CHAPTER 3

Joilee's Promising Years.

(A Few Years Prior)

Before Joilee's deep-space expedition, she was born in the age of a Solarian cosmocracy. Since the Earth's Conglomerate was formed 200 years ago, it has enforced laws and policies that were considered inhuman. The use of the currency was obsolete. Everything that the government citizens, was issued in limited rations. Population laws were enforced through birth control and lottery pregnancy. By the age of seven, citizens were mandated to enlist in the military.

Joilee was drafted into a military academy. Joilee was trained in firearms basics and close-quarter combat. In addition, Joilee was trained in Zero Gravity Protocol in the Solis Planum region of Mars. Zero Gravity Protocol consisted of space marine combat, shuttle piloting, space fighter jet combat, and emergency drifting.

After basic military training, the government allowed their military scholars to choose a division to operate. At the age of 14, Joilee decided to be an Interplanetary Agricultural Scientist. Her studies included plant and human relations, Plant Genetic Mutations, and Terraforming. Joilee was the top in her class. She had written numerous essays on plant genetic modifications.

Joilee received praise from the Earth Conglomerate council for her experiments in altering the D.N.A. that increased the lifespan of strawberries, grapes, wheat, and corn for up to 2 years. By the age of 18, she earned the title of Lieutenant in the Science Division. By the age of 22, she had been awarded the title of Chief Agricultural Science Officer.

After her graduation, Joilee was drafted to be part of the deep exploration team. Joilee was assigned to the ship Oldumare; to observe the planet Sierra Alpha Prime in the Alpha Centauri Galaxy. The planet was discovered 100 years ago U.A.V. extra-Solarian reconnaissance fighter drones that are equipped with lightwave engines, were used to map regions of the Alpha Centauri System.

These shuttles were programmed to scan distant worlds for colonization. The Oldumare was the 20th largest ship built with an experimental engine is powered by Lightwave technology. This technology operated by bombarding mass amounts of light particles into dark matter, creating combustion light waves that allowed it to travel at the speed of light.

After Joilee received her rank, she and her classmates went to a bar and celebrated. The following morning she'd had packed her trip home to the Detroit Biodome Hub before she had to board the Oldumare in a week.

As she was packing her clothes, a voice from her phone alerted her that she had a video call. She grabbed a thin O.L.E.D. glass scroll and unrolled it. The thin sheet projected the holographic app icons. She turned on the large image of a bald dark skin man wearing a governmental military uniform. His name is Lieutenant - Colonel Orlando Jackson.

Jackson and Joilee had entered the academy together; however, their path took a slight split. While Joilee became interested in science, Jackson became a combatant space marine. Jackson was a weapons expert and trained to be a field combat strategist. Jackson and Joilee were close friends and became even closer throughout their military careers. Dating was not allowed amongst the conglomerate citizens unless it was granted by petition.

"Hey, baby girl!" Jackson replied with a smile on his face.

"Hey baby, how are you!" Joilee replied.

"Fine as always. What are you doing?"

"I am packing to go see my family before I board the Olodumare in a week. Wassup with you?"

"I just want to apologise for not making it to your promotional ceremony and celebrating with you last night."

"Don't worry about it. I understand that you had the new grunts to train."

"You know I put in my request to be stationed on the Olodumare."

"Yes, I remember. I wished that you could go!"

"Yeah. I can't believe I got some bullshit about our relationship, could interfere with the mission."

"It's military protocol. We were lucky that they allowed us to stay on the same base."

"Don't forget our sparring match at the gym."

"I won't forget. I never miss the opportunity to kick your ass."

"You wish." Joilee chuckled.

"Alright, I gotta go train the neophytes. See you soon," Orlando replied as he ended the holographic call.

Joilee had a set schedule.

During her first days as an Agricultural Officer, Joilee was stationed in a vegetation city, known as the Veracruz Biodome. She had six hours of military training and eight hours of education. During Joilee's mornings, she reports to the nearest gym for her mandatory fitness training. Joilee goes to the gym from 400 to 800 hours. Every time Joilee entered the fitness center, she had to complete a set of exercises mandated by the military division. Once Joilee was done with her daily fitness requirement, she reported to the agriculture division.

