The Eve of Adventure
25 Jun 2021Korzhakov
Jean smiles and me with a smile as if she knows with everything in her being that she picked the right man to marry. I've just stepped off the stage after giving my quick speech on the eve of our departure for our expedition. The Captain spoke before me and motivated the crew, and then I get up and announce a 10,000 cr bonus for each Earth like world we discover on this journey.The electricity at this party can be felt, gone are the feelings of foreboding and impending separation from family and loved ones. We are on the eve of our great adventure. With no solid time line only two known destinations and then true grand adventure beyond that. who knows what wonders we will discover, or what horrors we will uncover, either way, it's adventure and it's what I am craving right now.
As I walk across the hangar to my waiting fiancé, I can't help but take in this whole scene, the the noise of this party now in full swing, lights, the music, the sights and sounds of the crowd dancing and having a good time, the smell of the food and drinks, it's all so intoxicating.
I make my way through the crowd to Jean and take her hand and we head over to the bar, I grab a drink for us and then Captain Shelton puts her hand on my arm and gets close enough so that I can hear her as she excuses herself so that she can get some rest before tomorrow. I thank her for all that she does and she disappears into the crowd. Jean and I finish our drink and head out into the crowd to dance.
We slip out of the party a little after 2300 local time to get back to our quarters. There are crew spilling out into the passageways now as many of them are needing some rest before tomorrows duties. We arrive at our suite and upon entering I see there is a bottle on the bar with a bow on it. I ask Jean "What's this?" "A gift my love, read the card" she replies. I approach the bottle to see that it is real single malt Scotch from Earth, and it's old, really old. This is a seriously expensive bottle of whiskey. The note reads. For following your dreams, for allowing me ones I never imagined, all my love, Jean I am taken aback by this gift, it was not an easy thing to acquire. I pick her up in a hug and give her a big kiss. She heads off to our bedroom to get ready for bed. I go to my office and open up my terminal.
A message from the Navigator to myself and the Captain, it's the route to Tir in the Colonia region. Showing the precise jumps to make the most efficient use of our fuel and stretch the legs of the carrier's frame shift drive on each jump. It's such a short list compared to doing this in a regular spacecraft.
Jean appears in my office door in her little shorts and a silky tank top. She walks over to me and tells me she is going to bed and then gives me a goodnight kiss. I tell her I will be there in a little bit. She knows that may be a lie I am telling myself. I have so much on my mind right now, and am so excited to start this journey in less than 12 hours now. With the limited amount of sleep I'll be able to get tonight, it's a good thing we have a lot of really good coffee on this boat.