I managed to get a window seat to enjoy the view. As soon as we reached Hae men in port security barged in. They wore navy blue shirts with three white stripes on the collar and their short sleeves. Their pants had stripes that reflect even the dimmest light. I was in my disguise so they waved me off. I took a good look at my reflection. A girl with dark blue skin with lavender hair and violet eyes stared back at me. I happily walked out and reached the local hoverbus station. The locker was untouched thankfully. A flaky skinned Clip was seen walking with a communication device explaining that everything was normal for now. He is taller than me by a few inches. He curved horns on his head and his bulging muscles were clothed with bright orange skin with few red patches. I asked him nicely what was going on. The security mentioned that they are keeping an eye out for Umbra. A secret organization trying to create chaos. When one problem goes away another comes. They assumed the worst died with Nox but that was just the beginning. These people are dubbed imperialists. They believe democracy is a joke which proves that only particular groups must have every resource. The rest are beneath them and can live or die they have no issues. The governments everywhere were looking to fix the situation but so far those who support the Supreme Sovereign are hard at work.
I stood in line at the exit and I walked through a body scanner. They waved me off and I went to the bank to check my balance. The scanner didn't bother with my appearance it only checked my fingerprint. It matches so I was able to see how much was left and also withdraw some. I got out of the teller machine and saw a little girl had fallen to the floor. I used water manipulation and healed her. I stayed till she calmed down. The pavement had spilled milk all over. I took her to the grocery store and got her some more milk and a few other ingredients. I escorted her safely home. By home I meant a tent pitched in an alleyway. She sniffled and wiped her face before her mother took the items I had purchased. Both stared at me with gratitude. I simply bowed to show respect and gave her my money bag before I walked away. I walked to the nearest roadside eatery and had some food. It was delicious so I was about to have another when I saw a man on the other side. He looked like he hadn't eaten in days so I gave him my food and ordered another for me. I filled my canteen with water and walked away. I happily walked around taking a tour of the city. Then I boarded a hover cab to go back to the space port.
I hid the stones in my shoes and refused The scanner. They gave me a pat down and asked me to remove my shoes. I used earth manipulation to move the stones up my thigh before taking off my shoes. They stuck their hand in a few times before I got them back. As I went further the security checked my bag twice. I reached the information booth where a green feathered young man with a beak for a mouth was chewing on a dead worm as he was typing vigorously. I asked him which ship left for the resort space cruiser. He absentmindedly pointed behind a barge. After walking in circles I finally asked a security bot and he pointed towards a yacht painted with gold and purple. It was sleek with that front narrowing to a point as though it was trying to slice the air as it moved. Twin engines on either side as though boasting its speed limit. Human and other species wearing traditional outfits and matching tattoos ushered people to join. I happily walked over as one of the hosts mentioned that one passenger had decided to withdraw. They can't travel with one less passenger. I asked if I could join. They gave me the tablet and asked me to select the package and my bank before pressing my right thumb on the device. I did so and five hundred thousand Valutas were transferred immediately. They happily placed a necklace of flowers around my neck as I boarded the craft. After a few steps I was directed towards a corridor. There were no seats only capsules. I was directed towards one. There was a monitor on the ceiling and a few controls. The hostess pressed a button and I fell asleep as did the others. We woke up feeling refreshed. We got out in an orderly fashion and entered the resort cruiser. It looked like the cruise ships floating around in the oceans of Arcan except this one was floating in outer space.
A lovely lady in a flower print dress escorted me to my room. I sat down to meditate and I searched my bag and found a multi colored vials with the words inject me. There was a fun shaped syringe which I had used as a medic for disease inoculation. So I politely requested dinner in my room. The hostess politely explained that first time visitors are requested to join the festivities. I promised to do so and sent her out. I injected the substance one by one till the vials were all empty. I felt a chill as ice ran its course through my body. I got up and tried to find something suitable to wear. I called the front desk asking if I could go shopping and they sent a few sample outfits to my room. The multiple eyed, slimy skinned and tentacled being with a gargling tone happily showed off the dresses with a flair. I picked one and paid by tapping my finger. I was given a holographic map of this huge transport. The gray skinned tall Soibhan wished me a happy trip as she and her fellow waist length assistants walked out the door. I wore a loose fitted dark mahogany dress with lace sleeves. I asked for hair ornaments and a few stores sent images. I picked a few and transferred the money. They delivered it in half an hour. The saleswoman happily styled my hair and adorned one of the ornaments. I even purchased a few pairs of shoes. I stepped out and saw a few strangers who seemed out of place. Their coats had strange bulges in odd places. I simply called security and had them handle it. I got downstairs to enjoy the festivities. There were people dressed in traditional outfits from at least eighteen systems. All were pleased to see us and were hoping that we all had a wonderful experience.
