Flight of O'ahu - Part 1

Posted on 18 Oct 2017 @ 11:36am by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn

3,661 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Akkadia
Timeline: MD 45 - 1000 hours

ON:

Alohiai approched the door to the rooms that the odd bluish man had been given. She was curious about the aliens, as most were as few got to interact with any of them. The main port area was normally forbidden to most Akkadians. This was an especial honour though and to one whose rank within the House was of only middle stature.

She rapped on the ornate carved door and waited for a response.

Tris thought he heard a knock, but wasn't certain. The crashing surf upon the rocks and the wind created much distracting noises. He turned to look back inside his room. They had provided him with a lavish and ornate accommodation. Something he had only scene in Vids before. He wasn't sure if he could actually stay here like this much longer. In the middle of the night he had laid a blanket on the padded floor, so that he could get a better rest, than on 'that' pillow of a bed.

Alohiahi entered slowly not knowing if he was dressed or not or what state he was in. "Sir?" she said moving into the main room. It seemed odd a little, that a man would be such high status, but again aliens did things she imagined quite different than what she was used to. The Mother had told her to treat the man as though he was almost a mother in his own right.

Tris watched the Akkadian as she entered. She seemed timit, yet calm. Maybe a little uncertain, he guessed.

She spotted him by the balcony that looked out over the sea.

The Andorian, dressed in his Starfleet uniform, stepped back into his room, stopping several paces from her. She was one of the Akkadians. He thought he recognized her from yesterday, but wasn't sure. They all dressed so much alike, yet all so differently too.

She made a deep dip and said, "I am Alohiai. The Mother has asked if you would be so good to attend with her this morning. She has sent me to fetch you."

He nodded his head once in respect to her and replied, "Yes, of course." He then quickly added, "And good morning." He extended a hand toward the door, "Please, lead on."

Alohiai made a small dip and turned to head toward the Mother's rooms. A spiral ramp made its way up toward the top. She got to a double highly engraved panel door and knocked lightly.

"Enter," Allyndra's voice could be heard.

The servant opened the door and made a deep curtsy. "Mother, as you requested."

"Thank you Alohiai, you are dismissed." Allyndra nodded and the servant straightened and turned and left closing the door.

Tris' head turned following her departure. When the door closed he turned back to the Commander, "Good Morning Commander."

Standing next to Allyndra was a tall woman dressed much less formally. In fact, compared to most of the people in the house she was downright casual. She wore leggings and a sort of jacket all made from a leather looking material.

"Mister Shizn, hope all is well and you have not died of boredom yet. This is Alekelia illm A'lani. She is one of our sky ship captains. I thought perhaps you might want to take a trip on one of those. Floating ships made from wood and sailed from island to island."

Tris had no knowledge of their specific sky vessel, but had of other ships that floated in the atmosphere of other M Class planets. His antennae rose in curiosity and replied, "I would be most pleased to the experience on such a vessel. And . . learn of its method of operation." He smiled graciously and nodded to Captain.

"Well then," Alekelia said and took the few paces over, "you are more than welcome. It you don't mind, we should head on out while we can catch the wind. Land is just a bit cooler than the ocean still and breeze flows out, but it won't last much longer." She turned her head and said, "with permission Mother."

Allyndra only nodded in assent and waved a hand, "Go have some fun."

Tris found it slightly odd how the Commander just seemed to shoo him and Alekelia out of the room like they were young children. What was even more odd was that he was not offended by it. He chuckled to himself slightly. He quickly replied respectfully, yet with a bit of jest, "Thank you . . 'Mother'." The Andorian then looked to his guide.

"So..." Alekelia said already indicating the door with her chin. "What may I call you and feel free to ask anything."

The two began to walk toward the door indicated and the Andorian replied, "Please call me Tris." As they walked through the door he added, "I'm sure I will have a multitude of questions for you by the end of the day." He smiled slyly. There was something different about this Akkadian, Tris sensed. He wasn't quite sure yet what it was, but he felt more comfortable with her than other strangers that he had met over the years. He felt this day was going to be quite fulfilling.

