Author's Note: Ah! The second chapter! As I promised, this is longer than the first one. Sorry didn't upload this earlier... real life caught up with me and sideswiped me into a ditch. Anyways, to all of you reviewers... I love you! I promise to send each and every one of you a personal thank you email.
And the all-important disclaimer: I don't declare that I own anything in this story.
Chapter 2: The Terran Capital World
The Dopplers, now accompanied by Mr. Marks, Amelia's First Mate, are seated rather very comfortably in a Surface-bound transport. They had just arrived 30 minutes ago, on the SS Laodicea, and wasted no time on the Capital Space Port, which truthfully was not that different from the Crescentia spaceport on Montressor, only cleaner, tidier, and had more constables & military going about. But unlike Crescentia, the Capital's Space Port had two sides; the first one faced the Etherium, servicing the great interplanetary ships, and the second watched the Capital City. On this side did our three friends board a transport.
"The Terran Capital world -- despite its name -- is not located in Terra (Sol III), the planet that humans fondly called 'Earth.' It was, in the beginning, but in the middle of the Empire's first century, experts recommended that the Capital World be moved to a planet more defensible and more central to the empire," read Delbert from the brochure slipped into the backseat of the transport, "Well, whatever the reason is, this planet is indeed equipped with the most comfortable transport I've ever ridden in."
"Ah, do you mean that as a critique to the comfort of my ship?" teased Amelia.
"No darling. Not at all. But you do have to admit that it's very uncommon to find plush seats filled with down feathers on any other transport."
"And to that I have to concur, Doctor," piped Mr. Marks, Amelia's First Mate, "The best seats, ever! Why, the nearest I ever experienced is when I visited the planet of Arcturus III. As you know, the Arcturians are one heck of a trader, and undoubtedly they indeed understand creature comfort, and their transports are..."
Silently, Doppler mentioned to Amelia, "Is he always this talkative?"
"Only when he's awake. Don't pay attention. He won't mind."
"Okay. That shouldn't be too difficult," he smiled, "Especially if I am sitting here beside a beautiful felinid like you..."
"Oh! You are incorrigible," she mocked playfully, then proceeded to nestle her head on her husband's shoulder.
"... and I am especially glad, captain that you decided we come here a day earlier," Mr. Marks said to Amelia, quite abruptly interrupting a long narrative of the Arcturian's posh way of life. "For quite some time I've been dying to visit the Imperial Botanical garden. I heard that they have this rare flower called starswarm, which grow only on the Taurian system. That flower, some people say, is more like an animal than plant, because it is actively mobile ..."
"Darling, how in God's name could you stand him as your First Mate?" whispered Delbert to his wife.
"Give him orders, then go into my stateroom."
"Ah. That figures. Where'd you found him anyway?"
"He's highly recommended by Admiral Von Richtofen for his loyalty, his spacer skills, and his combat ability. But apparently not for his ability to shut his yap," explained Amelia. "Watch."
"Lieutenant Commander Marks, could you be silent for a while," ordered Amelia to the First Mate.
"Oh. Of course Captain," and Marks fell silent. But 3 minutes later, "You know, Admiral Ruhmkorff designed the defense of the Capital World using 3 layer defense system. Which ..."
Delbert and Amelia looked at each other, and chuckled softly. Wrapping his right arm around his beloved wife, they both fell into a contented silence for the rest of the trip to the Capital World surface (or near silence, should we say, as Mr. Marks continued his discourse on the Capital World's defense mechanism).
=== === ===
The Terran Capital World was like any other capitals in the Etherium. Clean, whitewashed building abutted beautifully paved pathways. Gardens and mini-gardens everywhere you look at. At a glance, there's nothing that differ this city with Planetary Capitals such as the Capital of Arctura III. However, upon further inspection, you realize that this is the Capital city. Looking everywhere you could see the crest of the Empire. Now and then the Imperial Guards would pass on their hovermobiles, help keeping order and security throughout the land.
Thirty minutes later, the transport softly landed on the Transport Surface Bay, and the three of them, along with other passengers, disembarked.
"Captain, where be our quarters?"
"Let's see. Hotel Gran Segismo, room 505, and room 515. Let's hail a cab, shall we?"
"Okay, Captain. If you'll just wait here, I'll hail us a cab."
