[Celeste]

Moon confuses me. There is a hidden depth to him.

Pushing aside the questions in her mind, Celeste walked into the galley just as Moon extracted two plastic covered trays from the warmer. She swung her duffle bag from her shoulder and placed it on a counter. "What culinary masterpiece have you prepared?"

Moon bowed with a grin. "Only the best for the Priestess. I believe they were marked dinner - serve warm. Think of them more as a gastronomic mystery."

She grinned back at him. "Yum, I can't wait."

"Shall we partake in the garden?"

"The garden?"

He tilted his head toward the hatch. "Grab a couple ales and follow me."

Shaking her head, Celeste said, "No ale until you do a head diagnostic scan." She snatched up two clear bottles of water instead and followed him into the passageway.

He turned his head back. "You're still being mean."

Celeste's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as he opened the hatch at the end of the passageway. "Moon, this is amazing!"

Plants filled a room about twice the size of his cabin. Fragrant aromas, sweet and fruity, held thick in the humid air. Vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers of many kinds stood up from raised rectangular beds positioned in neat rows across the room. Trees brushed the ceiling at the four corners, some laden with fruit. He led her down a center aisle to a small wooden table and benches secured to the floor in the middle of the room. With only a few emergency lights shining, the garden appeared as if at dusk.

Moon set the food trays on the table. Celeste sat down, turning her head about to take in the surrounding flora. "Moon, I never would have taken you as a gardener."

He shrugged, tilting his head. "It takes up some potential cargo space, but on long hauls, it provides some fresh produce and helps keep me sane."

Rising, Moon walked a few paces to a bed brimming with colorful flowers. He snipped a single purple lavender flower stalk and placed it before Celeste. She smiled and lifted the flower to her nose to take in the sweet perfume. Her cheeks warmed.

Oh, so this is a date?

He peeled back the plastic covering off the ration pack and poked at the contents of each of three tray sections with a fork. He scooped a morsel into his mouth. Chewing, he pulled his eyebrows down. "I still don't know what this is. It needs something more for flavor."

Moon stood up. "Fortunately, I have an herb garden." Turning to a nearby bed, he snipped several green leaves. "Some sweet basil and cilantro might help." Chopping them into small pieces, he shared half of the herbs with Celeste.

She took a bite and nodded. "They do help. Thank you."

Responding to a beep, Moon extracted a hand-held viewer from a leg pocket of his black pants. He said, "That might be Sai. I started the reboot process before dinner."

Celeste nodded. Then this is not a date. I do not understand him.

Moon placed the viewer on the table. "Sai, is that you?"

Sai sounded almost gleeful. "Oh yes! I am exceedingly happy that you survived, sir."

He grinned. "As am I, my friend. Good to hear your voice again."

"How did the Priestess fare, sir?"

Celeste spoke up. "I am here with Moon, Sai. Alive and well."

"That is pleasing to me, Priestess." Sai paused. "I seem unable to access the video and audio intra-ship sensors."

Moon replied, "We are in the garden, Sai. The EMP from the nuclear detonation took down the sensors. What do you remember?"

"I had stored memories to within ten seconds of the expected torpedo intercept, sir. Given the severity of the incident, I took it upon myself to perform frequent incremental backups."

"A wise decision, Sai."

"Thank you, sir. I will begin repairs immediately on the ship sensors."

Moon shook his head. "No, Sai. Your first priority is to do self-diagnostics. Make sure there is no damage to yourself."

Celeste cut in. "After that, Sai, see if you can get the medical bay running. We need to do a brain scan on Moon to check for concussion."

Sai's voice became laced with concern. "Oh sir, are you well? Any dizziness, disorientation, or headaches?"

"I'm fine, Sai."

"Be sure to get plenty of rest and fluids, sir. If you would recall the incident on the Bravo Station with the tavern brawl--"

Moon frowned. "Not now, Sai. I really am fine." He caught Celeste's glare and held up his hands. "I promise to be good."