---

[O'ahu]

Alekelia lead the way and took short cuts to get to the field where the sky ships were tethered. She pointed to one, the wood all gleaming and polished, not really quite a torpedo shape and with spars all over the top and sides to stretch sails.

"That is the O'hau, it means cloud. She is not one of your star ships and probably primitive as heck compared to them, but she is mine. The only stars that she will ever see is on clear night before ring rise. In fact, that is probably the most either of us will ever see...." Alekelia sounded pensive. "You have gotten to see the stars haven't you?"

Tris had followed the young Akkadian through the city and were finally approaching their 'Sky Ships'. He was rather perplexed by her using the words about not seeing the stars. By her question, Shizn wondered if Alekelia had never been into space to see the stars of the galaxy in their full glory. He tried to be considerate and replied simply, "Yes. I have seen the stars, . . many times."

Tris had seen the ship in the distance, but now he stopped about 100 meters from the O'ahu to take in its size and . . well the best word he could think of was majestic. It was difficult for his Andorian mind to comprehend what was before him. It wasn't just a bulk of metal as most flying vessels. This was a ship of wood and character, with details in every corner he looked. The sheet sails were folded allowing him to see most of the structure. And this was just the outside. With awe Tris spoke, "This vessel is truly . . inspiring," as he looked up at its totality.

"She is that. Each crew, embellishes a little each time. Generations have made their mark. I will show you more, but if you do not mind sir, if we do not depart soon we will loose the favourable winds."

Tris smiled slightly replying with indulgence, "Yes, of course."

Alekelia turned and lead the blue man on. She shouted orders as she went and beings could be seen suddenly leaping into action. She headed up a ramp and through a large corridor toward the front which was glassed. A mostly infertile male crew with a few gals manned the stations. Alekelia waved Tris over and said, "Off we go. Inside," she jerked a thumb over her shoulder, "is lifting gas. Once we are far enough the outer crew will unfurl the sails and if we have not lost the off shore breeze should be on our way. It must seem primitive to someone like you."

Tris listened intently to all that Alekalia said to the crew and then to him. The Andorian replied, "Yes, primitive." He stated the words, but just agreeing with her. He certainly didn't want her to think he looked down upon this lower form of techknowledgy. He quickly added with excitement, "Lifting gas, providing an over all negative density to the vessel, in comparison to greater external density counteracting the specific gravity and therefore providing . . . lift." He looked to her with a smile across his face which also revealed in his eyes.

Alekelia smiled and nodded. "Once we are up and on the breeze sir, if you wish, you may take the wheel," she pointed toward what appeared like an old sailing ship's wheel. "The Mother said you are a pilot," she tapped the wood and continued, "she won't respond quite like one of your ships, but then she is like a living thing. She will let you know when she is happy and when she is not, she will moan and creak or sing and thrum."

Tris followed her gaze and gesture to a large wooden wheel that did not touch the floor, but moved freely in the air. It was attached at its axis and had several concentric circles of wood with spiral bracing and extensions or sticks extending out from the outermost ring. He watched the pilot of the O'ahu, who seemed to use the extensions as handles. The wheel was almost as large as the pilot.

Tris wondered what they called these different parts. He almost forgot to respond due to his intent watching of the different mechanisms here in the Bridge. "Um, pilot, yes." He looked directly at the Captain with excitement in his voice, "This truly is amazing. I have read and studied about such craft, but nothing of this caliber and so . . so . . Antediluvian." After a second pause he added, "Oh, and I mean that in a positive way. I hope there is time for me to see all the control surfaces and how you manipulate them."

"Antediluvian? Is that a place?" Alekelia asked.

Tris smiled at her question, his antennae narrowed toward her, "Ah, no. I just meant to describe your vessel as antique and elaborate and fascinating, all wrapped up in one word."

"I am not sure I quite understand but then again, just a skyship captain not some vessel that can sail amoung the stars." Alekelia shook her head.

---

The ship got off the ground and turned with the breeze behind her and then the sails opened up. Surprisingly the ship moved quicker then she looked and soon out over the ocean. Alkelia then beckoned the blue man over to the wheel. "Come then, if you wish, keep her nose pointed on this course here," she tapped an instrument almost like an old compass. "But feel free to turn a bit to get the feel of her."

