Amdirlain's PoV - Qil Tris

The echoing noises inside the space port were a mix of businesspeople taking calls as they hurried about, the clamour of families with kids, and workers trudging about with loaded packs. While tourists were busy chatting about their travel plans and sites to see, the workers travelling to off-world job sites shuffled calmly. They all seemed oblivious to the armed troops around them in neat security uniforms, a mundane effect that allowed them to blend with the scenery. Throughout the building and positioned around the site were the mixed mercenary forces of the port authority, who ensured its independence from any city's territorial claims. What seemed like structural supports were emplacements that concealed heavy weaponry, shields, and gravitational repulsion fields.

How much trouble has there been over the years to have a thousand high-level soldiers here continually?

In Tulne's black and silver frosted fur, Amdirlain slipped through the crowd, drawing only the occasional glance. The outer entry reminded Amdirlain of the few airports she had travelled through, including the shops for forgotten essentials, eateries, facilities, luggage, and waiting areas. The press of people going about the final mundane preparations for their trip reminded Amdirlain of Sydney airport, despite the destinations being off-world.

As she approached the ticket counters, the queues winding towards the door made her glad Tulne had paid for priority.

The line moved in fits and starts as the staff at the entry examined the materials being carried onto the site. Those conducting the ticket and security checks moved at a sedate pace, unhurried, regardless of how often those in line checked the departures board.

An orange and red-furred male, whose fur clashed horribly with the site's blue and grey security uniform, finally motioned Amdirlain forward. Not taking his eyes from the screen, he yawned and waved her to a panel to the right of the counter. "Present your identification."

When she complied, his slumped shoulders stiffened, and his ears perked up. Swallowing hard, he double-checked the display before swallowing and pitching his voice so the sound carried. "Arch-Magi Tulne. Are you travelling for business or pleasure?"

The other guards tending the other stations suddenly possessed extra zest in their motions.

"Pleasure. It's been a while since I enjoyed the view from space."

"No one advised us you were outbound today." The guard glanced at the long line, his gaze jumping along those waiting as if seeking more surprises. "Are you carrying any storage devices or Mana capacitors exceeding a million units?"

"A personal stage device for luggage, but no Mana capacitor." Amdirlain presented a duplication of Tulne's trace unit and transmitted the forms and declarations. "The line is moving slowly today. I hope everyone makes their departure times."

As the other guards picked up their pace, he briskly waved her through the inner wards. "Please follow the crew's instructions about the storage device. Enjoy your trip. The Swiftrunner has been advised of your arrival. I hope you enjoy your cruise."

The mental image she had from his mind of a luxury vessel wasn't what Amdirlain had expected Tulne to arrange.

She booked me a private charter, not a ticket on a vessel?

Stopping at a financial terminal before reaching the main concourse, Amdirlain slowly added ten million Mana to Tulne's account. The figure was well within Tulne's limits and wiped out the vessel's hiring cost.

From there, her passage through the inner wards and along the concourse's moving walkways went smoothly until she paused at the viewing bay for an outer berth to indulge her curiosity. The berth contained a sleek, elongated craft with viewing windows along its upper two levels. Runes ran in loops around its components, establishing gravitational fields for the passengers' comfort and the reactionless drive at its centre.

Things have been calm. I'll relax longer, but I should try the first leg of the route through the deeper planes of the Abyss soon. I'd like to get one trip in before Danu or the orcs tussle with the formithians. Will they even tell me when they do?

Amdirlain listened to the hum of Mana through the spaceport's enchantments as she continued along the central walkway. The bright metal everywhere gave it a sleek, cold feel that didn't tempt anyone to linger.

The details Tulne had provided her led to a berth area on the eastern loop from the main path. Here the vessels were smaller, each more in line with a luxurious yacht rather than the cruise liner-sized vessels berthed along the main concourse.

