Aristian Holiday

As they landed near the boarding gate Riki became visibly nervous. He had never traveled in space, much less boarded a passenger liner such as the Ios, brother to the Erphanes named after the fated lovers. They would board a shuttle which would take them to the orbiting space station Lunier. From there they would board the Ios Celestial Liner, one of only two such liners with the capacity for up to 2,000 passengers with a crew compliment of 500 staff and employees. More of a flying city than a cruise liner consisting of a pavilion full of shops, a huge open air food court, theatres, arcades and several night clubs. There was also a VIP section for traveling Dignitaries, and the Elite Class.

Iason took notice of Riki’s nervousness pulling him close to him by his wrist chain. “Are you so afraid Riki? Don’t be, I fly all the time, there is nothing to fear I assure you”.

Riki looked like a puppy with its tail between his legs being led to a bath; he trembled as he sat next to Iason peering out the window.

“I’ve never been in a shuttle like this, it’s really huge! I don’t know whether to be excited or scared shitless”.

Iason gave him a stern look, “Riki, I’ll remind you that while in public you must address me as Master, and act appropriately; there will be hundreds of passengers, and many dignitaries, so do your best to not disobey me.”

Riki sighed but nodded quietly. Riki didn’t even complain about being led in chains, as much as Iason knew he despised them, but he was so excited about the trip, he didn’t mind them so much this time. Iason then smiled, he was enjoying Riki’s many facial expressions which went from one of fear, to excitement and wonder. Seeing his pet act like a child holding his cloak as they boarded the shuttle made him realize this trip was going to be one of discovery for both Master and pet as Iason would get to see the universe through the eyes of a novice.

As the shuttle began to depart from the station, Riki looked at Iason “Whoa! We’re off! How long will this trip be Ia…erm.…Master?”

Iason gave him a pointed look “Hush pet, from Amoi to Lunier will take approximately an hour, and then we’ll board the Ios and depart approximately one hour after all have boarded. Our trip to Aristia will take approximately three weeks, a bit longer depending on how many stops we make, so I suppose we may be in space travel for at the most 4 weeks. I’ve looked at the scheduled stops, so I don’t foresee too many delays”.

Riki looked at him wide-eyed “Four weeks?! That long?” Riki had no idea the trip took so long. What will he do with all that time he wondered? And then it dawn on him, Four weeks of him being led around …in chains? Riki felt a bit pissed about being in chains for so long, but by now knew there would be no negotiating with Iason; especially in public.

Iason once again notice his pet’s sudden change of expression, one he had not seen in the weeks that led to their trip. But one he knew quite well…one of defiance.

“What is it pet, why the long face?” Riki was feeling a bit grumpy now, but didn’t want to get himself into trouble before the trip even began, so he changed his grumpy expression to a more appealing one, not wanting Iason to punish him or to be scolded in public, so he just shrugged his shoulders.

Iason, guessing Riki’s thoughts explained “This trip will be trying at times for you love, but I assure you, once we’re in our private suite, it will be as we are at home. When in public however, I will expect you to act accordingly, so please try and remember that alright? This is a luxury liner; there are plenty of things to do as the Ios is pretty much a flying city. There are many sites to see, shops, dining and entertainment venues. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to venture out on your own; though of course you will have two bodyguards with you at all time, so mind me Riki, especially with regards to security”.

Riki sighed, but as the Ios came to view, his expression was one of awe. The remainder of the shuttle ride Riki gazed down on the planet, seeing Amoi from space reminded him of the paintings in the museum he and Iason viewed together once. Now the surface of the Amoi became a patchwork of colors. Riki looked at the stars now visible once they began their approached to the Lunier Space Station. As the shuttle docked, Iason glanced at Riki now noticing that he looked a bit flushed.

“Are you feeling well? You seem a bit pale”. Iason removed one of his gloves and felt Riki’s forehead now becoming a bit alarmed

“Riki, you feel warm, why didn’t you speak up earlier?”

Riki looked away “I didn’t want to miss the trip Master, I’m ok, really. I’m just really nervous about the whole trip; it’s just butterflies in my stomach that’s all.”

