Chapter V - Starship Amrita

The simple act of playing and singing left Tavian feeling a little less of the weariness and stress of the past two days. Plus, he took more than a little joy in the expression he’d seen on the Princess’ face as he’d walked back over from the temple steps.

“So, what now?” he asked, sitting down on a stone bench at the edge of the clearing that surrounded the temple.

“We wait here until we hear from Nova,” said Kal.

“There are worse places,” said Tavian. He leant back and gazed up at the ceiling above. It reflected the false sunlight back towards him.

After a few moments he detected movement in his peripheral vision. Looking down he saw Mu had taken up the spot next to him on the bench. He resisted the instinct to say something to her as she sat down and instead resumed gazing up.

Don’t push too hard, he told himself.

Instead, it was Mu who spoke. “You’re not wrong about a meal and a sleep,” she said.

Tavian looked her way in surprise. Kal and Apollo were a short distance away, discussing some matter.

“I woke up yesterday with a hangover and a whole lot of fresh problems on my hands and I haven’t had any sleep since,” he said.

“Not a very restful day… night… either,” remarked Mu.

“I could definitely do with some calm now,” agreed Tavian.

She was being surprisingly diplomatic.

Music never fails, he thought.

“What do you suppose the rooms on the Amrita are like?” asked Mu.

“The Amrita?” asked Tavian.

“Pretty sure that’s what Kal said the ship was called.”

“Oh right. Who knows? It is apparently a ship captained by a cat,” said Tavian.

Mu laughed.

Tavian continued, “I’ve been on a lot a starships, but that’s a first.”

“I’ve only been on a few,” said Mu, “But I can’t say any of them were captained by cats.”

“The Cosmos is vast and full of wonders,” muttered Tavian.

There were a few moments of silence. Then Mu leant over to him. Speaking quietly, she said, “Why do you suppose Apollo and Kal are helping us?”

Tavian laughed. “I thought you knew something. Apollo seemed to know whoever arranged those STOC tickets for you.”

Mu shook her head. “I have someone helping me. Someone from the Imperial Court. But he never communicates directly. That said… I don’t know… He never said anything about Apollo… but Apollo knows about him.”

“Well, Princess—” Tavian began.

Mu interrupted, “You can just call me Mu.”

“Well, Mu, you seem to know things you’re not meant to. Perhaps Apollo is the same.”

“You think he’s a Starseer?” asked Mu.

“He’s a talking cat who captains a starship. Him being a Starseer would arguably not crack the top five most surprising facts about him.”

Mu nodded. “I guess.”

“But going back to your question: I have no idea. But it’s similar to what I said to you back at the nightclub: we don’t know whether we can trust him, but we know he’s certainly helped us thus far, and following him seems like the most sensible gamble we can make.”

“You’re more persuasive than I’d like to give you credit for,” said Mu.

Tavian beamed. “I know. But if you’re still not sure, why don’t you use those powers of yours and have a little peak into what the future holds.”

“I have already,” said Mu, “It’s not like I can see exactly what will happen – not more than a few instants ahead – but I definitely get the sense that following Apollo is the right thing. Plus, Starseeing aside, he knows who my helper at Court is, so either he’s some agent of the Resonance Bureau and I’m already compromised, or he’s genuine. What’s happened has happened, we can only change what hasn’t yet come to pass. So I may as well trust him.”

“You’re a smart one,” said Tavian.

“Thank you, your praise means the world to me.”

“Hey, we almost had a nice thing going there,” said Tavian.

“Don’t think that me being civil means we’re friends,” said Mu.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.”

“I said to—”

“Sorry, slipped out,” said Tavian with a laconic grin.

Apollo and Kal were coming back towards them.

“Nova’s got you sorted. Time to move,” said Kal.

Tavian leapt to his feet and clapped his hands. “Alright, let’s hope this Nova chick knows what she’s doing.”

“I sure hope she does,” said Mu, rising more slowly.

With that they were once more on their way. Just beyond the far entrance to the temple grounds was a rapid transit tube that connected to the part of the Ring where the Amrita was docked. Despite the pods of the tube having windows looking out on the planet, there was little sense of the phenomenal speed at which they were moving around the Ring. Everything below looked graceful and calm, a bright expanse of blue and white against the stark background of space. Looking forward or back Tavian could see the immense arc of the Ring vanishing into the distance. It was only when looking in these directions that he got some sense of their velocity.

It took them about forty-five minutes by Tavian’s reckoning to reach their destination. They disembarked and headed out into a large, crowded concourse. At the far end was a sign marked Offworld Processing. Below it, another sign read Bureau of Customs, Ministry of Civil Administration.