A young tabby-coloured Catfolk in a pressed white uniform stood at the gate, and he snapped to full attention when Amdirlain rounded the curve of the path. Though Amdirlain could tell he was watching her out of the corner of his eye, he kept his gaze fixed straight ahead. Beyond the viewing windows, the Swiftrunner hovered above the berth's flooring, its drive already humming in standby; its controls kept the two-hundred-meter length in a synchronous position with the planet. It was a triangular wedge, the top section of its nose and the tall peak at the vessel's rear both transparent for the small contingent of guests it could take aboard to see out. Smaller portholes along the side marked the locations of personal cabins and other entertainment areas—the general crew quarters, cargo bays, and the engine area at the rear utilised the lowest two decks.

"Arch-Magi Tulne, welcome to the Swiftrunner. The Captain is unfortunately attending to some last-minute administration before liftoff and has asked me to extend his apologies. I'm Ensign Felis, and I will be your guide and general gofer on all legs of your tour."

Amdirlain restrained herself from scritching his tense ears. "Thank you for the welcome."

"Would you like me to escort you to your cabin for the journey, or would you prefer a tour of the vessel before departure?"

"Would I impede preparations if I take the tour?" Amdirlain asked, whiskers twitching with eagerness. "I've seen the schematics of vessels like this but never nosed around one in person."

"The crew have completed the main checks to have everything ready for your arrival, Arch-Magi. The port authorities' rules are that we need to store any dimensional devices in a sealed container during liftoff, so we should do that first."

His thoughts showed incidents where spatial disruptions had blown out drives.

The downside of impersonating Tulne to obtain an identification chit is being called her name for the duration. I didn't even think about luggage.

"Yes, of course. While those accidents were probably because of worn enchantments interfering with gravitational controls, let's follow the rules."

Felis stepped into the sparse and functional airlock, taking her through the safety procedures for use at the interplanetary stops. When the outer hatch clicked into place, the compartment was scanned for diseases and specific biological matter.

"Quarantine checks?"

Felis nodded and talked as he operated the controls on the inner lock. "This latest version was just installed. Everything organic coming onboard gets recorded, and the ports receive a copy of the information before arrival so they can clear us or advise any required action before docking. The new biospheres on the outer planets have brought about some heightened checks, even on outbound vessels."

A two-metre hemisphere of bare metal decking was just inside the airlock, but beyond the corridor was polished wood flooring and panelling with silver trim.

Are there regulations regarding noninterference with the airlock?

Amdirlain flicked her gaze at the different sections of flooring, and Felis tensed, an explanation following from his lips. "The regulations for all vessels prohibit any non-essential materials near the airlock, Arch-Magi."

"So many changes since I last travelled off-world."

He waved Amdirlain ahead of him, and after he stepped out of the lock, he finished cycling the lock and securing it. While the mechanism was purely mechanical, a detection enchantment ran a confirmation before the lock signalled a proper seal; violet lights illuminated both sides of the door.

Feline colour spectrum range introduces tiny shifts from Human norms among the significant differences.

He used the intercom to report their boarding to the bridge crew before he led her down the vessel's central corridor.

"We take this corridor to the left, and go up one flight, that's the floor your stateroom is on, so I'll show you where you can secure your things. After that, we'll start with the observation lounge in the bow, do a loop along the auxiliary stations along the portside, and through the engine room in the stern. After that, I'll show you the dining room on the stern's top deck, and retrace to the observation room. Along the way, I'll point out the various emergency shelter zones, if there is an incident while you are moving about the vessel."

"Do the crew run emergency drills?"

Felis' left ear twitched erratically. "Yes, but that's the first time any passenger has asked me about them."

"I'm with an adventuring guild, so I'm used to preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best."

"You're an Arch-Magi and you still go into the trials?" Felis twitched. "I can't imagine going into danger if I were rich enough to do anything I wanted."

Amdirlain knew the reasons that Tulne continued adventuring. "It's not about the danger. I consider it a way to push my magic and help people. Isn't going into space a danger? Would you stop doing that if you were rich enough?"

He'd been ready to argue, but Felis's mouth clicked shut. "No, seeing the world turning and the tapestry of stars never gets old."

"Everyone has things they love. How about this tour?" Amdirlain grinned.

