New York. The Statue of Liberty dominated the view on the surface, but the mighty ship travelling underneath the water was completely oblivious to it.
The air on board was understandably charged, everyone itching to get a few days out of the metal tube they all called home and back into the real world.
So tell me again what you're doing, Lucas pressed.
I'm meeting up with some friends of mine, Ben answered. What about you, since you won't be able to hang around with me?
I'm gonna meet with someone I met over the InterNex, the teen answered. Her name is Heather.
Ben asked, his eyes lighting up.
Shaddup. Must you always think like that?
Of course, it's who I am, Ben answered shamelessly, ducking to avoid a conduit in Lucas' Mammal Engineering quarters.
Yeah, and you keep that attitude with women and you'll end up in trouble.
You're giving me romance advice? Ben asked incrediously. Let me tell you something, kiddo. I have more experience with woman than you ever will. Centuries of women in more countries than you've been to.
And how many kids with them? Lucas asked, certain he'd scored a point.
None, actually. A side-effect of immortality is complete sterility. No immortal has children, ever.
Never in your whole life? Lucas asked, and again that half-thought formed in his mind. Lucas could tell it was an important question or idea, but he just couldn't get a grip on it.
Nope. Great for worry-free sex, Ben said, grinning at the deep shade of red that spread across Lucas' face.
Stop that! Lucas sputtered, cuffing Ben on the arm in frustration and embarrassment.
Why? Seeing you turn red like that is so much fun. Lucas cuffed Ben again, this time for kicks. Anyway, how long have you known this girl?
She's not a girl Ben, she's a woman. Eighteen years old. And I've been talking to her for about a year now, on and off. Just never been to New York City before, so I've never had the chance of meeting her.
Ah. Don't wear the red shirt. That's a date-killer, Ben advised and was greeted with another blush.
It's not a date, the teen mumbled, surreptitiously putting the red shirt away and trying to pick a new one.
Sure it's not. Anyway, a good place to take her is the Statue. Fun times to be had there. What does she look like?
How would I know?
Because I know you well enough to understand that you've already got a picture of this woman. And since I know it, you might as well stop denying it and just show me.
Lucas sighed and keyed up the picture. Ben gave a low whistle of appreciation. Definitely take her to the Statue. Fun times will abound with a hot woman like that. Lucas cuffed him again.
You're a dirty old man, you know that?
I was a dirty young man. I haven't changed.
Outside Mammal Engineering, Captain Bridger came to a halt, Jonathan stopping with him. Lucas seems to be taking things in stride, the older man commented.
Certainly better than I am. I still have trouble believing that Ben's as old as he claims. It just doesn't seem possible. But then I stop and think about what I saw and what he said... there's just no other explanation.
Too true, Commander. I suppose it's one those things that only time will help with. And speaking of time, how much do we have until we hit land? The Captain asked, very carefully turning the subject back onto safer grounds.
On schedule. The meeting party is on the dock, right above where we'll surface. Should be a pretty good show, I think.
Good, good, Bridger agreed, knowing he could leave the problem in the Commander's capable hands and not worry.
The friends and families have all been issued updated times about when they're allowed to greet the crew, and even some tours have been arranged. The joys of being the flagship... Ford trailed off, sighing in disgust at the thought of all those unauthorised civilians poking around his boat.
Yes, the great joys. Live with it, Jonathan. It's going to happen again. And again. And again, Bridger answered, his own voice betraying his agreement with Ford. Just make sure Crocker posts his best guards at all the restricted areas to keep pesky families out of places they really shouldn't be poking into.
Already taken care of, sir. They'll be posted and waiting before we completely disembark, just in case.
Excellent. What are your plans? Ford shrugged uncomfortably at the change in conversation.
No real plans. Probably wander around a few of the other ships and boats in dock. Maybe catch a movie or two, but I'll probably stick around here to play tour guide.
Bridger smiled at that. The joys of being the captain sometimes included avoiding such duties. In their place was having to deal with idiotic admirals, so it evened out in the end. I wish you the best of luck, Commander, he said, and then walked off to attend to his own meetings after sparing Mammal Engineering one final look, at the ancient man and young teenager engaging in light-hearted banter.
Jonathan stood in his place for a few moments longer, still trying to convince himself that yes, Ben Krieg was immortal. He was having such a hard time with that that it wasn't until said crewman was standing beside him that Ford came back to reality.
I'm sorry. What as that, Lieutenant?
Just asking if you had any more questions that might help to set your mind at ease, Commander. It's rather obvious what you're thinking.
Jon opened his mouth, then closed it again. I don't think so, Ben. I think it'll just take... some time.
Krieg answered with an odd little smile on his face, not like any grin that was normally on his face. Time is one thing I have an intimate relationship with. The smile fell from his face. It can heal wounds or it can worry them to the point of insanity. More than a few immortals have lost their minds completely due to the ravages of time. One can easily lose touch with the mortals around us, forget how easily you die. And we can forget that when you do die, it's forever. That you don't come back. It's another thing to be too close to you mortals. We go on while everyone we care for around us dies. Be it through injury, illness, or simple old age, every mortal dies in the end. It makes knowing you on a personal level... difficult.
If that's so, why did you get to know Katie? She's as mortal as I am, Jonathan could hear himself asking, though he most certainly didn't mean to say that.
The question appeared to bring Ben up short, since his gaze unfocused, as if looking at something far away. When the immortal did answer, it was in a whisper almost too soft to hear,
And with that one anguish-filled word, all of Jonathan's remaining doubts were washed away like so much water. Ben Krieg was immortal and nothing would change that truth.