“Out of curiosity, will they just let a cat through?” asked Tavian.

“The Captain has all the necessary accreditation,” replied Kal.

“Guess they will then.”

They joined the end of the Offworld Processing queue. The line was long, but it soon broke up into several smaller queues and things seemed to be moving quickly. Each person stepped into a small chamber, was scanned, and moved on. Kal stepped through confidently, then Apollo. Tavian was next. He gave a grin to Mu, then stepped into the chamber.

It’s all on you now, Nova, he thought.

Moments later the door on the other side of the chamber opened with a cheerful chime. He stepped forward and out, the door closing behind him. He walked over to wait with Kal and Apollo.

Mu will be the real test. The local Governor might want me, but Mu’s probably on some Empire-wide registry.

He didn’t have to worry though. Moments later Mu stepped out. She had a look of nervous relief on her usually serene face. Breathing in deeply she adjusted her cap and sunglasses and walked over towards them.

“All good,” she said.

“Let’s get to the Amrita,” said Kal and they turned to follow him.

Mu had walked just two steps when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around to see a uniformed Customs Bureau officer.

“Excuse me, miss,” she said. “Would you please accompany my partner and I?”

Mu felt a knot of panic form in the pit of her stomach. She glanced over at the others. Kal wore a stoic expression, though there seemed to be an extra note of grimness to it now. He gave a single slow nod. Tavian smiled, though she could see the nervousness in his eyes.

“All good,” he said, “We’ll wait here.”

Apollo’s bright yellow eyes peered back at her. He twitched his whiskers, but said nothing. Breathing in deeply, Mu returned her gaze to the Customs agent. “Of course.”

She didn’t have to go far. The two agents led her through a nearby door into a short hallway and then through another into a cramped office. One agent sat down behind the singular desk, adjusting her tie as she did so. The other agent, the one who had tapped Mu on the shoulder, remained standing. She indicated for Mu to sit in the only free chair.

“You are Qing Zhu, yes?” said the agent behind the desk, examining a tablet.

Mu took a moment to realise these were the credentials Nova had made for her. “Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“Uncertain about your own name?” asked the standing agent.

“No, no… sorry, I’m just a bit of a nervous traveller. Never been pulled up like this before,” said Mu.

She willed her nerves to calm and reached out for the Starflow. There was definitely something concerning ahead, but it felt like it wasn’t coming in the next few minutes. She reached for the concept of the Resonance Bureau, to see if it meshed with her near future. Somewhat.

She breathed in deeply.

“I’m Lieutenant Shu,” said the sitting officer, “This is Sergeant Li.”

Mu looked from one to the other. “Um, hello,” she managed.

“Do you know why we called you in here?” asked Lieutenant Shu.

“No,” said Mu, “I would like to.”

“On which world was the issuing office of your travel credentials?” asked Sergeant Li.

Mu had a moment of panic then returned to the Starflow. She probed the path of “Aixingo”. Disaster lay that way. She probed “Shangxia”. As she suspected, that was the safe option.

“Shangxia,” she confidently replied.

“And when was it issued?” asked Li.

She probed the ranges of numbers, narrowing in on the preferable outcome. She answered, a little less confidently than before.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Li nodded and leaned in to say something in Shu’s ear. Shu in turn nodded and Li left the room, closing the door behind her. Mu sat and looked expectantly at the Lieutenant.

“Miss, there are some irregularities with your credentials. Rest assured, if you have done nothing wrong, we should have the issue resolved shortly and you can be on your way.”

Mu reached forward. The future was teetering on some outcome, but it was out of her reach. That did little for her nerves.

The Starflow was weak here. Or at least compared to what she had known growing up. At the Imperial Court on Aixingo, orbiting around Nara Enduri, it was a deluge of power, the gift of the Empire’s patron deity. Out here, around an unawakened mid-resonance star, it was a mere trickle.

Except when Tavian was playing, she thought and was surprised that she had such a thought in that moment.

A minute or two passed and Mu waited nervously. Lieutenant Shu said nothing, clearly happy to let Mu stew in the silence. Then the door slid open and Sergeant Li returned. She bypassed Mu without looking at her and walked over to the Lieutenant. Once again, she whispered something in the Lieutenant’s ear.

The Lieutenant looked up at Mu.

“All sorted. You are free to go. The irregularities have been cleared up,” said Shu.

