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Chapter 18 – The Space Port

Arles stood in the kitchen of his island home, cooking some bacon for breakfast that morning. He reached in and pulled out a piece and tossed it in his mouth.

"Awww! Awww! Damn, that's good!" He said as his mouth burned.

Arles' phone dinged next to him. He exhaled from the heat of the bacon in his mouth and held the phone to read the message.

'Kelly: Good morning.'

He smiled and pressed the button to ring Kelly. He held it up to his ear.

"Hey. Good morning. You're up early." He smiled.

She was smiling. He could tell by how she spoke. "Yeah. I needed to get some work done before I went to work this afternoon."

"Work? Where's that?"

"Oh, my old job called and asked me to fill in the shift. It's this….bar on the beach here."

"Bar on the beach? Like a pub, then?"

"I suppose you could call it that."

"So, you're a bartender?" Arles smiled.

"For now, yes. A beer wench." She giggled.

"Just like Shakespeare would have stated it. You read Shakespeare?"

"Of course. I have to for school."

"Yeah, that's the reason I read it, too." He smiled and pulled out a plate from the cabinet.

"I think I hear, plates. What are you doing?"

"Making a spot of breakfast. I have to teach two classes today. Mine and a science class."

"What do you teach? You've never said."

He tossed another piece of hot bacon in his mouth and spoke around it. "Maths."

"You're a math teacher?"

"Maths. There is more than one. Mad American." He teased.

She laughed.

"So, do you like maths? Or math?"

"Not really. Ugh, but I have to actually do some for school today. That's the reason I'm up so early."

"Sounds like you are procrastinating, beer wench."

"Hey, I just text you. I didn't think you would actually call me back."

He smiled, "You wanted me to ring you up. I'm glad I did."

"I am, too. So, any plans to get down here anytime soon? How many states are you from me?"

"Ugh. Don't say it like that. That's terrible."

She giggled. "Right."

"That's actually a good maths question. I'll have my students work on that today."

"Let me know what they come up with."

He leaned on the cabinet. "You know, Kelly. Perhaps you need to take a course in geography."

"Oh, you just wait until I see you, Arles!" She playfully threatened.

He laughed, "I look forward to it. I'll ring you soon."

She smiled, "Have a good day, Arles."

He told her quietly, "You, too. Bye, then."

He ended the call.

"Who is this Kelly?"

Arles nearly jumped out of his skin. He hadn't seen Tony Tyler standing in the doorway behind him. "Bloody hell, Tony."

Tony grinned. "Kelly?"

Arles tossed another piece of bacon in his mouth. "A friend of mine."

"That you can't wait to see, man?"

Arles sat the plate of bacon between them, and pointed at it to invite Tony to share it with him. "Yeah. That's what friends say to one another."

"You've never told me that." He smiled as he took a piece of the bacon.

"Well, she's a bit prettier than you." Arles smiled.

Tony nodded. "I'll accept that. Anyway. Samuel home? I need to apologize to him."

"Nope!" Arles told him as he sat down and tossed another piece of bacon in his mouth. "He's off with Dad and Papa."

"Doing what? I didn't know they had gone."

Arles rubbed his hands together. "I don't know. Sammy got hurt yesterday."

"Vesuos?"

"Bounty hunter."

"Is he alright?"

Arles blew around the hot bacon. "Yeah. He says he's back in one piece. I spoke with him last night."

Tony nodded.

Arles continued to explain. "Karen is with him, but Dad was called to Plentitude for something."

"Oh." Tony nodded. "Well, he's still Princeps, isn't he?"

Arles tossed another piece of bacon in his mouth. "I think so. I'm not sure." He stood up and rubbed his hands together. "I need to get to class. Will you be around later?"

Tony crossed his arms. "I don't know. Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Tony smiled. "I don't want to tell you something that isn't true."

Arles put his hands on his hips. "Right then. Okay, well, perhaps I'll see you then."

Arles walked out of the room.

Tony sipped his tea and pulled the plate of bacon to himself. "And I'm eating the rest of this-"

"Eat it, then!" Arles called from the other room.

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Legate and Genie had gotten up, ate breakfast with Lenox, Poltious and the rest of the family, and flown to Kestapus to pick up the ship that the heir Legate had gotten for them.

