| Chapter 13 Nick stared at the map in front of him, "Mardica?" Ana shook her head, "No, this is Mardica, this is Novaduel." Nick sighed in frustration, "I'm never gonna get this." "You will, we just have to work on it some more," she said, going over to a cabinet and pulling out a little machine. "Maybe this will help," she said, setting it on the table and turning it on. Suddenly a hologram appeared in front of him. He was looking at a mountain region. "This is Mardica, our second largest province," Ana narrated, "It contains our mountainous region. There are four major cities, with smaller ones scattered throughout the mountains." The hologram changed to a beautiful city. "Gold Creek is the capital of Mardica. There are around two million inhabitants, not counting the smaller cities on the outskirts," she went on. "Damn," Nick said, utterly fascinated with the architecture and how everything looked brand new, even though it was ages old. "Name the other cities," Ana prompted. "Um, White Cap," Nick said, as he said it the hologram changed to picture that city, "Nile's Pass and Tumacer?" Ana smiled, "See this isn't that hard." Nick laughed, "Geography isn't my strong point. I'm gonna screw this up." "You'll do fine, besides I'll be with you for a while after we land," she encouraged. "You will?" Nick asked, surprised and hopeful at the same time. "Yes, the royal family asked me to stay on and continue your lessons once we reach Celeste. They know you feel more comfortable speaking English, and I'm one of the few that speak it fluently enough to teach you," she explained. "Oh, I did notice the guards couldn't understand me. I didn't realize that none of you could," he said. "We learn it as children, but it's like most things. If you don't use it, you lose it. Some may be able to pick up a word here and there, but not enough to really understand you," she said. "Then how come you can speak it so well?" Nick asked. "I was chosen to be an ambassador to Earth when I was younger. Whenever a need arises for us to go there, I go along as a representative for our planet. Although, lately there's been no reason to go, except to look for you," she said. "Why not?" he asked. "We aren't sure. We monitor all their communications, but something hasn't been right for a couple of years now. We were never on what you would call friendly terms, but we could tolerate each other. But recently it seems we can't do that anymore either. Our intelligence division has been looking into it, but I think they're ready to cut ties with us altogether. Kinda like, they got what they want from us, now go away, type of attitude," she said. "Would that be a bad thing? Cutting ties?" Nick asked, surprising even himself with the question. "Depends on who you ask," she said, "Some of the royal family would like nothing more than for them to drop out of existence, but others want to keep the communication open." "Like who?" Nick asked. "Your uncle for one," she said. "Uncle?" Nick asked. Ana punched a few buttons on the hologram machine and suddenly a man was standing in front of Nick. He was tall and very muscled. He had the same light brown hair and crystal blue eyes that everyone else had, but bore a scar on his left cheek. "This is Count Mason DeGrafe, your uncle and the King's brother. He rules Novaduel," she said. "Wait, isn't the palace in Novaduel?" Nick asked. "Yes, but each province is ruled by a Count. The Count's make up the royal council to the King," she answered. "Oh OK," he said, "So why's he so gun ho on earth?" "That's the million dofe question," she said. Nick looked confused, "Dofe?" Ana thought for a moment, "Um like your dollar. Its our currency." "Ohh, OK," he said. "Now back to the lesson," Ana urged, "Name the cities in Aqualystine." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A.J. dragged into the cafeteria. He was exhausted, dirty, and starving. He didn't care if he did have to eat the same old crappy food, he was hungry enough to enjoy it. He grabbed a tray and slid through the line. The place was almost empty, only the kitchen workers and some of the maintenance crew remained. Everyone else had eaten and gone already. "J, over here!" Howie called. A.J. walked across the room and sat down with him and Kevin. "So how was your first day?" Kevin asked. A.J. shook his head, "God man, I'll never take maid service for granted again." "That good huh?" Howie laughed. "I don't understand what women do in a bathroom to get it that nasty. I thought guys were suppose to be the nasty ones," A.J. said. "Well, at least you don't see this stuff before it's cooked," Howie said, "I don't think God himself could turn this into something edible." A.J. laughed, "So where's Bri?" "Dunno, haven't seen him yet," Kevin said. "I bet he's having a great time working on those transports," Howie said, "He always had this desire to work on stuff." Kevin looked over, "He did?" "Yeah, told me a long time ago that he found it interesting to take things apart and see what made them run," Howie answered. "You sure that was Brian? I thought that was Nick," A.J. said. "Pretty sure," Howie said, "Although .... hell I dunno. Those two were always doing stuff together, maybe it was Nick." The three got quiet for a moment. "Kev, you think Bri is OK? I mean they were so close and all," Howie said. "I'm sure he's worried, but he seems OK," Kevin answered. A.J. looked towards the door as several men walked in. "Oh my God," he said, laughing. Kevin and Howie turned to look. Brian came in last, covered from head to toe in black grease. The only thing visible on his face were his eyes through the black mess. Brian bypassed the food and came over, plopping down next to A.J. "What the hell happened to you?" he asked. "Initiation, I think," he replied, "One minute I'm standing under a transport holding an oil pan, the next I'm swimming in the stuff." A.J. grinned, "Yup, I'm really glad we didn't switch." Brian laughed, "Yeah, I bet you are. So what's for supper?" "Only God knows," Kevin said. Brian looked at it for a moment, "Um I'm not sure even He knows." