Imperial Voyage

Part 2

'I'm sure it is. But you better eat all that food you got on your plate, Lucas. I don't want anything wasted.' He looked me directly in the eyes, holding the stare until I looked away.

I nodded. 'Alright Dad, I'll make sure there isn't anything left. How's the rice?' I grinned cheekily.

'Lovely,' he swallowed down a spoonful and grimaced. 'So much flavour.'

'Yeah, I can imagine plain boiled rice is very flavourful.' I joked, smirking like a poolac. As we ate, I could smelt so many new scents I didn't recognise. It was so exotic.

A sweet melody began to play in the background, it made me want to go back to bed. At a nearby table, I noticed a large rock alien slurping molten gold from a massive stone bowl. It was covered in various gems, bright blue sapphires and blood red diamonds. Its rocky hands grasped the bowl as it brought it to its craggy lips. It blew away the rising smoke and took a big gulp of the shimmering gold, sighing in contentment. I caught myself staring as it caught my gaze and glared.

'How dare you stare at my magnificence! You apes are all the same, too stupid to learn your place. Avert your gaze or I'll have you thrown in the brig', it shouted across the room, its stony eyebrows raised in fury.

I sat there, sweat dripping down my back. I didn't know what to say or do. I looked pleadingly at Dad. He stood up and turned slowly to the rock being. 'It's his first time in public, it's all a bit much for him. Please forgive him, your excellency,' Dad pleaded as he bowed slowly.

There was silence for a few moments as the rock rubbed its chin. I glued my eyes to the floor, not daring to look up.

'I shall allow it, this once... however, if it happens again, I will ensure he is punished.' The rock alien nodded and went back to drinking its gold.

I turned back to Dad; he sat down and continued to slowly eat his rice.

'Thank you, but I don't understand what just happened. Who is he?' I asked as I slowly moved my eyes off from the floor.

'He is a Rokaca, I thought you had been taught how to act at school. I specifically requested that you had inter-species etiquette training. It's something you need to learn if you're going to live with me on the capital,' he said, forcing a strained smile.

'Yax coffee please, no poca milk.' Dad ordered as one of the robot crabs passed by.

'I learned a little at school, but there was way too much to remember. So, there is a hierarchy, right? Where are we compared to the Rokaca?' I asked.

'Right at the bottom. All the new races start there. The Rokaca are one of the founding races, they're near the top. In the future, make sure you don't stare at anyone; I know this is all new to you, but we have to learn their customs. We can't stand out here,' Dad said as he reached for his tea.

I smiled. 'I know Dad, I'll get used to it all ... just need some time, that's all.'

As we spoke, the urge to look around began to build. I noticed a squid-like being playing a strange instrument, its tentacles dangled across the tender strings as each note was hit perfectly. I felt myself becoming entranced by the music, only to be torn away as someone laughed behind us. I looked back; some children were throwing food at each other. I couldn't help but smile, they looked so happy. Not a care in the world.

Dad scowled. 'They're so wasteful; they don't understand the value of food at all. They just play with it, like it's a toy.'

I shrugged. 'They're not like us, they've got everything they could ever want. It's all they know,' I said as I shovelled food into my mouth, my taste buds exploding with each bite.

'That's no excuse. If I did that when I was their age. I'd be belted to within an inch of my life. Your grandad would make sure I never did it again. Food is precious. Things can go wrong; any farmer would tell you that.' His nostrils flared as he pushed his tea to one side.

'I guess.' I looked out of the massive windows next to us. We passed a burning comet, its bright trail leaving a persistent stain on the blackness. Stars twinkled at every spot my gaze shifted to. What would my friends say if they could see all of this? It was hard to believe that somewhere out there was our old farm. It seemed like it was from another person's life, not mine.