CHAPTER TWO: CONSTELLATION

Please state your request.

"Baltimore, Maryland, 2389 standard calendar." Claire's voice echoed off the walls of the simulator. She and Isaac stood just inside the doorway. Red brick formed underneath their feet, a simulated saltwater breeze wafted through the air. A moment later, Claire stood, her hand in Isaac's, alongside Baltimore's Inner Harbor on a sunny morning.

Claire looked over at Isaac and smiled. "Welcome to Baltimore," she said. "This is from around my last leave." She looked her husband up and down. "You might want to consider changing into something more appropriate for a vacation—even if it is a simulated one," she told him.

He cocked his head. "What is proper attire for a vacation?" he queried.

Claire gestured to her flowery sundress, wide-brimmed straw hat, and comfortable sandals. "For a human male…" She tapped her chin with her fingers, studying Isaac. "Sneakers, khakis, polo shirt," she told him.

Isaac pulled the program file he'd created for his mission in 2025. He made a few adjustments. A moment later, Claire nodded in approval at his Nikes, creased khakis, and gray polo shirt. "Perfect," she said, threading her arm through his. "You would fit right in," she told him.

"Baltimore has a very pleasing visual aesthetic," he noted, looking at the skyline.

"I always thought it was a beautiful city," Claire replied. "I loved the Academy in New York City, but it always felt a little too big." She began pulling him gently down the wharf, heading for a tall-masted sailing ship. "I thought we could begin our day with a little bit of ancient Earth history," she offered.

"I would be interested to learn, Claire," Isaac responded. "I have deleted all files pertaining to Baltimore and associated historical context."

She gazed up at him. "I love you."

"I am aware of this."

He scanned the waterfront, committing every visual to his internal hard drive. It would be useful for conversation later. He also made note of Claire. Her posture seemed less rigid; her pulse rate was steady. She was smiling. She was happy. And he was functioning within normal parameters. Claire stopped them both in front of the large, black-and-white sailing vessel. "All right, this is our first stop. This is the USS Constellation," she told him. "I guess you could call it the great-great…" She thought about it. "Several greats, grandfather to the Orville."

Isaac observed the vessel. "She does not seem as functional in design as the was its purpose?"

Claire pointed to the square openings along the sides. "She was a warship. Those openings are for the guns."

Isaac nodded. "Why are vessels referred to as female?" he questioned.

"Most ancient sailing ships were named for goddesses," Claire explained. "I guess the tradition sort of stuck."

"The Orville is named after an important Earth male, Orville Wright," Isaac noted. "Yet the Captain and most of the officers still refer to it as 'she.'"

Claire looked at him. "You know, you should ask Captain Mercer about that," she said, grinning inwardly at the look on the Captain's face when Isaac brought that bit of trivia to him.

"Noted," Isaac said scheduling the conversation for when they returned. "And this ship…was there an Earth goddess known as Constellation?"

"No," Claire said with a light chuckle. "This one was named after a flag."

Isaac stared. "The human species has many strange customs," he said finally.

Claire burst out laughing. "That's what makes us interesting! And also a little confusing."

Her husband nodded. "Indeed," he agreed. He looked at her. "You are fascinating."

She leaned into his shoulder, intertwining their fingers. "The feeling is mutual."