Chapter 15: The Bath Festival

Anticipation and desire mixed together in Hana’s heart so much so that the remaining days before the bath festival felt as long as the entirety of her stay on Outpost 1117 thus far. This was unlike anything she had ever taken part in, and her nervousness kept manifesting in fits and flutters until she worked through everything and convinced herself she was ready.

So when the day of the festival arrived and Burgess greeted Hana in her shop, Hana knew exactly what she wanted.

“I’m going to call in my favor, and this might mean I need to do a few more favors for you afterwards, as it might be more than you anticipated,” said Hana.

“I’m listening,” said Burgess.

They closed the door behind them and Hana looked around as her fingers fumbled with her draped dress.

“Is Lux home?” she asked.

“Nope.”

“Okay…”

Hana undid her button and slid her dress off to reveal her exposed body to Burgess, who tilted her head down and leered.

“Well, ‘nice pair’ is the only thing I can think of at the moment. And you shaved. Everywhere.”

“I was uncertain so I just went for it!” said Hana.

“So what are you thinking for your art? And where?”

“I was thinking, I wanted to make sure he knew what I wanted, but in a tasteful way. I wanted my whole body decorated somehow, but with all of the art leading to here, and here,” said Hana as her hands touched her chest and hips.

Burgess puckered her lips and thought for a moment.

“I’ve got you,”

“Will it wash off in the water, or ruin the water for others?”

“Nope, it sits below the top layer of your skin and has a level four water resistance. Fear not. Also, I did the lighting mapping installations for the bathhouses. So, I’m going to work with that in mind.”

“I am in your care,” said Hana.

Hours dripped by until the festival arrived. Hana’s entire body felt sensitive to touch as she fixed her hair in a bun and applied her makeup. Patches of linework lined her fingers and cheekbones, hinting at the masterpiece hidden beneath her bathrobe. Others would be in the bathhouse, and no one had spoken about any rules, as though all were in agreement on how to behave and respect boundaries. Even if other couples or groups were beside her and Shreve, Hana knew nothing extreme would happen in the water, and was undeterred. Her focus was only on him.

Lunara, Katya, Jax, Burgess, and Lux joined Hana as they walked to the tram, all in bathrobes and slippers.

“Just a heads up, I’m taking this off as soon as we arrive at Sector One,” said Lunara as she tugged on the edge of her robe.

“Also, I’ve secretly wondered how good every one of you looked undressed, so if you see my staring, just accept it,” said Katya.

“I think all of us have,” laughed Jax.

“Okay well, um, I have a staring problem when I’m interested in something, so I apologize in advance if you catch me staring like a creep. Just slap me. Jax, that includes you. I’ll probably be staring at you too,” said Lux.

“Aw, thanks! Glad to be included in your lustful creeper gazes,” said Jax.

“Well, I’ve seen Hana naked already and it’s quite nice. So be ready for that,” said Burgess as Hana covered her face with her hands.

Hana was surprised with herself that her nerves were not raging any more. Now that the moment had come, she felt herself at ease. Things might change once she was with Shreve, but for now, she was confident.

All of the outpost lights had been dimmed. Stars shone above them in cold ethereal whiteness. Distant nebulas and dots of far-off galaxies were visible in the low light. The rail curved along its tracks and the towering dome of Sector One’s main square appeared. Now Hana felt her heart rate quicken.

They arrived and as soon as they had all exited, Lunara turned to face them, closed her eyes, then flung her robe off in dramatic fashion. They all cheered as she shook her exposed body in gleeful freedom. Several other residents walked by in the distance and also removed their robes. Hana briefly felt a surge of elation and almost joined Lunara but stopped herself so that she could save the moment for Shreve.

“Yep. Already staring,” laughed Lux as his eyes stayed locked on Lunara.

“Enjoy it darling,” she said as she stopped and posed.

Walking felt unfamiliar, as though the situation that had brought Hana to Sector One on this night had transformed the entire space to a new realm she had not yet explored. Dim lights in place of neon helped change the vibe and her perspective, and as she walked Hana made sure to bask in the newness of everything she could see and feel. The bath houses were up ahead of them now, and there was Shreve, waiting alone in his robe and slippers. Hana noticed he had trimmed his beard.