Joilee starts her work day at ten hundred hours. Joilee's workdays were long and stressful at the time. Once she completed her 72 hour work week, she was allowed to take a week off. Joilee spent her first day for her mandatory psychiatric evaluation, as all citizens must have one. The rest of her days were to use at her wish. Joilee would rest for the next two days, which was a luxury. However, her preferred reward was spending time sparring with Orlando.

Joilee and Orlando are in a relationship that is transparent with the government by mandate. The Earth Conglomerate was never against relationships. However, relations were closely monitored to ensure that essential citizens are not distracted from their work. The government believes in sexual activity was necessary for a physical and emotional outlet; to cope with the government's strenuous work demands. However, procreation was a privilege, as population control policies were set to preserve the dwindling resources.

Joilee took a shuttle to the Atlanta City military biodome; where Orlando was stationed. After her three-hour transport over barren land and dodging a massive superstorm; her transport arrived in Atlanta City docking bay. Orlando had met up with her. When they first saw each other; they greeted each other with a kiss.

"I am glad to see you!"

"Likewise. Looking handsome as ever," Joilee replied.

"So are you ready to go to my apartment so we can both catch up on some quality time," Orlando lustfully smirked.

"Easy their soldier. It hasn't been a minute and you are ready to jump my bones. Let's go to the gym. I am been waiting for that ass-kicking you promised," Joilee smirked.

"Alright!"

Orlando and Joilee took a transport train to the gym to vigorously spar in mixed martial arts. They both train in aerospace fitted catsuits, that provided body temperature and moisture control. The suit fed data to an RFID chip that was inserted in their arms. The chip was equipped with GPS tracking and Bio signs technology. Orlando pins Joilee to the mat with a side mount move.

"I got you now!" Orlando bolsters.

"You're so fucking predictable."

Joilee performs a hip escape and puts him into a Guillotine chokehold. Orlando has a hard time getting out of the move. Orlando taps the mat, signaling for his surrender.

"Goddamn Joilee, you're about to kill a man."

"I told you to practice your escape move," Joilee replied as she was breathing hard.

"You need to ease up on the leg press machine; your legs are like iron traps."

"Oh, really, you don't complain when I loosen them for you when we are in bed."

"Good thing we were granted some fun time together," Orlando smirked.

Sex amongst citizens required a permit consisting of a medical exam and an upgraded version of RFID Bio Monitor Chips; that administered doses of birth control for men and women. A couple must be married and go through parental education to receive a permit for procreation. It was a way to ensure population control.

Shortly, after transporting back to Orlando's apartment cabin, the couple wastes no time continuing their date. Both took a quick shower and ate freeze-dried ration packs; consisting of seaweed, noodles, salmon jerky, and juice mixing powder loaded with vitamins and electrolytes.

After dinner, Joilee and Orlando share each other's bodies. Orlando leads Joilee to his bed. Joilee pushes Orlando to the bed and straddles him. Joilee presses her lips against his. Joilee can feel the rise of his manhood peaking out of his lounging robe, which causes her to stop.

"Easy there, soldier. I think your gun is ready to fire," Joilee replied with a giggle.

"It's your damn fault! You looking so damn fine, and not seeing you for nearly a month has made me anxious," Orlando replied. Joilee smiled and continued her sexual prowess on Orlando. Both Joilee removed the little clothes they had on; before melded their bodies together.

After their night of lovemaking, Jackson turned on the O.L.E.D. holographic projectors in the all; that projected a moon over the ocean horizon. The projectors were operated by the biodome's computer algorithms that made the weather random. It was another way for citizens to cope with the knowledge of a dying planet. Outside the biodome, the sky was dark and covered with smog. Some parts of the Earth's atmosphere were even toxic to breathe. These were the result of the weapons used in the war 200 years ago. However, it did not matter to Joilee or Orlando. As long as they were together, they were happy.

"Baby, will you miss me when you are up there in the heavens?" Jackson asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Of course, baby! Why would you ask that?"

"You will be gone for a year. I am kinda nervous.

"What you gotta be nervous for. Ships have been doing deep space exploration for nearly 125 years. I will be on the fastest ship ever made.

