The Grand Tour, Part 2

Posted on Sat Jun 20th, 2020 @ 8:39am by Second Mate Colleen Branagan & Master Steward Othor Jaxz Ghost of the Second Star

855 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Proving Ground
Location: Various, on board Second Star
Timeline: Prior to Mission Launch

Previously as the guided tour proceeded ... "Wow," Branagan said, looking over the whole thing. "I haven't seen anything like this on a ship. In fact, I only know one starbase that has a river. This is amazing! Did your engineers add all this after finding the ship?"

"I have never seen it's like myself. Master N'tach, Chief Callahan, Akio Itachi, Inia Shar'Zhen are responsible for this. Truth be told, the water mains flooded initially to give them the idea to form a lake and river. My designs were purely cosmetic once the features were built, but the idea of community bringing life and vitality is represented in this."

And now, another part of the story ....

Jaxz directed their walk towards a graceful ramp leading into Deck Four, it was mostly officer quarters for those with rank or means to afford the higher rent. The top level of the Amphitheater had its doors open to show the massive stage and balconies. Opposite the stage was another open door, and a hastily scrawled "Creative Cave" banner hung overhead.

He pointed, "There're ninety four youth enrolled in that academy. They are getting their accreditation as we speak. On Deck Eight we can visit Inia in her Elementary school, already teaching lessons."

"Now that's going to take some getting used to," Branagan said. "I've served on ships with families, but not quite that many! I hadn't considered how different it is to serve as a family. Are they receiving Federation diplomas? Is there on-the-job training afterward? Or do some of them go off-ship for more education? It just occurred to me that there could be generational families on the ship. Another thing I hadn't considered."

Othor stopped walking, her words jogging a powerful feeling inside him. Somber, but not serious, he spoke in a lower tone than before, as though setting aside the cheer for a moment to discuss something very real.

"That is what brought us to this point. Quinton, Kas, Fala, Vicente... myself... we want to pass this on to our progeny. To hear you speaking of families serving over generations, this is our primary purpose, to be a home, business, lifestyle, all in one fancy starship. Thank you for seeing what we labored so hard to create."

"It's a legacy, and if it's done right," she answered quietly, "it can be a legacy to all people in all places, as well as to your blood. I think this is what was missing from my previous life ... a sense of continuity ... of purpose higher than the next mission. To unite all of you ... of us, now ... to become one in purpose. This is an age-old longing for every species, I think."

They walked along quietly for a few moments, her eyes taking in the Agora, but her mind and her heart expanding, seeing far more than businesses and the people inside them. "I have a feeling that something led me to this ship, and that here I will find myself in new ways. Thank you for helping me see this ship, so clearly, as more than a ship where I can serve."

"We are all made better by each other's acquaintance, and may this blossom into more fruitful and friendly collaborations." Othor found the company exquisite, but time was not their ally, and Quinton asked him to make sure she got the whole picture.

"I want to show you the other side of things, if you have the time that is. It's a long ride, our turbolifts like to be creative but they get you where you're going. Our mission vehicle and cargo operation are also, something else. Then we can conclude a very wonderful afternoon stroll."

"Lead me there," Branagan said, wondering whether he meant the work side in opposition to the play side in the Agora, or whether he meant there was another side to the situation other than family and all-for-one-and-one-for-all. Of course, she already knew that for every good thing, there was an opposite not-so-good, but she preferred not to dwell on those things. Until she learned differently, she was going to take the first interpretation.

As they got on the turbolift, her mind also wondered how a "creative" turbolift behaved. Maybe she was about to find out!

{Cargo Loader/Assembly Bay Deck 16}

After seven long minutes of variable gravity strengths and high gravity maneuvers, the Turbolifts settled into a linear path and deposited them with a series of rickets and squeaks at the Operations bay window. Othor had promised an interesting trip but had not expected the inversion they undertook on the way in.

He staggered out laughing and wincing, "My stomach is in my boots, we simply must get the other lift working, this one is clearly over worked."

Branagan followed Othor, reeling a little to get her balance. "Oh, geeze. That's worse than my first zero-g spacewalk! I think you could sell rides on there in an amusement park! Can't it be fixed?"

"I've heard Starfleet has a joke about next Tuesday, when some such will be installed, perhaps then?" Othor replied as they headed down the corridor.

 

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