Shipping Mishaps Chapter 14

Geo was dreaming of wedding bells as her alarm went off. Tomorrow was the big day, and nothing was ready. Decorations had arrived yesterday while she was exercising. The caterers and brew-masters were due this afternoon, and the florist would be on their heels. Good lord, this was a horrid thing. “Campy? Remind me never to get married, or if I do decide to get married, that I should elope.” she said, yawning.

*-*-*

Campy had used bots to clean out a pair of fighter bays for the occasion, one for the wedding and reception, the other for “Valet Parking”. The janitorial staff, now with real equipment, was putting the finishing touches on the parking area.

“Hey Spidey, do you think we’ll be invited to the wedding?” Squiddy asked.

“We are on the list.” Spidey responded.

“How the 7 would you know that?” Asked Hansert.

“I saw the list; and don't use that kind of language here, we don't want to jinx the occasion.” Spidey chided the other former pirate.

“Fine.” Hansert replied. “So who else is on the list?”

Spidey sighed, then responded, “I can't say. The boss asked me for some information about placement of the dining area, and the guest list was on the tablet on her desk. I got a quick glance, but didn't see too many names.”

Shaking his head while putting the final touches on a corner, Hansert asked, “How do you know it was actually 'US' on the list?”

Finally getting annoyed, spidey snarked, “Because, unlike some people I could name, 'I' can read.”

“Piss off. The AI is helping me to learn. Apparently I'm 'dis-lex-ik', so I have trouble recognizing words.” Hansert retorted, temper starting to flare.

“Oh, OK. I’m sorry. You know what? I'm proud of you for getting that taken care of. This whole 'healthcare for all' thing is weird. Remember when I got shot last year? I had to pay that street doc so much money! And he was in network!” Spidey exclaimed.

“Did you ever finish paying him off?” Squiddy asked with much interest.

“...um...no?” Spidy admitted.

“I... Well crap. You are so dead.” Hansert quietly said.

*-*-*

“Alright everyone, let's get this practice underway!” Geo said loudly from the podium on the small stage. “So I stand up here, the marines form two ranks at attention, you guys walk in together between the ranks; Bop'rik, upon reaching the stage you 'cut' Kiki's dad with your ceremonial sword, then you both climb the steps.” She looked at the small crowd surrounding the stage, “Then I pronounce you wife and husband. Did I miss anything?”

Kiki's father, D'than piped up, “No, that's correct. Bop'rik, try not to give me a scar? I only just finished getting the one Kiki gave me decorated properly.” Everyone laughed.

“If you say so, sir. I think a matching one on the other arm would do wonders for your prospects.” Bop'rik answered.

Banter done, the group formed up, and the practice was repeated several times.

“OK, now that that's done, on to something that back home we call 'the grooms dinner'.” Geo said, signaling Campy to have the caterers bring in the meal.

The caterers charged in, setting up tables in a large U shape. Cloths were draped, flowers arranged, plates and sundries placed, all in less than .

“Alright everyone! Find your name placard and sit down. The food will be brought out to you in a few minutes.” Geo half yelled over the confused noise from her 'guests'.

D'than looked at the feast coming from the temporary kitchen and felt his stomachs drop, this is too much! I can't afford to pay for all of this! What in the 17 is this girl trying to do? Is she trying to bankrupt me? “Well, quite the feast you have assembled, Admiral Geo.”

“I think so too. And don't worry your pretty little head, I already paid for the whole event. It’s my wedding gift to the happy couple!” Geo responded with a smile.

The shocked silence from around the gathering lasted for a few seconds before Geo broke out in a nervous laugh. “What? Don't people gift food at weddings out here? My grandma's on both sides, all the way back, would murder me if I didn't provide for 'MY' people. Seriously, they would skin me alive!”

Everyone stared at her.

“Did I just put my foot in it again?” Geo asked, looking worried.

Kiki finally broke the silence, responding “Not exactly? In our culture, only family gifts food. And then, only if the gift giver is... How to say this... Only if the giver is willing to claim the couple as their own? As their offspring?”

“Oh. OK. Well, since I found out that all of my family is dead, I have started to think of this ship as home, and of my crew as my family, so I guess I'm fine with that.” Geo said, giving a sad smile. She stood up, raised her cup of udfle juice (a citrus fruit that tasted of lemons and sweet grapes) and said, “I hereby claim this couple as a part of MY extended family.” She looked over at D'than, “And if you think you are escaping your duties to the couple because of this, we will have words.”

D'than, a little tear of pride running down his face, just nodded.

*-*-*

Later that evening while lying in bed, Geo looked up at the ceiling, “Campy? What the hell did I just get myself into?”

“Well, you have just legally accepted Kiki and Bop'rik as your next of kin. It is not unheard of in Brnul society for a poor relative to be adopted in such a way by a more affluent family. However, it IS unheard of for a non Brnul to do such a thing. I have been going over local records, and such a thing has NEVER happened before. Congratulations on being the first?”

In a very quiet voice Geo said, “oh crap.”

*-*-*

Wedding guests had started arriving five hours early. Children were running EVERYWHERE. Geo was already at her wits end. The caterers were arguing with the florist, the decorators were arguing with both of them. The ship was in an uproar, and Geo was in the middle of it.

“A pleasure to meet you, Governor Vesbrfmnujo. I hope you enjoy today.” She shook the offered appendage.