Genie had been to many space ports over the years, but the one at Kestapus was very impressive. A huge, silver platform floated in space. Underneath it was a long tube that was very large. Brand new space craft could be seen inside. Star liners, and huge freighters, along with tiny speeders and things that Genie had heard her brothers and Legate all talk animatedly about.

"Wow. Where it is?"

Legate smiled. "They would have probably already brought it up from the docks below. Oh, I think that's it."

Genie looked at what Legate was pointing at. Down on the platform was a ship that looked familiar to her, although this one was much newer. "It looks like Poltious' ship."

"Same body style. A Laterus is popular. Stark's is even modeled after that. Hell, the people of Luta know how to make a ship." Legate agreed. "Oh, the Corvus is fast."

"How old is the Corvus?"

Legate shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Older than me."

Genie smiled and looked back at the platform. Legate spoke to the landing controllers. Genie was surprised when he slowly approached the side of what appeared to be the largest glass doors she had ever seen in her life.

He gently landed the ship and pressed some buttons overhead. "Alright! Let's get this sorted."

Genie laughed at his excitement.

They both climbed from the seats to the door on the side of the ship.

He started to press the button to open the door, and stopped. He turned to Genie and took both of her hands in his. "Genie. Remember, I'm the other Legate. We can't be…umm."

She rose her eyebrows in surprise. "Oh! I haven't thought of that. Right."

"I'm sorry. But, I promise I'll make it up to you. Okay?"

She smiled. "Legate. I understand."

He looked into her eyes and placing his hand under her chin to raise her lips to his, he kissed her as if to seal his promise of making it up to her later.

When he stopped and looked back at her, he pointed at his lips. "Lipstick?"

She wiped it from his lips. "You're alright. Back to living a secret."

"Let's hope this one doesn't give me another concussion." He teased.

He turned and took a deep breath, then pressed the button to open the door.

A man wearing a suit stood in front of the door. "Prince Legate! It is my honor to see you."

Legate stepped out and helped Genie. She stood beside of him and Legate shook the man's hand. "Thank you for your quick service."

"Ah, not at all. The heir to the Quauthin kingdom? In my space port? Amazing." He looked at Genie. "And who is this?"

Genie smiled at him. "Hello."

Legate took over introductions. "This is Lady Sara Genevieve of Jalikapo-"

The man smiled in surprise. "You've brought a Rixalarian! Prince Legate! You have no reason to think I would tell you something that is untrue."

Legate smiled. "It just keeps us both honest. King Lartius has allowed me to bring her along for this."

"Indeed. And she is quite lovely. Even by Rixalarian standards." He said as he looked Genie up and down.

She couldn't help but feel like a piece of meat and almost wished he would try something so she could hit him.

"Is she promised as your mate?" The man asked.

Legate smiled, "The Lady is free to make her own decisions."

The man seemed to get excited at his words. "Oh really? Ma'am. May I, touch you?"

Genie glared at him. "I would prefer if you didn't."

The man held up his hands. "Right then. Well, if you would like to wait-"

Legate insisted. "The Lady will remain with me at all times."

The man sighed.

Genie and Legate glanced back at one another. Legate rose his eyebrows and asked the man, "Is that a problem?"

"Not at all, Prince Legate. Come, I'll show you to your ship."

Legate and Genie joined the man as they walked to a small speeder that was standing by. They were taken to the other side of the platform, miles away from where they had parked, and past at least twenty large ships that had been brought in.

Legate pointed at each one and told Genie what they were, and a bit about them.

The man couldn't help but notice his excitement. "Prince Legate. I had no idea you enjoyed craft so much."

Legate grinned. "It's something you can count on."

"Indeed. In fact, your great grandfather was the same way. A bit of a lover of speed, wasn't he?"

Legate nodded. "That's the story."

"And how about the young lady?"

Genie glared at him. He had not even troubled himself to remember her name, granted she hadn't even heard him say his. She popped her knuckles as she made a fist and dared him to make a move.

He noticed her determination, cleared his throat, and turned. "Ah! And there she is. Your ship, sir! The Shapus 637T from the Luta System."

The speeder stopped. They all stepped off, Legate helping Genie down, and walked up the gangplank.

