It’s 2095 and there’s a New Generation!

 

September is the anniversary of when my first novel in The Golden Age of Charli series was published. I like to celebrate this each year. Not only did I finally…FINALLY…achieve my goal of writing a book, but publishing opened up a wonderful new world of blogging, reviewing, and making friends on social media! Thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement, and fun!

 

People, well a few friends, okay my sister keeps asking me if I’m writing a new book. My answer is “Yes!” I do have some ideas, and I have made some good starts, but I haven’t finished any of these projects. YET. Then I had a glimmer of an idea- what if I wrote about my Charli’s great-great in the year 2095?! Wow- let’s launch those creative ideas to the stars!

 

I began writing with gusto and wrote 35,000 words. Parts of it were creative and zany and parts were getting too technical. I hit the pause button. Then a short story contest opportunity appeared and I entered a snippet of Charlii. (Entries were limited to 1,000 words.) I received some positive comments!

 

I’m sharing my story with you. See what you think!

 

Charlii Sails Away

Jena C. Henry

In an age of adventure, a millennium of myths, many were called to explore, and some were destined to be heroes. And then there was Charlii.

She was called by her sister Zenith. “Hi. It’s Zizi. Good time bad time to talk?” Before Charlii could answer, Zizi continued, “I tried to mind-meme you, but I couldn’t connect. You need to check your cortico-app.”

“I was in the garden, I guess. Sorry.”

“The world is tech now, not flowers. So, I leased our suite in The Villages 2.0 in Near Space. We leave via rocket-looper from Orlando Commonwealth.”

“Are you sure we have to retire 62 miles above the earth?” said Charlii. “We’re not even old!”

Zizi had explained all this before. “We’ll stay at the Disney Legacy World Resort and ring in New Year 2095 before we blast to our new home! Love you. See you soon.”

“Love…” said Charlii. Zizi had clicked off.

***

Just as Zizi had planned, they checked in to their Disney Virtual Reality room.
“Ready for a nap?” said Charlii.

“I’ve been telling you about Ecstasy Island. I’m heading there before the party. No way I’m missing the O-Lounge.” said Zizi.

“I thought maybe the Milky Way Parade? We could watch from our floating…”

“Stop. We’re going to celebrate the New Year like vibrant women! Heavens to Zeus, Charlii!”

***

Better get going to the party! Charlii clicked her VR jumpsuit to a holiday skin-theme, then she mind-locked the door and looked for the magno-hover path. A bird with fuzzy cyan feathers circled and chirped, “This way!”

“Oh, thanks,” said Charlii. “I need a friend.” The bird winked as it flitted away. How Disney-ish!

She joined others on the hover-path as it glided from the resort to the beach, over the azure lake, and towards a copper peak. Charli could hear the crowd ahead shouting and applauding. What is it?

As she passed the peak, an immense orb came in to view, glowing in the sky like a gold Hero-Bitcoin. She was a Magi, gazing at the star, approaching with awe. Is this the party?

As Charlii stepped off the hover-path, the glowing columns of the orb’s doorway parted, and she entered. She listened as each guest was announced. Soon it was her turn. “Happy New Year to 100-year old mother of heroes, Ara ‘Charlii’ Charlemagne.”

She strolled with the crowd and came to a moving mezzanine with holograms of the Roman Coliseum and the Greek Parthenon. From this viewing area, she could see and hear the festivities arrayed on many levels and floating tiers. A hover-kite flew by with its carrier filled with revelers. How will I ever find Zizi in this crowd? Maybe I should sit and watch.

She crossed a bridge to an air-float arrayed with weathered ropes, buoys, and anchors, and a sign, “Welcome to Pirates Bay.” She laughed as a splash of golden koi smiled from the holographic water and sang a greeting. Flowers held trays of appetizers. More Disney Magic.

A cloud of gossamer pink floated by wafting a scent of floral and spice. As Charlii breathed, she felt lighter, like champagne. She twirled and giggled.

A voice. “Yes, the happy cloud is fun, isn’t it?”

“Is that what they call it?” she said. She blew a kiss in the direction of the voice.

Through the pale mist, a shadow pretended to catch her kiss. “Yes, it takes away the party jitters, doesn’t it?”

Charlii was a bee dancing to her flower. She flitted to the voice, and bumped into a form, solid as a sycamore. The pink cloud diffused and revealed a commanding figure, then a strong face with an eye-patch. “What are you?” said Charlii.

She took in the billowing white shirt, opened to reveal a majestic chest. She touched dark curls and swallowed. Her fingers pulsed as he said. “I’m a Disney pirate, a long-ago buccaneer.”

The pink swirled around them again. Charlii breathed unevenly and this time as the mist vanished she saw the tight fit of the cloth on his thighs. “Oh!” she said.

“Yes, I do have a big dagger.” He smiled and licked his lip.

What was happening? She should leave.

A Disney-alert flashed in her mind. “The Sea King is docking. Please begin boarding. Enjoy your sail to new worlds!”

“Our caravel has arrived. Allow me to escort the fair lady.” The pirate led her to the bow, ahead of the other guests. He settled her on the cushions. The ship cast off and soared through the orb.

Charlii’s spirit soared, too. At her side, her pirate steadied her. His eyes were her mirror; his strength was her heart. She was young, timeless, beyond cares and worries.

As they flew together, her sleeping synapses sputtered, paused, ignited, and blasted joy through her. Lava and lavender flowed in her veins, symphonies and sonnets surged in her mind. Did her pirate notice?

“I want to travel to the stars,” he said.

“Twinkle, twinkle,” said Charlii. “Name one after me.”

“I will. You will guide me.”

“I’ll dream about you,” she said. She couldn’t rein in her passion. Her feelings thundered, like a parade of heroic charioteers. She gasped, “Don’t you understand? While we banter, I blaze.”

He said, “May the Goddess guide you.” As he caressed her cheek, she clutched the wings of the dove of Aphrodite, flew to the heavens, and embraced Titan and his blazing sun.

Charli opened her eyes. “I met the Goddess and my paradise.”

“Milady.” He bowed. Then he stood. The caravel had docked.

Charli walked alone to the exit. She was ready to rule.

She saw Zizi standing on the dock. “I found Her. The Goddess of…I mean, I found you!” said Charli.

“What?” said Zizi. “Looks like you took too big a hit of happy cloud.”

“I’m ready to sail to new worlds!” Charli said.