He stepped off and led her along the passageway with its warm panelling and discreet signs showing each ship section that passed through. Thin panels, whose grains blended with their neighbours, concealed the enchantments for atmospheric barriers, while the flooring was removable by concealed catches. The setup allowed for quick access to the key lines of enchantment on this deck. After a quick stop in her lavish room with thick carpets and a king-sized bed, she placed the storage ring she created into the personal safe. Its walls had protective barriers that prevented spatial interface with the primary drive. With that done, they headed towards the nose of the vessel.

The observation area in the bow had plush leather versions of the deep couches that the Catfolk favoured, with channels to tuck their tails out of the way in a variety of positions. There was a fancy wet bar in the middle, along with receiver screens to either side of the entrance to give an unhindered view wherever someone sat. The most interesting feature was the front half of the room, which had transparent angled walls that met above the wet bar.

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Amdirlain gave them an amused smile. "Do the receiver screens see much use when out between planets? I'm not sure I'd be looking at anything inside the room."

"Some folks travel between planets for reasons other than the magnificence that surrounds them." Felis motioned to the wet bar. "There are various wines and liquors, but if you have a particular preference, please let me know or advise the purser directly."

"I'm fine with whatever. Does the Captain do the official dining thing, or are quiet dinners the thing?"

"The Captain wouldn't complain about hosting a table if that is your desire. The chief said he'd prepare whatever you want since you're paying for exclusive use."

"I'd appreciate it if you could pass the word that I'm more of a private diner. If the chief has some prized dishes they'd like to show off, I'll be happy to indulge them. Shall we proceed?"

Felis nodded and took her through the features of the room and the controls for the telescopes built into the groups of couches. Amdirlain hummed appreciatively, taking in the Ensign's interest in the gadgets. True to his word, the tour looped along the deck, showing her the vessel's various sections and safety features. As they walked alongside, he projected an excited vibe, with his ears and tail moving continually at a relaxed pace.

When they reached the engine room, Amdirlain got a view of the glowing magic circle infused into the floor from the upper railing. Banks of Mana capacitors lining the wall and up to the bridge, situated just below the dining area in the rear's peak. The two engineers in the room greeted her politely before turning back to focus on the pre-departure checks of the enchantments within the engine room and hull. Amdirlain dug into their classes and the options that had merged Artificer with mechanical engineering classes.

They used an open lift shaft to waft from the engine room on the bottom deck, past various levels with officer cabins and stations, to the dining room in the top section. It continued the luxury feel of the vessel with the kitchen positioned between a twin arc of tables that could seat twenty guests. Despite the ship preparing for departure, there wasn't anyone but the crew on any of the decks.

Did Tulne book the entire ship?

"Are there any other guests on board?"

"The Captain told me to reassure you that the company diverted the other booked passengers to other vessels so you'd have a private trip. You'll be able to determine the sailing itinerary for the next two weeks."

Amdirlain kept a straight face. "That's good to know."

Felis perked up. "Do you have a particular preference for the second leg?"

"I'll see how long my sightseeing on the moon takes first, but probably what is most efficient."

"Some of the crater tours are better than others," Felis offered. "There are also various games and activities tailored to the moon's low-gravity conditions. Have you been to the moon before?"

"A few centuries ago, I'm sure things have changed."

His swaying tail went still. "How old are you, Arch-Magi?"

Amdirlain gasped playfully. "You really shouldn't ask a lady her age, Felis."

"Is it an issue?"

"Not really, but some places frown on asking someone their age in public. For me, it's a matter of public record that I was among the first teams going into the trials. People with the Life Affinity and enough magical power can reverse or stop their aging."

His tail hitched upwards, but his shoulders remained tight. "So, your magical energy maintains your body? Can a Wizard with the Life Affinity help others stay young?"

"Is there someone whose age you're worried about?" Amdirlain asked softly.

"My dad married late," Felis whispered.

Amdirlain checked with Tulne about what she was okay with being divulged.

"It doesn't work as well for others since the caster doesn't have an instinctive understanding of the other person's body." Amdirlain looked over the polished furnishings and their dark teak sheen reflecting the light that came through the ceiling.

"Is it true that powerful priests also live a long time?" Felis whispered.

"My understanding is that their longevity occurs for a different reason." Amdirlain turned one of the dining room chairs slightly and perched on it, her attention on the youngster. "Advanced Ki practitioners also have access to longevity methods. Why do you ask?"

