Those
going ashore to enjoy the delights of Candoran would travel into the city in
the Stroller but not everyone was leaving the ship because unfortunately there
was a large Legion Garrison outside the City and as Parse was still technically
a Legionnaire of the Royal Guard of Gouveia, and he knew that there was a large
detachment of Gouveian troops in that sector, some of whom might recognize him
and inadvertently give away the Tornado’s location, so he had to stay aboard,
and as they were a couple Merri chose to stay with him, in the hope that they
might actually get a bit of “alone” time.
Similarly,
the diminutive Princess Asti was confined to the ship as she was still a
fugitive from her betrothed and with her short platinum hair, ivory skin and
silver eyes, she was too easily recognised.
As
Asti was grounded she was not about to let her six-foot-tall, broad and
muscular, black haired, dark eyed boyfriend ashore on his own to be preyed upon
by wanton women in the City’s fleshpots, not that she had any personal
experience of fleshpots, but she had an imagination and that was quite enough
for her.
But
they weren’t the only ones remaining behind, although engineers Pulsat Rad and
Vanzyl where not remaining for fear of being recognised or for reason of love,
they had no significant others and their only love was the ships engines and
all things mechanical, and it was the engineers who were the first to emerge
onto the apron when the ramp was lowered.
The
short heavy set Prinsloovian, Pulsat, was first down the ramp, he had a rough
bony skull which raised up like a crown and then receded to give way to a
Mahogany scaled brow, cheekbones and jawline which framed an ivory coloured
face, and he had yellow eyes and his entire countenance betrayed his reptilian
ancestry.
On
reaching the apron proper he turned stiffly to address his companion Vanzyl,
who was uttering a string of whirls whistles and clicks.
“I
know it, I know it” Pulsat said to his Kesslerian friend, who also owed his
origins to reptilian DNA but his slender and sleek form,
scaly
countenance and silver scaled skin, large opaque eyes, pursed lips, and gills
clearly indicated that his kind evolved from fish.
Vanzyl
whistled and clicked again and Pulsat snorted.
Pulsat
was the only one of the crew who could understand every tone and toot Vanzyl
uttered, as if it were in his own tongue, but that was common place for his
species, there were very few races he had met on his travels that he couldn’t
understand, although he couldn’t speak to them in their language, but he
nonetheless understood every word that they spoke.
While
they spoke Shiyne drove the Stroller down the front ramp and everyone followed
in a group in her wake.
The
Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle) was nicknamed the
“Stroller” which was an ironic name because when Shiyne or Merri were behind
the wheel it did anything but stroll.
The
moment it came to a halt the remainder of the group climbed aboard, Zerrad,
Malena and Bagg in the back and the Healer Terrell Vorton got in the passenger
seat beside his lover Shiyne.
And
as they departed Pulsat and Vanzyl were already engrossed in the job in hand
which was to take advantage of the engines being offline to do some routine
maintenance, while Merri and Parse and Asti and Lyris found other ways to pass
the time.
Shiyne
parked the Stroller as close to the City Centre as she could possible get,
which still left them someway short of their destination, so after they
decamped they walked towards the sound of chattering commerce and then got on
the first Hover Tram that came along.
When
the Tram arrived at the great market place Bagg said his farewells and got off
and then entered the market and went in search of the herbs, spices and dried
and desiccated fruits that he needed to replenish his depleted stocks.
He
loved markets, even if he didn’t need provisions he would never give up an
opportunity to stroll around among the abundance of food stuffs on offer and allow
him to indulge his passion for the exotic foods, and his vocation in one fell
swoop.
He
was in his element as he wandered market, as the ships cook it was in his remit
to get the best ingredients and as the Visitor his job was to go among the
people, so what better way to achieve both, than at a market.
After
Bagg left the Tram, the remaining four crew members continued aboard the Hover
Tram, although both couples had very different plans for the day.
