Hold Dear the Studious and Invariant
Pursue II
Doppler's Point of View
"That would have been a nasty fall, not to mention a rather expensive one," I commented as I placed my beloved cello back in its case. The reason I quit playing in the first place was that a new scent had filled the room. Normally, I ignored such distractions being that I normally pick up smells from every breeze and downwind there is. However, this time I was detecting a person who had to be very close. Sometimes a member of the crew would come down and take something from the storage room, but this was very different. Though I sometimes find it embarrassing to pick up some scents from others, being they usually gave off way too much information, this was interesting. A dominant, female, which has recently been drinking a café lattoid and . . . hold on. This was the irresistible scent of the Captain . . . unmistakable scent of the Captain I mean. Of course I meant unmistakable not irresistible, why would I say irresistible . . . why am I justifying myself to myself? I quickly relented my thoughts and pushed my cello case over to the wall before going over to the slightly ajar door.
"I wonder why the Captain would even be down here?" I whispered to myself so as not to be heard by what I thought was a guest. However, upon opening the door I saw, nothing. I peeked around the doorframe and glanced to my left then to my right, but there was no sign of anyone, at least from first glace. Nevertheless, I could still tell that the Captain had to have been here no less then a few minutes ago.
"How strange, stupid olfactory organ, must I pick up every after fragrance," I declared, until I heard soft foot falls from above me. That meant the person was still in the upstairs hall. Without thinking I quickly made a dash to the stairs so as to catch them before they left. As I began rapidly ascending the stairs I decided to slow down, which I did. I didn't want to seem like I was too um . . . what's the word for it, zealous maybe, to meet them. Anyway I continued on reaching the hall only to find no one, so I went on down the corridor and reached the door that would take me out to the bridge. I opened it and stepped out into the brilliant light of the etherium, which was quite refreshing actually.
"Well, ifin' it ain't the Doc, coming out on this fine as any morning. Come to enjoy a wee breath of fresh air eh?" I heard the cook, better known as Silver, say to the left of me. I had just recently learned that he was the same man that I had hired the crew through. I was surprised I hadn't recognized him the first time we met in the galley. At least his voice if nothing else. Oh, I better answer him, rather than standing here staring.
"Why yes, well sort of. I was actually looking for something, but I guess. . ."
"Well what might it be, maybe I can help you find it," he offered as he walked over from the bridge to me.
"Actually, it really is unimportant," I smiled weakly, not wanting to reveal that I was chasing a scent, especially the Captain's.
"All right, by the way have you seen Jimbo? I haven't seen anything of em since seven?"
"No, I haven't really, Mr. Silver."
"Ah, that's all right, and you can be calling me just plain Silver. Not use to so many formalities, if you know what I mean," he chuckled.
"Um of course. If I see Jim though, I'll be sure to tell him you're looking for him," I replied, trying to walk on past him to the bridge.
"Oh don't be doing that Doc, don't want him to know I'm on to him just yet. If you be seeing him, be sure just to tell me. I'll be havin' a few more tasks for the lad when I find him," he said as he headed down the stairs laughing quietly. Looks like Jim is having just as much luck as I am, as far as a good trip. As I reached the bridge deck I noticed that only the helmsman was there, Mr. Turnbuckle. Usually either Mr. Arrow or the Captain would be out and about on the higher deck, but I was not seeing either. Oh well, there had to be good reason for it, and I suppose maybe I really didn't pick up the Captain down there after all.
"Doctor?" a voice said from behind me. I turned around quickly with a start. There stood the Captain looking as commanding and intimidating as ever. She seemed to eye me more closely then usual, her sharp green eyes focused on me as if I had something written all over my face. Her face then relaxed a bit.
"Have you lost anything?" She asked, folding her arms behind her back and moving past me.
"No, not really I guess," I replied. She stopped just in front of me giving me a splendid view of the back of her head. For a moment she didn't say anything, but then she motioned me with her right hand to come up next to her. So I did what I was instructed and walked up beside her.
"Doctor, I have reason to believe that you have an expanse knowledge about the binary system that we will inevitably have to cross through," she asked, catching me a bit off guard with the soft tone of her voice. She turned her head to look at me, awaiting an answer and for some reason I felt flustered. It was awful to be in the presence of the commanding officer and not even be able to utter a cohesive word.
"Well, I-I . . . um yes I do know about the binervy system . . . I mean binary, binary system," I said wishing instead that I hadn't opened my mouth. She smirked a bit, shrugging my slip up off.
