Back and Forth

© 2019 by Walter Reimer




“ . . . I think we were all pretty surprised, lir demef. Captain Kwinton went and talked to the Transcosm representative as soon as he hit the surface, and he came back shaking his head. That night, he called us all together and told us what was going on.

Transcosm’s a small company, but Imperial Chartering started contracting with them. They want an optimal return on investment, so they’re upgrading all of Transcosm’s ships and facilities. Mikhal told us that the Kiss Me in the Dark was going to get a new artigrav network, along with a complete overhaul of the engines and life-support systems. (We were due for one anyway.) We all got a bonus for coming in on schedule despite the maintenance issues, and we’re still getting paid despite the fact the ship’s in dock.

My mothers and father were happy to let me stay with them, and I’ve had some time to run a few tests on the game. We missed a clue in the Cathedral of Lust, I think. There was an inscription in gold winding around a pillar, telling us to “Look for tears amid great joy.” Maybe we need to look for a festival?

Fuji headed for the hills when some of the crew went planetside, so I expect he’s worshiping. I’ve rarely met such a dedicated Gaiaist, and he always seems to be reading the news when he’s not busy.

I miss you.

Love, Meredith

Transmission Ends

352499TRW1011



*********



TRANSLATION (84% certainty)

Imperial Civil Communications Network

Classification: Y

FROM: Varan g’Raf

TO: Meredith d’Estcourt

Meredith,

You [perhaps-will/conjugate] expect to see that. Imperial [Charters] and the others are all looking to make a profit, so they will [step in? intrude?] in order to make sure they make a profit.

I saw the inscription after you [indicated] it to me, and I think I have found what we are searching for. Look for a town called High Risk Falls. There appears to be something going on there, as the villagers treated me with suspicion. I may be [paranoid?], but it seems worth looking at.

Kiran has gotten his Duty Officer certification, and has requested a transfer to another ship. I will miss him, but not as much as I miss you.

Love you
Varan


*********


(Headers and footers redacted)

Varan,

I’m sorry to hear about Kiran, but I wish him the best of luck. He was a good friend to you, and I know that you have friends aboard the Kith. I hope you’re doing all right.

I think I’ve figured out what’s going on in High Risk Falls. It’s a charisma thing; we have to make friends by doing things to help them. Otherwise we’ll get attacked. I found that out twice so far.

Have you heard anything from home?

Love you, Meredith


*********


Meredith,

You didn’t take too much damage, did you? The game attachment you embedded showed you bleeding. I took your advice, and have so far rescued two feral juvenile felines and healed a young child. It seems to be working. More villagers are smiling at me than they are frowning.

My sister and her [husband] are doing well. I am to be an aunt once more at the end of this year.

Love you,
Varan


*********


Varan,

How wonderful! I am so happy for you and your family. The next time we meet at Downtime Station, you must help me select a gift to send them. Please?

Speaking of the next time we meet, I am happy to tell you that the ship’s been recertified as spaceworthy. Our first run will be to Downtime in another eight days, to make sure that everything is working well before we take another long trip.

Love, Meredith