Delbert took a deep breath. "Wow. It is different here. The air is very fresh."
"Of course it is, you mongrel. Our engineer team has painstakingly installed over 20,000 air purifying station all over the planet's surface. Of all the scientists, you gotta be the most ignorant one, Del old dog."
Delbert turned toward the source of this mildly derogatory remark. Upon recognizing the source, a middle aged Orcadia (which bears an uncanny resemblance of the killer whales on Earth), he exclaimed,"Why, Jase! So you're stationed here now, you old fish?"
Jason Rameses smiled, baring 48 of his perfectly white teeth. "Yup. Only the best for the Capital World," he boasted. Hugging Delbert, he continued, "Glad to see you again buddy! What brings you here? I thought you've planted your roots on Montressor."
Delbert laughed. "The reason I'm here, you sardine, is the Imperial Great Race. I'm participating in it."
"Ahh. I know that. A friend of mine is the supervisor. But tell me," Rameses lowered his voice conspiratorially, "So you're now a spacer?"
"Oh, of course not!" laughed Delbert. "Meet a real spacer, my beloved wife, Amelia," introduced Delbert.
"A pleasure to know you, ma'am," said Rameses as he bowed to kiss her hand, "I am Jason Rameses, Civillian Engineer Extraordinaire, in charge of most civilian structures on the Capital World. And a long-time friend of Delbert here. We go way back... to when, Del?"
"High school, second year."
"Ah yes. That's right," concurs Rameses. Suddenly, a flash of recognition gleamed in his eyes. "Amelia? Are you THE famous Rear Admiral Amelia? The one who single-handedly beat the Procyon Armada at the Great Battle?"
"My. Rumors spread quickly on this world, don't they?" teased Amelia, "Well, to satisfy your curiosity, I am she, and though it's too exaggerating to say 'single-handedly', it's also a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Rameses whistled softly. "Wow. Never in my life I thought would I meet you in real life... and how in God's name could you end up with this nerd of a dog here?" he jested, and nearly laughed as he saw Delbert's peeved face. "Sorry old chum. And sorry to denigrate your husband, ma'am. Can't help it. He's too fun not to."
"Oh, don't worry, Mr. Rameses. I understand that perfectly. I also do the same thing everyday."
"Amelia!"
Rameses laughed, "Well, don't blame your wife for being honest, Del old pal. You are after all ? " his words was interrupted by the ringing of his communicator, "Who may this be ... oh drats! It's the minister of agriculture. She's been badgering me for more irrigation canals. As if the existing ones are not enough to flood the Capital City three times over," he mumbled, "Please excuse me for a moment Del, Captain, this one I gotta take care first." And he walked a bit away from them, carrying his briefcase-sized communicator console with him.
"Fascinating guy, this Rameses friend of yours," commented Amelia.
"Yeah. Big-mouthy. But he's a very loyal friend."
Marks came running at them. "Captain, Doctor," he said, "The cab is ready. Shall we?"
"Okay. Let's go. Hey Jason, we gotta go now," Delbert yelled to Rameses.
Rameses muted the communicator for a while. "Okay, Del. Where will you be staying? If I have the time I'll drop by."
"Hotel Gran Segismo."
"Ah! Ritzy place. Okay, have a nice trip!" with those parting words, he unmuted the communicator, "But Madam Minister, do you want to turn that place into a lake? Because if I add another irrigation canal, no matter how picturesque it will be ..."
=== === ===
It was a nice, uneventful ride toward the hotel, which was located in the suburbia of the Capital City. Along the, our group passed through beautiful brick-layered boulevards lined by palm trees and various flower bushes. Yet despite its status as the capital of the empire, the city is by all standards rather sparse. Given, the road is not empty. Hover-carriages of all size and color shuttle around on the streets. And pedestrian are also quite numerous actually, but something in the design of the Capital City makes all the hubbub seems somewhat muted and less busy.
Thank God for the city-planners mused Amelia in her heart. She has not visited the Capital City in 5 years; the last time was to carry out a very top-secret mission that probably only a handful people in all Etherium knows. And far before that, when she got her green medal. On both occasions, she haven't got the opportunity of sight seeing. So she's really looking forward to this day, where she can enjoy the Capital City.