“A pleasure to meet you as well, Admiral Geo.” The governor replied, and moved off towards the snack tables.

“Quite a spread you have prepared.” A slightly rumpled looking Lsvrt Ethui in a system defense dress uniform said.

“Ah, Colonel Rrmuli! I'm so glad you could make it!” Geo said, silently thanking Campy for the information being fed into her new earbud.

“If you have a moment later, I would like to talk to you about pirates.” Rrmuli said.

“But of course! I would be glad to.”

“Wonderful.” The Colonel wandered off to rub shoulders with others of his acquaintance.

After several hours of “polite” greetings, Geo began to wonder if inviting every important person in the system had been a good idea. I thought they would just send gifts, or politely decline. I didn't expect them to ALL RSVP. Idiot. At least I only have an hour left.

*-*-*

until the ceremony was to begin. Geo was dressed in her new “Dress Uniform” (literally a dress made in the style of a scout uniform), hair done up in a bun, slight makeup used to accent her eyes, and a “ceremonial” sword on her left hip. She checked herself in the mirror one final time, and walked out to the podium. She looked out over the crowd of crew members, dignitaries, and family of the couple, and smiled. At least this will be interesting. She thought to herself while glancing at the watch Campy had made for her.

“Gentle beings, If I may have your attention?” Geo said into the microphone, the crowd quieting almost immediately. “Thank you. Now before the ceremony begins, I have a few announcements to make. First, I would like to personally welcome you to the Nautilus! Second, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for coming to our little celebration. Third, do not stray from this area. Fourth, if you need assistance of any sort, don't hesitate to ask. And last, but not least, please enjoy yourselves!”

Before the silence could erupt into applause, the sound of steel boots marching on deck plates was heard from the guest entrance. Geo looked up from her notes on the podium and smiled. “Better late than never, Grand Admiral Czuoi-xp. Glad that you could make it!”

Gasps of shock and surprise echoed through the bay, as whispers of “THE Grand Admiral is here?!?”

“It took longer than anticipated to park.” Was Czuoi-xp's response.

*-*-*

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The banquet and open bar were the talk of the evening. Ordering food from the best restaurant, and drinks from the best brewpub was a good idea, Geo thought to herself while mingling with the guests. Thus far she had evaded several “lucrative” deals, a smuggling contract, and three marriage proposals. I am getting so tired of this party. What did I get myself into?

“Admiral Geo?”

The question brought Geo out of her thoughts. She looked around, seeing Colonel Rrmuli, the cop. “Yes Colonel, what can I do for you?”

“Three of your crew seem to be pirates. Please explain yourself.” Colonel Rrmuli said.

“That is an easy one. I told them that they could either work off their debt to society by working with me, OR I could turn them in to the authorities. They chose to work for me.” Geo replied.

“Did you get a court to sign off on this little penal system of yours?” Colonel Rrmuli asked.

“Maybe?” Geo raised her voice a bit, “Grand Admiral Czuoi-xp, were you able to acquire what I asked about?”

Czuoi-xp excused himself from a conversation with the planetary governor and walked over, “Thanks for that. He is a complete ass kisser.”

“Were you able to acquire them?” Geo asked, starting to feel a bit worried.

“Yes, yes I did.” Czuoi-xp removed a data crystal from his shirt pocket and handed it to Geo. “It's all done; after thirty years of service while confined to the ship, they will be free beings, with all the rights and duties of every other citizen.”

“Thank you Grand Admiral!” Geo said, throwing her arms around him in a bear hug.

“Well, that is a bit frightening. The last time I saw you doing something like that, you were trying to rip the brides ear off with your teeth.” Czuoi-xp said dryly, his overly decorated tail lashing in amusement.

Geo sheepishly released the Grand Admiral, turned to Colonel Rrmuli and said “Here is the paperwork you are questioning.” She held out her hand.

Colonel Rrmuli shuddered, he knew when he was beaten. “I will take your word for it, Admiral Geo. Thank you for such a wonderful party.” He bowed, and retreated.

“I, for one, am very glad that you could make it today. I was worried that my invitation would end up in the trash.” Geo said, looking at the Grand Admiral.

“Oh no. I wouldn't miss this,” he waived his hand at the bay, “for anything. Do you know the last time I got an actual invitation for something that wasn't an 'Official' diplomatic function? Let alone a wedding for a service-being? It's been decades. Almost five of them.” He gave a look of longing. “I miss this. Thank you for the invitation.”

*-*-*

At 2200 hours ship time Geo realised she had made a large mistake. Family groups with children were being escorted to bunk rooms. Stepping away from the group at large she queried Campy, “Um, I may have miscalculated things a bit. Back home, people leave the party at the end of the evening. What is happening?”

“Ah, I see your mistake. No, here it is custom that the host care for the guests for up to three days after the party. Long enough for the happy couple to have a respite, and cons---”

“Yeah, no. Don't want to think about furries doing stuff.” Geo sighed, “Do we have enough prepared rooms?”

“We do indeed. The cleaning crew you hired has been doing excellent work. At present there are enough clean quarters of appropriate sizes to house the guests twice over.” Campy replied. “You may want to give them a merit based raise.”

“I will try to remember that. Keep the bulkheads closed to the dangerous areas, OK?”

“But of course. I don't want an infestation of children.”

*-*-*

Three and a half days of tours, demonstrations, and games later, the party was over. Geo sighed a big sigh of relief. Maybe no theme park after all…