Editing Story:ROAD TRIP! (Warhammer High)/Part Two (section)

===A Quick Snack===

Jake stirred in his bed.  It was ice cold, which meant Venus was long gone.  He struggled to sit up, looking around for a clock.  The green LEDs on the corner of his table caught his eye.  It was 0720 exactly.  He swore and vaulted out of bed, hustling over to the bathroom to get started.

By the time he was finished, Venus was back, and they quickly switched places in the little suite.  As he held the hatch open for her, though, her clothing gave him pause.  “Wow.  What’s with the uniform?” he asked.

“I had to speak with the Council, and they kept a duty version of my formal uniform around,” Venus said hurriedly, closing the hatch with no further explanation.  Jake shrugged and pulled the nicest clothes he had brought with him on, and hastily checked his hair in the mirror.

Outside, Remilia leaned against the bulkhead, tapping her foot.  Alex and Freya wandered out of their own room, dressed and ready.  “We just waiting on Their Majesties?” Freya quipped.

“I think so,” Remilia said.  “Unless you guys want to go get something to eat first?”

“Nah, we’ll go together,” Freya replied.  Jake opened his hatch, stepping into the corridor.

“Morning, guys.  Venus will be out in a sec,” he said.  “We all ready to roll?”

Venus clipped her earrings into place in the restroom, and gave herself a quick once-over.  Satisfied that nothing was out of place, she grabbed the last of their bags and followed Jake into the corridor.  “All right, we travel,” she announced.

A Salamander serf arrived at the entrance to the corridor, right on time.  “Princess, are you and your companions ready to go?” he asked respectfully.
“We are, but I think we have time for a quick meal before we go down to the planet,” Venus said.

“Then please come with me, your Highness,” the serf said, bowing shortly.  He lead the group, baggage and all, down the corridors of the station, deeper into the massive structure.  The corridors were lit with a mixture of socketed lights overhead, and flickering fires in braziers on the walls, but as they entered the more utilitarian portions of the structure, they gave way to brighter, artificial lights set into the corners of the ceilings.  They entered a large, open room, with great rows of seats and tables.  Clearly a cafeteria or dining hall.  A few Salamanders were busily moving about at the far end, clearly finishing their own breakfasts.  The tables themselves were surrounded by serfs, all munching away.  Their guide lead them to the head of the room, and seated them with the Space Marines, to Alex and Jake’s distinct discomfort.

“Princess Venus, I’m honored you could join us before you departed,” one said, starting to rise before Venus waved him back to his seat.

“Just stopping for a bite before we head down, Brother,” Venus said, sitting at the table.  Jake and the other guests sat beside her, with a few apprehensive looks at the Power Armored giants around them.  “And thanks for getting my armor sent up so fast.  I appreciate that.”

“It was an honor,” one of the Marines said.  “Did it function properly?”

“It did.  Thank you,” Venus said, snagging a sauroch skewer from a plate.  She and the others dug in, finding the rough fare to their taste.  “If I may, Brother, which companies are stationed on-planet right now?” she asked.

“Some of each company are here now, but nearly all of Fourth and Sixth,” the Marine explained.  “Most of the other companies are out dealing with the recent resurgence in greenskins on the fringes.”

“Should I make mention of it in the speech?” she asked.

“If you wish, Princess, then of course you may,” the Marine said.

“All right…then I think I will.”  Venus downed some filtered water and looked over the crowd below.  The serfs were filing out to begin their daily duties, with a few reverent glances her way.  It was funny, really, she realized.  She resented it when Terrans treated her like royalty.  Even though a few Terrans were serfs here, she actually enjoyed their respectful glances.  How funny that the respect of her father’s servants and warriors was less repulsive.

Remilia was watching from her seat.  Venus was barely eating.  She was spending more time reading the people around her.  The quiet, obedient respect of the Marines was alien to Remilia, whose surprisingly few interactions with Imperial Fists Marines had been largely ceremonial and private.

She turned to her own food and finished it.  She wasn’t going to make an issue out of it.  Certainly her cousin had always been the one who had had the most trouble fitting in outside of school, save their psyker cousins of course.  She deserved to feel at home.

Venus polished off her own food and returned her attention to her party.  Remilia and Freya were ready to go, and Alex and Jake were…holding back a spate of the giggles.  She tuned into their conversation with half an ear.

“‘What do you want with diamonds?’” Alex asked, in a voice that suggested he was caricaturizing someone.  Jake pursed his lips, trying not to laugh in front of a row of Space Marines.  “‘Why, I wish to be immensely rich!’” Alex finished.  Jake gripped the edge of the table with one hand, clearly exerting a great deal of effort not to erupt in giggles.

