouldn't worry, your thesis is sound and I am sure your father will approve."
Ah yes, my thesis. Well, Adam's thesis. Something I was very glad for in this new life, beyond Sam's company, was my family. My father had invented alongside Dev Ayesa, his partner, a working nuclear fusion reactor using Helium-3, they founded Helios Aerospace together and from what I could gather were mining the material abundant on the moon and selling it back on Earth for quite a hefty price.
But, my father Richard Hillard was a rather hard-to-please man. He had everything figured out, my life was planned from the moment I was old enough. Even before my memories of my first life resurfaced some of my personality remained, it manifested in a very early interest in the sciences, as I achieved success in my goals there, he started to reach more and more for me to be like him, to invent the next big thing to keep the family name in the mind of the public, to remind people that it wasn't just his partner's invention but also his own, that his name was as important as Ayesa.
It was a bit of an obsession for my father.
Anyway, it was during the signing of the contract with the military that authorised Helios Aerospace to mine on the moon for Helium-3 that I met, Sam, she was there with her father, some sort of big-shot army man there. We talked and found we had similar interests and kept in contact, eventually helping each other with our thesis, even if she helped me more than I did her, she was a genius and it was hard to keep close to her intellect.
It was as I was thinking that the waitress returned with our plates; a hearty burger for me and a salad for Sam.
I raised an eyebrow at that. "You don't seem to be that hungry."
She rolled her eyes at me. "Just eat your burger."
"Yes, dear."
We dug into our meals with subdued appetites. As we ate, Sam occasionally glanced at the TV screen, her brow furrowing with each update on the North Korean rocket launches.
The memories of my past life continued to linger at the edge of my consciousness, teasing me with fragments of a world that felt both familiar and unsettlingly foreign. The Mars expedition, Helios Aerospace started ahead of schedule, I really wanted to be part of it, to perhaps even man it, but I did not have the knowledge for it, not yet. One step at a time.
After we finished our meal, Sam insisted on paying the bill, despite my protests. She was forward like that, it was interesting, this reality was more conservative in most ways, but in some instances, it proved itself more liberal, just as it did now. It was a welcome change as we stepped back out into the cool night air.
"Ready to head home?" I asked warmly, even as Sam's gaze searched mine for any sign of my headache returning.
She nodded, offering me a small smile and her arm. "Yeah, let's go."
The walk to Sam's home was a short one, she lived not too far from where we were.
Sam's house was a modest two-story brick building nestled in a quiet neighbourhood. As we approached, the porch light flickered on, brightening the neatly trimmed lawn in front. I felt my nerves return in a wholly different way. I prayed to be as small as possible as Sam led me to and unlocked the backdoor, her hand lightly brushing against mine as she guided me through the foyer and into the living room.
"Well, well, if it isn't Samantha with a guest!" A feminine voice exclaimed, startling us both as we turned around and stared at the woman sitting on the couch in the dark. The woman shared the same features as Sam, blue eyes and blond hair, but her hair was stiffer and shorter at the same time, her eyes twinkled with amusement as she looked at me "And who do we have here?"
"Mom, this is Adam," Sam introduced me, her voice high-pitched and tinted with affection and shame both. "Adam, meet my mom, Debra Carter."
"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Carter," I said, extending my hand politely. If my hand was wet as she took it she made no mention of it beyond a warm chuckle and giving me a gentle hug. "Oh, none of that 'Mrs. Carter's' nonsense. Call me Debra."
I couldn't help but smile at her easygoing manner and obliged. "Alright, Debra."
Sam grinned at my awkwardness, nudging me playfully even as I reciprocated, looking at her with a raised eyebrow, pointing at her face which was still warm from her blush, she took that in stride and with a challenging grin as she called. "Mom, is Dad here?"
Debra nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. "He's in his study. And Mark should be home soon. He's been busy with his Air Force duties."
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach at the mention of Sam's father, Brigadier General Carter. Sam saw it and threw me a smug look over her shoulder as her hips swayed sensually causing me to groan in pain.
She must have heard me because she doubled in laughter.
As if on cue, footsteps echoed down the hallway, and a tall figure appeared in the doorway. He had the same piercing blue eyes as Sam, and his presence commanded respect and authority. That or it must have been my mind wandering, trying to distract me from the fact I was looking at my girlfriend's father.
"Dad, this is Adam," Sam said, her voice a mix of pride and nerves. "Adam, meet my father, Jacob Carter."
I swallowed nervously, extending my hand as Jacob Carter approached. "Sir, it's an honour to meet you."
Jacob Carter shook my hand firmly, his expression unreadable. "Likewise, Adam. Samantha has told us a lot about you, you are Richard's son, right? From Helios?"
I glanced at Sam, who was watching our interaction with a mixture of amusement and apprehension. Meeting her family was turning out to be more nerve-wracking than I had anticipated.
Just then, the front door creaked open, and a young man in an Air Force uniform stepped inside. His blonde hair was neatly combed, and his posture exuded confidence and determination.
"Mark!" Sam exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her brother.
Mark Carter grinned, returning his sister's hug before turning to me with a hostile look. "So you are the man that is trying to steal my sister?"
"You have that backwards, she is the one stealing me," I snarked at him, earning a begrudging chuckle from the man who relaxed a tad even as Sam soothed things between us.
After a few more talks, I excused myself.
"I must be going," I said to them apologetically. "It was nice to meet you, but if I am not back my father will surely start calling me and I would rather not get another lesson from him."
"That's alright son," Brigadier General Jacob Carter said, never having actually smiled at me since I met him, neither had his voice taken anything other than cold disinterest when he addressed me. "It is rather late, want me to drive you back."
I quickly shook my head, and that was that.
Walking away from Sam's home, I couldn't shake the weird feeling in my gut. What was her father's name again? There was a strange sense of déjà vu.
Ah, that's right.
Carter.
As in, Stargate Carter. He knew she was familiar for a reason.
Fuck.
Author's note: This was a story I wrote mainly for myself, I decided to put it online because I saw there was only one For All of Mankind fanfiction and I wanted some opinion about what I wrote alongside wishing to mix that universe with Stargate, so there it is, I don't promise regular updates or anything, but I will do my best.