non-lucid

We were standing on the surface of the asteroid; the three of us, Alexia, Martin and I, stood for a moment admiring the sight before us. Off in the distance was the space ship that had safely carried us from our home on Earth and through the void of space. Our work had begun, I was supervising this venture, one of the first missions of its kind; we had arrived with the goal of mining precious minerals from the asteroid as it passed across the outer reaches of our solar system.

As we shifted our gaze from the mighty ship that had carried us so far from home, we observed two of our team carrying out mining operations some 20m from our position. Alexia, Martin and I made our way on foot across the surface of the asteroid; the gravitational field generator on board the ship interacting with our suits to grant us the sensation of gravity similar to that of Earth's. Enormous tube-like apparatus protruded from the asteroid grinding and eating away at it's surface and carrying the rock and precious minerals back to the ship for processing. In the distance other workers could be seen standing beside the giant tubular constructs, and light high-speed 'scouting' vessels moved effortlessly in close orbit scanning for areas of significant worth.

BOOM! A massive explosion echoed through out vox-communication system in our suits, and the ground tremored violently below us. I glanced back at the ship as I witnessed the last seconds of an explosion tearing at its side. Suddenly, the gravitational field began to fail shifting without warning and we began to slide down what was now the side of the asteroid; realizing the very real threat of being pulled down towards the edge of the gravitational field away from the asteroid until we were no longer in it's grasp free to drift away. The angle sharpened dramatically. Alexia grabbed by suited right arm as I reached for a hand-hold and Martin did the same. Then my worst fears were realized, this was no accident... one of the scouting vessels opened fire upon us, narrowly missing us as we clawed to hold on, the reflective windscreen masking our betrayer, but for a brief instance when I thought I recognized the shadowy face within. Alexia still holding on to my right arm, the fingers of my gloved left hand digging in to the crumbling surface of the asteroid. It was no use I couldn't get a grip, below the thin surface of first was smooth dense rock. I looked down at Alexia who still held on tight, and then hopelessly back at my left hand as I willed it to dig in deep, laser fire still bombarding the surface around us. "Yes!" My fingers successfully digging in to the now vertical surface. I shot a glance over at Martin who had found a similar hold. My heart skipped a beat...

One of the laser rounds glanced Martin's shoulder. Losing he's grip he fell away from the cliff-like surface arms outstretched desperately trying to reach us as he fell further and further beyond the 'safety' of the field. The scouting vessel hastily flew off out of sight behind the asteroid.
.....................

Back on board the ship, destined for Earth.

Having survived the disaster and encounter with the scouting vessel we regrouped with the survivors and hastily departed the asteroid and attempted to re-establish contact with Control. Fortunately, while any losses were greatly regretted, given the scope of the event, things could have been significantly worse. The interior living areas were quite homely (looking quite like my mother's living room in fact), in order to reduce the feeling of distance from our true homes back on Earth. The survivors talked amongst themselves. I conversed in an small side-room with our remaining senior officers and Alexia as we discussed the sabotage and the one responsible. We believed the culprit to be a young man, only a few years older than myself. While my father owned the majority holding, this young man had gained a significant proportion of the ownership and while not actively being involved in the business had ensured his seat on board the ship. He had previously shown traits portraying him as callous and manipulative, though only a few of us were privy to such insights. As we talked he entered the living area across from us and joined the others; that face... it had to be him.

While he had a larger share holding than myself, my father was recently deceased and I was expected to be granted his majority holding and the other's looked to me to make the final decision... Would we wait until we arrived back on Earth and put him on trial? Or, would we handle this quietly ourselves?

I was walking through the carpark towards the marina, with one of my best mates Max. It was around 6.00pm on a Saturday evening during the West Australian summer and the sun lay low in the sky, soon to be setting over the ocean horizon. Max and I were talking as we walked towards the marina, other than enjoying the company I was wanting to find my mum a birthday present and card.

Shortly later Max & I were sitting in a small cafe/restaurant in the centre of the marina. It was a well lit, outdoor setting but completely undercover, with small retaining walls and long elegant pot plants marking the boundaries; the tables were square with four seats to a table, two either side (this was the only area constructed slightly differently than in reality). We sat at one of the outermost tables, Max sitting opposite me and at least two people occupying each of the other tables; happily chatting and enjoying their meals. Mila Kunis was sitting at the table across from us dining with her mum; I thought Mila was gorgeous but didn't experience the excitement of being in the presence of a famous movie actress, instead I remained cool and calm. A brief conversation followed, after Mila's mother threw a question our way. The conversation ended well and Max & I finished our meals and continued walking around the marina.

After a short walk we past the restaurant again and Mila's mother stopped me and started a conversation. They were still sitting at the same table enjoying a drink, her mother was clearly trying to set me up with Mila (by this stage I really should have realized I was dreaming). After a positive exchange, we said our farewells and carried on our way. After about 20 meters and another chat, I said good bye to Max as he rode a bicycle off through the carpark south of the marina towards the coastal drive. I then quickly turned around and bought a birthday card for my mum ~ mission complete (minus the present... and Mila Kunis... damn it!)

I found myself in an apartment in town (the city), I had either bought or rented it.

*****

I had forgotten completely about this dream, until I rediscovered the note 3 weeks later. Strangely enough, within a week of having the dream; I started cutting my expenses, consulted a bank regarding financing a home loan sometime next year, and began planning to pay any outstanding debts and start saving every dollar for a home deposit.