Aurora

The fair-haired swimmer drifted slowly towards the shore, occasionally dipping under the waves to view the mass of fish and crustaceans that darted and crawled on the seabed. The clear blue water became too shallow to swim any further forcing her to stride through the gentle surf, and upon reaching the silver sand she flopped face down letting the early morning sun beat upon her slim well tanned body. She let the heat build up across her back, and turning sideways gazed along the beach to........ The Aurora.

The bows of this huge vessel were buried into the sand, with the bulk of its glistening carcass extending across the lagoon to where it touched the coral reef. The extensive damage to the reef let the ocean pour through, sending rippling waves to churn up the once smooth sands, and to erode away the bases of a line of swaying palm trees.
Some distance away several helpers were transporting boxes, as yet containing goods of an unknown nature or origin.

Rising up, like a mermaid or sea nymph in human form, she brushed the clinging sand away, and jogged towards the chalet.

Claire was waiting on the wooden veranda that ran along the entire seaward facing elevation.
“Did you enjoy your swim, Tina?”
“It was marvellous, and invigorating. The sea is always so buoyant, and so beautifully virile, even the surf kisses me.”
“I think you could do with just a little suntan cream. I’ll rub some in. Wouldn’t want you to get sunburned.”

Tina smiled, and kissed her on the cheek. At times Claire could be over protective, and she seemed to be totally unaware that suntan cream was an item that had yet to appear in the multitude of goods being salvaged from the Aurora.
“What would I do without you Claire?” said Tina, glancing up into the brilliant blue sky, and smiling. To be able to stand in the sun without a care was just one of Tina’s accomplishments. “I smell breakfast, what is it today?”
“Cook is preparing crab and lobster, using another one of those special hot sauces that she’s so good at, and there’s the fruit salad you like so much.”
“Marvellous! I shouldn’t really eat so much this early in the day. You know, I always feel hungry when I can’t have what I really need. Nevertheless, it really is quite idyllic here. I’ll be sorry to leave when the time comes.”

For someone stranded on a desert island Tina was coping well. The chance of ever being rescued was becoming exceedingly remote, but today she felt lucky, and luck always played an important part with Tina. It was almost like an additional sense, so when the feeling came on she knew something important was about to happen.
Once inside the wood and metal chalet; constructed from parts of the Aurora and its cargo; she made her way to the gym, stepping aside as the housekeeper dashed around tidying, dusting, and keeping the interior in immaculate order.

Passing the kitchen Tina glanced into the opposite room that she had christened ‘the office’. As always the equipment was powered down except for the beacon that glowed with its familiar red light.

Striding into the gym she did a quick workout on the rowing machine, weights and punch bag. Through the wide rear window she watched as the gardener trimmed and nurtured the dozens of exotic plants that Tina had discovered on her many forays around the island.

Beyond the garden lay the graveyard, with twenty headstones now catching the rays of the sun; the grey polished volcanic rock reflecting pink and yellow.

Tina sighed.

Showering off she met Claire in the main living area.
“You’re looking very fit, Tina. Your back and shoulders are becoming quite muscular.”
Tina viewed herself in the full-height mirror salvaged from the captain’s cabin. She did look fitter and healthier than at any time in her life. The complete tan she had acquired over the years reminded her of pictures she had seen of south sea islanders, only her long blonde, almost golden hair, showed she was not a native to her current environment. She smiled at her reflection and laughed. “So much for legend.”
“Legends rarely tell the whole truth, Tina.”
“I don’t want to get muscle-bound, do you think I should reduce the amount of weight-lifting I’m doing?”
“No, I think your fitness programme is perfect.”
“If you say so. You’re invariably right. What’s today? I’m losing track.”
“It’s day nine hundred and seventy.”
“Goodness! Nearly into four figures already.”
She looked at her tanned figure again. ‘A pale Venus’ Max had once called her. Poor Max, he never knew the truth, and when he did it was too late. Max would be surprised if he could see her now.
“I hope I get rescued soon. I’d hate to finish my existence out in this place.”
“Now let’s hear none of that. After breakfast I want you take a stroll up to the point, and pick me some red daisies.”
“Of course Claire. I do so love red. I’ll get a whole bunch. They’re so prolific at the moment, that I could fill a dozen vases if I wanted to.”

The housekeeper dashed into the room, and halting beside Tina said: “The beacon is being monitored.”
“What! Really? That’s amazing I was only just saying.”

Tina spun around and raced towards the door, nearly colliding with Claire in her hurry. Reaching the office she jumped into the control seat, and sat mesmerised for a few seconds watching the beacon light flick from green to red and back to green again.

