my first attemt at sci-fi....

Space has loopholes. Sure, in reality, the shortest distance to point A from point B might be a straight line, but circumvent reality all together, and a straight line just looks like a waste of time.
And although it might be noted by skeptics that the first time reality was skewed in such a way the participants wound up gibbering in a loony bin for several months, the fact still remains that any race still plodding along at light speed is hopelessly under-advanced ( or perhaps too rational for their own good).


The imposing, and more than slightly impressive, figure of Gabrielle Dearheart paced the command area of the small pirate ship, Juno. Clasping her hands behind her back and shaking her brown-gold hair off her shoulders, she surveyed the large and important looking port-authority vessel occupying the region of space directly ahead of her ship, and more importantly; directly between the Juno and her docking platform.
Clearing her throat and nudging her second in command, William, she keyed for an open com.
“This is the freighter, the Lion’s Mane, requesting permission to dock. Is there a problem Port-Authority?” she asked politely.
The answer came back almost immediately.
“Yes, Lion’s Mane, we have not yet received your identification codes. This constitutes a suspicious activity, and we may be required to search your vessel if said codes are not forthcoming.” The crisp, no-nonsense tone of the Authority implied that any attempt at negotiation would be unwelcome.
Gabrielle through an acid look at Jamie. The sandy haired techie was frantically scrambling at his keyboard, obviously trying to send the fake codes to the Authority. Gabrielle continued glaring until Jamie punched in the final number sequence and sat back rubbing his neck as though he could feel his captain’s stare.
Gabrielle keyed her com open once more.
“The codes have been transmitted, Port-Authority.” She said, trying to make her voice as musical and innocent as possible. “Is there anything else you need?”
The Authority’s voice had not softened one wit when they replied; “Your codes appear in order Lion’s Mane. You may proceed in docking. In the future, try to have you codes ready to transmit as soon as you enter real-space.”
“Thank you Port-Authority, we’ll remember that.” Gabrielle said in a girlish voice, and cued the com off.
“Jamie!” she snarled, making the bridge in general jump, “What does; "let’s keep a low profile on this one," mean to you? It does not mean last minute code finagling! We all know you’re good. You don’t have to prove it at every friggin’ port!”
The techie had hunched lower in his seat with each acidic word, but had still not turned around. Gabrielle could tell he was trying to deflect her wrath, but that only made her angrier.
“Do you WANT to get caught Jamie?? How does permanent grounding sound to you?!” Gabrielle paused for breath and in doing so gave Jamie a chance to defend himself.
“I’m sorry Gabrielle, honest. The last real-space leap was so spectacular, I just lost track of time.” Jamie had finally turned around and was switching the full effect of his swirling green eyes on Gabrielle.
“Don’t give me that bull Jamie. I know for a fact you’ve never talked like that in your entire life. And stop playing the wounded puppy with me. You’re going to overuse that one of these days and it won’t work anymore.” Gabrielle gave him another glare.
“But Gabrielle, you know you’re my favorite captain in the entire third universe. No one else is as strange or reality-challenged as you are.” Jamie turned one more simpering, earnest look on her and gave an ingratiating smile.
“Oh, stow it Jamie, you’re off the hook... And anyway we’re not actually in the third universe, it being trans-dimensional, and not quite real.” Gabrielle smiled though, to show him he was forgiven.
“I think I may heave.” Spoke a musical, surreal voice from behind Gabrielle. Freesia uncurled herself from around Gabrielle’s command chair and stalked over to Jamie. The red, gold and mahogany sphinx stretched one massive wing forward and cuffed Jamie lightly about the head.
“Even the Gaul’s were not this slimy, and they became the French. Little conniver.” Freesia grinned affectionately, showing her fangs.
“Love you too, Freesia.” Jamie commented sarcastically. “Proper little ray of immortal sunshine aren’t you?”
Freesia merely smirked and stalked back to the command chair, hopping into the black leather seat and settling with her chin resting on the padded armrest.
“Ok, break it up you two, lets get on with docking before the Authority gets itchy again.” William said softly, making Jamie jump.
Gabrielle watched her small but experienced crew fasten the remote cables to the docking bay and connected the hatch. As it pressurized, she smiled grimly. No matter how much they kidded, her crew was still the best independent fighting force this side of Orion.