"Very good then. I would like you to chart a perfectly safe course through. Do you think you can do that for us, Doctor?"
"Yes, yes of course."
"Very Good. You can help yourself to the star charts in the stateroom, and any of the equipment that you might need. Oh, and if you'd like you can join me for lunch?" she said with a pleasant air about her. I was surprised, to say the least, being that only moments ago she had reprimanded me on my deck behavior. I studied her face briefly, trying to decipher if she was serious or not, when she gave me a more, for lack of a better term, unpleasant look. I couldn't believe I was being scolded, even though I was delivering a slow return. I decided to nod in agreement, until I remembered she liked to be answered with a more proper address.
"I mean, yes Captain," I said with a little more edge to my voice then I would have liked. And unfortunately it was of the sarcastic kind. I wanted to take it back, but I knew it was too late.
"Well Doctor, I am going to pretend that was never said, but I will see you at lunch with the star charts and course finished," she said smartly as she dismissed me with her sideways glace. She knew full well that it would take me all morning to do that and I was guessing that was my punishment of some sort for my less than perfect remark. Arrgg . . . if only I could keep my mouth under control. However, before I could discipline myself any further I recognized something, she smelt like a café lattiod. In my nervousness of actually finding the Captain I had forgotten why I had even come up to begin with, though I wish I had stayed down below deck anyway. Nonetheless, when I turned to ask whether she had been down below or not the Captain was already engaged in conversation with the helmsmen. Oh well, she's busy and now so am I. Without uttering another word I went below. My pursuit was here by terminated.
Amelia's Point of View
I glanced behind me a bit to watch the good doctor disappear out of sight as Mr. Turnbuckle gave me his observations. I was half listening to him as I relished in a silent victory. I knew I was being inequitable, giving the doctor so much to do, especially since I have been through the system before, but I could not have him asking where I was. For some reason or another he knew I was there and I don't even have an answer to give other than I was curious, which in and of itself isn't a bad thing. I felt childish for doing this to him though, but to be honest with myself I also felt absolutely amused to get the man stirred up and, at this point, I don't know whether to ignore or be worried about my behavior.
"Captain," I heard from below the bridge, which interrupted my thoughts. Probably for the better.
"If you'll pardon me, Mr. Turnbuckle," I politely interjected his speech on currents.
"Of course, Captain."
I made my way to the railing of the bridge and looked down to see Mr. Greedy glancing upwards at me from his lower position. The minute he saw me he stood to attention, which, I'm sorry to say, looked more like a dilapidated stance as if he had a slinky for a spine, and I mean that in a caring way.
"Yes Mr. Greedy," I addressed him.
"Captain, da solar crystals for the sails have been checked and stored. Everything is in order," he reported.
"Excellent, thank you. You and the rest of the riggers may break for two hours, but then I want you to check those sails again. They do have a tendency to sway out of place. You're dismissed until further notice."
"Aye Captain," he replied more than happy as he hobbled off. All was fine for about an hour till I heard some quick, but heavy leaden feet behind me. It could only be Mr. Arrow and if he was in a hurry something must be amiss. I whirled around to see that sure enough my dear Arrow was indeed coming to me quickly with a look of . . . humor?
"Captain, if you would, come with me," he said directing me to the door that lead to his quarters. I nodded, and followed him into the hall before asking what was wrong.
"Well when I went into my cabin I noticed some thumping form just below me," he started as we past his room and made way to the stairs. I raised an eyebrow at him waiting for my friend to continue, which he did.
"So I went to investigate and found an interesting situation . . ." he paused when we reached the bottom of the stairs before calling out, "Doctor are you still alright?"
Then to my surprise there was a small muffled reply.
"Did you come back with the key; it's getting stuffy in here."
It was the doctor's voice alright, coming from the storage closest.
"How in the universe did he get in there?" I whispered. Mr. Arrow smiled a little before encouraging me to ask for myself.
"Doctor . . ."
"Captain . . .!" he shouted from the other side of the door.
"Don't worry Doctor, we'll have you out, but how did you get locked in to begin with," I said, laughing inside at the shear foolishness of the situation. I knew by his delay in answering that he was probably blushing in embarrassment by now.
"Well . . . Well y-you see. I was coming down here to um do the charts when I heard some knocking. Then when I came over I heard Jim . . ."
"You mean Mr. Hawkins is in there with you," I said.
"Yes, yes he is."
"So let me guess, in trying to help Jim you inadvertently locked yourself in," I finished.