Her husband, on the other hand, was really like an excited puppy. Every now and then exclaiming, "Woah! Look at that!" as if he'd never been in the Capital City. Well, he never had, actually. So that's why he can be excused for all his utter amazement words whenever he saw the handicraft of the Empire's best architects.
And Marks, as usual, was analyzing things... "I believe what you just saw, doctor, is a Garden Carriage, a specially built hover carriage that is used to prune, graft, and otherwise maintain the multitude of gardens all over the planet ..."
Finally, after 20 minutes, they arrived. Hotel Gran Segismo was built more than 80 years ago, and it showed. It's not run-down or dilapidated, mind you, but the architecture was definitely way past due date. Fortunately, it had been quite old enough to be called a 'classic'. What really struck you is the beautifully plush garden in front of the hotel. No carriage parked here, as the hotel had its own parking lot behind the main building.
As the men unloaded their luggages, Amelia entered the lobby to check in, leaving poor Delbert listening to Marks analyzing the classic/modern/art deco architecture of the hotel. Thank god thought Delbert as he saw Amelia approaching.
"Okay captain, how do we divide our quarters again?"
"Well Mr. Marks, I should say that you take room 505, while the Doctor and I shall take the suite 515. Here's your key, and be sure to gather here in the lobby tomorrow at 0900 hours. You will be well advised to take advantage of the hotel's breakfast before we gather. You are dismissed."
"Very fine, captain. Now if you'll excuse me, Doctor, I'll put my bag in my room and off I go the botanical garden," grinned Marks, briskly walking toward the elevator.
Delbert watched him leave, then asked his wife, "So? Shall we go upstairs too?"
"Yes, let's stow our luggage. It's only 1400 hours, we have much time to explore the Capital City."
So they rode the elevator also to the fifth floor, and went to their suite. After tipping the bellboy for depositing their luggage, Delbert took a look around their room.
It was a quite sizable room. About 8m by 10m, it occupied the western edge of the hotel. The northern and western walls are completely replaced with glass-pane windows, with beige/khaki vertical louvers partially covering them, ready to completely block them at the pull of a string. The bed, a king-sized one, lies nestled against the southern wall, on a partially raised floor. Two nightlights are affixed to the wall on either side of it. There's a writing desk at the northwest corner of the room, a coffee table with chairs & sofas around it at the northern area. The bathroom was located just to their right, the door opening in the middle of a diagonal wall at the southeast corner.
"My word! This is far better than I expected!" exclaimed Delbert, "This suite's fit for a king!"
"Hmm. That's strange. I distinctly remembered they saying it's the presidential suite, not the royal suite," teased Amelia.
"Ahh you!" replied Delbert, and with a surprisingly swift movement swooped her wife down and kissed her with passion.
Amelia, taken by surprise, went wide-eyed for a moment. But then she relaxed and shut her eyes. And for several moments, they kept their stance, locked in a fervent embrace, with Delbert bowing a bit and Amelia leaning back, hanging on her husband. After 3 or 4 minutes of passionate kissing, they reluctantly separate. As usual, Amelia's the first one to regain use of her verbal ability.
"Well, dear. That's ... quite rigorous."
"Yes, well, can't help it. With the mood of the room and all... you know ...," he winked.
Amelia smirked, "Yes I know, but let's keep the 'main course' for tonight, shall we? Since I know you haven't ever visited the Capital City, let's spend this afternoon going around. Remember, the closest chance you got was when you got the Civilian Gold Star of Courage ? and you were lying in hospital at Almaden II."
Delbert cringed at the memory of the events that led to his hospitalization. "Okay, you got your point. Spare me the remembrance, please."
Amelia smiled gently, "I'll change into something more comfortable. What about you?"
Delbert, which has now taken residence on one of the plush chairs, kicked off his shoes and said, "Well I think I'll still wear this minus the overcoat and inside a more comfortable footwear." He then proceeded to produce a pair of sandals from their Portmanteaux, and wear them immediately, "Ahh, much better."
Amelia in the meantime has also entered the walk-in closet and proceeded to undress herself from the spacer uniform she loves to wear. Then she put on a brown slacks and a low-necked cotton shirt, before wearing on her sandals too.
"Come on darling, let's go. I know of a good restaurant nearby where we can get really delicious lunch," invited Amelia
"Splendid! I am starving by the way, so let's go."
