Xanadu Rescue Crew

“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space,

Or so they say.”

Olivia looked over the website for the Xanadu Exclusive Resort with palm trees placed carefully around this quote to induce the very wealthy to make the journey of a lifetime and yet never leave the comforts of which they had become accustomed.

The moon was the new place of wonder. Xanadu was the first of several resorts being built to be closer to the stars. An astronomical body for humans (at least the millionaire humans) to indulge and devour. So, passengers were already on their way to the grand opening serving martinis and bellinis for the likes of shipping magnates, celebrities and trust fund kids.

The resort itself was enclosed and gravity pulls were added though central air decompressor which released mass molecules so that the guests would not accidentally float out into the atmosphere. Olivia took a sip of coffee and mumbled to herself “Of course there wasn’t any thought about how adding these molecules to the air would affect the universe!”

Olivia looked at her watch and wondered why her assistant Danny had not called.

She clicked off the website and decided to take five minutes to practice her meditative exercises before starting the virtual meeting with her team. She took the time to reflect on her first meeting with Danny, last summer. He came in for interview and she practically hired him on the spot. His resume was impressive, but Olivia felt herself blushing as his blue eyes connected with hers. They became fast friends and working on this team so closely had drawn them together. Olivia was trying to keep it professional, but her feelings were hopelessly devoted to thinking about Danny any time he wasn’t around. When she took this latest assignment, she decided it would be her last. She knew she had feelings for Danny and could not express them until she resigned her position. She could not wait for that moment.

Danny had gone ahead by a special envoy rocket ship to check out the parameter of Xanadu. It had been a few days since his last check in, but he knew she needed him at the meeting.

“Where is he?” Olivia sighed.

Closing her eyes before the stress of managing another meeting that would probably give her more problems than answers. She took deep breaths. She had been tapped by leaders of several countries to deal with “the problem” on the moon paradise.

This problem was “The Greasers”. The Greasers were aliens from the planet Blue which was only discovered two years before the first shovel dug into the moon to build Xanadu.

The Greasers were not happy about the development of Moon and had already attacked or kidnapped several construction workers. Humans found out that ammunition was useless against the Greasers. The Greasers laughed as previous security teams from earth launched bullets that bounced off of them. Greasers were slick. They had some human- like features, but still they were different. Their skin was blue of course and their hair gelled back with a curl on the top. They wore leather and could break out their special power at any time.

Lasers had also been used. The Greasers also howled at this weaponry as their eyes glared lightning strikes to anyone who came close. The situation was hopeless, and plans had started to abandon Xanadu. Then the last trip of tourists to view the resort brought a celebrity reality star of “Beauty School Drop Out” who had her pet chihuahua, Pink Lady with her.

One of the Greaser came up from behind ready to grab the cable TV star, but Pink Lady let out a growl and the Greaser was thrown back and ran off screaming. Turns out the Greasers did not like dogs or cats for that matter. In fact, the Greasers feared them! That is when Olivia was contacted to form a team.

Olivia was a veterinarian and also trained as a special agent by the military. She had learned not to ask questions in past assignments, but this one she did inquire about forming her own team, only to be met with a nay from the powers that be and told “a team will be assigned to you.” She nodded in agreement, “Yes, of course.”

After taking several deep breaths, Olivia again looked at her watch, “Where is Danny?” she mumbled as it was now time to meet with the crew for the second time.

The first meeting ended in chaos. The team consisted of 6 dogs, 2 cats and their owners. Although the animals barked and twice Mrs. Dee’s cat clicked end meeting for all, the animals were not the problem. Their owners were another story.

The questions started early.

“How will our vacation to the Bahamas be impacted?” yelled Leo and Patty owners to two pugs they called Sonny and Doody. The dogs were adorable. Leo and Patty had to be muted more than once for arguing.

“Is there a gluten free, dairy free option on the food?” asked Betty Rizzo, before Olivia could answer in the affirmative Betty broke into a twenty -minute epilogue about how she and her golden retriever, Marty’s allergies as Olivia smiled and nodded.

That was the last meeting, now in one minute she would be reliving more of the same.

Olivia texted Danny “Where the heck are you? Everyone is signing on. I need you! I’ve got chills that are…… multiplying! Text me!”

Olivia admitted all the crew minus Danny to the second meeting. Mrs. Dee was talking even though she was muted. Instead of telling her several times no one could hear her, Olivia just nodded her head and decided this time to mute everyone.

“Welcome to the second meeting of Xanadu Rescue Crew!” Olivia could see all the participants. None of which were paying attention. Leo and Patty were obviously arguing, Mrs. Dee was talking and laughing. Kira, the twenty something who with her Maine Coon cat, Cha-Cha was rolling her eyes and checking her phone.

Betty was feeding her pup something green. Mrs. Dee’s cat clicked off her video.

Olivia continued, “I’m glad you all have returned, I sent an email with the agenda….”

Just then Olivia saw Danny in the virtual waiting room asking to be let into the meeting. “Oh, Thank God!” she whispered as she pressed admit allowing him in.

All of sudden lighting strikes filtered through followed by a visual in Danny’s box. Danny was there being held by a Greaser. “We have your assistant, DANNY!” the Greaser mumbled over the airways.

Olivia looked at Danny’s frightened eyes as the greaser had its leather clad arm around his neck.

“Danny!” She whispered.

She looked around at her team all the dogs, cats and owners were at attention. She knew what she had to do.

Olivia also brought up her own black Lab, Freedom whose paws pressed on the screen.

She looked again at Danny and pressed the off- mute button.

The barking from all pups became ferocious. The cats chimed in with some serious meow and screeching. All paws started moving on screen. The Greaser screamed at the top of its lungs, which may or may not have been heard in the vacuum of space. Olivia could see Danny smile as the Greaser lost his grip. The screen went dark on his square.

Olivia looked around at the team. “This is my rescue! This is my crew! We are going to save Danny! Forget about Xanadu!”

Dedicated to the late Olivia Newton-John!