Taking a deep breath she waited while the equipment locked onto the signal.
“Emergency! Emergency! This is the disabled freighter Aurora. I’m sending my co-ordinates.”
“Greetings Aurora this is ‘The Orion’. I have a fix on you. Your distress readout has been decoded, and I will send a lifeboat for you. Expect arrival in five hours, standard time.”
“It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve been marooned nearly three years.”
“That’s a long time to be stranded. Am switching to visual.”
The screen glowed into life showing the face of a man with orange tinted skin, and long cream-coloured hair.
“A Brachnan,” said Claire entering the room, “that’s lucky. They have such good manners, always perfect gentlemen, and he’s most handsome too.”
“Yes,” said Tina, muting the outgoing transmission, “he certainly is. I suppose I better let him see me.”
“Not just yet! He is a man nonetheless. I insist you put on some form of body covering.”
“Oh yes, you’re right. It’s so long since I’ve worn anything I can’t remember where I’ve put my clothing.”
“I have a dress with me. It’s a simple thing with a flower pattern. Slip it on now, and be careful not to lean forwards it’s cut rather low.”
“You are funny,” said Tina smiling, and slipped the garment over her head, pulling it down over her slim hips. “Well! How’s that?”
“Perfect.”
“Good, switching to visual.”
The Brachnan gasped. “Are you from Earth?”
“Of course.”
“You’re the first Earth woman I’ve ever seen outside of holoshows. They are reputed to be the most beautiful in the galaxy.”
“I hope I didn’t disappoint you.”
“No, indeed not. If I may be presumptuous, I would like to travel down in the lifeboat to meet you.”
“Of course. I’ll arrange something special for you.”
“You are most kind. Allow me to bring a gift.”
“A gift. Yes! Yes if you wish to. It’s many years since I’ve been given a gift.”
“I have nothing to compare with your beauty, but I will do my best. My name is Barada.”
“I’m called,” Tina paused. “I’m called… Aurora.”
“The same as your freighter. I’ve heard it say Earth people call their vessels after the female population.”
“Yes, I believe it’s traditional.”
“I will also bring some flowers. If, of course, you don’t object.”
“Why should I mind? I love flowers, especially red ones.”
“Excellent! Until we meet then. Breaking transmission now.”

“He’s a bit of a flatterer,” said Claire, “but it’s well intentioned, and in keeping with his people’s lifestyle. Your beauty has made an impression on him. Gifts of flowers indicate he wishes to; what’s the phrase? Pay court to you, become engaged, and desire your intimate company. I’ll set up a table on the veranda. This will be a great day for all of us.”
“I’m glad he desires me, it will make things so much easier.”

By the time Tina reached the veranda the housekeeper had already laid out several new dresses. Tina felt the hot sun on her back and shoulders once more, and glimpsed at her reflection in the nearest window. How wrong the legends had been.

“The gold one will suit you best,” said Claire, “it not only matches your hair, but being short will show your long legs off to the best advantage.”
“Marvellous! You do think of everything,’ said Tina, strolling along the veranda. “I expect the lifeboat will be quite small, and Barada will land on that flat stretch of beach. He’ll open the airlock and tread onto the hard silver sand. I’ll run to him, my long hair bouncing and moving in the breeze. I’ll stop a few paces from him. Then seductively I’ll let my golden dress slip down to my ankles. Before he has time to say anything I’ll step over to him, and with one arm around his neck I’ll smooth away his cream coloured hair, and running a hand over his beautiful orange face, I’ll kiss him.”
“You are wicked Tina.”
“Yes, I am wicked.”

Tina jumped onto the swing that Claire had erected the previous year.
“Push me please, Claire. I just want to close my eyes and daydream.”

Tina wanted these last few hours to reflect on her enforced stay on the island. No doubt Barada assumed she was a crewmember, and would not suspect she was a stowaway.

If only the voyage had not taken so long? The hunger had come upon her, and she left her hiding place. The crew had panicked, as freighter crews always do. With their numbers lessening they had attempted an emergency landing on this pleasant looking water-covered planet, but panic had overcome them yet again, and they crashed.

In the confusion Tina escaped and hid in the nearby jungle. The remaining crewmembers constructed the chalet, and finding much of their cargo consisted of domestic robots soon put them to good use.

Tina watched and waited, and then when the need came upon her she reduced their numbers until three hundred days after landing… she was alone.
Later, inside the cargo hold of the Aurora, she had opened a casket, and found a rare empathic companion android. She named it Claire, in memory of the last surviving crewmember that had eluded her for so long.

Barada would soon arrive.
The need was upon her again.

“Claire, do you suppose his blood is red?”
“Of course it is, Tina. The brightest red you’ve ever seen.”
“Good! I’d abhor any other colour.”
Tina moved long slim fingers across her beautifully even white teeth. She touched the upper canines, which already appeared more prominent than before her swim.
“I have the need again, the hunger that can never be sated. I must kiss his beautiful neck. He will not suspect. No one ever does in full sunlight.”
“Poor Tina,” said Claire, her metallic arms extending with each push of the swing.
“You must do what you have too, to survive. Humans, and these other adapted races like the Brachnan never believe in vampires. At least, not until it’s too late.”