Letting out a sigh of relief Mu rose to her feet, bowing her head slightly as she uttered her thank yous. Sergeant Li ushered her out.

“Good chat?” asked Tavian, upon seeing her emerge.

“Delightful,” said Mu. “Let’s go.”

They had a little further to go, but soon reached a door. Next to it was a screen displaying Astral Gate 711-8A6. Currently docked: Amrita.

“We made it!” exclaimed Tavian.

“We’re not on board yet,” said Mu, glancing about. Events had transpired well, but she was still unnerved by being taken aside.

Kal walked up to the door and it slid open. A wide corridor led to an airlock. Windows along its length clearly showed the sleek vessel beyond, one quite unlike any Mu had ever seen before. It was golden in colour and conjured the image of a cosmic manta-ray. Every part of its surface was covered in swirling, decorative patterns. It was a thing of beauty, but also utterly alien.

Kal clearly saw her and Tavian admiring the ship. “Quite the beauty, isn’t she?” he said, and she could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke. He voice was barely more than a reverential whisper as he said the next words, “The Starship Amrita.”

“She’s quite something,” said Mu.

As they reached the end of the corridor Apollo bounded ahead and came to sit in front of the airlock. “Before we board, as Captain of the Amrita, I’d like to formally welcome you, Miss Mukushen, Mr Locke, to my humble starship.”

“Thank you so very much,” said Mu. “For everything. I… I still don’t…”

“We can speak more once we’re aboard,” said Apollo. At that moment the doors slid open and revealed a warm light from within. “Come in, please.”

They followed the black cat through the airlock and it slid shut behind them. Inside a small entrance hall led into a large, open space, around which windows looked out into space beyond. The interior was lit in a homely fashion, the lighting soft and comfortable. Comfortable furniture was arrayed around to create a friendly and conversational space. But for the starry vistas outside, none of it gave the impression of being the inside of a starship.

“You made it!” announced Nova’s voice.

Mu and Tavian both looked around to see where she was, but realised a moment later that the voice was coming over some sort of speaker. Mu gave Tavian a puzzled look, which he returned.

“Oh, I see what’s happened,” said Nova. “I am actually the Amrita’s on-board computer. It is cute that you thought I was a human though. I am getting better at pulling that one off.”

Tavian smiled and laughed. “You did a very good impression. You had me fooled.”

“Same,” said Mu, still coming to terms with this revelation.

Not a moment had passed when an arm appeared around Mu’s shoulders. Another was thrown around Tavian’s. And hanging in between them was a girl with messy red hair, partially tied up in a pony tail. A wicked grin was plastered across her face.

“Nah, for real though. I was fucking with you that time. I’m not a computer,” said the girl.

As Mu dealt with the whiplash of this revelation, the girl stepped back and Mu took in her appearance. She was the best part of ten centimetres shorter than Mu and skinny. She had bright green eyes and a smattering of freckles on her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose. A pair of what looked to be high-tech goggles were pushed up on top of her head. She wore a sleeveless cropped top that left her midriff bare and a pair of loose-fitting pants with a myriad of pockets and pouches, held up by a belt with a variety of tools hanging from it. The outfit was completed by a pair of thick gloves and some large bulky working boots.

“Nova Reid, at your service,” said the girl. “Sorry for all that. I couldn’t help myself. And you totally bought it! Terrific. Oh, and Mu, sorry about the whole thing at customs. I may have left a teeny-tiny bit of meta data behind while creating your credentials. My bad. Still, nothing too catastrophic. You made it, after all.”

“Yeah, thanks,” said Mu, “It’s great to meet you.”

“Great to put a face to the voice,” said Tavian, with a finger gun in her direction.

Nova rapidly waved two finger guns back at him, then lifted them to point upwards, looking down at her hands. “Coooool…” she said, with a slightly mocking smile.

“We should introduce the rest of the crew,” said Apollo. “Miss Reid, I trust Ostara and the others are aware our guests have arrived?”

“Oh, they’re aware. Although, let’s be real, Seraphina won’t be coming. Ostara and Harry, though--- oh! Here they are.”

A door opened and two more people walked in.

The first was a thin man with blond hair, his long fringe swept to one side. He had a certain dandyish charm about him that bordered on being handsome in Mu’s estimation. He wore a waistcoat which was black apart from two subtle rose motifs on the front. Underneath he had a cuffed and collared white shirt and skinny tie with more overt rose motifs. His outfit was completed by immaculately creased black slacks and shiny leather shoes. His deep brown eyes gazed at them through a pair of fashionable glasses.