“What in the world are you two giggling about?” Venus asked.

“Nothing,” Jake squeaked.  Alex leaned over, smiling wanly.

“I’m seeing how many rumors about my father’s partners I can prove accurate, apparently,” Alex said.

Venus stared, but decided not to ask.  “…Okay.  Well, anyway, shall we went?”

“Indeed, let’s went,” Alex replied, cutting his eyes sideways at their hosts.

Venus took the hint.  She stood, brushing crumbs on a napkin.  “Brothers, thank you for your hospitality.  We are going to depart,” she said, in Old Nocturnean.

The Marines stood, bowing to their Princess.  “It was our pleasure, Princess,” one said.  “Have a safe journey.”

Venus inclined her head as the party stood up, and began making their way out.  On their way through the room, Jake leaned over to her.  “What language was that?” he whispered.

“Old Nocturnean.  The language of the Earth Shamans, the spiritual guides of the people before the Emperor arrived,” Venus replied.  “It’s an incredibly easy language to learn, but only Salamanders and scholars really bother to learn it.”

“Cool.”  Jake suddenly frowned.  “Will I be expected to know it?”

“No, of course not,” Venus said.  “Don’t worry, I’ll let you know what’s expected of you.”

Jake nodded in relief.  “Good.”

The group carried their bags back to the massive, sprawling hangar complex, where a small group of Space Marines were waiting for them.  Venus walked straight up to one and acknowledged his bow.  “Brother.  Is the shuttle ready?”

“It is, Princess.  An Aquila-class passenger shuttle has been prepared,” the Marine said.  “Your cargo is aboard.  The tank prototype has also been transported to the surface for testing.”

“Very well.  Let’s go,” she said over her shoulder, in Gothic.  The group moved up to the ship, and filed aboard.  To Venus’ surprise, the Marines didn’t follow them.  Instead, they formed rank at the base of the ramp, saluting their Princess until the rising ramp closed off their view.

Freya settled into a cushion on the nicely-appointed little ship, awaiting a long and boring flight.  Alex immediately claimed the seat next to her, as Remilia wandered the ship, taking in the details.  She had never been in one before, after all.  Venus and Jake settled in on a crash couch and buckled in, dropping their day bags on the seats beside them.  Jake noticed the earrings Venus was wearing and didn’t recognize them.

“Those new, baby?” he asked, peering at the little gold studs.

“No, but I’ve never worn them in front of you,” Venus said, removing one for him to see.  He took it and examined it.

“Hmm…I don’t recognize the little symbol in the middle,” he said.

“It’s the city icon for the city we’re going to visit first, Hesiod,” Venus explained.  “They’re probably the only pieces of jewelry I own that I didn’t make myself.  Dad made them.”

“Nice,” Jake said, passing it back.  “What’s this city like?”

“It was one of the tribal meeting places way back when, and it’s the center of governance on the planet,” Venus said.  “It’s also the place with the second largest spaceport.”  Venus reinserted the little earring, and settled back against the cushion.  “I think you’ll like it.  I hope so.”

The ship shook as it lifted off, then rumbled as it passed through the atmospheric shield of the vessel and dropped towards the planet.  The inertial compensators kicked in, and all five teens relaxed as the g-forces faded.  Freya pulled a ration bar she had secreted somewhere from the folds of her clothes and ripped into it, while Alex and Remilia flipped open personal dataslates to watch holos on the one-hour flight.

Jake leaned back against the cushion to relax.  His world turned red as Venus glanced over at him, clearly a little nervous.  “What’s wrong?” he asked as he caught her expression.

“Just…I don’t want you guys to go into this blind.  Nocturne is a terrifying place.  Even in the middle of the cities, I can’t guarantee your safety, from criminals or the environment or animal attack.  Entire townships get swallowed up by lava every fifteen years, if they’re outside the void shield generators,” she confessed.

Jake squeezed her hand.  “I’m not scared.”

“Maybe you should be.”  She grimaced.  “Now I’m nervous.  I’m wondering if we should have gone to a resort or something like Miranda and Petra, instead of flying into hell.”

Jake looked at her askance.  “You’re not…ashamed of your own planet, are you?”

“No, but I’d never forgive myself if something went wrong while we were here,” Venus admitted.

Jake shrugged.  “We’ll deal with it when it happens.  So,” he said, trying to change the subject, “what’s this speech of yours?”

