Gretchen returned to bed a long time later and slipped into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.
The next morning Gemma woke her and Marla early and announced breakfast and a full day of sightseeing plans. First on the list was the Museum of First Contact, in Sacramento.
The museum was in the middle of a bustling city, but it towered above the skyline as if reaching for the stars. A statue of Zefram Cochran, who had discovered warp speed, was in front of the entrance. The museum itself was extremely high tech, full of holograms of famous people, a holodeck recreation of the event, and life-size models of both Cochran's ship and the Vulcan one. The final ten floors were a timeline devoted to Earth's history, and Gretchen took many mental notes for her history class.
The very top floor was an observatory. It also had a space pilot simulation, which both Gretchen and Marla passed up, as they had been on more impressive trips at Starfleet Academy or on Voyager.
"Well," said Ben, as they finished with the floor, "Time for the gift shop."
"Time for lunch," said Gemma, rolling her eyes affectionately.
"We can do both," said Ben.
The gift shop on the first floor had pictures of the museum, miniature statues, candies from all over the galaxy, and many other souvenirs. Ben insisted on buying them both matching t-shirts, and Marla insisted on having their picture taken outside by the statue.
They had lunch at a nearby café that specialized in American hamburgers.
It was late afternoon by the time they made it to "The Great Beach", which was also known as Port Reyes Seashore. Although Gretchen had glimpsed the beach at Carmel by the Sea yesterday, this was her first time truly visiting one. As Gretchen stood on the sand and looked out, she was filled by a sense of awe.
"Is Indiana like this?" she asked suddenly, as they stood there together, "That's where my….cadet advisor is from."
It was strange to introduce Kathryn as neither her mother nor her Captain.
And very strange to here her name on Marla's lips, in casual gossip.
"Oh you mean Kathryn Janeway," said Marla immediately, "The girl that sat with us the day we met. She seemed nice. Her father's an Admiral you know,"
"I know," said Gretchen.
My grandfather.
"What part does she live in?" asked Ben.
"Uh….Bloomington I think."
"I've been there," said Ben nodding, "No, Indiana's much different, no oceans for one. I personally love the beach, but it's definitely worth seeing," he said looking at Gretchen, apparently catching on that she might have been invited.
"She lives on a farm, rolling hills and an orchard, apparently,"
"Sounds great," said Ben, nodding again, "That's some people's idea of Heaven. You won't know until you see it. You can always come back to the beach."
But not Voyager.
"My family is from Indiana too," continued Gretchen, "Well my mother's is. My dad's is from Peru originally. Maybe I…..I think I'd like to see them both."
"It's a big planet," said Ben, smiling, "Lots to see and explore. And it's your home world, isn't it?"
"Yeah," said Gretchen.
Gretchen smiled a bit, feeling bittersweet, knowing somewhere in her heart now that she had to see it. Earth was much different than she had imagined, but it did not feel like home yet.
Her home was on a metal ship, drifting somewhere in the Beta Quadrant, trying to survive. If they made it back to Earth, that would be the end, and yet…
She could not avoid it forever.
The three of them stood there for another few minutes looking out at the waves, until Gemma came back from the bathroom.
"We had better get the girls their tickets, love," said Gemma to Ben, "We have to get back."
Gretchen looked in surprise from Gemma to Marla. The younger girl pumped her hand and shouted in happiness, "Yeah! We're going to the Night Party!"
"What's that?" asked Gretchen, eyes widening.
"This area is known for its fireworks," said Gemma answering, "We thought we'd treat you girls to it, while we worked at the club."
"It's gonna be a blast!" said Marla, hyped again, and actually twirling once, "I haven't been since my 16th birthday and it was awesome!"
"That sounds fun," said Gretchen automatically, still surprised.
The four of them walked down a ways, and saw a registration area. Ben told the woman working it their information, and signed Gretchen and Marla in. The woman handed them both a glowing bracelet with a seat number, and three different colored beads, explaining that one could be turned in for a party item, one for dinner, and the other for a drink.
"We have you reservations on the Laser Train back home," said Gemma as Marla's parents prepared to leave, "It leaves every half hour, the last one is at midnight. Don't be late, girls," she added with emphasis.
Ben told them to have fun, and the two waved goodbye, walking in the opposite direction, holding hands.
Marla and Gretchen walked towards the ticketed area and began to see brightly colored booths lined up on the beach. There were carnival games and sports, and Gretchen remembered with fondness the Delta Quadrant carnival where she had won her pet fish on her 11th birthday.
They played at the booths until they were hungry, and then found a stand to get dinner. By that time it was already beginning to get dark.