I was walking around when I heard a clicking sound and a growl. In my few hundred years of experience this sound only belonged to Mangalers. They are here to crash the party so I quietly walked towards the exit when one of the entertainers walked in and checked my fingerprints. He ushered me back in. Panicking I warned him about the intruders. He promised that they will be dealt with before he called security who moved at a decent speed. I sat down at the back and was told to go up front since I took a premium package. The host was introducing the many festivities. She was a beige skinned Borage with leaves for hair. Her voice sounded like a wind chime in a light breeze. Near her were men from the Everglades and everyone of them had tribal tattoos. They stood still like their purpose was to ensure her protection. A few tiny creatures flew up in the air and they appeared to be doing a head count. The next creatures to show up changed form. From gelatinous to rock formations to something else. The bot was zooming a few paces and stayed put as though they were here for our protection. The ceiling changed to show the different constellations and also the breathtaking view of different creatures who regularly commute the vast and expanding space. Their presence was soothing and inviting with a siren call of space travel.
Afterwards the holoprojector showed the tradition of one of the entertainers before men and women in beautifully elaborate and decently modest outfits came with trays of ice cold drinks before they came with trays of food. I was told this was the first of thirty courses. The first course was an array of fruits cut into various shapes. It was whimsical to look at. The next courses were stews from various systems. The portions were too small for my liking. A kind waitress mentioned that this was merely samples that we will be enjoying as this delightful trip progresses. The waiters came and laid out plates. Then came bread in different sizes and colors. I asked to have some of each as I would like to see which ones I would like more. The waiter was pleased with my adventurous palate. He told me that others are coming with trays brimming with cured meats. The one after will be grilled and then will be baked so the bread will come with each course. I took a small knotted brown bread, a red flat bread and a shiny round bun dripping with butter. He grinned at my choice. True to his words burly men walked with different types of cured meat. They sharpened knives and shaved off thin pieces from each and every one and arranged them on my plate. Some tasted briny, some tasted gamey and others were a taste I had never experienced in my life. They seemed amused by my delight. The next round was grilled meats with crisscross char marks. The next one was baked golden with a few dark spots and dripping with fat. Each course was amazing. And finally came the sweet course and I finally understood why the portion sizes were so tiny.
After dinner was over we were shown the variety of entertainment on board. Some were questionable for example the gambling and gentlemen's club. Then there are the ones I recommend in the sports section and theater. The opera house and cultural center. Also the health center with massage therapists, sauna and variety of healthy beverages. There was a workshop to educate people and a place for special needs citizens. Everywhere I looked transported me to a breathtaking location. One of the hostesses sweetly approached me with one question in mind. Am I a permanent guest of this resort or am I here just for the thirty days. I smiled, "I am here for thirty days and I am traveling to the Everglades." She smiled warmly as she directed me towards the elevators dedicated towards the suites. I requested to see the outside if we haven't gone to the upper atmosphere. She politely apologized as she showed me the cruiser was at a higher altitude. She promised me that the beaches will be accessible once the sunrises. A heavily tattooed elderly man asked if I was going to make myself at home and start doing any sort of illegal business. She smiled as she assured him that I am leaving for the Everglades.
He raised an eyebrow before he apologized and ushered me towards the elevators. I asked him if there were any sort of morning activities. He assured me that the activities are only set for dinner time except on weekends. Then it will be an all day activity. I asked if I could have some of the grilled meats for breakfast or if it was possible to have breakfast traditionally eaten by the lovely representatives of the various systems. I am here to broaden my horizon. He gave me an amused look before promising me a wonderful experience. We had walked towards the elevators when the doors opened with a ding and Mangalers ran out with plasma guns. They opened fire and I pulled the man out of the way. I raised my hand as I focused on the metal weapons. They melted and exposed a core that exploded with a small bang. Then I used hand to hand combat to take them down and asked for restraints. One of them threw a knife and the old man took it. The hostess screamed for a medic and I used water manipulation to heal his injuries. He was standing healthy and safe by the time the fur skinned Crayan arrived wearing sterilized white suits. He and the others were surprised and I asked them to keep this a secret. The hostess politely ushered me towards the elevators and I got in trying to figure out if I should run or stay. The elderly man stroked my hair as he promised to keep this incident a secret. I went to sleep and woke up the next day to see a young server with all sorts of geometric tattoos. He laid out a royalty equivalent of all sorts of delectables. He smiled, "Compliments from the cruiser." I bowed before I sat down to try one of each.