The next two weeks disappeared in a blur for Kitty, who spent half her time talking with Alex, and the other half training with Amelia, who proceeded to lecture her about how to behave in front of a crew of spacers in order to prevent a mutiny from occuring. Amelia felt---and perhaps rightly so---that Kitty, being untrained in the actions of command, might prove easy prey to potential mutineers.
Kitty just smiled at her concern before heading off to Amelia's bed, lifting it with her little finger to place it just the way she liked it. Well, needless to say, after that particular demonstration, Amelia turned her instruction toward telling Kitty that she should not---in any circumstances---show off her magical powers in front of a serious group of spacers. Kitty rolled her eyes at Amelia's case of overcaution and proceeded to tell her that even if she might appear a little childish on occasion, that didn't mean that she didn't know how to behave. Her entire life with her family had taught her that lesson...the hard way.
Amelia sighed in exasperation, but decided discretion the better part of valor, and simply gave up trying, knowing that Kitty was far too stubborn for her own good.
The next day was the last day before they returned to starport and ended their journey. Kitty used this day to move about the Legacy, hugging all the friends she'd met a tearful good-bye. The cadets---heck, even the most hardened of spacers were all more than a little bit fond of this girl who had literally fallen in upon them. Many a seasoned spacer found some speck of ethereal flotsam lodge in their eyes...or at least that's what they told Kitty as they wiped at them, that is...
But the most difficult good-bye by far for Kitty was saying farewell to her best friend, Alex. Kitty hugged him fiercely, tears leaking from her eyes, not wanting to let him go.
Alex, for his part, was somehow dry-eyed, but he held on to Kitty tightly too, showing no signs of letting her go either.
"Much as I figured," a voice speculated from behind the two startled teens, and they turned to see Captain Amelia walking gracefully toward them.
Kitty scowled. "Watch it, Amelia," Kitty growled, her cheeks becoming pink as she let go of Alex. "I mean, don´t you tell me that you wouldn't cry if you were leaving behind a good friend...one that you won´t be seeing in a long time." Kitty felt a lump in her throat, even as she continued to scowl at Amelia.
Amelia held up a hand. "Oh, I won´t, dear," Amelia assured Kitty. "In fact, I've a bit of a present for the both of you..." The Captain retrieved a slip of paper from her trouser pocket, and handed to a startled Alex. "Ah, here you are, Mr. Dalley. Upon that slip of paper you would find my address at Instellar Star Port, as well as my wireless number...you know, should you find the urge to talk to Kitty."
Alex was dumbfounded, saying nothing at first, just looking at the paper in his fingers. He eventually found his voice, and croaked, "Thank you, Captain."
Amelia smiled, and waved a hand his way. "Think nothing of it, my boy. Now, should Kitty and myself be out on some misson of some sort, you simply just leave a note with the portmaster. Understood?" Amelia finished.
Alex pocketed the paper and smiled. "Yes, Ma'am. Thanks again, Captain," he said, bowing slightly to her.
"Again, you are more than welcome. I'd also like to let you know that you've proved a top-notch cabin boy on this voyage, and that shall go into your record with my recommendation," Amelia said and smiled before heading back to her place on the bridge.
The next day they finally made port. Kitty looked wide-eyed at the enormous Interstellar Academy, which bustled with seemingly endless energy. Never in her entire life had she seen buildings like these ones. Once the ship was secured, the watches set, and the cadets dismissed, Kitty walked tentatively down the gangway on to docks of the star port, looking about in wonder.
Amelia, leaving Mr. Arrow in charge, followed her charge down, choosing to stop beside her. "Rather amazing, isn't it?" Amelia ventured.
"Oh, yes," Kitty said in awe.
"I don't know, though...I find it a bit busy. Much prefer the expanses of the Etherium myself," Amelia said, grinning in jest. Kitty goggled at her, and simply gaped. Amelia took pity on her, and added, "Might you like to join me as I deliver my report to the Academy Headmaster?" Amelia asked and held up a thick letter-sized envelope.
"Sure! I'd love to, Captain," Kitty said and walked along beside Amelia. As they walked toward the white glistening campus, Kitty saw many teens her age walking about, shopping, talking, rushing about.
Kitty frowned when she realized that they all seemed to be looking rather curiously at both her and Amelia. "Amelia, um, why are these people all staring at us?" Kitty whispered after a while.
Amelia smiled and adjusted her hat on her head. "Don't let them bother you, my friend. They're simply wondering if we´re their fellow students, and if we are, whether we're free for a night of 'fun', or should they leave we two to ourselves.
Kitty smiled at that, casting a look of undestanding Amelia's way. "Oh, just let them try," she said quietly, grinning mischieviously.