Felis's stance tightened fractionally. "You're from Osaphis. Doesn't that city encourage the trio's faithful?"

He will not answer that question nor stick to one topic, but I don't want to debate religion.

"What's your stance on the trio and the dwarven gods, Felis?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've never knowingly met one of their faithful. Yet, like nearly everyone, I saw Amdirlain smacking the military who tried to attack her. I'm not sure about some commentators' arguments."

Amdirlain nodded. "Did she come across as a bully?"

"She seemed amused and disappointed at the same time." Felis paused and raised a hand. "She had an air of sad confidence. They came across as cubs trying to wrestle a parent to the ground, and getting nose taps whenever they tried to bite. I feel bad for the people in their cities. I've heard lots of packs had to move to new cities when their supply lines collapsed."

"When cities are involved, it's a tough balancing act to punish the people threatening your pride while not hurting innocents. But, those innocents had years to complain about the laws against the faiths that allowed the trio's prides to be arrested, attacked, or even killed at will."

"Are you presenting the other point of view for the sake of it, or because you believe in them?"

"I was your age when a member of a powerful Patron pride murdered me. Amdirlain was on Qil Tris, fighting the Eldritch, and provided an item that allowed me to be brought back to life. She never asked me to believe in her, and didn't even tell me who she was, just helped me. The old gods always demanded offerings and tribute for any blessings they provided."

Okay, talking about myself in the third person is weird, but I have to match Tulne's perspective.

"Maybe she just did that, so you'd talk about her nicely to others and spread her name."

"I'm not a Priest, nor one of her cultists. She shared only aliases and arcane knowledge with me. Indeed, no one on Qil Tris knew her real name until she came back last year."

Which is true, and none of them are cultists now.

Felis frowned in confusion. "Then how did she gain worshippers?"

"Good question. Maybe they prayed to her as Am and focused on the image in her recording of her departure."

"What recording?" Felis frowned, his confusion genuine.

It is centuries old. I'll have to ask Tulne when it stopped being shown.

"The joy of hidden histories. Who hides them, and what is their agenda?" Amdirlain grinned. "I'll let you figure that out for yourself. Let's finish this tour."

Felis was thoughtfully subdued as he escorted her back along the other side, where the emergency shelters, along with auxiliary stations for atmospheric control, gravity, and protective barriers, matched those he'd already shown her. He left her relaxing in the observation area.

She heard the Captain return to the vessel and Felis confirm she'd boarded and her location. Black dots speckled his steel-grey fur, his pressed whites providing a neat contrast.

The Captain paused inside the entrance to the observer lounge and offered her a tight, respectful nod.

"Arch-Magi Tulne, my apologies for not being available to welcome you aboard Swiftrunner. I'm Captain Pel'nark. Unfortunately, the port authority summoned me for some last-minute administrative issues. It's a pleasure to have you aboard. I'll admit, I'm quite the fan, as I studied several of your arcane theses while I was at university."

She caught from his mind that he still had copies of them among the memory crystals in his quarters, and Amdirlain scanned the texts. His tension came not from her presence but from demands framed as requests.

"You had to study several of them? I hope those theses didn't have you running away from the course."

Pel'nark's ears twitched in surprise. "I based my Artificer thesis on extending a side note in your arcane gravitational paper."

"What led from studying as an Artificer to becoming a ship's captain?"

"Most officers with an aptitude for Mana are from those who've chosen the Artificer Class. If you can repair the enchantments in a rare emergency, it helps to secure a position."

"And you'll have your own Mana reserves if the storage banks take any damage in the same incident." Amdirlain nodded to the drop beyond the observation window. "Is there a reason this ship doesn't land in a cradle like other vessels?"

"While the improvement in this ship's drive means it's more efficient, restarting the drive completely from scratch requires more energy than even a few days spent hovering. Whenever we're planet-side for less than a day, we keep the system running."

"Thank you for indulging my curiosity. I hope that all the holdups are taken care of," Amdirlain said.

"We'll be lifting off as soon as control gives us clearance," Pel'nark said, nodding again respectfully before heading off.

