Chapter 1 — by Nyhterides

The night was a cascade of deep dark blues. In the sky, the Pelagi lights wove around the stars in a fairy tale dance. Teal, cobalt, and azure were tentacle fingers teasing the horizon. But Hana was oblivious to their beauty.

The blood on her fingertip reminded her of a ruby. Like the one on the chain her mother had gifted her on her twenty-first birthday.

In her mind, she heard her mother's sweet-natured lilt. "One day you will meet that special person. He may not be perfect nor have those Frank Sinatra baby blues, but he'll be the one to twine his life with yours and in due time you two shall become three. And then maybe one day you can give this necklace to a daughter of yours, my flower."

Wiping the blood on a tissue, Hana recalled how her mother's words were so full of hope and simultaneously so full of pity. Madrigal was sure her only child would never become a mother herself...but she hoped. And hope was a powerful thing.

In the last two thousand years, way before Hana turned twenty-one and was officially considered an adult in at least seven solar systems, healthy pregnancies and births began to decline at an alarming rate. Nowadays, it was rare that a human could be created outside of a test tube – not on Earth nor on any other planet – and no one knew why. Even after artificial conception, the birth of a healthy baby was rare. Despite how far medical research had come, even the best scientists tossed up their hands in defeat at the low number of live births.

Now, another twenty-one years after that birthday, Hana was sitting on the edge of her bathtub, surrounded by pieces of jagged glass, and looking at the mirror she had destroyed when she tossed her hCG reader at it and broke it into a trillion little pieces. From across the room, Hana's reader blinked its fluorescent eye. The numbers were clear: 44,186: week 10.

"I'm pregnant," cried Hana.

An overwhelming feeling of uncertainty cloaked her. Uncertainty brought insecurity and insecurity brought an ugly sense of fear.

"You should be happy, my flower. It's a miracle. A blessing." Her dearly departed mother's voice was a balm and a song inside her head. "I always knew you were special, Hana."

"After more than four decades of child-free life, this happens? I don't understand. "I'm too old. How...how? I mean, I know how but...I'm not supposed to get preg—" A wave of nausea briefly cut her off.

Hana shifted her gaze to the ceiling in order to avoid seeing her hormone reader winking at her.

"Wish you were here, Ma. I need guidance — a helping hand." Hana had never felt so lonely as she did now. Not since her mother's passing nearly a decade ago in the vacuum breach. "I miss you, Ma," her voice fluttered from her lips. "We could have had so much more time together." Independent and quite capable of standing on her own two feet, thank you very much, she now felt like a baby. A big scared baby. And she couldn't continue feeling this way because she had a baby inside her who needed care.

Moving her hands to her curly black hair, she drew in a deep breath. "Ok, stop it, Hana. This is irrational, unreasonable, and impractical." Standing, she caught sight of herself in a chunk of glass that remained hanging on the wall. "You do not let emotions rule you. Get a grip." Hana pulled her hair in a high ponytail and snaked a scrunchy around the spirals. She saw her hair frame her face like a halo and remembered the first date Jeremy had taken her on – a museum that had brought in rare paintings.

"You look like one of those works of art," he had mentioned when she'd worn her hair the same way.

Art created by Botticelli had dotted the walls. She and Jeremy had walked through the halls admiring works from a genius painter born in the 15th century.

Though Jer was more than a decade younger than Hana, the pair had enjoyed themselves and the proverbial sparks had shone so brightly they lit up the sky. He was witty and funny and laughed until he cried when she accidentally called him Jermy instead of Jeremy after having one drink too many with him at her favourite bar, Nyxx.

Their night of culture and too much sweet red wine from the dwarf planet Tsiki had turned into a night of passion.

Now, nearly two months later, Hana found herself sitting among broken glass. There was no more Jeremy. He'd left her with great memories and a bun in the oven.

"A culture-filled booty call. That's all it was. Ma, looks like he was special enough alright. And you were right, no baby blues. Green." Frustrated, she pulled her hair out of the ponytail and tossed the scrunchy in the sink where the elastic unrolled itself and slithered to the hook where she kept all her scrunchies.