Genie didn't have to know any specs to know it was fast, elegant and brand new. She was beautiful. Simply breathtaking, and she understood why Legate had been so excited. The walls were curved, just like Poltious' ship. She had a large center room for recreation, and several bedrooms towards the back of the ship. There was also a cargo hold large enough to be used as another bedroom if needed.

The man pointed out. "This room is often used as a brig."

"Well, hopefully we'll never need to use it as that." Legate told him as they continued to walk around and look at everything.

Legate asked about several features only to be told, truthfully Genie noticed, that they had been updated. Legate would look at her from time to time as the man spoke, and she would nod her head.

"Prince Legate! I assure you that I am nothing but truthful with you!"

Legate grinned, "Which I appreciate. Thank you."

"She is truly one of a kind. As you requested, sir. Lot of speed. Lots of security. Lots of space. Both inside and on the computer. The navigation system was updated just this morning with the latest maps, and even your smaller ship you arrived in will fit nicely in the rear cargo hold."

Legate was impressed. "Brilliant. Engines warm?"

"I personally did a pre-flight check on her myself only hours ago. We're currently sitting on the launch now. I will have someone pilot the smaller craft into the cargo hold for you, and transport them out."

Genie asked, "Excuse me, Prince Legate?"

He rose his eyebrow at her.

She smiled as she knew she had annoyed him by calling him that. "There are a few things I would prefer to bring out of the small craft if it convenient to you, sir."

Legate grinned at her. "It is convenient. And I have something I need to get, as well. Will we be able to get to the cargo hold from inside of the ship?"

The man nodded. "Yes. The entry is just outside of the main room. I'll show you. And we also have one more room to see before we get you underway. I saved the best for last."

He turned to walk down the circular hallway.

Legate took the opportunity to exchange a look at Genie.

Genie smiled and winked at him.

He rolled his eyes and smiled. They followed the man into the Control Room. He stopped and pointed before he walked in to a door. "That goes directly into the cargo hold."

Legate nodded. "This is a computer on the older ships."

"The computer is inside of the cargo hold. Just there on the other side of the wall. Much better use of space."

Legate nodded and he and Genie followed him into the Control Room.

The room was nearly exactly like Poltious' ship. Four chairs, two in front, and two behind them for passengers. Legate stood between the two front seats looking at all of the instrumentation.

Genie knew he was impressed and trying not to let his mouth gape open.

The man stood in the corner, unable to see Legate's expression. "I understand that the most Honorable Praetor Poltious, Savior to a thousand worlds, the One of the Quauthin King, and protector of the Princess Maria, flew one of these."

Legate nodded, "He does. He's had it forever. Hell of a ship."

"I had heard he had destroyed it."

Legate grinned. "No. It still flies. Even if some wish it didn't."

The man nodded. "Very good then. Are there any questions you have?"

Legate looked back at him, "I don't think so."

The man smiled. "Well. I'll just get your identification and you can be off."

Legate held out his hand to Genie, who took a seat in the co-pilot's chair. She flipped a few buttons to check things.

Legate looked back at the man's surprised face. "The lady knows what she's doing. She won't blow out of your showroom, sir."

The man recovered from his surprise. "Right. The man outside has the panel."

The man bowed to Genie and walked out of the Control Room.

Legate pat the seat Genie sat in. "Go ahead and run first protocols and I'll be right back."

She smiled at him. "Yes, Prince Legate."

Legate silently groaned and stepped out of the Control Room.

She knew he would want to run a foreign scanner on the craft to make sure no one had put any trackers or explosive devices on it. She also programmed the computer to check the smaller craft for similar things once it arrived onboard. Habits Genie had picked up from living with Quauhtin most of her life.

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After Legate left his handprint on the panel for the man, shook hands, and walked back up the gang plank. He pressed the button on the side to close it and walked towards the control room, barely able to contain his excitement.

Genie was nearly finished with her pre-flight checks when he arrived in the Control Room. She looked back at him as she flipped a switch over her head to bring up the navigation monitor. "I've ran security checks, fuel, batteries, and well….protocols."

Legate sat down in the pilot seat next to her and clicked a few more buttons. "Okay. Anything odd?"

"It's fast." She noted her impression. "The computer refreshes so fast I didn't think it had actually understood me at first."

