Kieran's cabin alarm rang loudly and insistently, waking him from a deep, log-like sleep. The startling noise seemed to be a sign of the end of the world. With a low curse, he got up and staggered over to the "fresher unit." Kieran discovered that nothing was as pleasant or revitalizing as a conventional water shower, even when sonic cleaners and other techniques provided more water efficiency. He came out fifteen minutes later, rested and alert.
Kieran wore his go-to off-duty outfit, which consisted of a lightweight utility vest, sturdy cargo pants, and a basic t-shirt. He proceeded to the ship's command center, the bridge, and checked the main instruments once more. Except for the low power cell readings, which he would fix when he docked at Ry'tar in less than an hour, all systems were operating normally. It took two more minutes to quickly examine the secondary systems. The communications panel flickered to life just as he turned aside, maybe to find something to read. He moved to the console, turned on the receiver, and spoke into the microphone.
"This is Kyara, the House Ravy ship. Name yourself.
Yan silently exhaled a sigh of relief down on the planet's surface. It was their first try. "Yan of House Zantara, requesting permission to speak with the commander regarding passage."
"State your request."
According to our information, you may be traveling to Celyra Prime for the Sylis Cup competition. Is this accurate?
Kieran's irritation flickered. He wanted his movements to remain secret. "I'm going to Celyra Prime. What do you need?
"We seek passage for two individuals – myself and my sister – along with a minimal amount of personal gear, primarily weapons and armor."
Leaning back in his command chair, Kieran thought. Normally he liked to be alone, but the reference to 'weapons and armor' implied other gladiators. Being professional appeared to be the right thing to do.
Yan became nervous when there was a brief pause on the communication connection. "Uh... Kyara, are you still receiving?"
"Yes. Permission to pass is granted. Give your complete identification.
Yan Zantara and Nayla Zantara, my sister. We battle in arenas. Nayla is a human-feline hybrid, while I am a human.
"Nayla Zantara..." The registered name. It had been mentioned in gladiatorial circles, Kieran remembered. "Recognized. Recharge bay five now. Prepare all of your equipment and be ready to depart in 45 standard minutes. Soon after, we leave.
"Zantara copies," In forty-five, bay five. Kyara, thank you. Zantara is out. The channel abruptly stopped working.
Yan smiled in awe of their good fortune. Their first contact had been more cooperative than he had anticipated. Forty-five minutes... He rushed to locate Nayla. When he rushed in, he discovered her back in their makeshift quarters, carefully cleaning her tail. As he walked in, she raised her head. "Well?"
Yan smiled. "You gave us a lift! The first time! ship with the name Kyara. In roughly forty minutes, the commander will be waiting for us at recharge bay five.
"Who is in charge? registration of ships?"
"Belongs to Ravy House. failed to provide a first name.
Nayla scowled thoughtfully, "Ravy..." "Why does that sound familiar?"
"Remember the big manufacturer of armor and weapons? upscale items. Although I'm not convinced, I believe they may have created the covert material for your bodysuit.
"You think they made the fabric?" Although there was a trace of amusement on her lips, Nayla's eyes sharpened. Fantastic. If that's the case, your hitchhiking scam may have caused me to owe this House two favors now."
"Hey! I secured free entry to Celyra Prime for us, sis! Do not begin to gripe about how I allegedly complicate your life.
"Oh, I see. Do you want to go? With a lighthearted leap to her feet, Nayla challenged.
"Bring it on, cat-girl!"
Yan was easily knocked off his feet by Nayla's attack. So started one of their usual, largely innocuous bouts of sibling wrestling. A little rumpled but giggling, the two gathered their packed belongings and made their way to the docking bays about thirty minutes later. A few minutes ahead of schedule, they reached recharge bay five, just in time to witness the Kyara's last approach and landing. Every time he boarded a ship, Yan would routinely observe the landings; a seamless docking calmed his dormant anxiety about space travel. The pilot made an exceptionally flawless landing, but the Kyara entered the air a little quicker than Yan felt comfortable.
