Part Five – Chapter Somethinganother – Hovercrafting
Once on the hovercraft, Maratha went to her assigned quarters: a small room not much larger than a closet. The bed was also the chair and the dresser was also the table. A tiny lavatory was under the bed. Showers were communal, with one being just for the single females.
In her room, she unpacked her things, putting her clothing in the dresser and hanging her bags above the bed. She decided to check out the craft first then she would start reading not only the manual, but other books as well.
The hovercraft was shaped like a pencil; long and tapered on one end. The entire thing hummed from the large fans below their feet. There were two cafeterias and two entertainment facilities, one with and one without cybernetic ports. There also was a swimming pool and a running track.
She checked her wrist for the fifth time to make sure the motion sickness strap was in place. She’d waived the right to the injections, wanting to experience the trip as real as she could. The strap would prevent her from becoming very ill, but she would definitely know if she got sea sick or not.
She stood at one of the rails, watching the water rush by and the birds circling the craft. She saw a uniformed personnel coming toward her. “Hello, I am Captain Botswa.” The woman, tall and muscular, was quite attractive in the crisp blue uniform.
“I am Maratha Verdan, student at the Lifeforms University.”
“Yes, I know. I received a communication from a Professor Tamud to keep an eye on you, since this was your first journey across the oceans. But I can see that his worry was unwarranted.” She nodded toward the strap on Maratha’s wrist. “If you were going to be sea sick, you would be by now, especially standing out here watching the water go by.”
“Oh. Well good then. But I’ll leave it on, just in case. I have no desire to see my stomach nor its contents.”
The Captain laughed, a good solid laugh that made the hairs on Maratha’s arms stand up. “Then by all means, wear it. My quarters and my office is up in the tower. If you need company or have a problem, just let me know.” She bowed at the waist and continued her walk of the deck.
By the time Maratha arrived at Doma, she knew how to assemble and unassemble the board and how to use it. The Captain had a battery that would fit it and she got to try it out several times a day. As soon as she and her things had gone through the biofilters, she pulled out her directions and went to the closest battery center.
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Captain Botswa typed out the first message. “To Professor Tamud, id 567-A-LFU-4199. In regards to on M. Verdan, she has arrived safely. I anticipate she will be able to handle herself well while on Doma Continent.”
After pressing the send button, she waited for confirmation then began the second message. “To Zenith Torado, id 236-X-CEP-5T. Your friend arrived just fine. I was impressed with her knowledge and her abilities at conversation. She was also quite lovely to look at! How come you always seem to find the good looking ones?”
As soon as she got the confirmation, she got a response. “Feoni, I hope you kept your hands to yourself. And yes, I’ve kept mine to myself too. She’s been a bit overwhelmed here at the University so I’ve held off the obvious. So unlike me, isn’t it? Thank you for the updates.”