“Shreve’s here! Now it’s a party!” said Jax.

“That’s probably not a sentence anyone has ever said,” grinned Shreve.

E’twobe arrived and joined their grouping.

“Room for another?” she asked as her fingers ran down Lunara’s bare back.

“For you, of course my dear,” replied Lunara.

Hana wanted to speak to break the ice between her and Shreve and set her mind at ease that this was finally happening.

“I think we are all going to the co-ed baths. Shall we go?” she asked.

“We’re ready,” said Burgess and all agreed.

“Let’s all sit in our areas first, then maybe make our way to one another in time,” said Lux.

“Agreed,” replied Jax.

With that, they entered. Ten-meter-tall modular walls enclosed the bathhouses in secrecy while keeping the warmth inside. Walking platforms and storage lockers lined the outer perimeter. The bath itself was enormous, covering several hundred square meters, and standing deep enough to reach chest height on most of the women that were present. Filtration systems hummed as bubbles churned in clean, clear water that was warmed into a relaxing heat.

Glowing, pulsing lights of changing colors provided very slight visibility in the otherwise darkened room. Tiny bulbs lined the platforms and steps for clarity and little more. The glow of the lights worked their magic on Burgess’s artwork that was visible on Hana’s skin. The paint glowed in the light, peering out from below Hana’s skin like a star encased in obsidian. Glowing lines created detailed flower designs on Hana’s face, chin, neck, and hands before retreating into the secrecy of her robe.

The group dispersed as couples and made their way to different areas. Shreve took Hana’s hand without a word and took her to the furthest corner away from the crowds. Hana wanted to speak but decided the quiet intimacy was more appropriate. He was taller than many of the men there, but not overly tall. The manufactured definition of his bionic arms’ shoulders pressed against the fabric of his thin bathrobe. Hana noticed his back for the first time and how the muscles could be seen moving and shifting as they walked. Shreve settled on a spot and turned to her. His eyes were like shadows in the low light, with his strong cheekbones and full lips catching most of the light. Hana stepped towards him and felt his fingers at her waist and on the tie of her robe.

She didn’t stop him as his fingers slowly undid the knot. Once it was untied, he paused before removing her robe, and his hand made its way to her face. His fingers touched the lines of the lily that curved across her left eye and cheek.

“This is very beautiful. You look beautiful. More than you already were,” he said in a deep, low whisper.

Hana did not look away from his eyes and opened her robe with her own hands, exposing herself and the artwork that covered her body. Lines like vines and feminine roots traced the curves of her stomach, chest, shoulders, thighs, hips, calves, arms, feet, back, and face. Scars that she had fought to hide were integrated into the patterning and floral design, embraced instead of covered. All of it outlined the most sacred parts of her female form and pointed his focus directly towards those destinations. She stepped forward from her robe and out of her slippers.

“I wanted you to see me. All of me,” she whispered back to him as her hand reached his robe.

‘I always have,” he replied.

Trembling fingers slowly undid the knot and opened his robe, which softly slid off his shoulders and onto the ground. His bionic arms were fused at the shoulder and grafted to his muscled chest with faint white-light pins. The energy glow of the bionic fiber beneath the main casings coursed blue and white. His stomach was flat and the hair that covered his chest was trimmed close. Scars of enormous gashes and tears covered his torso. Hana’s fingers drifted along his stomach, tracing the scars without realizing where her hand was moving towards. As her fingers reached the lowest point of his waste, she stopped in embarrassment, but did not look away. Lunara had not lied. What Hana saw was nice, and in that instant, she felt the most fundamental form of feminine urge overtake her logic, and she welcomed its frenzy as they stepped down into the water.