As she listened to the crew's final preparations, Amdirlain reached out to Tulne's mind again. "Do you think I should set up a civilian ID so I don't have to borrow yours again?"

"Are you going to visit often?"

"I don't know. I've fond memories of my time on Qil Tris, yet people calling me your name is slightly weird. Should I pass every question they ask through to you for an answer?"

Laughter bubbled through the mental link. "I'll just tell them I wasn't feeling myself if you say something wrong. An ID means faking a birth, school records, and a bunch of other challenges. Still, it's something we can do gradually over decades. That sounds fun; should I adopt you or fake a pregnancy and say you're mine?!"

"I've already got an adopted mother and some siblings. I'm not sure I want to go to that much effort for the occasional visit."

"Why not? It is possible, and I could do most of the work. We could get some doctors in the Pride to sign off on pre-birth check-ups, and I know you could change your form and the result of your record."

"So many names for your record device; they're profiles and imprints in other places."

The departure announcement included little formality beyond reminders to crew members to perform last safety checks and signal readiness. Their course went directly upwards, remaining in line with the bay until they had to maneuver to slip past the lowest orbital satellites. The gravity controls cancelled out all sense of the involved g-forces and inertia.

Once well clear of the atmosphere, the craft tilted to allow an uninterrupted view of the planet. The planet's nine continents splayed across the globe in a broader pattern than Earth's own. While the largest hosted Osaphis in the southern hemisphere and reached towards the permanent ice in the polar region, there were three in the north of comparable size. As the vessel's path took them higher above the planet, Amdirlain turned her attention to the various satellites gleaming in the sunlight. There were more weapon units than had been present the prior year. Above them in higher orbits were heavier construction yards with a range of vessels from tiny runabouts for two people to those capable of carrying thousands.

There are two ships in construction yards with spatial drives that sidestep the physical speed of light. They understood the theories Sarah had me share with the city councils. How many other worlds have fleets travelling between worlds?

Amdirlain was humming an old melody when Pel'nark returned to the observation lounge, and the oddity of her true pitch stirred his curiosity.

Oops, Tulne so can't sing to save her life, but how does he know that?

Pel'nark frowned momentarily, but Amdirlain's projected reassurances had him dismissing doubts about her identity.

"Thanks for the maneuvering. Is it part of the regular service to give such a clear view of Qil Tris?"

"It is, but most of our passengers are normally too busy haggling to look out the window," Pel'nark responded.

Amdirlain caught the question on his mind, and his recent unpleasant meeting with the spaceport authority.

"I don't think I'd ever get bored with that sort of view. You seem tense. Is there something on your mind, Captain? You can ask about whatever is bothering you."

He shifted his weight, tail slapping against a nearby couch unhappily. "Is it true that Osaphis is constructing a vessel about to go to other stars?"

"That's an odd conversational jump, but I offered." Amdirlain smiled innocently. "Where would you have heard such an outlandish rumour?"

"The port authority threatened to keep Swiftrunner grounded unless I agreed to fish for information."

"I take it you're not in favour of being subtle?" Amdirlain laughed.

"You can bring fish to the surface with explosives, so I did what they asked once I was sure I was clear of any observers. Now I can honestly tell them I fulfilled their request, but my efforts were fruitless."

Amdirlain created a black scarf and laid it flat on a small side table. "What is the fastest route from one side to the other?"

"I know that trick question." Pel'nark grabbed the opposing edges of the scarf and brought them together.

"Then why don't you do that with your ship?"

"Because teleporting the mass of any decent-sized ship is out of the question."

"True, teleporting ships is out of the question for most beings. Then why don't you go so fast that you might as well be teleporting?"

"The universal constant theorem shows physical acceleration, even with magic, would hit a limit when approaching the speed of light."

Only if you're keeping the vessel within the three base physical dimensions, and ignoring the potential uses for gravitational ripples. Time to change the subject, and see what fruit frustration ripens.

"Yes, there is that obstacle, isn't there?" Amdirlain absorbed the scarf. "The stars are beautiful without the atmosphere and city lights diffusing their glimmers. It's a pity it's so hard to reach them when limited by physical restrictions."

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