Both Xochitl and Aspen looked up from their cups and looked at each other simultaneously before staring at Bill. "Now I think I can get us out of this pickle if you two are game." Began Bill looking between the sister like friends. Xochitl was the first to react nodding her head silently but Aspen remained silent and unsure.
"How?" she asked cautiously
"Well your going to have to trust me. Bartel-B mentioned escape pods in the event of an emergency. We are going to use those."
"But how do we get to them?" asked an inquiring Aspen
"We volunteer for work." stated Bill looking sure of himself.
"And if they say no.....?"
"Who says no to free labor." quipped Bill "Let's just see if they will utilize us." he assured Aspen before another question could deflate his plan.
"Don't mind her..... we're both super negative in the mornings. We have rules in place for this reason. No one can bring discuss anything until the first cup of coffee is consumed. Typically we wait for the green tea ." encouraged Xochi. At that Aspen promptly began sipping her coffee trying to seem inconspicuous.
"Y'all make it seem like you never talk in the mornings."
"It's common practice in my family it's practically like communion." stated Xóchitl "It's especially true for my prima hermana! She is, to say the least.." xóchitl hushed her voice "a bit dramatic." Aspen rolled her eyes but continued to sip her coffee. Rules where rules! Xóchitl for many years relentlessly goaded Aspen before her morning coffee. She found delight in disturbing her morning coffee routine on the way to high school. Until junior year. Aspen had a complete meltdown after Xóchitl had accidentally scared her, causing her to spill her morning coffee on the ground. It was as if Aspen's world collapsed. She broke down and cried that her friend kept ruining her mornings and if she continued she would have to end their friendship. Xóchitl new that this would never happen. Nonetheless she took the oath solemnly to never disturb her coffee time. Xóchitl herself over the years developed the same habit. By senior year of high school the girls drank coffee in silence together. The sacred ceremony had never been disturbed until Bill.
"I have such little time to plan and y'all are aware that we will no longer be in the this universe in just a few days right!? I'm not exaggerating for once in my darn life! We need a plan." A frustrated Bill stomped the ground with his foot. He showed his best 'I mean it' parent look that he could muster. The two girls were unaffected and continued to sip their coffee. He looked between the two girl completely dumbfounded that neither took this moment seriously. Dubious and defeated Bill leaned up against a nearby wall and watched with a rather annoyed expression at the two girls.
"Okay...." started Aspen after inspecting her empty cup of coffee hoping to see one more drop. The cup was dry as bones in the desert. "I think I can flirt my way upstairs into getting you a job." she said matter of factly.
"What makes you so sure our captain has interest in you only?" asked Bill
"He did the turn back stare...." she replied
"Awe the turn back stare..." repeated Xochi "I noticed that too." she hummed in an agreeable tone.
"What in tarnation are you to going on about?" asked Bill
"He looked back and stared at her." replied Xóchitl
"I'm not saying the man don't have an interest."
"Listen women are masterful detectives. We know you want us before you even know you want us." she interrupted before Bill could go on. Bill just huffed in surprised and held up his hands as if to say well go on then. Aspen cleared her throat and summoned Bartel-B to her side.
"How may I be of service?" prompted Bartel-B
"May I have an audience with the Captain?" she asked her words as sweet as honey.
"Requesting...." reported back Bartel-B. It was just mere seconds till the Captains face appeared on a projected screen.
"Is something the matter Miss Aspen?" asked Rory
"I was curious if I could have an audience with you privately." Aspen was never one to beat around the bush and tried often went directly to the point. This was the pre-med student in her. A problem would be present a solution found shortly after then time to proceed to the next problem.
"May I inquire as to why you need a private audience with a captain, whom I might add, has a many great many important tasks to accomplish in a short amount of time." Bill immediately smirked in victory knowing full well important men had far more important things to do than stare and talk to pretty women. Aspen suddenly flashed a bright smile and reddened cheeks, as if caught eating a delicious bread roll before dinner. It was too much to bear even for Bill. She was adorable and cute. Aspen was similar to his wife in the way that they both adorned perfect smiles that drew others to them. They both emanated warmth and comfort. Bill knew Rory was a goner. Who could say no to such a pretty face. Bills smile faded from his lips. Xochi was right. Women were indeed intuitive when it came to men. He should've known as he married a masterful women himself.
"Well...." a shy voice drew out from Aspens lips her eyes shining ".....I was just hoping we could get to know each other. Since my life lays in your hands."
"I see...." Rory paused in thought his hand placed below his chin as he contemplated how this could go wrong. Normally he was the first one to make a move. However, Aspen initiated the contact. He was curious to say the least. He wasn't expecting her to come to him so quickly. "How about dinner this evening."
"Sounds great." replied Aspen