You see, I have this small space ship hidden away (in the deep recesses of my imagination), with plenty of fuel and ready to go at any time. I thought that taking a trip would help me with new material for my lectures.

So after settling my affairs here on Earth (you never know if you will return in the same space-time continuum, so it is best to prepare for anything), I packed a few things and left on a weekend.

Ah, but Earth is a pretty sight when you are traveling away from it at 50,000 kilometers per hour. So serene and bathed in colors, my home planet looked at peace with itself as I soared away.

My first stop was the planet Trantor, which I had heard so much about from Asimov in his 'Foundation' series of books. Alas, the computer on board my small one-person craft had no listing for Trantor. Mustering up my courage, I decided to mimic Jean Luc Picard, pointed to the center of the Milky Way, and ordered my ship to 'go that way'.

So off we went. I use the term 'we' because space ships of the future have very smart onboard computers, complete with personalities. I call my ship computer 'Lady'. Don't ask me why, I've forgotten.

Lady and I accelerated so fast that I was pressed hard in my seat before the artificial gravity took hold. It seemed like days, but I am sure it was only hours, that we raced by star after star. Looking out my small viewport, each star looked like a streak of blue light, thanks to the Doppler Effect. There was no time to look for individual planets and the array of blue streaks going by my window, against a background of colorful stellar nebula, was a sight to see. I wish you could have been there to enjoy it with me.

At last, we slowed down and almost immediately, Lady took us to a star system she thought might interest me. Before my very eyes, I stared in awe as I saw hundreds, maybe even thousands of space platforms, ships, and beacons. Wherever this was, it was obviously a place for lots of traffic.

It did not take long for the local space police to ask for my identification and where I was going. Fortunately, Lady took care of the details and I soon found myself disembarking onto a large platform, hung in space not far from a planet.

Just to make sure I could talk with others there and get back to my ship, I ordered Lady to accompany me in a copy of herself attached to my wrist. It is amazing how small computers can get, isn't it?

The next few days were very busy for me.

After stuffing myself with exotic foods from all over the galaxy, watching (and participating in the interactive) entertainment, walking for kilometers, I finally met my fatigue point. Needing a rest, I sat in one lounge and overheard several aliens at the next table discuss their journey in a ship called "Bellow's Delight". I became fascinated and before I knew it, signed up to journey a bit with them.

Our first stop was the planet Xoris. There I went immediately to a fabulous market place, where you can literally buy anything, or so it seems, if you have enough stellar credits.

Row after row on level after level of shops I saw exotics items like Boolean tea (believe it or not), Ferengi grub worms (yuck), Yoki meat balls, spicy Andorvean fins (delicious), and other marvelous foods.

But the most surprising were the toys. There were Keeler jumping horns the size of Earth horse saddles and used much in the same way. I saw a brood (that's their name for a group of their young) amphibean Tuvittes, slithering in a pool of red liquid which shimmered and sang as they passed.

I have always wanted to try time travel and heard that you could buy a short trip back in time, as long as you promised to not run away. It seems they had plenty of difficulty with fugitives taking short trips back in time and evading the police.

Thinking hard on where (or when) I would go, and being a newcomer to these parts so everything would be just as new without traveling through time, I made my decision of WHEN to go.

I chose to go back to the same place I was and meet MYSELF. Now that was an interesting meeting, since we had lots to talk about, with our common interests, especially since she knew I was coming.

After that, I reboarded our little ship, only to find that several artists had joined us. Not wanting to feel unartistic, I tried my hand at a little wall painting.

Boy, was I surprised when they did not appreciate my efforts. Do you mean to tell me this isn't art?

All journeys must come to an end. Even though I could travel in space forever, I knew that if I did not get back soon, humans on Earth would think I had died or something and bury my body. Since I have more plans for my body, I thought it prudent to head back to the Solar System.

First I had to get back to my own ship, which took a couple days, and pay the parking fees. Wow! They sure want a lot for just parking a space ship!

Then Lady and I headed for home. Yep, I can tell you, folks, it was quite a trip. Lots to see and experience.

I hope you have enjoyed this little space venture with me. Please come again some time. I have lots more places out there we can visit together and it would be fun to have you along.

- Ms. Victory Crayne, veteran space traveler

Would you like to read more of My stories?

You can visit the my Home Page for articles on writing fiction, motivational newsletters, links to career places, Internet software, and more.

If you like to WRITE science fiction, you may find the SFNovelist Writing Workshop to be helpful.

Copyright © 1995-1997 by Victory Crayne, Tustin, California. All rights reserved. Please send suggestions and comments to:
Please visit this page again at: www.crayne.com/mystory.htm