“On-screen.” Larriman said without preamble.
The viewscreen’s seamless imagery was populated at the center a moment later by a large, rectangular digital window into what looked to be the warm glow of a populated command bridge. A pretty woman with a Mediterranean tan and brown hair tied into a single long braid appeared before them, and signs of on-going activity in her background gave the impression of quite a busy posting.
“Unknown vessel, this is Ypoploiarchós Cadaya Serenós of the Ascendancy Royal Navy Supercarrier Ulysses.” Arthur’s eyes ran over the woman’s striking red uniform while he observed, and he noted the tabs of rank declaring her the Ascendancy’s equivalent of a First Lieutenant.
He also made note of the fact that, for all that Graecia was a mid-Rim civilization, the clear use and pronunciation of the English that had become standard across the Humanosphere and their rapid act of voidspace interdiction spoke of a very well-trained military. “You are currently within the sovereign territory of the Graecian Ascendancy, and this is a lawful challenge of your intentions. Please flash ident and declare your purpose.”
“Ulysses control, this is Captain Larriman of the merchant courier Enterprising Fortune, in-bound with mail and media from the Charlemagne Cluster. I am flashing ident… now.”
Arthur glanced down when Larriman accessed a 2D screen of his own via the black metal band on his left wrist, and then looked back to the viewscreen to see Cadaya’s eyes shift to read something that had just arrived.
“We have a positive ident flash on your drive signature and hull, Enterprising Fortune, and have matched you to our records.” the Graecian woman said with far more warmth than had been in her initial greeting. “On behalf of the Kings and Ascendancy, welcome back to Graecia.”
“Thank you, ah, Ypop—Ypoploi—”
The woman—whom Arthur imagined couldn’t have been more than forty given her youthful features—cut off the Captain’s struggles with a warm laugh.
“No need for that, Captain. First Lieutenant will suffice. We don’t expect visiting foreigners to be fluent in Greek!”
“I see the ARN is as understanding as I remember, First Lieutenant.” Larriman said with a grateful laugh. “My thanks for your welcome, and it’s a pleasure to be back. Are we clear to proceed through the Calypso point and enter C-Drive?”
“Authorization for entry to the System-proper is granted, Captain.” The First Lieutenant said with a smile. “Proceed through the gravity shroud at your leisure, and activate C-Drive when ready. As a note, please remember to make your way straight to Port Asfalís at Hellas-L1 for refueling, docking, and customs.”
“I understand, Ulysses control. Thank you again for your warm welcome.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“Our pleasure, Captain Larriman. Please enjoy your time in Graecia. Ulysses out.”
The connection cut off a moment later, and Arthur turned to Larriman with a thoughtful look. “I didn’t expect that.” he said honestly.
“Expect what?” Larriman asked with a look back up at him.
“How professional she was. The ARN could be any peer power from the Charlemagne Cluster in a different uniform. I’d heard very different stories about the Rim nations.”
“Graecia is an exception to most of those stereotypes, and only some of them are true regardless. Just be glad we didn’t go to Liberty or, worse, Parthia.”
“Eugh.” one of the women on the bridge said. “Parthians give me the creeps. They look at me like I’m meat.”
“Lose some weight then.” another of the crew cut in slyly.
“Hey, fuck you Albert! Brother or not, I swear to the Stars I’ll fucking shoot you!”
Arthur snorted in amusement when the two siblings devolved into bickering and turned back to Larriman.
“Isn’t Parthia the nation Graecia’s at a standoff with?”
“Magellan,” Larriman said with a level look, “Parthia is at a standoff with anyone that owns an Alcubierre drive.”
The Alcubierre, or ‘A-Drive’, to which Larriman referred was named for the same scientist that, during the 20th century, theorized the idea of faster-than-light travel by stretching the fabric of space-time in a wave in front of a ship, while simultaneously causing it to expand behind. The ship then ‘surfed’ the bubble of re-expanding space.
Like the universe’s most Newtonian-defying rubber band.
The breakthrough that Alcubierre’s theory eventually provided became one of the most celebrated moments in human history. Using Alcubierre’s math as a starting point, scientists had discovered that instead of creating warped space, Alcubierre drives could instead be used to access a dimension layered above and through ‘Real Space’ called ‘Warp Space’.
For most vessels across the expansive width of the Humanosphere, Alcubierre Drives were the only feasible way to move between star systems.
“I thought that was the norm out here, honestly.” Arthur said with a sigh. “I guess that’s what I get for being a Fringe-born snob, or something.”
“It’s almost like you look at the Rim the same way the Core looks at the Fringe.” Larriman pointed out shrewdly.
“You make a good point.” Arthur admitted wryly. “I suppose I’m still adjusting to the idea that the Rim isn’t some stellar incarnation of a ‘wild west’ in space.”
“The fact that metaphor has survived over a thousand years of Human expansion still never ceases to amaze me.” Larriman said with a chuckle. “And the Rim can be bad, but the real wild west is the Frontier. Which, come to think of it, makes that analogy very pertinent.”
“Hard to keep a classic down, I guess.” Arthur said with a laugh.
Larriman shook his head. “Or a good Freelancer, I’d wager. I don’t make it my business to pry, Magellan, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious as to what series of events forced you to travel nearly two hundred light years from the outer-Fringe to the mid-Rim.”
“I got involved with the wrong woman.” Arthur said with an honest shrug.
Larriman stared at him and then burst out laughing.