The water was just above warm when they entered. It had been years since Hana had gotten to enjoy a bath, and she was not alone in releasing a moan of pure ecstasy as she felt its warmth envelope her body. Shreve heard her moan and felt himself drawn even closer to her as he followed her through the water. Hana’s chest was partially submerged, shielding her in modest protection in the low light, which was the opposite of what she wanted in that situation with Shreve standing so close to her. She stood on her toes to expose as much of her skin as possible. As she rose, water ran down her chest in tiny rivelets that caught the light of her body art as they slid back to the bath.

Shreve and Hana reached an area near the wall and settled. Hana arms were outstretched, feeling the warmth drift along her open palm as she moved. Shreve never looked away from her as he cupped water in his hands then poured it onto his head and face. His body was still toned from the toil of labor, and water that ran down his firmed chest and stomach highlighted the muscle structure that was so often hidden beneath his loose clothing.

Hana cupped water in her hands and poured their contents over her face as well then slicked her hair back. Her lips were wet as she looked to Shreve and wiped them dry. There in the darkness, with her skin alight with art and water, Hana decided to make her move. Water caressed her chest as she stepped to Shreve, who took a step forward to meet her. She gathered water in her hand and began to pour it onto his chest and arms. The metal was warm now after being in the water. Whirring gears from inside his elbows and shoulders were slightly audible in the general silence. He poured water onto her shoulders and rubbed the water down her arms.

Hana felt his hands stop on her arms then clasp her firmly in his grip. She felt him pull her towards him as his head bent towards hers. Her hand rested on his chest, and she stood on her toes again. Their lips met. Her chest pressed against his and she felt the wetness of his skin slide against hers. His fingers cupped the base of her neck as hers clasped the narrowest part of his waist. His lips were soft. Softer than hers even.

His breath was cool as he kissed her neck. She exhaled a sigh of release and breathed in his scent. Sensitivity and longing set all of Hana’s skin ablaze as they pulled each other closer, and she felt all of him. Both of their hands began to slide lower, and her hands disappeared beneath the water as he touched the small of her back. Hana’s fingers reached to touch the lowest part of his waist once more, this time with no intention of stopping.

Suddenly, alarms outside began to sound, and the lighting of the room switched to emergency red. Desirous passion evaporated for all in the bath as the garish red glow brought them all back to reality. Hana had never heard or seen these sorts of sirens, and the look of concern on Shreve’s face sobered her in an instant. He took her hand without a word and waded towards the rest of the group who had started congregating in the middle of the bath.

“Those are emergency brace sirens,” said Jax.

“What does that mean?” asked Hana, who noticed a flash of genuine fear on Shreve and Jax’s faces.

“We need to get out. Now!” said Shreve.

“Everyone out!!” shouted Jax.

Clothes and robes were thrown on in frightened haste. The friend group all linked hands and exited the bath house, still damp from the water. Outside in the square, people were scrambling in frantic confusion as the alarms continued to sound and the red lights flashed.

“Seek shelter immediately. Secure all loose items and brace in safety spaces. Seek shelter immediately. Secure all loose items and brace in safety spaces.”

The warning played in loop, mixing in with the sirens in a disorienting roar. Hana wanted to cover her ears. Jax and Shreve looked up towards the outpost command tower.

“We need to go there. Everyone follow us,” said Jax.

Hana had never been in the command tower. The eight of them all ran into the lobby of the tower and a retina scanner beamed into Jax’s eyes before opening the elevator. Up they went and then were out in the command center. Captain Bai was there with several other leads, all rushing and shouting orders. Captain Bai saw them and motioned them over in a swift, commanding motion. When they reached him, he stepped close to them as though to deliver grave news.

“Sir, what is happening?” asked Shreve.

“Jax, Shreve, Lux, Katya, I need all of you to prepare at your stations. We are about to be hit by a Carrington X Class.”

Hana almost flinched as she felt Shreve’s hand tense tightly around hers in involuntary concern.

“Oh no. Oh oblivion no,” whispered Katya in a frightened tone that was different than Hana had ever heard her speak.

“What is a Carrington X Class?” asked Hana.

“It’s a solar flare storm wave,” answered Shreve.

“The biggest type of explosion known to space. It's a tsunami wave of radiation and heat. They can rip outposts to shreds.”