Meanwhile...
Naval Base Mokastana Northeast was still sending messages back and forth, noting the contents of the message sent by Iwo Jima, and especially who had sounded quite amused while sending it.
It was logged and would be sent to analysis later on, together with all the other electromagnetic and radiation data collected.
Then the message from the Duchess arrived. Reception was confirmed immediately, decryption did not take long as they had the keys. It said, that everything was alright and that they did not need to engage. The contents were confirmed, too.
A minute later, the radioman from before was on the horn again: "Iwo Jima, Naval Base Mokastana Northeast. We just received word from Marcella-Khana, that you are authorized to be here. Weather radar is picking up a bad weather front heading towards Aurora, it should give you maybe a brush as the current predictions say. Be advised, that the Royal Kyrenaian Navy will respond to any distress calls, so feel free to call for help if you need it. Naval Base Mokastana Northeast, out."
And with that, the matter was closed, left to be filed - or was it? It was worthy to note, that the officer on duty and his crew all got mail from the Sultana two weeks later, mail containing one set of an award known as the Naval Service Badge.
It was an award saying, that these were people, who did their duties dutifully.
Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
The receptionist at the Public Onsen was a professional worker here, telling us the rates and the modalities. It was an interesting building, designed around the geothermal hot spring in the center. It was vastly different from a Hammam not only in that aspect, but also that there was only one bath, only hot water, not warm and cold water as well.
It was an experience!
And it would be wonderful for the skin, too, for such springs usually had a lot of minerals in them...
That it was coed and that the bath offered little in the ways of privacy when undressing did not bother us too much. That was actually quite similar to a Hammam.
Fara paid with a ten Credit bill. "Two hours for two, please.", she said and after that formality was done, we entered.
Shedding clothes was easily done, we picked baskets as well - luckily, except for a small purse with a small few bank notes (my Princess was smarter then yours, Sarina!) and an ID-card, we didn't have any valuables on us. They were safely on the Nazim.
Except for the daggers, which both of us carried, but those went to where the purse was: Wrapped into the panties and roundabout into the middle of the stack.
They weren't even expensive blades.
And with that, we entered...
Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I giggled along - it might even be a romantic date, or at least could turn into one, but their enthusiasm was infectious.
When they left, I nodded. "See you two later, I'll stay for a few more minutes.", I told them with a smile.
As they were gone, I exhaled deeply. They sure were nice girls!
Shaved ice with them would be an awful lot of fun, but for now... I leaned back and allowed the hot water to melt the tensions in my body. The Magic of Hot Water, really!
Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, berth of the Harira.
We returned to the Harira before the rain hit and I stowed away my purchases before any could fall either. A water bowl for Aldhiyb had been my first priority, a kettle for me the third or fourth.
The lantern was hung up immediately in the little cabin. It would give light, in port and outside of it, as the boat gently and not-so-gently rocked.
I was unaware of my girlfriend preventing an international crisis.
And just as I put the tea into the now-hot water, I heard Aldhiyb barking. It was not an aggressive barking, "Get out of my territory!", he was a growler and snarler anyway, but it was a happy barking. And that usually meant, that there was someone, who he recognized.
The list, here in the UIS, was rather short, but...
I poked my head out and there she stood.
I knew, that she had tried to come here as soon as she could, her duties came first, but that was immaterial. There she stood.
The most beautiful woman in the world - not only by her looks, but by her mind and soul and... I was dumbstruck for a few long moments. No bodyguards would be present, except Aldhiyb, who was now, that he had alerted me of the visitor, panting happily. I did not avert my eyes from Marcella as I gave him a quick pat on the head, then...
...I stepped out into the open.
"Hello, Marcella.", I said and tears welled up in my eyes. These two words could barely contain the happiness I felt upon seeing her, the love I held for her, the pure and raw emotion I tried to contain in my heart...
I loved this woman with all my heart and no bomb, no traditionalist, no Old Dreadnought, nothing would be able to change that!