Zerrad
and Malena were looking for food, drink and atmosphere, and intended to spend
the day together at one of the many lakeshore café’s overlooking the calm still
waters of Lake Candice.
But
the other pair had different fish to fry as Terrell and Shiyne were headed for the cultural centre, where museums, art galleries,
sculptures and antiquities would keep them enthralled, an activity to be
made all the more enjoyable as they were doing it with each other.
“It’s
a shame Merri and Lyris had to stay on the Tornado” Shiyne said
“I
know” Malena agreed
“Well
I’m quite relieved myself” Zerrad said
“Why?”
Malena exclaimed
Lyris
and Zerrad had flown Spider Hawk Fighters against the Legion in the Shaxson
rebellion and although he had managed to compartmentalise his war time
experiences, his brother hadn’t always managed to do the same, so as the city
was crawling with off duty Legionnaires from the Garrison he thought it was
best that Lyris stayed away.
Physically
Zerrad and his brother were very similar only blonde hair and grey eyes
distinguished Zerrad from his older dark-haired brother, and their temperaments,
he was measured, quiet and thoughtful whereas Lyris was impulsive with a very short
fuse.
“Too
many Legionnaires about” he replied
“Do
you mean his short fuse?” Malena asked
“Yes,
there’s no way he would have been able to resist picking a fight with one of
these soldier boys” he replied
“He’s
been much better of late” Shiyne pointed out
“He
has” Lyris agreed “I think that has a lot to do with Merri”
“Who’d
have thought that the feisty redhead would have had such a calming influence”
Malena said and they all laughed.
Shiyne
and Terrell were getting off at the next stop
“This
is us” Shiyne said excitedly and Terrell smiled
“We’ll
meet back at the Stroller in four hours” he said
“Ok”
Malena responded as they stood by the doors “Have fun”
As
Malena watched them walk away hand in hand she thought love was a funny thing,
but wonderful too.
They
were both the same height but that was the only thing they had in common, he
was older than her by 6 years and was stoutly built while she was slim, his
skin was of chalk white and hers was cerise, his eyes were violet, Shiyne’s
were purple and Terrell’s hair was midnight blue and she was bald.
The
other difference was that he was very quiet and she would often chatter incessantly
but Malena thought there was no doubt at all that they were in love, and she
smiled at that thought.
She
was still smiling when she turned to look at Zerrad and she found that he was
looking at her and smiling too.
After
reaching Lake Candice they disembarked from the Tram and walked for about 20
minutes until they found a suitable venue to meet there needs.
Bagg
had a very fruitful expedition and found everything he was looking for plus a
few things that he wasn’t.
There
were far too many things for him to carry himself so he paid for them and took
a chit in return and then after all his purchases were made he took his chits
to the market office and arranged delivery, it was then up to them to collect
everything he had purchased from the vendors and deliver it all to the ship in
one consignment.
When
his business was concluded he found he had more than an hour before the arranged
meeting time by the Stroller so he had a quick look at his surroundings and
after a minute or two he smiled to himself as he had spotted, looming high
above the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, the spire of a Visitor church.
Visitors
were a Christian sect who took to the stars with the first migrants to visit
new worlds, spreading the word while seeking enlightenment, and they had
established Visitor enclaves in every corner of the known universe, they even
thrived in Mehreen space and they were the least spiritual beings to ever draw
breath.
The
difference between Visitors and the established Christian Church on earth was
its spontaneity, they didn’t wait until Sunday to worship, they did it wherever
and whenever it was desired and it didn’t need to happen in a church, Visitors
worshipped everywhere, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t have churches.
So, they decided
to forgo lunch or refreshments, this was a tough call for Shiyne as she had an
enormous appetite for such a small being.
But her appetite
for culture and knowledge was even more voracious.
By skipping lunch,
they managed to view all the exhibits on their list without having to rush and
they were just walking towards the main thoroughfare where they alighted the Hover
Tram when they heard a voice
“Terrell is that
you?”
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