"Yes, something like that," the doctor replied sheepishly. I reached out and took the handle of the door in hand and jiggled to find that it was indeed locked. I wondered for a moment how the doctor got in the first time without the key, but decided I really didn't want to know. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my master key to the ship and set both free.
"Mr. Hawkins," I stated sternly.
"Ma'am," he said, before passing the doctor a peeved look.
"I would strongly suggest you report to Mr. Silver and that you no longer go missing on your duties again, do I make myself clear."
"Um, Captain, I wouldn't say that Jim was playing hooky so much as he was taking a . . . small um break," the doctor interceded.
"Well, Doctor, it would seem that Mr. Silver was uninformed of this break and I don't know what you might call that where you're from but on my ship it is truancy and 'prohibited'. Now be off with the both of you," I stated as I glared at the doctor. Over lunch I would need to give him a more through talking to about insubordination. After the two made it to there respective areas and Mr. Arrow and I made it up the stairs I turned to him.
"Though I appreciate being able to reprimand Mr. Hawkins and the Doctor personally, why didn't you just unlock the door Arrow," I asked, already knowing half the answer.
"I just thought you might find a break from the usual to see something comical would brighten your sprits," he grinned slightly. I had to admit, the antics that landlubbers brought to a ship were amusing, annoying sometimes, but amusing nonetheless.
Doppler's Point of View
"I must have been very amusing, ha ha," I voiced to myself as I added the last coordinates to my calculations. I recalled the events that took place earlier. I had walked down into the lower deck and heard knocking sounds coming from the storage room that I had seen crew members all too often bring out supplies for the ship and the occasional supplies for themselves.
'Now what could that be,' I said as I walked over to investigate. I opened the door to see Jim tossing a small ball at the interior of the closest, obviously the sound of the knocking. He looked up at me with a look of fear that slowly dissolved into one of annoyance, I noted, once he realized who I was. 'What are you doing in here Jim,' I asked, not really anticipating an answer, however with a little hesitation to confine in me he did give one.
'I just need a break from all this work,' he said carefully as if he wasn't sure how I would take it. I didn't blame him for wanting to get away for awhile and quite frankly didn't see the harm in letting him take a breather as long as it didn't become a habit.
'Well Jim, just don't let me catch you in here again and a little warning to you my boy, the cook is looking for you,' I smiled, as so did he. Finally I had made good grounds with the lad until I turned to leave. The door had shut tight due to my coat tail catching on the handle. When I tried to open it, I found it to be locked and so ended my good relations as I had to call for help.
Back to the present, it was fifteen minutes to noon, and that meant I would have to face the Captain again, not that it was a bad thing. At least I could now prove that I was competent in one area, astrophysics. Then maybe, just maybe I could clear this record of being an idiot and be seen as an intellectual equal. I quickly rolled up my charts and maps and made my way out. The fact that I didn't need to use the stateroom's equipment should help being that I came prepared. That deserved some respect.
Upon reaching the stateroom door I readjusted my spectacles with my free hand before knocking. No answer. I knocked again, this time with more force and was again met by silence. I debated on whether I should go in and set up already or wait out here. After a few minutes of contemplating, I decided to head in. It was dangerous, I knew, to enter into the stateroom without permission or in case of emergency, but she had said that I could use the things in here, so I figured I had permission granted. As I closed the door behind me and made my way over to the desk, I was struck by the fact of how really neat and orderly the Captain kept things in her room. A place for everything and everything in its place.
I set down my assessments on the desk and began unfurling them to reveal the best route through the two star-manned system we were going to pass. If I was correct the gravitational pull from both ends would not interfere with our course, however I was worried about the dark nebulae. Nebula were difficult to navigate around anyway, but without the light of a brighter star there absolutely treacherous to pass. At least that's what I've been told. In fact I have heard stories, about ships going in and never returning, or crews coming back with post trauma after being out, lost for months.
"Maybe we should go around the system," I whispered to myself, knowing full well that if we did that we would lose two months travel time. Take the long way or my life? Long way or Life? I quickly took out my pencil and was about to make some changes when the door opened. I quickly stood up straight as the Captain and Mr. Arrow walked in.
"Ah Doctor, you're here already. Very good, I trust you have a course laid out for us," she asked as she took her hat off, allowing her resilient ears to stand at full height.
"Well yes I have, but maybe I need more time, I mean it is not perfect," I said nervously as she made her way over to the chart I had laid out. I could see it coming. 'Are you trying to KILL us Doctor,' she would say, 'Do you have a PhD in astronomy or eschatology.' I fidgeted with my pencil as she went over the chart with her eyes. She lifted her head and looked to me and I was ready to receive my reprimand.