Behind him walked a tall woman with long, wavy brown hair and bright purple eyes. She wore a long flowing white dress, off shoulder and belted high, an amethyst jewel at the front of the belt. She wore a beatific smile and even her walk suggested immense reserves of calm and grace.

The two newcomers stopped a short distance from where Tavian and Mu stood.

“Harry Zhang, at your service,” said the man.

“I already did the ‘at your service’ thing,” said Nova. “Get your own thing, Harry.”

“Well,” said Harry, temporarily stopped in his tracks, “I think it was my thing before it was Nova’s, but pleased to meet you anyway.”

“Hi,” said Tavian.

“Hello,” said Mu.

“And I’m Ostara,” said the woman with a smile that told Mu that everything was right with the world. “So nice to have you join us.”

“Oh, our pleasure,” said a smiling Tavian, with what Mu took to be a little too much enthusiasm.

Don’t ogle, she mentally reprimanded him. Though in truth her own eyes had once or twice dwelt on Ostara’s ample cleavage.

“Ostara is my second-in-command,” said Apollo, strolling into the centre of the assembled group. “We would all be lost without her.”

“Apollo’s too kind,” said Ostara.

“Mr Zhang cooks our meals and manages our supplies,” said Apollo.

“And if you ever want a magical experience, m’lady,” said Harry, now looking Mu’s way, “Please visit me in the bar.”

Oh no, now there’s two of them, thought Mu. She gave him a perfunctory smile and said nothing.

“Harry does make wonderful drinks,” said Ostara.

“And Miss Reid here is our—”

Nova interrupted the Captain. “I fix things. And if they’re not broken, I improve them.”

“That she does,” said Apollo. “And I think you’re fairly familiar with Mr Nyx’s role. He is our sword and shield.”

Kal just nodded their way.

“Miss Seraphina is also here somewhere, though perhaps you can make her acquaintance later,” said Apollo. “She is our expert in all of the… stranger things we encounter out in the Cosmos.”

“Sera might take a little while to warm up to you, but she’s very nice when you get to know her,” said Nova.

“Good to know,” said Tavian, glancing around the room. Looking back the way of the assembled group he said, “Well, I am Tavian Locke. Thanks for having me.”

“And I am… Mu,” said Mu.

Tavian threw an arm around her shoulders and she tensed up. “She’s being humble,” he said, “She’s really Princess Aixin Mukushen of the… sorry, you’ll have to remind me of the rest.”

Mu was annoyed at Tavian, but she also figured there was little point in concealing her true identity from this group who had already done so much to get her away from her pursuers. “Princess Aixin Mukushen of the Mukta Clan of the White Horse Banner. But you can call me Mu.”

“Wow!” exclaimed Harry, placing a hand to his chest, “An actual princess here on our ship.”

“Please don’t make a big deal of it,” said Mu.

“I promise I’ll tone it down,” said Harry, “If, you promise to come to the bar and tell me the whole story.”

Mu sighed. “Fine.”

“Exciting,” said Harry.

“Please, don’t push it,” said Mu.

“Careful,” said Tavian, “This one’s prickly.”

Nova sidled up to Mu and whispered into her ear in a voice that was entirely loud enough for everyone else to hear, “Careful of Harry. He will try and make a move on you. When he does you should turn him down. Like every other woman.”

“Don’t listen to her,” said Harry.

“What have I gotten myself into?” asked Mu.

“I don’t know,” said Tavian, “But it seems like it’s going to be fun.”

Apollo made a throat clearing noise and they all looked down to where he sat in the centre of their little circle. “It is wonderful to see everyone already getting along. Ostara and I have a few matters to discuss before we make our departure, but please make yourselves at home.”

“Before you go… can I ask why you helped us?” said Mu.

“It seemed like the right thing to do,” said Apollo. “Just a feeling, I guess. Now there will be plenty of time to explain everything later, but I must be going now.”

Ostara walked up to Mu and wrapped her in a hug. Mu experienced a feeling of warmth and safety in that moment like she could seldom remember ever having felt before. Ostara pulled back and pecked her on both cheeks.

“It truly is a pleasure to have you on board with us,” she said before repeating the gesture with Tavian who seemed to turn into some sort of pale invertebrate in her wake. With that she swept from the room, following Apollo.

“Your first hug from Ostara,” said Harry. “It’s a special moment.”

“Not gonna lie,” said Nova, “Ostara gives pretty good hugs.”

“I’ll be in my quarters if anyone wants me,” said Kal and with not a word more departed the room.