After a minute, their host was revealed when the main entry ramp descended. He was substantial, perhaps weighing well over two hundred pounds, and he was easily over six feet tall. He dressed simply and functionally. His gray eyes appeared to be emotionless, and his medium-length brown hair was well-groomed. His voice was a soothing baritone, and he spoke first. "Yan and Nayla Zantara?"
Yan gave a nod. That's who we are. This is Nayla, my sister, and my name is Yan.
"Kieran Ravy." He extended his hand to Yan and then to Nayla. They shook hands quickly and firmly. You are now able to board. I have to make arrangements with the port authority to replenish the power cell; I should return in fifteen minutes. The portside hull, located in the second and third doors down the main corridor, is where your designated cabins are located. Please do not enter the starboard hull, which has my personal quarters and engineering access, but feel free to settle in and explore that area. I will see you soon.
Yan and Nayla glanced at each other, a little surprised by their host's rapid efficiency. Nayla was the first to recover. She yelled after him, "Thank you!" but she was speaking to Kieran's retreating back as he strode with intentness to the dockmaster's office. He didn't look around. Uncertain of how to interpret their silent, commanding host, Yan and Nayla exchanged glances once more. With a shrug, Yan hefted his equipment and made his way into the portside hull up the ramp. Nayla did the same.
Their designated cabins were small but well furnished and well-equipped. Eager to explore their temporary abode and satiate their mutual, insatiable curiosity, they packed their equipment away as soon as possible. Yan cried out to Nayla abruptly after ten minutes of searching the portside hull's common rooms and hallways without discovering anything especially noteworthy.
"Nayla! Come on over! Hurry!"
Nayla ran over. "What is it?"
Yan was standing in front of a big, featureless door that was built into the bulkhead and was only distinguished by the little interface panel next to it. "Observe this signature on the access panel... Division of House Ravy SimTech... This looks like a personal simulator room to me! superior technology. Our host must have some really important contacts.
"Ah, admiring the simulator?" Kieran was lounging casually against the bulkhead of the passageway a little distance away when Yan and Nayla turned around.
"We were just... uh..." Yan stumbled. Kieran shook his head slightly and cut him off.
"Don't worry, you're not intruding." Yan and Nayla both appeared to relax. "Any interest in trying it out while the ship refuels?"
The unexpected offer caused twin sparks of excitement to ignite, and their eyes widened simultaneously. Kieran approached the interface panel that was next to the door. "Access code Ravy Delta Zero Five is the voice command. Launch the base program.
Without a sound, the door slid open to show an unending expanse of featureless, white light with no bounds. Kieran signaled the others to follow him as he strode into the white emptiness, onto what seemed to be nothing at all. After a moment's hesitation, they cautiously entered, glad to feel a firm, if imperceptible, floor beneath their feet. Kieran started to explain.
"The underlying rendering environment is this. You then give the simulation vocal commands. Start by selecting 'Render:' and then the landscape or scene of your choice. After the environment has been created, you can use 'Create:' to describe characters or objects to fill it up. You can do whatever you can think of with them, including directly interacting with them and animating them with commands. Every element, including lighting, character appearances, voices, and actions, may be finely controlled by the system. 'Save Program As:' allows you to save the current state as a custom program at any time. Simply mention 'Terminate Simulation' to end the simulation right now. Have fun.
With a rare, brief smile, he retreated outside, the door closing behind him. With a broad, rapacious grin on his face, Yan turned to confront Nayla. "Render: Luxury cantina, upscale decor, vibrant atmosphere, populated exclusively by attractive females of various species!" he ordered without hesitation.
As the picture materialized all around them—a busy, lavish cantina that was just what they had asked for—Yan looked over his handiwork with great pleasure and said to himself, "Now this is home." Putting on his most endearing smile and adjusting his tunic, he walked confidently into the crowd.
Unsurprised, Nayla rolled her eyes up toward the sky. Turning, she muttered something about "predictable idiots," and said, "Terminate Simulation." The white emptiness took the place of the cantina. Before the door closed, Yan was momentarily confused in the empty space as she stepped back out into the corridor.