Broken (a short scifi story)

My heart just shattered into minute pieces, each crafted in a perfectly similar shape.

The shape of his face.

He smiled at me just now, passing through the engine room as he inspected the ship. A fleeting smile of a man in a hurry, and it was the best thing he could give me.

For half a second he was mine.

And then he moved away from me. I followed him through the ship with my sensors, until I could feel him strap himself into his seat.

He talks with Control and finally said, “Ship, ready for lift off.”

How can I even describe his voice? It is deep, like the darkest of chocolates.

He growls. “Ship! Did you hear me? Let’s go!"

I send my commands to start the engines of the ship and hit the ship internal comm, “Sir, you can call me Rose. Starting final checks now. I will report back.”

I send my thoughts out into the ship, and the ship responds by turning the lights over my head to green. When the last light turns green, I hit the comm button with the planet and say, "Control, all signs green."

"Affirmative, go for launch."

I look up at the ceiling of my small engineering pod, and in one fleeting second I picture his face in it. His beautiful, gorgeous chiseled face.

I grin.

His voice is sharp. “Everything alright, Rose?”

I send the next commands into the ship, and giggle, “Always. Still running final checks. Plotting the course for Carpea 4. I suggest you slot in for hibernation. Don’t worry, I will keep you safe during our flight.”

“Somehow that comforts me, Rose. Are you well?”

I blush. Blood pumps to my face from the inert parts of my body. Somewhere in there, my heart beats itself whole.

"Of course, sir. My bodily functions are all reporting in the optimal range."

"How long are you signed up to pilot?"

"Another year, sir. Then I will have served enough to get a full exoskeleton. Many adventures await."

He chuckled, “That must be exciting. When we have completed our mission, you'll have to tell me all about it. Call me Roland. Good night, my sweet Rose. Safe travels! Activate hibernation.”

"Sleep well, Roland."

I send the commands to activate hibernation to his chair, monitor his health for a while until I can confirm to the planet that he's indeed in hibernation and start lift off procedures.

The ship takes off without a hitch. All systems report green upon my request. I set a course, and decide to stall my light hibernation for a while longer.

I just lay there, listen to Roland's slow breathing and smile.