"Thank you very much, Doctor. Maybe there's hope for you yet," she said with a small smile. I couldn't believe what I just heard. She mustn't have taken a good enough look at that map, of course, that had to be it.
"Um, Cap . . ."
"Any other bumbling, bag of nerves would have had us galloping all over the etherium trying to avoid this dark nebula, but you have us pulling right up beside it. That will save us two months, and is actually an easier course than going around, seeing as there are two nasty abysses on either sides of the system," she said smartly, as Mr. Arrow came up beside us.
"Um of course," I said, remembering the two abysses and relieved that I hadn't gotten a chance to talk . . . wait. There are no abysses marked on this map, how could she have known . . . unless she's already done it before.
"I had to know were you stood in your education, Doctor, and it seems you stand well. So would you like to join us for lunch?" she said matter of factually. I knew the expression on my face was giving away my emotion but I just couldn't help it, Captain.
Amelia's Point of View
The poor man's face had anger, confusion, and huffiness written all over it. I turned to Arrow, only to see that he was silently rebuking me for my dealings, remembering his comments on making amends. Inside I knew I would have to quit teasing the poor doctor sooner or later and better sooner than later.
"Don't worry, Doctor, from now on if you are given an assignment you will receive ample time to complete it," I said seriously. He seemed to receive this well as he nodded affirmatively. "So will you please join us for lunch?"
"Of course. Um may I say something Captain," he replied.
"Yes you may, Doctor," I said, curious as to what he had to say.
"I . . . well that is to say you and I . . . we have not been on good terms and maybe . . ." I knew what he was getting at and I didn't blame him. He wanted to make amends so as to be comfortable in our company and he hadn't really done anything to offend, except break a few fashion attire boundaries and blabber, nothing out of the ordinary for most academics. I came up with a way to be amicable with the doctor without stepping out of professionalism.
"That's quite alright Doctor, but maybe we should talk over lunch. You can tell us a little bit about yourself and we could give you a little bit about ourselves," I said walking to my quarters, where lunch was normally placed at. I could hear the doctor give a quiet reply as he and Arrow followed me. As the two gentlemen and I sat down to our platters, I could tell on the doctor's face that he was anxious to start the conversation. I decided the best way to relieve the canid of his misery was to say something to the affect of:
"Well, Doctor, why don't you tell us about yourself. We know you're a well accomplished scientist, but what else?"
"Well, I wouldn't say scientist, actually I'm an astrophysicist . . . cough but you already know that. Um I guess I'll start from where I'm from. Uh, I was born and raised on Montressor, right outside of the city Dopplersvile, which is actually named after my family. We Dopplers have a long history in mining and exploration," he said, I noted, with a sense of pride, "Anyway, I come from a large family consisting of my Father, and Mother, my Grandmother, from my mother's side, and ten brothers and sisters."
When he said this I nearly choked on the tea I was sipping.
"Ten?" Mr. Arrow said, just as shocked as I was. The Doctor blushed mildly as he took his hands down under the table, probably wringing them together or fidgeting no doubt.
"I guess you can say that the Dopplers also have a long history of big families as well," he replied. I couldn't help but smile a bit, with the way he looked away shyly for a moment. However I was also curious to the fact that his parents had so many children, and wondered about his relative count.
"How many relatives do you have?" I asked simply, with all honesty. He seemed to react well to my voice as he brought his hands back up on the table.
"Heh, not counting those who have been removed by divorce or death," he paused a second as if calculating the number, "two-hundred, give or take." Arrow and I both were awe-struck.
"I bet your reunions are on a grandiose scale," I said.
"Yes. Well, where did you come from Captain, Mr. Arrow," he asked simply, trying to divert attention off himself I'm sure.
"Well, Mr. Arrow if you'd have the pleasure of going first," I replied, before taking a bite of the Auturian roast.
"Oh course. I'm from the planet Craigarea originally, but once I joined in the ranks I was stationed at the Navel Base Montgomery. After years of service in the standoffs against the Procyons, I was moved again just outside the planet of Memphis at the Academy."
"Ah yes I know, the Interstellar Academy, it's about halfway between Memphis and Crescentia. Did you study there, by chance?" the doctor asked.
"Yes I did."
"Before you went into the services of the Royal Navy, right?"
"Well no," Arrow finished. I could see that the doctor was thoroughly confused. He obviously hadn't an idea how old craigdarins lived to be.
"Allow me to clear a few things up for you Doctor," I interceded, "Mr. Arrow joined at a time when the Navy didn't require previous training or education before entering. He only had to go later because of such changes."