"Yeah, you are right. I heard that they built it with the state of the art light wave engine technology. The way the engineers were talking in the Applied Science division, I heard that baby can fly! They almost blew up the research facility on Titan to perfect it."

"Have you heard about the city ships they are building?"

"Yeah, I heard they are massive," Joilee replied.

"I heard ten ships are in production in Hearthtropolis's orbital shipyard right now. Each can accommodate 2500 personnel in ten years."

"It is a lot," Joilee replied nervously.

"What is the matter?"

"Knowing all the people are counting on the Olodumare crew is a lot. I hope everything goes well. I will be responsible for surveying the land for terraforming so we can at least grow decent food."

"Hey, baby. Calm down. You and the Olodumare crew will do well. I just hope I can deal with you going away for a long time."

"I will see you in a year. You better not go dipping on me with other women while I am gone."

"Baby, you are the only one in my heart!"

"I just bet!" Joilee replied as she gave off a playful giggle.

"I have something to prove that!"

Jackson gets up from the bed, goes to his uniform, and removes a governmental engagement seal from his marine suit uniform.

"What are you doing?" Joilee asked. Jackson walks over to Joilee and gets down on one knee.

Dr. Joilee Reyna James. I just want to show you how much I love you."

"Don't tell me about you, too," Joilee was super elated that Jackson was proposing to her."

"Will you marry me?" Orlando asked as he got on one knee.

"Yes!" Joilee replied as she hugged Orlando Jackson tight."

"Aw! Baby girl, you made me the happiest man!"

"You have to come with me to meet my parents!"

"When!"

"I am leaving for my parent's home on Monday!"

"Baby, I can't. I have to run drills for field exercises all this week."

"It's alright! We'll find a way!" Joilee pressed her lip tightly against Jackson. Jackson fell back into bed with Joilee.

*****

After spending the weekend with Orlando, Joilee got up bright and early dressed in her military uniform. Joilee proudly attached the governmental engagement silver seal to her military emblem. Orlando was still asleep. Joilee sat on the edge of the bed and kissed Jackson on the forehead, waking him. Orlando turned on the holographic sun on the monitors, which helped boost serotonin levels for him to wake up. The hologram gave Joilee a glowing aura.

“You are leaving already.”

“Yeah, my transport shuttle leaves at 1300 hours. I wish I could see you off.”

“Don’t worry about it, baby. I know you have a lot on your plate. Just make sure you have your ass at that boarding bay next week when I leave for the old armory.”

“I would not miss it for the world within the next hour. Joilee caught a transport ship to the Detroit Biodome region.”

Orlando escorted Joilee to the Atlanta city docking area. Joilee arrived late afternoon in the Hard Plaza Landing Bay once the transport ship docked.

Joilee took a transport train to his son, biodome Division, 10 miles south from the Detroit Biodome hub. The transport car entered the sub biodome that was the suburban type habitat. Joilee Transport drove to the house near an artificial lake. Once the vehicle stopped at her parent’s home, living quarters accommodated a six-family home. Joilee got out of the transport vehicle and walked into her childhood home in her military uniform. Joilee walked into the house with an excited look on her face. She saw nobody in the room. She set her luggage at the door and continued to search the house. She finally made her way out the back door.

“SURPRISE!”

“All her family shouted, Joilee was startled, which soon turned to joy. Joilee’s mother and father approached her. Joilee’s father was Emmanuel James, a chief medical officer in mental health. He was an African-American in his early 60s. He has salt and pepper curly hair that is low cut and he is cleanly shaven. Joilee’s mother, Rachel James, was of Irish descent. She was in her late 40s and had red hair with a few streaks of grey mixed in with her reddish-brown hair. She worked as a chief medical doctor in her sector. I am so glad to

“See you both, Joilee replied as she hugged both her parents.

“We hear about your new position. We are so proud of you, Dr. Joilee Reyna James, Chief Science Officer of Agriculture. That has a beautiful ring to it.”

“Where is Mason in his room catching up on his military simulations? He has been slacking off. The military has put him on probation. If he fails, he will be sent to work manual labor.

“Well, let me go say hi to the twerp.”