"Remind me never to have a one-night stand again." Tip-toeing over the broken glass, Hana entered her bedroom and headed to her closet. "Purple jacket with the fluffy collar, Lumi."

A row of pale orange lights flickered around the mirror of the wardrobe. Hana pursed her lips, and mentally promised not to break any more glass.

There was a faint swoosh as the door opened. "Right away, Hana." Advanced Illuminated Electrical Closet, or Lumi, extended a robot arm holding the desired article of clothing.

"Thank you." Grabbing her jacket, she slipped it on and buttoned it up. Hana let out a sigh when it closed with ease.

"Right. Shoes. I need to get out of here and clear my head." She headed for the front door to get a pair of runners which lay on the heated mat. Slipping her feet inside, she paused a moment to enjoy the warmth radiating. "Maybe I should put heating under the floorboards," she mused.

Hana grabbed her keys and handbag. After shutting the door behind her, she headed in the direction of the one place that always calmed her down – Nyxx Bar, the only bar in town with amazing drinks at dirt-cheap prices. It was great for getting drunk on a budget since her accountant's salary wasn't anything to brag about. Nyxx was a place where anyone could feel safe; where you could chat with a stranger who you'd never again see and come out thinking you had gone to therapy. Plus, the owner, Lady Midnight, always told her the greatest stories.

"I need a cocktail. A Hypnotix. Possibly two." When the realization of her words hit, Hana stopped dead and slapped her cheeks. "What am I thinking? Oh, skies above and below. This isn't a call for hootch, is it? Not until I decide what the heck I'm going to do." Her hands fluttered to her belly before she had time to stop them. "No, no. Ok, I don't want to touch you before I figure out what I'm going to do with you – and figure out how I feel." Pulling her hands away, she continued walking. "I hope Lady Midnight's got a totally tubular tale today. I need to hear something good. The one she told me about the sloth that cried diamonds was interesting." Jamming her hands in her pockets, Hana stared straight ahead as thoughts of How am I going to do this? And Will the baby even survive? invaded her brain.

The stars shimmered their brilliance creating a sky of glittery confetti. Escorting her to the bar were the blue Pelagi lights. But they were ignored again. Defeated, the lights blasted off into space and vanished in a maw of darkness.

The music in Nyxx Bar was a calming heartbeat. Hana heard the melody coming from the jukebox as soon as she entered. Drawing a breath, she smelt the familiarity of beer and the burnt-sugar aroma coming from the hookah pipes. Candles dotted the tables. Fairy lights and plastic flowers hung from the ceiling giving it a dive-bar of the 1980s on Earth vibe which the owner, Lady Midnight, adored.

Making her way to the bar to grab a seat, Hana was greeted by Alora who raised her rat-like tail in a wave. The waitress was balancing a tray full of glasses.

"Hey-o! Haven't seen you in a while." Giving Hana a cheeky smile, Alora added, "Been busy?" One of the three Vlerns working at Nyxx, Alora was part rat, part ant, part human, and one of Hana's favourite waitresses. "Missed Dion's wicked Hypnotix?" Alora's antenna wiggled as she chuckled. Her tail was pointing to the very tall, statuesque onyx-skinned Human mixing drinks.

Hana pursed her lips and sat down. "I guess."

"I don't blame you for staying away. When you brought him in that night...golly-lolly," Alora gushed, "I thought to myself, soooo cuuuuute!"

Hana touched her forehead to the counter and sighed.

"Ooh?" Alora scurried closer and set her tray on the counter. "Did I put my foot in my mouth?" Down came her antenna over her lips briefly. "Did you break up?"

"He wasn't a boyfriend," Hana muttered before sitting upright. "It was just that one night."

Alora cringed. "I should keep my yap shut, shouldn't I?" she whispered. "I'm really sorry." Looking like she wanted to hurl herself into a black hole, Alora waved Dion over with a flourish, "Deeee...Deeee. Calling Captain Dion Saint John! Come here. We have a situation, repeat, we have a situation. I've lost control of this ship."