“Well…I’m the first member of the Royal family on the planet in a very long time,” she said.  “And…I’ll be expected to make a Royal address.  Nothing…TOO ornate, but it’ll be uncomfortable for you and the others.  I’d recommend you stay at the castle, actually,” she said.  “Three hours outdoors in Nocturne heat, starting the moment you arrive?  You’d drop from heatstroke.”

“Oh.  Well…what will you talk about?” Jake asked.

Venus shrugged uncomfortably.  “Well…I’ll speak first of how proud I am to see the people Nocturne overcoming the trials their own world supplies, and the pride they should feel for it.  I’ll make mention of how the bond between the Salamanders and Nocturneans is rare and valuable, and that I count myself amongst both without hesitation.”

“Sounds good.”

“Then…probably mention that the Salamanders and the rest of the Imperial military are the bulwark between our population and the alien menace, just for the cameras,” she continued.  “I’ll wrap it up by saying that while I may have spent my childhood away from Nocturne, I will always think of it as home.”

“Is that true?” Jake asked.  “You were a tiny kid when you were here last.”

“It is, Jake.  I know it sounds hokey, but…this is home for me, and I suspect it always will be,” she said quietly.  “I love Terra, the cities, the Palace, the art, but Nocturne…Nocturne is my blood.”  She looked up at him with a little smile of contentment.  “I’ve looked up at it on my ceiling for ten years and wanted it.”

Jake slid his arm across her shoulders and hugged her gently.  She snuggled into his shoulder and stared at the deck of the shuttle.  “I was wrong.  I’m glad I picked to come here.”  She glanced up at him again.  Her eyes were dim, but from happiness, not sadness.  “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” Jake said truthfully.  He leaded down and brushed his lips against hers, held her there for a moment.  “If I weren’t, I’d just be home right now, watching holos, jacking off, and wondering if it was too early to ask my boss for a promotion so I could work better hours,” he whispered against her lips.  She giggled.

“Wise words.”  She pulled back and looked at him curiously.  “So…what exactly WAS your old job, anyway?  Somehow I don’t think we’ve EVER talked about it.”

“Well…I resigned the day before we left.  Part of me still instinctively tries to put on the uniform when I get up,” he ruefully said.  “I worked at a corner store in my hab.”

“Right…what did you do?  I know you hated it,” she said.

Jake grimaced.  “I did hate it.  My job was basically the lifting servitor role.  Pick up boxes, stock shelves, tell the Slide dealer out front to fuck off every so often so the Praetors didn’t raid us…I hated it.  Not my boss’ fault,” he said reluctantly.  “He was just a little old man, he couldn’t do any of that himself.  But man…talk about a waste of time.  I’m pretty sure he was actually paying me LESS than minimum wage, too.”

“Wow.  You had drug dealers right outside your workplace?” she asked, eyes wide.

“Yep.  Three of them.  They’d do shifts, too, completely open.  Like clockwork,” he grumbled.

Venus shook her head.  “Must have been scary.”

“It was.  At first.  They openly ignored me after a while.  Assholes.  Scared off a bunch of customers.”  Jake crossed his arms over his chest, remembering the subtle fear that had filled him every time he had gone to work.  “I’ll never miss it.”

“How did your boss take you leaving?” she asked.

“Well, I gave him two weeks’ notice, but he was pretty indifferent.  When I told him I was going on summer vacation with a girlfriend, though, he flipped out.”

“What?  Why?” Venus asked.

“‘What?  You’ll never get anywhere with that attitude!’” Jake said, trying to imitate his boss’ voice.

“He was wrong,” Venus said smugly.  “You’re a noble, now.”

“Well…not officially, right?” Jake shrugged.

Venus looked to the side for a moment.  “Right.”  Jake cocked his head, but she pressed before he could ask.  “So, did you ever actually tell him that we were an item?” she asked quickly.

Jake nodded.  “Yeah, I did.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, this was after he found out I was leaving on vacation.  I just sort of mentioned it, indirectly.  When I mentioned that bloody tabloid.  Remember?” Jake asked.

Venus immediately laughed, leaning away from him and throwing her head back.  “You didn’t!”

“I did,” Jake said.  “‘Mystery Consort.’”

“Ah ha ha ha ha, I love it!  Then what?”

“He grabbed the holomag and opened it, all grumbly and mad.  When he got to the right page, he froze.”  Jake grinned as he recalled the look of stupefaction on the man’s face.  “He just sort of looked at me.”

“Hah!  Did he even say anything?”

“Yeah.  ‘Jake…what the hell, man?’” Jake recalled.  “Then he just turns GREEN with envy.”

“Well, who can blame him?” Venus said airily, flicking her gorgeous hair over her shoulders.