"We've got to get to our seats soon," said Marla, "You really won't want to miss it."
About 10 minutes later they were climbing 15 flights of steps up a tower that was located in the middle of the beach. When they reached the top, there were seats hanging over the water. They found theirs and sat down.
"It's so dark," said Gretchen.
"Just wait," said Marla eagerly, "It's going to start soon."
Gretchen was surprised when a woman arrived at their seats, holding brightly lit up hats, balls, and baton sticks. Marla pulled a bead off of her bracelet and gestured for one of the balls. Gretchen followed her movements, taking a glowing baton stick instead. A few minutes later another woman came by for their drink orders. Marla got a huge slightly glowing chocolate milk shake, with whipped cream and hot fudge topping. Gretchen could not help it, she got one too.
Just as she started to sip her drink, the show began.
It opened with a huge thundering orchestral noise, and a jet of golden lights sped off in the distance. A moment later there were booms above, as silver lights cracked and popped and then disappeared. That continued for several minutes in a haze of colors, and the remains of the fireworks rained down on their heads harmlessly, glinting in the dim light. Gretchen spun her eyes around quickly, as bright lights across the beach burst into planetary shapes. The music continued, perfectly accenting all of the forms.
She recognized some of the planets: Betazed, Vulcan, Earth. By the end of the show there were hundreds of planets twirling in the sky, encircling each other in a dance.
It was an utterly amazing sight and Gretchen sat spellbound.
The haze of colors suddenly returned with full force, and it was a cue for everyone to stand on their feet and cheer.
To Gretchen's surprise, as the haze cleared, the planets were still hanging in the sky. The music paused for a moment, but then continued with a more modern soundtrack. People began to talk, take pictures, or order more food and Gretchen and Marla slipped down the staircase.
"That was awesome!" said Marla, throwing her glowing ball up in joy, and catching it as they exited the tower.
Gretchen stood in shock as she stared out. If anything, the sky mural was more beautiful from the ground, where the lights were reflected on the water.
"I just want to look at it," said Gretchen in awe.
"Sure!" said Marla, and they walked away from the tower, farther down the beach where there were fewer booths and distractions. The mural looked different from every angle, and was stunning in every single light and detail.
Gretchen lost track of time, marveling at it.
Finally Marla and Gretchen headed back towards the booths. Gretchen noticed that many were now selling souvenirs.
"I wish I could get something for Kathryn," said Gretchen suddenly. Everything had been included in their admission so far, but these had clear price tags.
"I don't have any credits on me either," said Marla regretfully, "Or I'd loan you some."
"Oh!," said Marla, snapping her fingers, "They let you have the light stones that fall from the fireworks. We can look for them in the water."
They waded out, and looked for long minutes. Finally Marla held one out just as Gretchen spotted another. Gretchen reached out in the water and pulled out the blue stone which shimmered and changed as she twirled it.
"I found one!" said Gretchen triumphantly.
"Since you don't need this one, I'm going to give it to my mom!" said Marla, turning her green one.
Me too. Thought Gretchen. I'm going to give this one to my mom.
They smiled at each other and then Marla's expression changed to horror.
"Oh no!" said Marla loudly, noticing how much of the mural had fallen and turning, "They're starting to pack up the booths! That means it's almost midnight!"
"We've got to run!" she shrieked.
The two girls ran, and could not help it, found themselves giggling along the way as they stopped briefly to catch their breath.
When people scream on Voyager, it means we're about to die. Here it just means, we're going to miss the silly train.
They ran and ran, and finally came into the station, seeing the digital clock said 11:58. Marla found the train immediately, and they sat down, high fiving each other as they did so, and then dissolving into laughter.
They sat on the almost empty train, across from each other in a low booth. There was a table between them and Gretchen sat the light stone on it, and happily twirled the glowing baton from the show. They chatted for about 15 minutes, before it reached a natural silence, and Gretchen looked out the window at the moving landscape. It was dark with occasional lights, and it reminded her of space and stars and home, even more than the bright planets of the mural had.
When Gretchen finally looked back, Marla had curled up horizontally on the low couch and was asleep.
An attendant came to their booth shortly after. Marla did not wake up as Gretchen checked them in. The attendant offered them a basic choice of drinks, and a bag of crackers. Gretchen was surprised to find how hungry she was, and she quickly downed her entire package of plain crackers.
It was a strange moment, now that everything was silent.
I don't understand how Marla changed so much.
Gretchen sighed, and she let it wash over her for a long moment, before she went back to enjoying the train ride.