“Hmmm, be that as it may, I should turn you over my knee for keeping this from me. We’ll have to visit the Medical Center after we board and have you taken care of.”

A bit panicked Riki looked at Iason “I’m really fine Ia-… Master, I just get a little motion sickness, I’ve never traveled this far and I’ve never been in space, honest, it’s just butterflies, I’ll be ok.”

Riki tried really hard to convince Iason he was alright, but Iason was not fooled, Riki didn’t like all the inoculations he had to take in the weeks prior to their trip having never traveled in space he would be exposed to many different people and species. Iason did not want him to contract any weird bugs while they traveled abroad. Of course Riki was miserable the whole time complaining of the slight side-effects having never been inoculated before, but when Katze and Daryl were inoculated he felt better being able to commiserate with them both. Katze was equally pissed about the shots feeling very much like a pin cushion but put on a brave front for Daryl, who although didn’t need many inoculations himself, was quite miserable as he and Katze were still recovering from their restoration.

“Once we have you looked at, you can rest in our suite until your equilibrium balances out for space travel, I’m sure you will feel more like yourself in no time”. Iason smiled as he traced his finger down Riki’s cheek.

Once on board, Iason, made for their suite immediately using the private elevators set apart for Dignitaries and the Elite. Iason did not want to attract any more attention than he had already, for once other passengers noticed him and the security detail, onlookers began to mob him and Dignitaries tried to get his attention. Odi and Ayuda looked at each other knowingly. Yes, this was going to be a logistical nightmare for them; Iason was just too important, crowd control will be difficult, considering the elusive Blondie rarely ventured out; that he would choose to travel in a civilian passenger liner such as the Ios, made the whole event seem like a festival of sorts, especially with all the Dignitaries already on board. Once in their suite, Iason chose to have medical personnel treat Riki there instead of the Medical Center, fearing being mobbed by onlookers and Elite-alike.

Riki was resting in the master bedroom with a cold compress on his forehead, feeling miserable and dizzy. He really didn’t feel well and silently cursed the pilot of the shuttle for every twist and turn he felt were probably unnecessary at least in his opinion; and guessed he did all that as part of the whole “adventure package” for the cruise. For a while he thought he was going to hurl his breakfast onto Iason’s cloak when they exited the shuttle, grateful for the cool breeze being pumped in by the air processors at the space station.

Iason entered the master bedroom accompanied by a medical team who examined Riki thoroughly noting his elevated temperature. A blood profile was conducted along with a medical history. The lead medic addressed Iason.

“Lord Mink, your pet has an elevated temperature and it seems he is suffering from a moderate case of motion sickness. I presume he has never traveled off-world?”

Iason looking a bit worried now said “No, he has never traveled off-world, and was recently vaccinated to travel abroad”.

The medic nodded, “Yes that would explain the rise in temperature, being that his body has yet to fully process some of those inoculations. I don’t foresee any complications, however, I would recommend that you keep him separated from the general population for at least two more days, his blood profile shows no significant virus exposure so he has not contracted anything between the shuttle trip off Amoi or while boarding the Ios, so he’ll be good to go in a couple of days."

Riki suddenly cursed “Bloody Hell!” as one of the medics gave him a shot in each arm.

“We’ve given him an injection for the fever, and one for motion sickness, since you will be on board for at least 3 weeks is it?”

Iason looked at Riki as he rubbed his arms “Yes, is that all?”

“Yes Lord Mink, your pet should feel better soon, rest is best recommended and this will allow his equilibrium to adjust”.

The medical team excused themselves and exited the suite. They whispered amongst themselves, having heard Lord Mink was a passenger, and couldn’t believe they were the lucky ones to tend to his equally famous pet. They were awestruck when seeing the famous Head of the Syndicate in person admiring his stunning looks, grace and poise. They couldn’t wait to brag about it back at the Medical Center.

On the other hand, Riki was not so happy about the visit by the medical team. Having to endure two more shots while feeling the room spin around him, the miserable little pet moaned quietly. Iason returned to the master bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed pressing a cool compress to his forehead.

