The young deregger expatriate, somewhat reluctantly, but at Gorx's gentle insistence, schedules a few days off since Gorx is very safely at home for a few days to relax. He takes his mom out, she is also trying to wrap her head around this concept, and they truly enjoy their first taste of what people would call, "a vacation from work with pay."
@internutter/challenge-03047-h124-free-time -- DaniAndShali
Humans Jef and Bea were learning to adapt. Transiteer Gorx would be properly proud of them after the infectious panic died down. When a Human was scared, it was easy for a Havenworlder take their example to heart and feel similar terror. Gorx had to remind hirself that these Humans could be frightened for non-logical reasons.
For example, Human Bea was permanently afraid of being caught and of breaking things. She had approached Galactic technology with a long stick and a philosophy of animism that would make even the Nae'hyn[1] roll their eyes. Gorx had had to hold her hand through a large number of procedures on board hir vessel and now, on station.
Human Jef was merely jumpy around anyone in a security uniform. Ze was certain ze was breaking the law just by existing. Gorx had quietly made certain station security knew about these Rescue Humans on docking, lest they gain interest by acting guilty. The patrols that Jef startled at glanced once, consulted their eyescreens, and moved on. All was, however temporarily, well.
Today's excursion was somewhere green. As Dereggers, the Humans Jef and Bea were agog at anything that used chlorophyll. Including the very small plants that Gorx used as part of the air recycling system. Today, they were seeing a forest. Well. Sort of a forest. An artfully arranged arboretum of non-hostile plantlife[2] and nature-like winding pathways. There was even a gentle transition between station ceiling and the canopy above for those combating agoraphobia.
Gorx took the lead, amazed anew at the irony of a Havenworlder showing two Deathworlders that things were safe. Human Bea clung tight to Human Jef as they took their first, trembling steps into Forest Park.
"Narnia an' Oz," whispered Human Bea. "We ain't in Nukanzis any more."
"F'r sure, f'r reals," whispered Jef. "T'allmighty made some wonders."
Teaching these Humans to say, 'The Powers That Be' or, 'Powers' instead of naming their deity would have to wait for another day. This was a day of rest. Nevertheless, Gorx had to remind them, "You will find trees bearing fruit in the park. It is good manners to leave the fruits for those who have no other sources of food."
"What if'n we wanna try one?" asked Bea.
"For that, there are tasting vendors at select locations. I have maps in case you have mislaid yours."
Jef and Bea instantly showed their datareader vambraces, the one piece of Galactic tech they clung to like their new best friend. Each screen flickered into life with a foolproof map app as visitor default. Good. If they got separated, they would have help ready to hand.
Gorx took them the gentle way, helping them read some of the unfamiliar words on the informative placards. Watching hir Humans slowly uncurl from their cowering huddle and become just a little more confident of "the wilderness."
Gorx had planned the walk well, with Bea beginning to wonder which fruits were 'okay' just as they came across one of Forest Park's restaurants. Whereupon both ex-Dereggers asked, "Are we allowed to spend this Time of our'n here?"
"If you wish to do so," said Gorx. "What you spend your Time on is your choice. I am also willing to fund your feast, should you wish to save for other things."
Jef was gawking at the menu. "Everything's so cheap," ze whispered. "Ma, we could get us a mansion..."
"Let's just start with a house," said Bea. "I ain't in a mood t' clean no mansion." She consulted the menu through a translation on her datareader. "Oooh, but I am starting with this flame-grilled ko-bee steak they got here."
They ate like CEOs, giggling at the luxury of it.
Gorx didn't have the heart to tell them everything they were eating was molecularly printed.
[1] The Nae'hyn, famous for being the only people capable of making the gravity drive, hold a theism that machines gather personality. From personality, they gain souls... and so on. There is such a thing as taking it to extremes.
[2] So many people assume that plants are naturally passive. The manchineel and the gympie-gympie tree would like to correct them on that count.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / robynmac]
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