Personal Log 39: 3rd to 9th August, 3301
20 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
3rd to 9th August, 3301Faced with a long trip back to Eravate, I decided that I might as well make the most of it by taking on some delivery jobs along the way. My attention was caught by one particular contract on the board at LHS 450, which was to ferry two canisters of gallite ore to 61 Cygni. On completion of the trip I was rewarded with promotion to Chief Petty Officer in the Federal Navy Reserve!
My route took me through Bhritzameno, so I made up my mind to celebrate my promotion in advance with a Mars Mocha coffee on Feynman Terminal. With the local time being quite late I paid a visit to Galore's, hoping for the chance to update Bronwen and Myfanwy on the recent turn of events. Unfortunately, however, I didn't find either of the women, so I had my coffee alone, and went on my way.
Passing through LHS 3356, Togher and Zugen, with a short stop at Soddy Hangar, I finally arrived in the Eravate system and locked on course for Ackerman Market. Once docked, I popped on a pink knee-length dress and shoes, put on some make-up, and walked along the familiar mall to Rikk's Cafe.
Rikk himself was there, as usual, and greeted me warmly. "Mint choc chip fudge sundae?" he asked.
"You know me well, Rikk!" I replied, laughing. It felt good to be back.
*****
The week came to a lazy conclusion. With Sam not yet back from his mysterious 'special mission' for the Federal Navy Reserve, I reacquainted myself with the shopping malls of Ackerman Market. I needed a new dress for Bekka's funeral, and finally settled on a beautiful red strapless evening gown with layered fishtail skirt. Red had been my Bekka's favourite colour, so it was a natural choice as the ceremony's theme.
Sam called later by k-cast, announcing he would be back in the next hour. Then another call, this time from CMDR Ignatius Davest, a recent contact I had made through the Frontier Forum. During our brief chat he told me his sister was very ill, but didn't want to elaborate.
"I'm not prying," I said, "but if you ever need to talk, just get in touch."
Ignatius thanked me. "I might just do that, ma'am." he replied in a rather pleasant drawl.
When Sam returned he told me about his special mission; he'd been putting his musical talents to good use by taking part in an entertainment show for naval officers.
"Well, I'm just glad you weren't in a battle," I told him as we strolled to Rikk's Cafe. Once inside, Sam struck up a conversation with Rikk.
"Say, Sam," the cafe owner said. "Jemine here tells me you're a musician. You play piano?"
Sam nodded.
"Well," said Rikk, "my regular piano player hasn't turned in tonight. How 'bout you give us a couple of tunes?"
Sam happily agreed, and sat down at the instrument. I stood alongside.
"Any requests, Rikk?" Sam asked, tapping out a few scales.
"D'you know 'You Can't Forget That'?" Rikk asked.
Sam nodded, picking out the first few notes.
"Play it, Sam," said Rikk.
The song had featured in one of my grandpapa's older holovids. It was one of those that everyone seems to know. I sang along, to applause at the end. Then I saw the music to 'Nothing' lying on top of the piano.
"Oh, Sam!" I cried, "'Nothing' is - was - Bekka's favourite song. It's soil music. Please play it."
Sam played the piece with great feeling, and I sang the famous song with a tear in my eye.
***
Nothing
(Music & lyrics by Delia Nymand)
Nothing.
I was nothing.
A girl from nowhere.
I had no dream,
No ambition,
No reason to carry on.
But the stars are shining bright tonight,
And they're shining just for me.
And the galaxy's a better place,
And the reason's clear to see.
You came to me, from the depths of space,
And you filled my life with hope.
Now I'm nothing, nothing, nothing...
I'm nothing without you.
We sailed the stars.
We spoke of sunsets.
I dared to dream,
I found my reason
To carry on.
But the stars don't shine so bright tonight,
And the reason's clear to see.
'Cos another girl came and stole my place,
And you don't have time for me.
Now you've gone with her to the depths of space,
And you took away my hope.
Now I'm nothing, nothing, nothing...
I'm nothing without you.
(reproduced by kind permission of Nymand Songs)
***
Later, back at our room, I kicked off my high heels with a sigh of relief. Sam removed his shirt and trousers, a hopeful look on his face.
"Sorry, Sam," I said as I undressed. "Not for another few weeks, until the treatment's finished."
Sam's face was a comical picture of disappointment. I smiled.
"Of course," I added, kneeling down in front of him, "there are other ways ..."