Imperial Voyage

Part 1

Welcome to the Princess Alexa, the pride of the Imperial Diplomatic Fleet. We are pleased that you have been chosen to travel with us to Aarku, the capital planet of the Imperium. (Any stowaways please report to the nearest security officer, so that you may be escorted off the ship and punished severely.)

We have detected that you have not had the pleasure of traveling with us before, a short orientation will now follow.

The Princess Alexa was constructed shortly after birth of the Princess, heir to the Imperium. It was designed by the legendary designer, Abo Pontas to celebrate this occasion. It has a gross tonnage of two million. It is approximately 1400 metres long, 300 metres wide and can hold a total of 35,000 passengers.

We have all the facilities that people of your class will be used to, such as a fully automated dining experience, holotheatre, Ecacorp robotic servants and much more. May I remind you that all passengers must adhere to the strict dress policy whilst on board. Also, as per Imperial class rules, communication between races is not encouraged for obvious reasons.

If there is anything you desire, you simply need to ask. We at the Princess Alexa hope you have a pleasant journey, we are here to serve you.

Long live the Emperor, may we all prosper in his light.

The hologram on the table flickered and disappeared. I looked up, purple sunlight beamed in through the glass ceiling, flooding the dining level in light. It was my first day of being in space. I had never been off world before, hardly anyone from Etiene had. I wasn't really meant to be here, but Dad had insisted. One of the perks of being an ambassador. We were going to his new posting at Aarku. At first, I hadn't really wanted to go, but the more I learned, the more opened up to it. I can only imagine the amazing things I would see when we finally got there. We've been on this spaceship for a day now, only four left to go. I've not had the chance to see much yet, I'm just getting used to how everything works still. This place is so different from home, so alien.

It was strange to think that we were part of the Imperium now. Up until a few months ago, we had been alone, starving. Our harvest had failed, and all of our neighbours had refused to help. Millions should have died. But they didn't. The Imperium gave us a helping hand, averting the disaster. They were fixing everything, no longer would we have to scavenge for food or resources, they would be provided. All they asked is that we became like them and fit into their society. Pity not everyone felt the same way as I did; I looked forward to it. At school I had been learning about all the new things that would be coming to Etiene. But I would be the first to see it up close. My friends had been so jealous when I told them where I was going, I would be getting a head start on them all. The holotheatre was going to open after dinner, I couldn't wait.

Hundreds of passengers were in the restaurant deck with us. People from all over the universe I assumed, sure looked like it. An alien lizard was sat by a table near us. Dark green scales covered every part of his body, what I could see of it anyway. It had a full set of claws on each hand, they looked as sharp as a sand leaper's fangs as they scraped menacingly across the table. The large horn sticking out of its head threatened to gouge anyone who passed by. I had no intention of going anywhere near it, feeling a sense of dread as I gazed. It could kill me so easily, a predator from the looks of it. The lizard wore a luxurious red robe, drooped over its taloned feet. It was with its kids I assumed; their forked tongues rapidly ate their prey. The grubs squirmed on the plates, frantically trying to escape their fate. But it was pointless, another was swallowed whole. Then another. I looked away, feeling my stomach turn in unease.

Robotic crab-like waiters scuttled across the room, one dropped off some fresh maggots for the lizards. They moved from table to table, cleaning and delivering food and drinks. Bursts of steam were expelled every so often from a small hole in their head. All the plates were piled high, the drinks full to the brim. Their gleaming metallic bodies reminded me of a pool of water. As I looked at one, I saw my own reflection. My hair was combed down (dad had insisted we look smart), but my braces ruined the look. They stood out so much, probably so primitive compared to what these aliens could do. I wore a dark blue suit and black shoes. Boring compared to most outfits the people here wore.

The silence was becoming a bit awkward with Dad. I'd break it if he wouldn't. I wasn't sitting in silence until the holotheatre opened. No chance.

'I've never seen so much food before. This place is amazing! What did you get, Dad?' I asked looking down at my wide crystal plate.

It was overflowing with colour; I had so many new foods to try. Grabbing my golden fork, I scooped up some gai berries, at least I think that's what they were called. They were tiny orange berries, about half the size of a grain of rice, with a single bright purple spot on the centre of them. As soon as they were placed into my mouth, I was overcome by their immense sweetness. I had never tasted anything like them before. I was so lucky to be here, while all my mates were stuck back home with their bland food, if they even had any. Next, I picked up what I assumed was the poea cake. It was dry and crumbly to the touch, a slight tinge of green, almost the shade of moss. I took a large bite, it reminded me of Etienian grass, just a little nuttier. During the famines, we lived off the stuff, so I was very familiar with the "unique" flavour. The cake wasn't really sweet, but it was so moreish. I ate some more without thinking, I couldn't help myself.

'Just some rice. Don't need all this fancy food. But I see you're embracing our new cuisine,' Dad said with a slight close-lipped smile.

'You're missing out, it's sooooo gud,' I said as I wolfed it down. Not caring what people thought of me stuffing my face.

What can I say, I was hungry? I'd managed to miss breakfast, Dad had tried to wake me up apparently, but I was snoring my head off. Maybe staying up all night wasn't a good idea. But there had been so many new books to read, all the books back home were so old, like everything on Etiene. I hadn't heard of a single one of these new authors. No idea what time I fell asleep, must have been late.