Tris stepped up next to the wheel. He had watched where she had held it, and he gently took hold of the handles at the edge of the wheel. He felt slight tremors in the wood. He glanced at the course for reference, but then looked out upon the cloud filled sky that the ship floated toward.

Tris felt the wheel try to move, turning to port. He was the course was now off and he correlated in his mind the cause and effect of the situation. He rotated the wheel slightly to starboard, holding it there as he watched the pointer of the course slowly respond. When the ship was back on course, her rotated the wheel slightly back to port. He Andorian then took in a deep breath and let it out. He wasn't sure, but he may have been holding his breathe during all of that.

"Excellent," Alekelia responded. "Just listen to her, feel the movements. We should have good enough weather this time of year. Of course if you want to wander the decks feel free. You are an honoured guest here." Alekelia leaned close and said quietly, "Fair warning, some of ladies of the crew might be a bit...aggressive. You are exotic as heck, and unlike most of the Houses we are not bound so much by all that pomp. They will honour your wishes since they will know I will pull wings and toss the lot off." She laughed suddenly. "All except me of course!"

The Andorian looked to her a bit confused by her explanation. He thought she was referring to 'personal relations', but wasn't sure. "I think we can look at the other parts in a bit." He signed and turned back forward out the viewport. "I think I'd like to 'pilot' this craft for a little longer."

"As you wish, you are the guest here by request of the Mother of Warraquim," Alekelia replied. "House A'lani is important enough, but not what Warraquim is. Without the later we would have no ship like this." She waved her hand.

Tris didn't quite understand the meaning and importance of her explanation, but was slowly beginning to understand that the Commander was truly much more important than was commonly known. He thought that he could learn more by some indirect answers from time to time.

Focusing now on the ship more Ens. Shizn asked, "How is acceleration and altitude adjusted?"

"Gas is pumped in and out of the bags. That will take us up or down. More or less sail will make us go slower or faster as well as finding the best altitude with favourable winds. We are making good time."

Tris found this information to he helpful, but was still uncertain on a couple levels. He asked, "Do you have telemetry that helps you . . well, the pilot, identify where these better currents are located?"

"Of course we do!" Alekelia laughed and then tapped her head. "One learns, one starts out as apprentice and as one learns the way of the currents and the way of the ship you get a 'feel' for everything."

Tris thought he understood what she was saying, but would actually prefer to look upon some data providing specific details.

She nodded her chin, "Close your eyes, now just let the ship talk to you. You will feel the creaks, the tension in her timbers through your feet. Like a lover, let her speak to you, show you what she likes and does not like."

Tris followed her guidance, closing his eyes while still holding 'the wheel'. He began to focus his mind, listening to every sound, feeling the vibrations of the planks beneath his feet, and his antennae moved about in a slow rythmic fashion gathering compression forces from all angles. He then angled the ship to port and increased velocity by opened sail.

The vessel accelerated forward as it caught the force of the wind current. After a moment the Andorian trimmed the sail slightly, not wanting to exceed his control.

"Slow down sir," Alekelia remarked but it was gentle. "We are doing fine time, but well done. If you were not male, you could become a fine skyship captain."

Tris smiled and pleased that he was doing so well this being his the first time, but then frowned slightly as he considered a part of her statement; If you were not male. The Andorian realized that there was some prejudice or inequality here. Definitely not something he should argue about, but to certainly be aware and be cautious.

The Andorian smiled to Alekelia and simply replied, "Thank you." Turning back to the O'ahu's controls, Tris trimmed the sails a little more, allowing the ship to gradually reduce speed.

After a few moments Tris felt presures coming from the forward starboard side, his antennae angling that way. He judged this to be 70 degrees, so he took that feeling of information as a gust and spun the wheel one full half turn, bringing the bow into the gust and trimming the sails back even more. He felt this more advantageous than being buffered from the side.

Alekelia shouted a few commands in Akkadian and the crew went to work. She turned back to Tris and said, "Not all is automatic, it still takes a crew to help on some of the main sails. So, how do you you like our....what did you call it anti diluvean or something craft?"