Dion sauntered over and leaned his elbows on the counter. "Hey, Han." He gave Hana a playful wink before scowling at Alora. "Foot in mouth again, Lora?"

Leaning towards him, Alora said in a stage whisper, "Whatever she wants, it's on me." Then before she could say anything else that would make Hana look even glummer, she gave her a quick pat on the shoulder and scurried away.

"I'd order about ten cocktails since Lora's paying."

"I would like to, but..." Hana looked up at Dion and shrugged. "Maybe just some apple juice."

Dion staggered back and clasped his hand over his heart in mock shock. "Juice?" Inching to Hana as if she were a strange creature, Dion carefully touched her forehead. "You feeling alright?"

Before Hana could reply, the sound of ocean waves wrapped around her like a soothing blanket. She didn't have to turn around to see who it was. She knew it was Lady Midnight, the only one who knew everything about everyone... sooner or later. Hana subconsciously wrapped her arms around her belly.

"Dion, darling, we have the best apple juice. Maybe our Hana is craving it." Lady Midnight was pale to the point of being nearly transparent. She had a head of foam-green tentacles and long-lashed sea-green eyes. Standing a head taller than Dion and blessed with curves upon curves, Lady Midnight was often found wearing flowy dresses in different shades of blue – so much like the Pelagi lights that had tried to catch Hana's attention. Upon Midnight's wrists were a multitude of bangles that made a silvery sound whenever she moved her arms.

"I am at your service, m'lady," with an exaggerated bow, Dion headed to the fridge.

Taking a seat next to Hana, Midnight looked at her and raised a brow. "Are you craving it for a particular reason, darling?" she asked when Dion was out of ear-shot.

Hana moved her hands from her belly. "No idea what you're talking about," she mumbled.

Never one to pry too much, Lady Midnight nodded. "We're all happy to see you here. It's been a few months and you never stay away that long."

Hana felt like someone had pulled her spine out. "I, uh..." Slumping, she hugged herself and looked at the bar owner. "What do you know about the Legend of Amber?"

A smile spread across Midnight's lips. She waited until Dion had set Hana's juice down and left before answering. "Legend of Amber, eh? Well, that's one I haven't heard of in ages. Some say she was a Human spaceship captain."

Hana took a sip of her drink. It tasted funny which was odd because she loved apples. "Go on."

"They say she was pregnant. Not like many ladies get pregnant nowadays with the help of technology but rather traditionally. Most say Amber decided to head to Earth because she believed...no...she somehow knew, her baby would be safe there. That she would be able to successfully carry to term and have a healthy live birth."

Hana was so engrossed she forgot to let go of her glass. "Please tell me more." Her voice didn't sound her own. It sounded too soft. Too tearful.

"No one knows much more. Not even I, darling. We all like to continue the story in our own dreamy way by saying Amber gave birth to a healthy Human child and they lived happily ever after as people in fairy tales do but..." Lady Midnight touched Hana's free hand. "Do you think we live in fairy tale times?"

"And they all lived happily..." Madrigal's voice whispered in the air. Hana wrapped her arms around her stomach. It was at that moment she knew what she wanted to do. The decision was an explosion throughout her. She wanted this baby. And in a second, that want turned into an unwavering desperation to do anything to have her child arrive safe and sound. Her arms felt empty. Wrapping them protectively around her tummy, a tear ran down her cheeks.

"I knew it wasn't a simple craving," Midnight said softly.

"I need to find Amber." Hana bit her lip. "I need to find a way to get to Earth. I know it's going to be hard. Insane even. Maybe I'll be doing nothing more than causing myself heartache. But I have to do it. Even if it takes me to hell. I need to do this. This little one is the most precious thing I..." words drifted off. She felt tears threatening to fall. But she would not let them. One was enough. If she were to cry again, she wanted it to be from joy, not sadness.

"Perhaps it is a journey to hell, my darling. Going to Earth is going to be tough. But you know what they say."

Hana shook her head.

"Sometimes you have to go to hell to find your angel."

This chapter is dedicated to ashutoshmoru

Interview with the author of this chapter.