Page 13 of Experimental Voyage
“Much like a cat, we had to trim your claws and teach you not to bite,” my mother stated. “How are you liking space so far?”
“They have customizable quarters.”
“Do be mindful of my daughter and her ways,” my mother said, and her attention turned to something she could see but I could not. I assumed she had several screens on the table to get a better view of the spaceship. “From the moment she realized the stars were reachable destinations, she has always looked towards the sky. She planned her schooling, from the age of six, to be able to discover what was beyond our world.”
“That’s young,” Herserael noted, and his emerald crest rose. “At what age did the education system of your world begin encouraging space travel?”
“It doesn’t. She asked of her own volition after a trip to the spaceport. They receive a course near the end of standardizededucation regarding basic space travel for those who do decide to go off world, but it isn’t typically encouraged. Wedohave exploratory programs, like the classes she took until the crash, but it’s intended to cultivate our planet versus engaging in actual exploration.”
I should have known my mother had looked closely into my education. “The coursework is designed to encourage us to go out and find compatible life forms for our world that’ll solve some problem within a localized ecosystem. Space travel is required for such things.”
“The general expectation is that she would return to our world after a few years of gathering specimens for compatibility studies elsewhere. We do have a rather robust zoo.”
Our world had an entire continent dedicated to a menagerie of different species from elsewhere, involving explorers collecting plants and animals from another world and creating an entire ecosystem dedicated to their study. “Our zoology program is quite interesting. I’m still not sure it’s a great idea; if the species escape, it could create significant problems for our ecosystem.” I shrugged, as my opinion had meant little to my teachers, and I’d gotten more than a few flags for my inclination to question the status quo. “Mom, I’ve determined we should stock Veloc on our planet.”
She raised a brow while my father snorted, coughed, and struggled in vain to mask his snickers. “Why do you say that?”
“This one can cook, the bold can pet them, and they’re excellent entertainment.”
“As I’ve reviewed our planet’s guidelines for species introductions, you cannot create a catch and release program for any sentients, including any Veloc,” she scolded. “Do try to be serious.”
Herserael whistled his amusement. “Mosthomo sapiens Schwanado not tolerate the presence of my people well, young Camellia. Your innate xenodiversity rating is unusually high.”
“Please tell me you didn’t try to pet your host,” my mother muttered.
“I did not try. I successfully petted my host,” I admitted. “It’s not my fault. I’m not responsible for what my hands do when I’m drugged and a feathered sentient puts his face in range of my hands.”
“Truth be told, I was doing some maintenance nearby when she emerged from sedation. It was a known and accepted risk. Of course, I expected her to hit me rather than pet me. It is part of our xenodiversity evaluations. It does change our general plan, however. We had intended to evaluate more of the unusual branches ofhomo sapiensand their worlds first, but we might begin with one of our worlds instead.”
“How long do you anticipate this experimental voyage to take?” my father asked. “While her school has been accommodating, they won’t hold her place forever.”
The Veloc tilted his head to the side, and his crest raised a little taller, displaying his baubles and feathers in their full glory. “It will be at least three or four of your yearly cycles, perhaps longer. Her education is our responsibility, and by the time she does return, she will have surpassed educational offerings from this world, I’m sure. We will address all licensing and certification issues, including her piloting license should she decide to accept education from young Waldren here.”
I could only assume my parents locked on to the man, as their gaze shifted to a different display I couldn’t see. My father’s eyes narrowed with interest. “You’re the pilot?”
“Yes, sir,” Waldren replied. “When my sister and I were adopted into the Emerald Crests, I was given a variety of education options. I wanted to fly, so they found instructors forme. When my sister decided to wed her suitor, I was given this ship. I’ve been flying her with Palta ever since.”
“And you can teach my daughter how to fly?”
“I’m qualified and licensed as an instructor, yes. I’m not a top-tier instructor, but I’m solid on the base level education, and should she pass my base criteria, she’ll be ready to test for her entry level license. I’m working towards my advanced training certification now.”
“I see. Well, Waldren, I trust you will do your best to keep her safe during her education.”
Something about my father’s tone implied he would teach the man the true meaning of fear if things did not work out as planned. “Dad,” I complained.
“I am just stating that I will give even Veloc a reason to worry should he do something reckless with you.”
I crossed my arms. “All you’re going to do is encourage them. I’ve only had a few hours of generalized exposure to them, and I’ve already learned you’ve just issued them a challenge to do reckless things with me. Why? So they can find out what you’ll do. They do not need any additional encouragement. I’m already encouraging them sufficiently.”
“She’s probably right,” my mother stated, and she elbowed my father. “She doesn’t need any additional encouragement. She’s already venturing off into space as it is. Sure, it’s as a test subject, but at least she’s a willing test subject.”
I foresaw many years of my parents addressing me as a test subject, something I didn’t mind, as I’d cracked similar jokes before the crash. “It also gets me into space years ahead of schedule. I’ve been promised as much education as I want, Mom.”
My mother snorted and shook her head. “Are you even planning on visiting us with that on the table?”
“Whenever I realistically can,” I promised.
Herserael hooted, and his crest smoothed down. “It’s only four gate hops to here—longer than most voyages, but it’s a total round trip time of a month. It’s a two week space voyage between one of the gates; otherwise, they are close to each other. It can be done in a week with certain ships.”