The Andorian felt the pressure upon the ship ease. This allowed him to relax and turn slightly toward Alekelia, "It's a wonderful vessel, amazingly agile for its size." He thought for a moment and added, "I truly envy your position here."

Alekelia made a small dip. "Thank you sir. Now then, perhaps some refreshment? We could take in the view from the open deck if you wish. You could observe our approach to the island as well from there."

Tris stepped back to the side, keeping one hand on 'the wheel' to allow someone to step up. He replied, "That would be a marvelous idea. We could talk about the powering mechanisms, before seeing them later?" The last was a hopeful question, which he left her with a smile.

Alekelia said several things in Akkadian and one of the crew came over to take the wheel and others headed off in a hurry. "Follow me then," she said and turned and headed down the corridor and then up several stair cases of wood from one deck to another until emerging on the vessels top surface. A fairly broad flat expanse of wood with railings. The sails were toward the aft and leaving the middle and front clear.

Tris had a slight feeling of relief when one of the crew took over. As he followed Alekelia through the ship, he wondered if he had been tense while he was piloting and not even realized it. The Andorian glanced right and left constantly as they made their way. He further marveled at the elegance of the ship; its intricate wood carving, its high polished finish, and yet is of a conservative nature.

Alekelia made her way along the deck which was surprisingly stable. Already at the front a heavy table had been set up and crew where preparing two chairs and settings as they approached. When she got to the table she waved at the food. "Various fruits that I have been told my the Mother of Warraquim that should be fine for one such as yourself. That pitcher is Blood Flower juice, sweet perhaps too much and there is a lightly fermented drink made from seeds we call pia'lu. If I have it right not far off from what off worlders call beer. Of course there is just water as well. Be seated, and enjoy." She waited for him to take his seat.

Tris found that the food laid out before him could be described as 'quite opulent', but he certainly was not going to criticize. He knew that he was being treated like 'royalty' at the moment and should 'fulfill' that role in the appropriate way. After sitting down he began to look closely and examine the different foods prepared for them, placing four different things on his plate. He then realized that he was quite parched. He wondered if it was just psychological, from looking at all the foods. After taking a long drink of water he picked up a piece of red fruit and took a bite. "Mmmm", he expressed his enjoyment, setting the remainder of the sweet yet tangy fruit onto his plate. The Blood Flower juice caught his eye and he lifted the glass and brought it to his lips, but then hesitated, looking to his host. He spoke cautiously, "Now, . . you will tell me if during our meal . . if I do something that offends, please tell me immediately, so that I may stop."

"Well unless you are going to mash everything into your mouth at once or throw things everything should be good. If you are expecting the formality of a Great House we are free from such things and even there, for banqueting they are not so nuanced like a lot of other things." Alekelia took a cup and poured some juice for herself and then leaned back on the chair just a bit. "To easy voyage," she toasted and then set the cup back down. "Oh I almost forgot...." she reached into a pocket of the leather like vest jacket she wore. She pulled a piece of paper and handed it over. "I am to give you this. It is a voucher for the weavers. Warraquim Mother Named it seems has arranged for you get a some small item of Trellium silk of your choosing."

Tris extended his hand and accepted the paper. He examined it carefully as he sipped on the Blood Flower." He had to pull the glass away after the third sip and said, " Hmm, its like it became sweeter and sweeter with each sip. Very unusual." Setting the glass down, he looked again at the slip.

"Is there something wrong?" Alekelia asked.

He looked from the slip to Alekelia, "Will you be taking me by this 'weaver' ?"

"Of course, I will show you the stalls of the public market. My second knows what to do and get the craft unloaded and reloaded." She thought for a second. "Are you familiar with our single export?"

The Andorian honestly shook his head and replied, "No. What do you export?" He tried the Blood Flower again, but this time it was less sweet, Very interesting, he thought.

"Trellium silk. It is made from the silk of Trellium spiders. A colony is only active once every twelve years and then only for a short time before they hibernate again. The silk, it catches the light and self refracts it such that makes rainbows as the material moves." She laughed, "Easier to show you then to explain it.

TBC:

Alekelia illm A'lani
Captain of the O'hau
NPC Allyndra illm Warraquim

Ensign Tris Shizn
Pilot - Runner

 

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