Legate laughed as he experienced the same thing. "Wow. Yeah, I see what you mean."

A voice was heard in the control room. "Prince Legate. We are closing the barrier. Stand by."

Legate clicked some buttons. "Copy that."

Genie looked out of the wind screen as large metal walls encased them on all sides. The glass in front of them began to glow. "Oh. It's a force field. I thought it was glass."

Legate nodded. "Yeah. That's what it looks like. The wind screen is actually a force field, too. Not glass."

Genie looked back at him and mumbled. "I'm not sure if I like that or not."

"So, much safer of an option." He clicked a few more buttons. Then he stopped and looked back at her. "Okay, so you've met her. Do you have a name?"

Genie grinned. "I think I do. But, you can tell me no."

He smiled at her. "That's not going to happen. What is it?"

"I like, Caelvus."

Legate smiled, "Caelvus?"

She smiled, "Similar to your father's, but your own."

"I like it. Caelvus it is." He pressed a button. "Departure. What is our exit vector?"

The lights in front of them turned off, and it was clear that there was nothing in front of them. The man on the speaker answered, "Head over to 432 to retrieve your ship. Up is go, at your leisure."

Legate replied, "Copy that. Up is called."

Genie clicked a few buttons and slid her finger across a screen. "It's just over there."

Legate looked back at her. "And here we go."

He lifted off of the ground and slowly moved the ship out into space. He turned the ship as Genie opened the cargo hold. Someone piloted the smaller ship they had arrived in, gently into the ship. There was a recognizable bounce of the ship as it touched down under them.

Genie clicked a button. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Legate grinned. "Good landing bubble for them, Genie."

Genie clicked another button. "The security barrier is 557."

Legate typed in something. "Launch control. You can have you pilot back. Security on the hold has your code."

The voice spoke, "Copy that, Prince Legate."

Legate groaned. "Oh, I hate this."

Genie bit her lip to keep from laughing as she ran through the security protocols. She changed all of the passwords to the ship and ran another security sweep through it. "When are they going to transport him back?"

"Give them a bit." Legate told her.

Genie waited and ran the program again. She shook her head. "Legate, it's still reading there is a life form down there."

Legate pressed a button, "Launch Control? Do you have your guy?"

The man replied, "Yes. He's here. Your exit vector is being determined."

"Stand by." Legate clicked a button and pointed at Genie. "Stay here and if I scream, bring your death glare you were using on that man."

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't look at him any certain way purposely-"

"You did too! Mad woman. If looks could kill, you would be a Primus."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Something to keep in mind."

"Geez. Okay. I'll be straight back."

Genie clicked a few buttons as Legate walked out of the Control Room.

She mumbled. "I should have hit him. Looking at me like I am a steak." She clicked few buttons and sighed. "Dirt bag."

Legate walked around the corner and opened the door to the cargo hold. He stepped inside and pressed a button on the wall. "Genie? I'm in here."

"See anyone? It's still reading someone is in there."

"Where? I'm all over this room." He asked as he looked around.

"Umm. Center of the room."

He looked back at the small craft. "Well, that's in the ship. Let me look."

He walked around to the side of the ship and pressed the button for the door. It slid open and Legate stood ready to attack. No one was there.

He slowly climbed inside and looked around the cockpit where he and Genie had sat on the way out. Nothing was there.

He rubbed his chin and turned to the back of the ship. The bed had been folded and put away, and four chairs sat there, two holding their overnight bags they had taken to Lenox's.

Legate pat the bags thinking that maybe a small animal had climbed inside. But, nothing moved. He crept between the seats and looked at the back row.

There, leaning against the wall was a little girl of about ten years old. She wore the familiar brown trousers and white shirt of the Quauhin and was sound asleep. She her hair was in a long braid that Legate remembered Genie braiding before they had left that morning.

Legate knelt down in front of her and rubbed her knees. "Mari? Mari? Wake up."

She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Legate?"

Legate smiled and picked her up. "Oh, Mari. What are you doing here?"

He stepped out of the small ship carrying his niece. She laid her head on his shoulder and continued to sleep.

Legate spoke, "Genie, everything is alright. Go ahead and get us underway."

"Copy that." Genie's voice was heard over the speaker.

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