Personal Log 120: 18th - 24th April, 3302
17 Oct 2016Jemine Caesar
18th - 24th April, 3302 The unexpected return of my lockets, two of my most treasured possessions, had done wonders for me. Most of the irritability and mood changes I had been experiencing were now virtually gone. I was feeling more positive about myself, and I had come to realise just how cruel and manipulative Gayle Graham had been. I hoped the other surviving Harem girls were faring well, and made up my mind to visit each and every one of them in the near future.
I also wondered if I would ever meet the mysterious person who had restored my lockets to me. Was it, as Sam suggested, the same person who had helped him to rescue me from certain death in space? Perhaps their identity would forever remain a mystery, though I had a strong suspicion as to who it might be...
Sam told me that Natalia had been taking flying lessons, and had passed her pilot's exam. Due to her age, however, she would be unable to go solo for a few years yet.
Passing through BR Piscium I received a k-cast from Kyle Senreiko. He was only a couple of jumps away, and took up my invitation of joining me for a coffee at Cabrera Point.
In the zero-g station's cafe, we sucked our pouch drinks through the obligatory straws, and chatted about this and that. Kyle told me he was a mercenary.
"I pretty much work for the highest bidder," he said. "I try to stay clean, but sometimes it's hard. I have to travel a lot. I've cheated death a few times, and lost friends along the way."
I offered him my condolences.
"That's nice of you," he said, "but you don't have to. I knew what I was signing up for. But now let's talk about you, Jem. Where are you from?"
I told Kyle about my homeworld, and about my hard, nomadic life. And, even though I had recently promised myself that I wouldn't be so trusting of complete strangers, I told him about Caz, my daughter Bekka, the Harem, and about my recent kidnap. Kyle listened, genuinely sympathetic and understanding.
The next day, Kyle and I went our separate ways, but kept in touch by k-cast for a little longer. He mentioned that his ship was a Fer-de-Lance, and I told him that I had a friend who flew one, too.
"Her name's Nathalie Hudson. She's an excellent pilot," I said.
"Hudson?" replied Kyle. "No relation to the president, by any chance?"
I laughed. "No," I replied. "She gets asked that a lot, though!" I also told Kyle that I would be going to the St George's Day Ball on my birthday.
"Well," he replied, "I hope you have a great day!"
The next day, April 22nd, was a busy one. I took on several delivery jobs to Lu Yupik, Toolfa and Epsilon Indi. At Toolfa I was interdicted twice. The first time was by an Asp, and the second by an Imperial Courier. Both pilots were rated Mostly Harmless, so I was able to deal with them fairly quickly. The Last Thing took barely any damage in return, and I redeemed a combined bounty of 29,500CR.
I had called in at Stevenson Base earlier to pick up a few things in readiness for my birthday trip to Earth, and arranged to meet up with Sam on Abraham Lincoln starport.
While making my way across the Sol system I was once again interdicted, and was horrified to see that my attacker was a Fer-de-Lance. I deployed my weapons and put full strength to my shields, waiting for the onslaught. It didn't come. Instead, the pilot hailed me.
"This is commander Pelsepuupi. What's up?" he said.
"I'm commander Jemine Caesar," I replied, bringing my ship about. "Are you going to attack me?"
"No, I don't think so," he replied, evenly. "What are you doing in the capital of the Federation, commander Caesar?"
The Fer-de-Lance drifted menacingly just ahead of me. "I'm visiting Earth," I said.
"Sightseeing?" asked Pelsepuupi.
"Yes," I answered, a little calmer now. "I'm going to a dance on Earth tomorrow."
Pelsepuupi's ship began to move. "OK," he said. "Safe travels, pilgrim." And with that, he was gone, leaving me to breathe a sigh of relief.
*****
Having safely docked at Abraham Lincoln and getting a good night's sleep, Sam and I woke early the next day to begin my birthday celebrations. My short hair was given a more flattering style courtesy of none other than Natalia! She had come to Sol along with Sam's sisters, Jenna and Sarah, who were meeting up with friends later.
Sam and I took the shuttle down to London Spaceport. In my new crimson Lalande dress and high heels I felt like a billion credits. And, of course, I wore my precious lockets, as well as the triple-teardrop anklet Nathalie had given me.
Our busy day began with lunch at the Savoy restaurant. My post-kidnap diet regime had quickly enabled me to begin eating normally again, and so I was able to enjoy the most delicious meal I had ever tasted; soused mackerel with lemon creme fraiche, followed by roast pork tenderloin with carrot puree and mustard grain sauce, then a dessert of creme caramel with strawberries and almond tuille. I could feel my waistline vigorously protesting against every mouthful. The meal was accompanied by a traditional Bellini Cocktail, a lovely drink dating back to the early 20th century.
Then it was off to the New Lyceum Ballroom for the St George's Day dance. Sam and I whirled away the afternoon in a succession of waltzes, foxtrots and quicksteps. Sam, bless him, did his very best not to step on my toes. I had an absolutely wonderful time, and only wished my mama could have been there. Having been a classically trained dancer, she would have loved it so much.
The rapid transit ride out of London to Stratford-Upon-Avon was smooth and efficient, depositing us at the city's terminal in good time to arrive at the Stratford 3000 Arena for the performance of Henry The Fifth. This was a magnificent experience, even if it was longer than I had anticipated; by the end of the play, my bottom had become decidedly numb with sitting.
I knew most of the play's speeches off by heart, having heard papa reciting them to farmhands back home in return for handfuls of credits. The St Crispin's Day speech ("Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more..." ) simply reduced me to tears. Sam said he had something in his eye. Silly boy.
After the play we went to Hathaway's Club, where we danced through the night to popular songs both ancient and modern. The music was loud and raucous, the lights were bright and pulsating, and the atmosphere was vibrant and buzzing. I felt so glad to be alive, and to be with the man I loved made it complete.
My back, legs and feet ached the next day. As for Sam, every muscle in his body was begging him not to put them through a day like that again!
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Thank you to commanders Kyle Senreiko and Pelsepuupi