Hand-in-hand, they left their room, went to the lobby, and finally left the hotel.
"What's the name of the place again, did you say?"
"The Gay Hussar. It's nice. Cool, comfy, I'm sure you'd like it there."
"Is it still far? Because if it's still far, I'm afraid my stomach will start digesting my body," said Delbert with mock concern.
Amelia laughed. "Don't worry, it's very near. In fact, there it is, just across the street. Let's go!"
Briskly they crossed the street while the pedestrian crossing light was on.
The restaurant itself was not too big, although you can't say that it's small either. The tables and chairs are actually arranged diner-style: in cubicles with the chair a permanent part of the cubicle wall. The interior itself with oak & maple inserts has faded a bit. However, the place is clean, and many the patrons you can easily see that they come from the middle-to-upper segment of the society. And the best thing is: Thank God it's completely no smoking in there thought Delbert.
"Well, shall we, my dear Admiral?" said Delbert, offering his arms.
"Yes, we shall, my dear doctor" replied Amelia, smiling widely, touched and amused by her husband's chivalry.
So they entered the restaurant together, she holding her arms tightly to her side. Inside the restaurant was indeed cool and comfortable. They shuffled to a table just beside the large glass pane window.
"So, what's good here?" inquired Delbert as their waitress came and put two menu books on their table.
"Well, sir, if you like vegetables, I would recommend today's special, the gado-gado food. It's a native Sol III dish from a place called Indonesia. Very delicious but ?" she stopped in mid sentence.
"Yes? Do go on please?"
"You're not allergic to peanuts, are you? 'Cause one of its main condiment is peanuts."
"Well, when it comes to food, I can assure you that my husband is allergic to none. We'll take one dish."
"Very well ma'am. And what drinks would you like with it?"
"Iced lemon tea."
"I'll have iced coffee cream. And could you add some solara seeds with the gado-gado?"
"Of course, sir. Now, if you please excuse me," said the waitress as she bend down to gather the menu books very efficiently. In a whiff, she's gone.
"Say," said Delbert to his wife, "How do you know if this place is good? You haven't been here for 5 years, have you?"
"Honey, before we came, I did make some calls. In fact, I have arranged for us an itinerary that should suffice to see us through the night," answered Amelia, giving her husband a wink.
"Oh. Okay then. Would you care to explain what exactly is your itinerary?"
"All I can say is, my love, I have every possible reason to believe that you will enjoy it immensely like I will," declared Amelia, now with a naughty glint in her eyes.
"Ah... I expect it would involve some " Delbert was interrupted politely by the waitress.
"Excuse me, sir, ma'am, here's your orders. Have a nice lunch!"
"Thank you, my dear," acknowledged Amelia, and turning back to Delbert, "Now what were you saying?"
"Well, I forgot," replied Delbert in passing, as he was really hungry and the food looked really delicious, "I think I ought to feed my brain first before I can even speak of anything coherently."
Amelia, having had only one small slice of crumpet for breakfast, quickly agreed. So they said grace, and quickly proceeded to wolf down the dish, being starving as they were.
When they're finished, it's Delbert's turn to speak first, "Boy! That WAS a delicious and satisfying lunch!"
"Glad you like it, Delbert. It's far more delicious here than in Beta Virgi, when I first know of this dish."
"Yum. Now, what shall we do next?"
"Let's go the Carnival grounds. It's not far from here, just one bus ride away."
"Sounds fun. Let's go," Delbert signaled to the waitress, who promptly brought over and left the bill on a tray. Glancing quickly on the bill, Delbert nodded in agreement and left the payment, plus a sizable tip, on the tray. Then, they both left the restaurant.
"Hm. Rather expensive, but definitely worth the price. What bus shall we take, love?"
"Ah, here it comes. Bus #7b to the Carnival Grounds. Let's get on it, shall we?" Without really waiting for his husband's approval, Amelia jumped into the bus, followed by Delbert in haste. And so, they're off to the Carnival Grounds.
Author's notes, again: Okay. So I'm rambling now. That's why I decided to cut it right here and now. I will start anew on chapter 3 and "get on with it". Rest assured, the race -- which I believe is the FUN part, will soon start!
Edited 2004-08-08: Based on a suggestion of an unknown reviewer (relayed via VikM), I rechecked all tenses of this chapter. Hope everything's okay now!