“Well,” said Harry. “You two must be tired. Nova was telling me some of the story earlier. Sounds like quite the adventure. But Ostara has organised rooms for you. Perhaps we could show you?”

“So, we’re just part of the crew now?” asked Tavian.

“Don’t fight it,” said Mu, elbowing him in the side, “I need a bed.”

“I think that was a yes,” said Tavian, pointing at Mu with his thumb.

“Right this way,” said Harry. They followed him, Nova bringing up the rear.

They exited the large room by the door Harry and Ostara had entered through. Beyond was a long hallway, lit and furnished in much the manner of the room they’d just been in.

“We call that the common room,” said Harry. “Most of the… lifestyle stuff is this way. We all have our rooms down this end. Except for Apollo, he’s got his own little… thing going on near the bridge. I’ll give you a proper tour later, but the ship’s got everything you could need. There’s a gym, a pool, kitchen, dining area, my bar—”

“It’s not technically his,” interrupted Nova.

“My bar,” continued Harry, “The library. Everyone’s rooms. Upstairs are the gardens. Ostara tends to them, but I help out, at least with the edible stuff.”

“The more important stuff like the engine room, bridge, armoury and whatnot is down the other end,” said Nova.

“I think eating is pretty important,” said Harry.

“I think breathing is too. How will your fancy cooking go if I mess up the life support systems and no one can breathe?”

Harry shook his head. “Nova likes to think she’s the most important person here.”

Mu reflected that after everything they had experienced recently, Nova did indeed seem like a fairly pivotal part of the whole operation.

They stopped a little way down the hallway where a shorter hallway branched off. There were doors either side and a window looking out into space at the end, a pot plant sitting in front of it.

“Mu, your room is on the right. Tavian, you’re on the left,” said Harry. “Everything should be set up there for you. The beds are made.”

Mu looked Harry’s way. “I have to have the room opposite him?” she asked.

“He can’t be that bad,” said Nova.

“Wait till you get to know him,” said Mu.

“How long have you two known each other?” asked Harry.

“A few hours longer than we’ve known the rest of you,” replied Tavian. “At any rate, I have no complaints about the room Madame Ostara has graciously given me. But I guess I don’t have the exacting standards of an Imperial Princess.”

“Oh no, I see it now,” said Nova.

“Told you,” said Mu. “But yes. Thank you all for everything you’ve done. Of course. And please thank Ostara and Apollo for me.”

A pause.

“Is it weird if I just go sleep now?”

Nova and Harry both shook their heads. “Of course not,” said Nova. “If you want we’ll wake you when we get going. Or not. Up to you. Either way, lets exchange contacts.”

Nova held out her tablet and Tavian and Mu both tapped theirs to hers. They followed suit with Harry.

“Let us know if you need anything,” said Nova. “Or Kal. He seems grumpy a lot of the time – and he for sure is – but he’s pretty helpful anyway.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Tavian.

“Don’t you need sleep too, Nova?” asked Mu. “You’ve been up for a lot of our adventure so far.”

Harry laughed. “This one’s blood is mostly energy drinks at this point. I don’t think she ever sleeps.”

“I’m not that bad. But you two have been up since yesterday morning. I’ve only been up since early this morning. Anyway, we won’t hold you up any longer. Get some sleep. Chill. Sing out if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” said Mu.

Nova shrugged and smiled. “Eh, it’s nothing. C’mon, Harry. Let’s leave them be. Wanna make me a burger?”

“Do I want to? No. But will I? Also no.”

With that Harry and Nova disappeared around the corner, their conversation dwindling as they went. That left Mu and Tavian standing alone in the hallway with only the pot plant to keep them company.

“Seems nice here,” said Tavian.

“It does. I’m going to bed,” said Mu.

“Wonderful idea,” said Tavian and turned to his door. She heard a beep and the opening of the door.

“Goodnight, Princess,” she heard him say.

“Goodnight… you,” she said and opened her own door, stepping in without looking back.

The room beyond was cozy and surprisingly large. There was a large bed to one side, with a window that looked out on the stars. The wall opposite the window housed an enormous screen, a couch facing it, a beanbag to one side, and a coffee table in front. A desk with a mirror was against the wall across from the door, and next to it another door that Mu soon discovered led to a walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.

Returning to the main room she strolled over to the bed. She pulled off her hoodie, shoes and socks and flopped back onto the bed.

Closing her eyes, her feet not yet up on the bed, she felt herself drifting away. As she did, a soft melody on mandolin filled her mind. Whether heard or remembered, she wasn’t sure.