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick wondered the halls of the ship. Ana had left about an hour ago, and he was bored. He started off with the guards, but lost them. Lane could teach them a few things about not getting dumped, he thought. His only problem now was that he was completely lost. He kept thinking that he would run into someone, but he didn't. It seemed as if the entire ship was deserted. He had gone down a few levels, then back up, but now he wasn't sure if he needed to go back down, or up to get back to his quarters. "Damn it," he muttered, running into another dead end, "Do you know what it feels like to be a rat in a maze? Yes I think I do," he laughed. He came to a corner and stopped. He felt someone close, just around the corner. He heard crying, and realized it was a child. He rounded the corner to see the little girl that he had given the flower to earlier in the day. He peered down the hall, wondering where her mother was. Maybe she was lost too? He carefully walked up beside her and sat down, "What's wrong little one?" The child looked up at him, her iridescent tears sliding down her cheeks, "Everyone made fun of me." "Why?" Nick asked. "They said I made up the story of you giving me the flower. I thought they were my friends, but they didn't believe me," she cried. Nick opened his arms and the little girl climbed into his lap. He gently rocked her as she cried into his shirt, "You know what? Sometimes friends make fun of you because they love you. My best friends in the whole universe always made fun of me. I knew they loved me though, and that was kinda their way of telling me." She looked up at him, "That's a stupid way to tell someone you love them." Nick laughed, "Yeah it is, but sometimes it's easier to make fun than to really say what's in your heart." Nick held the child as she cried. After a few moments she settled down. It still fascinated Nick that such intelligent speech was coming from a three year old. Nick patted her back, "Where are your friends now?" "Everyone is eating," she replied. "So that's where everyone is," Nick said, "I hate to admit it, but I'm lost. Can you take me where everyone is?" The little girl nodded. Nick stood up, still holding her, "Point the way. Oh and this way your friends will see that you told the truth." The child smiled, staring at his eyes. "Why aren't you like us?" she asked. Out of the mouths of babes. Nick laughed, "I don't know. I guess God decided to make me different." The child looked at him in awe, "You know God?!" He shook his head, "Not personally no." "Oh," she said, sounding disappointed. The child lead him down hall after hall, finally reaching the door to where everyone was suppose to be. Nick waved his wrist over the sensor and the door slid open. He stepped inside and took in the scene. Families were seated together, laughing and talking. The room was bigger than the docking bay he'd been in earlier, and filled to the brim with people. The aroma of the food made his stomach growl. "This is where you eat?" he asked the girl. She nodded, "Everyone eats here .... but you." Nick let that sink in for a moment. Somehow being a royal had it's own limitations. Why was it so bad for him to mingle with those of the lower classes? He didn't know, and he didn't care. "Where's your mommy?" he asked. The child scanned the room, pointing, "There." Nick followed her gaze and found the woman he'd seen earlier at a table with an older child and a man, presumably her husband. He headed that way, still carrying the little girl. As he walked through the room, he noticed all conversation had stopped. He didn't want to look behind him, because he knew what he'd see. He glanced, yup, everyone on their knees. That was another thing he didn't care for, and would never get used to. He walked up to the table and smiled, "Hi again, you can get up." The woman and man stood up, looking at him in awe. Nick felt embarrassed, although he wasn't sure why. "Mommy, can the Prince stay for supper?" the little girl asked, happy to still be in Nick's arms with no plans to leave. "Krista, I'm sure the Prince has other things to do," the mother said. "Um, actually I don't," Nick said, "Would it be alright if I stayed?" "Please mommy???" Krista begged. The man stepped up. Nick noticed the healing gash on his cheek and recognized him as one of the men that he fought with in the hotel. "We would be honored if you sat at our table your highness," he said. Nick smiled at him, as the mother took the child from his arms, "Thanks, and I'm sorry about that," he said, gesturing to the man's cheek. The man smiled, "It's a badge of honor. Who else can say the Prince gave him a scar?" Nick laughed, sitting down with them. Then he remembered the rest of the room. "Please, everyone stand up. Don't let me interrupt your meals," he called. An excited buzz went through the room as people got up and sat back down at their tables. Nick knew all eyes were on him. He was used to being the center of attention, just not in this way. He and the soldier struck up a conversation, and before long were comfortable with each other. Nick was sure to include the man's wife and children in the topic of conversation, not wanting anyone to feel left out. They ate, and got to know each other, as much as a soldier can get to know a Prince. "So you guys always bring your families with you?" Nick asked. "Yes, on long trips we do," the soldier answered. "Isn't it dangerous? I mean aren't you afraid they could get hurt?" he asked. The man smiled, "We haven't met a world yet we couldn't handle." Nick laughed, "I see." "Please, tell us about earth," the older child asked. Nick smiled, "Earth is wonderful. There are lots of different places, and different people. It's interesting to go to the next city and see what the people and the land is like. I miss it, a lot." Nick looked down at his hands for a moment, then back up to the family, "Well I should go, let you guys get on with your dinner." "You are welcome to stay," the man said, seeing the sadness in Nick's eyes. "No, thank you. I just remembered that I do have something that I need to do," he said, standing up. He sighed as he walked over to Krista, "Now don't let your friends tease you anymore, OK?" She nodded, reaching up and hugging him. Nick returned the hug, and turned to leave. "Oh, can you tell me how to get back to my room?" he asked sheepishly, "It's a big ship, and I haven't learned where everything is yet." The man smiled and gave him directions. Nick thanked him once more and quickly left the room. He made it as far as the elevator before he felt the tears on his cheeks. He punched the button for his level and looked up at the ceiling, "I just want to go home." Chapter 14 |