DAY 1
“Welcome aboard! I am Captain of the The Nebula Cruiser, Ionth Zarls. Our flight departs at 0900. We are scheduled to arrive at Planet Dirt at 1300 tomorrow. As stated in your package we are not providing off ship activities at this time. However we will be making several sightseeing stops during our time at Planet Dirt which will provide multiple opportunities to take pictures and get gifts for your family or friends. Be sure to check out The Nebula Cruisers newly refurbished viewing areas. If you have any questions or comments please speak with a crew member or pick up the communication pod in your cabin.”
I glance at my watch, ugh, cutting it close as usual. As I take in the enormity of the ship I wonder if I will be able to find my cabin before take off. There’s a crew member giving directions to a very long line of passengers. Deciding to forgo the line I follow the signs pointing the way to the guest cabins. I make my way to 528 but the door will not open. I flag down the first crew member I see and explain my issue. With a little chuckle I’m told that my cabin P528 is on the other side of the ship, this is S528.
“My apologies, I didn’t even notice the P.”
“No need to apologize, it happens quite often. Your cabin is on the port side, we are on the starboard side. Hence the p and s before the cabin number.” picking up my luggage he says, “Right this way please.”
“This might not happen as often if the cabins themselves had an s or p as well as the number.”
“I agree. Honestly I think the ship designers forgot that most of the population does not know which side is which. I will mention your suggestion to the captain. Here we are P528. Enjoy your trip.”
“Thank you.” I say. “Here’s a little something for you.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Closing the door I look around the cabin. A large bed with nightstands, a small dresser, and a small couch at the foot of the bed. Two other doors, one a closet, the other a small bathroom. I unpack then look over the ship's itinerary and amenities. Scanning for the items included with my package I discover that every passenger gets the continental breakfast, the lunch buffet (which starts in about an hour), and dinner at the Comet Cafe. As well as access to the library, and laundry facilities. I have the basic package which also includes access to most of the amenities during off peak hours.
Finding a map of the ship I think to myself “that would have come in handy earlier’. On it I locate the library and the Comet Cafe, pleased to find they are both on deck 3. Putting the map in my pocket I head to the Cafe for lunch.
Along the way I pass the library and discover that it's always open. As I enjoy a leisurely meal, I watch the other passengers go about their business. Families of all sizes, (in various states of contentment) and couples on a romantic weekend make up about 90 percent of the passengers.
After lunch I return to the library. Looking around I see that it's more of a media and communications hub than a library. I go to a communication pod and search for information on Planet Dirt. The only information to be found, after several hours, was two articles. The first basically says that scientists have long known that Planet Dirt is a living planet but only recently discovered it has ‘intelligent’ life. We know it contains intelligent life because something is sending satellites and probes farther and farther out into space. The second article quotes the first article then goes on to say that eventually this intelligent life will send itself into space, and that never before have we had the opportunity to monitor and record a species during its evolution into space flight. Interesting but nothing about the planet or its life forms. I send a few queries to some old associates and send postcards to a few friends and colleagues. I log off the communications hub. I decide to locate the viewing areas before dinner. I am especially interested in the deep space viewing area. I find the area without issue, unfortunately it's during peak hours so I am unable to enter.
When I get to the Cafe for dinner it is so full that people are attempting to eat while standing along the walls. Grabbing a plate, I heap it with various buffet items and take it to my cabin. After eating I recline with a cup of coffee to contemplate the events of the day. Before long the full belly and warm comfortable bed have me drowsing before long i’m fast asleep.