Celeste said, "Sai, I would like you to help me watch over Moon and make sure he follows all medical related guidance."

"Absolutely, Priestess. I shall monitor him closely and ensure his compliance."

Celeste smirked as Moon put his head in his hands. He grumbled, "Not you too, Sai..."

Sai said over the viewer, "I shall begin the deep self-diagnostic routine immediately and inform you of the results once completed, sir."

He sighed. "Good night, Sai." He touched his viewer, ending the communication.

Moon glared across the table. "Well played, Celeste."

She smiled sweetly. "I think I will enjoy interacting with Sai." A giggle passed her lips at his discomfort. She recomposed herself with a hand to her mouth. "May I ask you about something?"

He lifted an eyebrow. "Sure."

"I found some papers with drawings and thank-you notes made by children. What prompted that?"

"You went through my stuff?" Moon narrowed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I noticed them when I borrowed one of your shirts."

"Oh, it's okay." He waved his hand as if to dismiss any offense. "To answer your question, some years ago I ran through a Trade Consortium blockade around the Ouranian mining colony to deliver supplies. Evacuated some families and had kids scampering all over the Phoenix Star." He shrugged. "No big deal."

Celeste gasped and her eyes grew large. "That was you?"

"Yeah, but like I said before, no good deed goes unpunished. The Consortium had me thrown in jail and threatened to take away my ship. But somebody important must have intervened, because the charges were dropped and the blockade came down."

She shook her head. "Moon, it was a big deal! You saved hundreds of lives and the incident spurred reform of the trade regulations. It was the Sol Empress herself who intervened."

Moon's jaw dropped. "It was?"

"Yes, she was quite impressed with your initiative and bravery." Celeste leaned forward. "I think underneath that cynical shell, you're just a big soft cuddly teddy-bear. Ever thought about becoming a father?"

Moon jerked back. "Oh, frack no! For the children's sake and mine."

"Well, I would like to hear more of this rescue story."

A mental image of him mobbed with rambunctious children brought a grin to her face. The children must have touched his heart. After all, he saved the paper drawings and left the scribbled art on his wall.

Moon rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Sai would fill you in on all the details."

"I am sure. Nonetheless, thank you for a lovely dinner."

"Dinner is not yet complete. I have one more treat, but you have to help pick them." He took her hand, winding around the garden beds. The raised bed overflowed with plants, casting runners over the sides. Dark green leaves reached up toward the light, partially hiding bright red fruits.

Her eyes widened. "Strawberries?"

Moon nodded with a smile. "Yeah. These are the first fruits of the season, at least those not ruined by that nuclear explosion thing. Do you like strawberries?"

"I love them! It has been so long since I had any fresh." Celeste plucked a fruit and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes to savor the sweet tartness and the fruity fragrance. The flavor was intoxicating. "Oh, this is so good..." Another berry went into her mouth. Licking her lips, she asked, "Don't many of these plants need pollinators? How do you do that?"

A proud smile widened on his face. "I could never maintain a stable bee population on such a small plot. I had some time on my hands, so I made my own." He motioned toward a small shelf mounted to the wall. On top of a round charging pad sat what looked like a mechanical insect, complete with four tiny translucent wings, six ribbed legs, and a metallic body colored black and yellow. Two miniature camera lenses formed the eyes. He bowed. "May I present to you... Bee-bot."

"It's adorable!"

"Let me show you how she works." He touched an icon on his viewer, but frowned when Bee-bot only flopped about on the charging pad then fell over on its side. Moon shook his head. "The EMP must have damaged it. We may have lots of unshielded electronics to repair on this ship."

With his words, she froze in place and color drained from her cheeks. Hot panic swept through her mind. Oh, no. Please, no...

Moon's eyes widened. "Celeste, what is it?"

She did not answer, instead running through the hatch and disappearing down the passageway.