Mickey and the Star Field Gardens by H Jason Schulz

For centuries, the bioluminescent Star Field Gardens has stood as the premier resort of the Orion Arm—a breathtaking celestial theme park woven through stabilized gravitational wells and glowing nebulae. When Vaelen, a sensitive, color-shifting Aethelian alien, arrives alone after his travel companion cancels at the last minute, his hopes for an unforgettable vacation seem dashed.

Enter Mickey, a weathered Model 7-K maintenance robot with a heart of titanium and an un-segmented memory core. With his shift just wrapped up, Mickey decides to step away from his daily routine of dusting solar panels to assist Vaelen in optimizing his resort metrics. What follows is a heartwarming, whirlwind journey through the park's greatest wonders.

Together, the unlikely duo brave the thrilling, magnetic plunges of the Solar Flare Coaster, share cinnamon-dusted treats in zero gravity, and marvel at the breathtaking light-craft of the Grand Nebula Parade. As they navigate the bustling concourses side-by-side, Vaelen discovers the joy of stepping out of his comfort zone, while Mickey learns what it truly means to experience "fun" beyond his original programming.

Mickey and the Star Field Gardens is a charming, uplifting science fiction short story about connection, memory, and the extraordinary friendships that bloom in the most unexpected corners of the galaxy.