For Goodness Sake : Boarding Ramp to Heaven
10 Aug 2024Willow Thorn
So using her contacts with the dock crew, Willow got access to the long stay bay where Creamy's other ship, the Honour Promise was stored. The silver Orca would have gleamed under the bay lights, but it was covered in a layer of exhaust soot. Long storage didn't get much air, or air circulation. Plugging her Saud Kruger diagnostics unit into a landing struts port, she tried to get the ship's power generator to tick over. After a few close calls, internal lights blinked into life and the ship's non-flight systems came on line.
"Okay, HP, lets see if you are going to like, let me in"
The answer was no. The ship didn't even have a covas installed, and the factory standard software needed PF approved clearance that Willow would only get from station control, or the dock master. It was time to make a call.
"Hey Ridge, it's Willow. Listen, I'm like, trying to find out what happened to that piano guy. No, the one that was in the galactic when I like, joined the crew"
Sitting on the lading strut, Willow wated for her old boss to pull some strings and get her maintenance access to Creamy's ship. A text interrupted her game of Fantasy Shop Keeper.
"All clear Will. You may want to know that ship is up for auction in a few weeks. Looks like management want their credits. Good luck Will, see you at the Grill Shack"
Ridge was a great guy, always ready to help out. But yeah, that did mean she'd have to say yes when he asked for help. Ridge often needed someone when the dead-lines were close.
A green light on her her diagnostic unit told her the ship was open. While the ship filled with breathable air, Willow let the guys know she had made a step forward.
"So, I'm outside one of Creamy's ships" Willow typed as the boarding ramp descended, but what she saw made she stop mid-text.
"Like, holy shit"
The entrance looked like a marble hall, complete with narrow pillars lining the wall that were hung silk drapes and oil paintings. Hidden lights gently illuminated the boarding ramp, and a thick navy blue carpet invited Willow to step upon its cloud-soft surface with bare feet. Taking her glove off, Willow had to see if the carpet was as soft as it looked. Kneeling down, she ran her long pale fingers through the dark navy fibres. It did not disappoint.
The damn thing felt softer than her bed and the gentle music playing tempted Willow to roll her self up in the blue yonder, and see if it was a good place to sleep. A sweet sent made Willow sniff.
"Is that, flowers?"
The Thorn family use to take vacations on her home systems Earth-Like world, Stapled Peacock Flesh. It was an unfortunate name for a beautiful place to live. One year, they had stayed at a cabin that sat alone in a multi-colored meadow of wild flowers, and the breeze from the lake carried at their perfume into the girls room all night long. Creamy's ship smelled exactly like that.
Still letting her hand swish around the carpet, Willow looked up into the entrance hall of the missing man's ship. Being an undertaker, Willow had good reason to ponder the afterlife, and right now she was reminded of the Cristian image of the Pearly Gates. If she believed in heaven, and she was one day going to stand before St. Peter to be judged, this was precisely what the walk to the gates would look like. There was still a message to send, but she could type and enjoy the decor.
So, I'm outside one of Creamy's ships and its unlocked. Looks like he was staying on bord while he was on station. Maybe some clues here. And Maul, if you come over, clean your boots, and like, wear clean socks. Okay? Great