“How do you feel love?” Iason gently smiled at his miserable pet.

“Fucking shoot me now! I can’t believe I got two more shots! I hate those damn things!” He rubbed his arms again groaning.

“Well, you should feel better soon” Iason kissed his forehead. “Just rest for now love”.

Iason began to rise off the bed when Riki held on to his cloak. “Iason, don’t leave…can you stay a while?”

Iason gave him a gentle smile “Of course love, I’ll stay. Are you afraid?”

Riki felt some relief from the motion sickness as the mild sedative he was given had relaxed him a bit.

“Yeah, I guess knowing I’m surrounded by cold space has an unsettling effect, I mean, our lives depend on the machine we’re in right? My life in Midas was one of a free spirit in control of my environment, aware of my surroundings, knowing where the sun rose and set everyday.”

Intrigued by Riki’s observations, Iason listened patiently “I see your point, after all we are all fish living in a pond. While space may be intimidating even some fish adapt and evolve to breathe air”. Riki became a bit confused; the sedative was winning the battle as Riki fought to stay awake.

“Now my love rest, I’ll be here next to you”. Iason lay next to him taking Riki into his arms cradling him for some time. He placed soft kisses on his forehead, noting his temperature was still high.

Riki began to mumble incoherently “Iason! Iason where are you?! I can’t see you…where did you go?!”

Iason now began to worry; it had been a long time since Riki had nightmares.

“Hush love, I’m right here…holding you…Shhh…I’m here”. Perhaps it was all the trauma and excitement of the day Iason reasoned.

“Don’t leave me alone…” Riki whispered, finally fast asleep; Iason thought of taking a quick peek into Riki’s mind, however, changed his mind fearing it may tax Riki, impeding his recovery; instead choosing to stroke his hair as he held him.

Toma appeared at the door whispering “Master, is there anything I can get for you?”

“Yes, some wine please, and make sure we’re not disturbed”.

“Yes Sir, I’ll return shortly”. Toma glanced at Riki lying in Iason’s arms; seeing the love Iason had for Riki brought a smile to his face.

*~*~*

As the Mink household began to set up house in the VIP suite, Odi and the bodyguards also set up their perimeter. Odi and Ayuda were worried that scenes such as the one they experienced when Iason boarded the ship was just a preview of what they would have to endure the remainder of their trip to Amoi.

“What a fiasco that was!”

Odi grumbled as he and Ayuda were having a cup of coffee in the kitchenette as Tai was busy preparing dinner for everyone. They were grateful that Iason was placed in such a suite. It had all the comforts of home and the best part, was that it was heavily guarded and inaccessible to all but authorized personnel. Having Tai along for the trip would decrease the chance of Iason being harmed or poisoned, but privately all were glad for Tai’s great culinary gifts.

“So, with Iason and Riki safely in the master bedroom for a while, this will give us a chance to re-evaluate our security. We have the Bio-Droids all programmed for Iason and Riki, so they will be shadowed at all times. Askel and Freyn will stand guard at the entrance to the suite, with the Amoian Guards placed at the elevators and stairwells. Whenever Iason ventures out, we will have one security team go with him along with you and his Bio-Droids. I will remain with Riki’s security team”.

Ayuda rolled his eyes, “I hope Riki behaves, we have much more serious issues to worry about without having to keep the little brat out of trouble”.

Tai, who had been listening to them while peeling potatoes interrupted “Now, now, Riki has been on his best behavior for a while now, I’m sure he is more scared of venturing out alone than if he were back at home. Besides, he’s never traveled in space, and I know he was really frightened on the shuttle, he will be on his guard for a while; at least until he feels better”. Tai winked at them.

They all were worried when Riki fell ill so early into their journey. “He’s not the only one; I’ve never enjoyed long voyages in space, especially in such a cruise liner like the Ios. Iason would probably have been more at ease if we would have gone in a chartered flight”. Ayuda sighed; he had a knot in the pit of his stomach. He had this ominous feeling hanging over his head; an unsettled part of his brain nagged at him.