Amelia laughed, knowing how difficult this girl could be to read when she put her mind to it. Finally, they made their way to the Adminstration Building, and were---after reviewing Amelia's credentials, escorted to the Headmaster's office. Once inside, Amelia removed her hat, placing it under her left arm, and gave the envelope with her report on her class of cadets over to the Deputy Headmaster, saluting the man politely before turning smartly on her heel, and making her way outside into the Academy grounds once more. Outside, she met up again with Kitty, who had decided to wait outside for her.
Amelia had to work had to stifle a giggle, as she saw the storm on Kitty's face. Kitty had her eyes closed tightly, standing against the wall, fuming, breathing hard. Amelia's quick eye also spotted---not too far away---a young male canid walking with a hand over what was undoubtably going to be quite a shiner in the afternoon. Amelia then noticed the young man was walking a bit funny...and clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized that the spirited Kitty had countered an unwanted advance of this fellow with a meaningful kick to his groin area.
Amelia smiled, and shook her head, moving over beside where Kitty stood. She put a hand on her young friend's shoulder, and gave her a questioning look. "Ah, there you are, Kitty...doing your part---no doubt---to fraternize with your fellow cadets, hmm?" she observed in an amused voice.
"He had it coming," Kitty growled. "He's just lucky I'm in a good mood, or I would of broken his fingers too." Kitty fumed anew. "Amelia, you know full well that I´m a tomboy, so can the clever remarks, okay?" Kitty said.
Amelia burst into soft laughter, waving Kitty to follow her, which she did her blond head held high, totally ignoring the somewhat worse for wear canid in their footsteps...
Time passed, and Kitty moved in with Amelia in her place at the star port. When another voyage was brokered, Kitty was the first to beg to sign up. Amelia readily agreed, and preparations began in earnest. In the span of a couple of weeks, the ship was crewed and reprovisioned.
Two of them walked the pier toward where the Legacy was bertherd. As the approached the gangway, Kitty blinked, suddenly realizing something. "Hey! Um, Amelia?" Kitty suddenly piped up.
Amelia turned her head, but continued walking. "Yes, Kitty?" Amelia said politely.
"I've been thinking...um, this is going to be my first launch, right? Um..." Kitty replied, uncertain as to how to proceed.
"Oh, dear," Amelia answered, suddenly realizing what Kitty was trying to say. "No doubt you saw our launch sequence in that infernal movie of yours, yes?"
"Why, yes...it´s my fave scene," Kitty replied, nodding.
Amelia's eyebrow quirked up. "Fave?" Amelia asked.
"I mean favorite, Amelia," Kitty supplied, smoothing over her use of slang. "I liked it when the gravity suddenly disapears. But, I have to admit I'm not much looking forward to the 'full speed ahead' part," Kitty smiled wanly.
Amelia smiled, understanding her concern. "Ah. You needn't worry on that count, dear. Just stand in front of Arrow, and you´ll see that everything will go just fine."
"Great. Thanks," Kitty said. "So...where are we going?"
"Home...at least to me. I have my primary residence at a nearby spaceport, you understand," Amelia explained.
"Really? What's the name of it?" Kitty asked, intrigued.
"Felinsia Spaceport, of course," Amelia said smiling over at her friend. "Felinisia is the homeworld for we felinids, Kitty dear."
An hour later, when Kitty experienced her first launch, everything went surprisingly well. She nearly managed to keep her feet when the Legacy lurched into full speed, but Arrow stood behind her and made sure she didn't slam back into the bridge rail behind her. All and all, this trip was a becoming really great idea, she thought to herself.
So her life went for year after year, never a dull moment. Kitty and Amelia both grew up, the fastest of friends, and spacers to the core. Then, their came the celebration of Amelia's thirtieth birthday.
Kitty and Amelia looked near twins, but for Kitty´s blonde hair, and Amelia's mole. Kitty had decided on the eve of her twentieth birthday to get herself a present, and she chose to have a tail grafted on. Hers was the same color as her skin but with a blond tuft at the end of it.
Alexander and Kitty kept in close contact with each other, and saw each other over the holidays and the like.
One day, Amelia got a letter in the post. She took it in, opened it, and started reading it. Kitty, who had been reading, was startled by Amelia's bellowing for both her and Arrow.
"What is it this time, Amelia?" Kitty asked.
Amelia smiled. "Good news, you rogue. We've
been hired for another voyage."
Kitty took the letter, and looked it over. She read the text, then---simply out of curiosity read the name of the sender, one Doctor Delbert Doppler.
"About time," she muttered to herself, smiling and thinking, this will be one heck of an adventure...