Star-Crossed by Melissa Pollard (book recommendations for teens .TXT) 📖

/> It got larger and larger, before it completely filled my screen. The ship began rattling as it entered the atmosphere.
Once inside, I glided the ship over a forest towards Glitter City, the Lilium

's home. I found a space station to land in and walked outside. A few people stared at me, the guards had their weapons ready. I was arriving with an Earthling vessel after all. I pulled out a badge so they could all see. The guards relaxed, but the stares just kept coming.
I wandered a bit, asking around to see if anyone had seen the Lilium

. Some said no, others pointed in aimless directions to get rid of me.
The aroma of the planet brought back memories from my childhood. I never suspected I'd become captain of a ship, and I definitely didn't suspect I'd be launching my own personal war in this revolution.
I turned a corner and parked in front of me was a massive star ship. It was bigger than I thought it was, but still on the side of it read Lilium

.
"Captain!"
I turned around. Jastrow stood there, Arria by his side. Between the two stood Siobhan. Her eyes lit up and she ran towards me, "Mommy!" she screamed! Her arms wide open. I scooped her up and spun her in circles. "Where'd you go, Mommy?"
I looked her in the eyes, "I saw Daddy!"
Her eyes enlarged, "You died?!"
I chuckled, "No, Daddy was being sneaky! A lot like you!"
"Where is he?" she asked. My heart stopped.
"He couldn't come," I said. Her eyes looked downcast, "but we'll see him again one day." She hugged me, "come on, let's get the Lilium

fired up and leave."
"Captain?" It was Jastrow. Arria was by his side.
"Yes, Jastrow?"
"Permission to allow Arria on board?"
I smiled, "Permission granted. We need a medical officer, don't we?"
Jastrow grinned, turning to give Arria a quick peck on her lips. Arria returned his smile. Both he and Arria followed me on. Other soldiers hailed me as I walked past them. I walked into the command deck, barking orders to get us out of here. The crew members raced to get the ship ready to go.
I went onto the ships speakers, "prepare to launch."
The ships engines fired up. After sitting there for about ten minutes, she finally lifted off the ground and roared into space.
I let the ship sail for a few hours, devising my plan. "Orders captain?" Jastrow asked.
I thought for a moment, "sail for The Jefferson

, we have business to do."
"Affirmative." Jastrow motioned for the Lilium

's driver to locate The Jefferson and head in that direction.
"Jastrow, inform the engineers to power the shields to their full potential."
"Right away ma'am," he began right away.
"Oh, and Jastrow?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Get them to reload and improve the weapons."
"Right away, ma'am"
"When you're done, relieve yourself and spend some time with Arria, she may want to get to know the ship a bit, and you know it the best."
Jastrow grinned, "Thank you ma'am!" He hailed me before leaving the room.
I turned to Siobhan, "Siobhan, Sweetie, I need to go about some business before things get nasty. Do you want to stay here or come with me?"
Siobhan explored the side of my chair. When she found a hidden door, she popped it open and stuck her hand in there, pulling out a red lollipop. "I wanna stay here." She examined the wrapper, picking at it.
"Okay then. You be good then, and don't get in the crew way okay?"
"Okay mommy. Can I sit in your chair?"
I chuckled, "sure thing, Sweetie!"
Siobhan tore open the wrapper and stuck the lollipop in her mouth. Her large brown eyes met mine. She lifted her tiny hand and waved good-bye. I returned her wave and left the room.
Once in the elevator I hit the number 7, the education floor. The elevator dinged when it arrived and I walked down the hall. The door I stopped at read "Mr. Bowie's First Grade Space Troopers."
I knocked.
"Come in," sang a chorus of first graders.
I opened the door. When the children saw me they flew to their partners whispering. I laughed, "Mr. Bowie, I need to speak to you."
"Yes, captain," he said, rising from his chair and heading towards me.
"Mista Bowie's in twouble!" hollered a young boy. The rest of the class giggled, some of them 'oohing'.
Mr. Bowie chuckled, "No, I'm not in trouble, the captain just wants to talk. Ashling, you're in charge. Make sure they finish their reading."
"Okay, Mr. Bowie," replied a young red headed girl.
Mr. Bowie closed the door, "something you need captain?"
I hestitated. Why was I here? Mr. Bowie knows Siobhan is my daughter and he should know she'd know the history of Earth and Novan. "Um, no reason. I just wanted to inform you that Siobhan asked me about the history of Earth and Novan, soooo, if you hear her talking about it, she asked me about it."
Mr. Bowie chuckled, "Oh, that won't be a problem."
"Yup," I said, nodding, "that's all."
Mr. Bowie, "Okay, captain, thank you for the heads up!"
"You're welcome," I said. Mr. Bowie began opening his door, "Oh, just don't mention that a lot of people died at the beginning of the war. I don't want her having nightmares."
Mr. Bowie nodded and left.
A ringing filled the ship. Someone was calling us?
Jastrow came on the speakers, "Captain, it's for you."
"Thanks Jastrow," I said to a speaker on the ceiling, "I'll be there shortly."
When I got to the command deck, I looked around. There was a small ship in the distance. I answered it, "Name and rank?"
There was a pause on the other line, then a familiar voice responded, "Hanaya Telphor, medical officer of The Phantom

."
My heart stopped. "Skyler?" I asked.
He chuckled, "Yes ma'am."
I clicked on the screen, and looked into his brown eyes with the golden slivers. They were staring back at me, with a teasing glint. "But how?" I asked.
A smile crossed his lips, "I told you, I have access to vaccines to improve my immunity system," he chuckled, "and that included basic poison gas."
Siobhan tugged on my arm, "Mommy, who's that?"
I looked at her, smiling, "Daddy."

Imprint

Editing: Many thanks to Kausam Salam. Without you, I never would of even wrote this or many other pieces. You're my inspirtation. Thank you!
Publication Date: 03-14-2012

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