Moments later, Joilee walked inside Mason’s room. Mason shared the same brownish red hair and caramel skin tone characteristics as Joilee. Mason is 15 years old and was tall for his age. 6’3 inches tall. Joilee ambled at Mason and surprised Mason from behind. He had a pair of V.R. training goggles and a handgun in his hand.

“Hey, you!” Joilee shouted. In freight Jason.

Mason dropped the V.R. gun, causing him to lose the training exercise. Damn it! Mason replied as he took his V.R. goggles off. Mason was ready to barrage his distractor with vulgar insults until he saw Joilee’s face.

“Hey, since when did you get in? About 10 minutes ago, I heard about your promotion. Congrats. It seems like you’re doing well.”

“It seems like you have not been. Mom and dad have told me, You are not taking your exams seriously.”

“Come on, Jay. You are not about to lecture me. You just got home. I am.

“The military does not play around with failure. Do you want to be sent to a manual labor district? All you do is backbreaking work while getting the lesser grade of rations.”

“No!”

“Then get it together. I have done military patrols in that district before. Trust me that is a district you do not want to be. That place smells all right.

“I get it. I will work my ass off.”

“You better. I’ll let you get back to your work,” Joilee scolded before leaving the room.

After hours of discussing her time in the military, Joilee’s parents were elated to hear their daughter’s experience.

As Joilee talked, Rachel noticed the engagement seal on her uniform.

"I see your emblem is decorated with your hard work. I also see another special emblem. When are we going to meet him? Meet who? The man who gave you the engagement seal?”

“Oh!” Joilee replied as she started blushing.

“I was hoping he would come here to meet you and dad, but he had to train new cadets. Busy, man, huh? Yeah. And I am proud of him. You never told me that you were seeing a man.”

“I know. It’s just that I have been swamped. I did not have a chance to call you and dad tell me about him. His name is Lieutenant Orlando Jackson. We met at the academy. We were friends for a while, but we started dating a year ago.”

“I am happy for you. When is the wedding as soon as I get back from my space expedition?”

“Yeah, that,” Mrs. James replied with a worried look on her face.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just that I am worried about you going up there.”

“Mom, everything will be fine.”

“I just don’t think it is safe. We don’t know what is up there. The mysteries of space or the danger is above.”

“The military expedition has done numerous simulations into deep space travel. We are more capable of handling ourselves,” Emanuel bolstered with confidence.

“Yeah, but I’ll be back in no time. I am quite sure time will go by real fast.”

Suddenly, the computer chimes, signaling that someone was at the door. Mr. James opens the door and sees Jackson standing on the other side in his uniform.

“How may I help you, young men?”

“Yes. Is there a Dr. Joilee Reyna James here depend on who’s asking. Mr. James replied with an emotionless look.

“My name is Lieutenant Orlando Jackson.”

Orlando extended his hand for a shake. Mr. James looked at his side and stared right back in his face. Joilee and Mrs. James walk into the living room as she hears Orlando’s voice in the kitchen.

“Orlando? What are you doing here?

“I am here to see you.”

“I thought you had drill exercises all week. I asked my C.O. for a favour to take some time off.”

“Joilee, you know this clown?

“Daddy be nice. This is my fiancee.”

“All I am just messing with him,” Mr. James started to laugh.

“So you are the young man that has my daughter glowing with smiles. Come in.”

*****

A week later, Jackson sees Joy lay off as she boards a transport shuttle to the interplanetary ship, the stellar errand. Once Joilee and her crew boards the ship, the ship’s pilot initiate the final countdown. Once the Stella Errans ignited, the engines created plumes of smoke beneath the vessel, causing it to project into space. Orlando could see the light from engines from the biodome platform. Joilee looked outside the window to catch a glimpse of Earth’s atmosphere, which had a brownish you. The Earth seemed far beautiful in the history lessons that showed her a bluish planet. Joilee and the crew are stationed at the space station for two days before boarding the interplanetary ship, The Stella Errands.

Once onboard the Stella Errands, Joilee and the ship’s crew were transported to the galaxy’s outer realms next to Pluto’s orbital space station, the Oasis. Once the vessel broke the orbit. The transport ship docked the Earth’s spaceport Heaven’s Watchtower before making its way to Hearthtropolis to transfer to another ship. From there, Joilee will make a five-day trip to Pluto’s orbital space colony, the Oasis.