Hymn for the Stars

A short science fiction romance where there are no wins, but no losses, either.

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the first shots that began the war over technology. Since then, there have been hundreds of thousands of casualites, be they civilian or soldier. Of course, no one is celebrating the big five-oh.
Instead, we are planning. Planning for an event that can end it all. We are done with this war. We want peace.
The main league consists of only twenty-five people. This story consists of two.
Imogen’s the it-girl. Everyone loves her. She has this gorgeous white-blonde hair that she keeps in a rough bob, and stunning green eyes. She barely looks anyone in the eye because of them. Most believe it’s because her old enemy dropped dead after an intense staring contest. Me? I think she’s just shy. Imogen isn’t the person to fight. Instead, she plans the battles, working out different scenarios and figuring out all the ways something could go wrong.
Cole is the guy who used to be in the background. When he started dating Imogen, he was suddenly shoved into the spotlight, and it’s easy to tell he doesn’t like being well-known. Cole is our best fighter by a landslide. Before he was conscripted into the war efforts, he trained in martial arts and firearms, mainly because it “interested him.” However, we all know he trained in fighting techniques because was one of the few who actually wanted to be conscripted. Now, though, no one wants to be helping out in the war. Hell, no one even wants to war to exist anymore. My side, the rebels, are tired. We are exhausted of our resources and our energy, and at this point we are praying to the stars this war will be over soon.
Tonight, we are planning on an attack. I already mentioned this, this is review for you. As usual, Imogen is in control of the planning. Even though she’s only eighteen, almost everyone in every league would trust her with their lives. After all, they already are.
Cole is fighting tonight, and Imogen doesn’t like that. She’s scared for him. They know this is a dangerous mission, and they know that it could very easily go in a different direction than Imogen planned.
The cold metal rocks and bangs under Imogen’s feet as she runs toward the weapon closet. Did I mention we’re on a space ship, in the Andromeda Galaxy? The ship is made extremely well in some parts, extremely poor in others. This is probably the worst area in the entire space, but Imogen ignores the precaution signs that tell her to she shouldn’t run, and that she should make sure the floor is balanced. Imogen ignores these signs, because she needs Cole.
The boy himself-at only seventeen, he’s still considered a child, even though he’s experienced things no seventeen year old should-is prepping in the weapon. He straps a final firearm to his left hip, mirroring his right one. Cole sits alone in silence for a few moments, until Imogen bursts in, breathless and scared.
“How could you agree to this?” she cries, before Cole envelops her in a hug. Fear and anxiety circles around them, like a hurricne. But in the eye of the storm, between the two, is love and hope and peace. Cole has accepted the fact that he may not make it back to the space ship, while Imogen has hope that he may come back. For she is carrying his child, and she would like the two to meet someday.
The final call comes over the intercomes, and Cole kisses Imogen one last time. He runs out of the room to his fleet, leaving Imogen behind, her hand curled around the small bump of her stomach.
Staring longingly at the past, Imogen’s hand protected the future.

Author's Note

So, I’m not very good with romance. I hope this was pretty okay.
Recently, I’ve been fascinated with living and dying for love. How can such an emotion determine your future? How can you decide to spend the rest of your life with someone, bound to them with love?
This story was slightly inspired by Star Wars, and I think it’s easy to tell. However, I may be doing a similar story in the future. Who knows, though. I’m just winging it.


((The file chosen for this cover image is not mine. I found it on the internet, and it does not belong to me, nor did I had any part in creating it. No copyright infringement intended.))

Reviews

[Vivian Fisk]

All right now, Ardor...let me say this in a more intense parlance than I usually employ: THIS IS F*****G GREAT!

Notice my new avatar, a mean-looking cat. With the last picture I had up I was getting all sorts of friend requests from men, and one of them even asked me for money.

One very tiny thing. Saying you're planning for an event that will end it all sounds like suicide, sounds like you may be planning a mission where no one makes it out alive. Planning for an event that CAN end it all sounds more like a risk you're going to take to bring the war to a conclusion.
All the best, Barb

[ardor]

Great point! I’ll edit that- thanks for the advice.
Also- great avatar. I really liked your old one, but honestly?? Did no one realize that it was merely an image of a pretty girl and (I’m assuming) not related to you in real life? But hey, that’s a pretty great avatar you have now.

-ardor :)

[Vivian Fisk]

Thank you for liking my avatar. The old one was a famous painting by John Singer Sargent of a society woman, called "Madame X." I liked it because she looked so arrogant. The image was cut off below the neck in the avatar, but she wore a very low-cut black dress and wore lavender skin powder to give her skin an unusual radiance. The painting was so scandalous that it almost ruined Sargent's career. I never dreamed someone would think it was me. Now, for my Facebook profile I use a very famous picture of Farrah Fawcett in her red Baywatch swim suit. She doesn't use it anymore so I thought what the hell.

[ardor]

That sounds like a great Facebook profile picture, oh my gosh. I could never have that much courage to do something like that.