Moonlight Waltz

[Victor Steiner]

Orbital Spa & Cruise
Sigma -19, Luxury Liner Hawaii

The pride of Orbital Spa & Cruise Hawaii was a testament to the sheer amount of money poured into her, ensuring that she was not only a first class luxury cruise ship, but also one with a top-notch safety record. She had made the journey to and from the spectacular Sigma-19 system many times, her passengers being among some of the most wealthy and powerful people the Sirius sector had. One of the great watchwords of OS&C was discretion and Hawaii was no exception. As her passengers boarded, Edmund could not help but wonder how many deals, arrangements, crimes and settlements had been made aboard her with no one ever knowing what had transpired or where.
As the crew ensured everyone was settling in, Edmund couldn't help but sate his curiosity and take a wander along the corridors and hallways of the pride and joy of the OS&C fleet exploring what promised to be an exceptional experience. Her decks and public rooms were alive with excited chatter and laughter. Socialites from New York, Business magnates from Rheinland, Kusari Nobility, officers and men from the Gas Miners Guild, clearly enjoying some well earned (and expensive) leave and many, many others.

Orbital spa & cruise had spared no expense in kitting the Hawaii out with some of the finest public rooms to traverse the empty void. The crew proudly showed off the towering dining saloon with its fine columns and balcony above, the light and airy verandah room which served tea and refreshments, the raucous dance deck with the sprawling dance floor and ship-themed band stand. But perhaps the crowning glory was the First Class lounge.
Located nearly perfectly amidships on B-Deck, this magnificent room was as lofty as the dining saloon with carved panels brilliantly varnished along its walls, lavish sofas dotting the sumptuous carpets. An incredibly welcoming room that could be turned easily into a ballroom for a dance. Behind it was the smoking room, suitably masculine but forward of it were the library and reading and writing room, which was lighter than the lounge with fine white paneled walls and gorgeous curtains hugging windows that ran nearly the height of the entire deck. Here passengers could while away the hours reading or reporting home on. A cabinet at one end help an impressive array of books that could be loaned for the voyage. This was modern comfort at its very best and OS&C made sure to use the elegance and beauty of the ship to their fullest extent.

Edmund wandered through the various decks until he found the First class lounge and the sight of it took his breath away. The dazzling lights and decorations that were all expertly placed and crafted acted as a tidal wave of refreshing exhilaration. Far from Bretonia, the ship and her compliment did everything they could to ensure their passengers and guests felt that they were leaving their troubles a galaxy away. The first class lounge also had a band playing on their own bandstand at the front of the room, lively jazz music resounded throughout the room with many onlookers and admirers. The artistic display was so effective that he decided against his original plan to have dinner in his cabin and took at seat at a round table with a handful of other men, all strangers to one another, who were happily chatting among themselves as the first day of the cruise began.

Gentlemen...may I? Edmund asked, as he pulled the chair out from underneath the table, his Rheinlandic-Bretonian mixed accent surprising the man opposite.
Certainly, we'd be insulted if you didn't came the chipper reply from the man on the left, a libertonian if his accent was anything to go off. Charles Leroy He said, extending his hand.
James Ward. Said the man opposite Edmund, who likewise extended his hand after Edmund had finished shaking Leroy's.
The final man on the right gave a curt bow of his head Itō Sachio there was no handshake this time, although the others understood it to be a part of Kusari culture to bow, which they all awkwardly returned. Edmund Steiner, a pleasure to meet you gentlemen He said at last, introducing himself to the group.
A pleasure to meet you as well sir. Leroy replied Mister Sachio here has just been telling us about the Sigma region and route we'll be taking.
Oh? Are you a regular guest here sir? Edmund asked, curious at the mans line of work
Yes. Sometimes my work requires me to be aboard for business rather than pleasure however.
Edmund nodded in understanding Can I fix you a drink Steiner? James now said while he produced a cigarette case and opened it while waving over a server.
Please. If you don't mind my asking mister Sachio, what do you do for work?
Oh I am in tinned goods mister Steiner, I oversee much of the distribution of preserved food from Kusari for the Government. It isn't a glamourous job, but it is honourable.
And well paid! Leroy joked, to which the others laughed, Sachio nodding his head in agreement, a wide smile on his face.

The four men spent the rest of the evening getting to know one another and drinking. James was an executive from Deep Space Engineering who had come ostensibly on business but in reality he was 'taking the long way home'. Leroy was a software engineer for Ageria, a great lover of his work he had finally been ordered to take a break by his boss. As the evening wore on, they slowly began to retire to their cabins, each promising to seek the others out at daybreak. Finally, only Edmund sat at the table alone. He looked around at the other tables and noticed for the first time that the staff had diligently replaced all the dishes, glasses and cutlery. The music from the band still played, slowly, like a waltz. The saxophones and trumpets sang lowly and mellow tunes and he couldn't help but close his eyes to the music.

It was a strange feeling, to be in good company but also to be last one left. Whereas most would be glad and eager to see what the next day brought, Edmund couldn't help but feel empty. Like there wasn't anything here for him. James had a child on the way, Leroy just watched his graduate with a Masters. Sachio himself was a grandfather to three grandchildren. It was the one part of the conversation Edmund could not contribute to, he had his chance and refused to take it. Now and here, even while surrounded by nothing short of opulence, he felt desperately, painfully alone. Regret was the familiar caress he felt when he awoke, loneliness his companion. He knew the music the band was playing and quietly, without much else to do, he hummed along. At least for a moment, he felt as someone was coming to meet him. It wasn't a bad feeling.