The Ride Is Half the Fun

Kaylee tossed and turned in her hammock. Without the usual engine noise from Serenity’s old drive, she could not sleep. The usual grinding hum was replaced by the near noiseless drive. She popped up and sat with her feet hanging off the side of the hammock and glanced at the ship’s chronometer. It was 4 AM ship time. She walked down the corridor to the galley past the other crew cabins and knew that they were asleep. Kaylee tussled her hair and went into the dining room where there was an apple left on the table. She brought it up to her nose and smelled it when she heard a slight noise in the cargo bay. Curious, Kaylee walked to the center of the ship.

At the first glance of the huge man nearly naked, Kaylee started. There was Ian wearing only a small set of tight-fitting underwear. She quietly sat on the catwalk and watched. Ian was a giant man and had all the muscle of a modern bodybuilder. He was performing some kind of martial arts routine across the floor of the cargo bay. Kaylee was mesmerized at the absolute precision, power and fluidity his movements. She could now make out all seven feet of his height and she could tell he was a huge man even from fifteen feet above.

Ian’s movements became more dramatic and acrobatic. The speed of the movements increased so that Kaylee could only make out blurs for his hands and feet. Light sweat glistened across his tanned skin, now stretched with his expanding muscles. Kaylee bit into the apple and felt the sweet juices invade her mouth. His movements were very rapid now and his flowing actions became more and more smooth. Kaylee heard the soft crunch of her apple when the voice startled her.

“Incredible isn’t he,” Inara’s soft voice sounded in Kaylee’s ear.

“Ohh,” Kaylee jumped, “you scared me. Yeah I have never seen anyone like this. Look at that!”

Inara sat next to Kaylee, leaning on one hand, “Yes he is very special.”

“Kinda sexy too,” whispered Kaylee with an impish grin.

Inara did not answer but looked at Ian’s dynami