"But that would mean . . ."
"Yes I am well over a hundred, quite a bit older than most, but still young on my planet, Doctor," Arrow stated. Now it was the doctor's turn to choke. After a few good coughs and soft pounding on his chest the doctor could finally speak. I suppose I am over exaggerating just a little.
"Sorry, hmm, so please continue."
"No harm done, Doctor, and thank you. As I was saying it was there I met Thomas Amelia, our Captain's grandfather and as you can see I have stayed with the family for quiet some time," Arrow said. I knew my friend purposely kept it brief so as not to disturb me, and I was grateful which I showed in the smile I shared with him. All was silent for a while, knowing that it was my turn to divulge some information about myself, however I had not quite yet worded a short story. I, however, began thinking about how a well-educated canid came to know a human teenager; I guess Arrow's meeting with my family brought the thought to mind. Plus it would give me time to think about what I will say about my past.
"Before I start, Doctor, may I ask how you came to know Mr. Hawkins?" I listened to his reply as I formed my own.
"Oh well actually I knew Jim's mother and father first, Sarah and um Leland Hawkins. It was quite by mistake. My father owned a mining industry to which Leland worked for, so he already knew the Doppler family. It just so happened that one night I had to make a last minute run to the neighboring city of Benbow. Now you first must know that the Hawkins didn't originally come from Montressor. They were married for I think it was about a year, before doing so, but anyway back to the story, I was twenty at that time and I was off for the summer from the University. Of course I was going to take a summer session, but it didn't start till later in the season. By the way I went to the Academy to take some prep classes for Astronomy," he said all in one breath, before he grabbed his drink and took a sip, to clear his throat, no doubt. I had never heard anyone say so much to a response, other than the bureaucrats in the navy, and he still wasn't even finished.
"So, besides that, I had gone into Benbow to pick up supplies that I could not get at the stores in Dopplersvile and to pick up prescription spectacles on the way home," I couldn't help but get the image of a lankier version of the man before me running around in the middle of the night carrying a pocket protector in one hand and coke bottled glasses in the other. Of course I didn't voice this vision.
"Unfortunately on the way home, about halfway my carriage blew a hovering panel and it began raining. Luckily up the hill from me was a home with the lights on. It was Sarah's home with her husband Leland," he paused. The way he said 'Leland' made me think that there must have been some ill blood there.
"Well, of course they helped me and I was very grateful, and slowly I became friends with the Hawkins, even got to hold Jim when he was smaller, and baby-sit the young lad . . . ," he seemed to want to say more but he stopped and turned to me. "Well Captain, I hope that answers your question," he said sincerely. I wanted to remark about what he was leaving out or at least why his response was so long, but decided that was too nosy and impolite, plus the eagerness to please which he possessed was enough for me to drop the reply.
"Thank you, Doctor. Now I suppose you would like to know a little bit about myself," I stated, "I attended the Interstellar Academy at the age of fifteen, and graduated top of my class with honors. I joined the Interstellar Navy, fought in a few battles, here and there, and left the royal service to work independently," I said simply. I could tell that my statement was brief, but that was all the information I wanted to disclose and there wasn't anymore to that.
"Um, well how long did you stay with the Navy?" the doctor asked giving me full attention.
"Few years, eight to be exact," I commented, raising an eyebrow as he seemed to log this away.
"How long have you worked independently?" the canid asked again.
"Why do you ask?" I more then less stated to him. He blinked a few times, as if I were crazy.
"Oh, um, no real reason, I was just asking," he responded, but I could tell he was being dishonest in some aspect but could not put my finger on it. I glanced up at my clock and noticed that it was becoming late.
"Well, Doctor, this was a lovely chat and all, but I have work to get back to so if you don't mind Mr. Arrow will show you out," I said standing from my spot.
"Alright, that will be fine. Thank you Captain, Mr. Arrow. I guess I can probably show myself out if you don't mind Mr. Arrow," the doctor said as he stood up along with Arrow.
"That would be fine, Doctor," Arrow said for me, as he knew I had no objections.
"Well then have a good afternoon," the doctor said as he made his way to the door.
"A good afternoon to you too, Doctor."
-Wow, I finally updated. Very sorry this time for the slow response, but with three hurricanes, a new job, and school you can kind see I've been busy. Praise God we have no serious damage, and power is back on. I just wanted to thank all you that have left nice reviews for me I am still writing, and plan to finsih this story. So please bear with me. Love Dr. Cat.