The Saltwater Express
On the sunny planet of Zaphoriazos, there was a salt flat so pristine, so beautiful that it reflected the cloudy sky perfectly. It was known as the "Mirror Flat", and was renowned for its beauty. It gave way to an ocean, shallow and warm, as the planet was fairly primordial, and gentle waves would lap against this salt flat's shores. It was the only break in the mirror for miles and miles. The only way to see such a beautiful thing was to come miles from the nearest city, Xialzaphoria, which also happened to be the capitol, via airship. From the airship docks, one would be taken along the guided walkways, from which they were not allowed to depart, lest they marr the pristine salt flats. This was the only way to see this marvel.
Well, thought Tam, there was another way.
The Saltwater Express.
Across the beautiful flats flew a train, going hundreds of kilometers per hour, a blur in the salty reflection. It had a black steam locomotive, blocky and laden with pipes around its cylindrical engine. Four steam pipes, two on either side, angled at ninety degrees exactly from one another, blasted out hot steam like the nose of an angry bull. The conductor's chamber had one way mirror glass, to reflect the brilliant, shining sun of the flats and the ocean beyond, and so none could see in, but he could see out.
Down the track the train flew, pulling behind it bright, verdant green passenger cars, all sleek, hovering on the maglev track, just like the locomotive. Theirs were not one way mirrors, but they had shades, and while some were pulled down, others were not, allowing the sunlight in and a view out as the train literally flew along the track. From within, awe-struck passengers got a premium view of the majestic flats, and it was as though the sky never ended here - it was inspiring, gorgeous.
Tam watched the flats go by for a bit. They seemed to go on forever, though to be fair, Zaphoriazos was a
massive
habitable planet. Perhaps that was why it was a research hub. That was why
she
was here, after all. A massive, habitable planet was rife for scientific reapings. Plus it was really cool.
Ten other scientists spoke amongst themselves while she sat alone. All had their eyes glued on the flats outside, commenting on its reflection, how they'd love to get a soil sample, how they wondered what microbes lived in such a place, if any - they chittered and chattered to each other, while she, comfortably situated on the plush green couch, watched silently, thinking.
The train made a slight curve, and she could barely feel it. It was honestly a marvel, the Saltwater Express. It could take you from Xialzaphoria to Morgwana five days- and it would, as this is where she was headed, to the convention there. Every year - of course, a year here was two and a half Earth years - but every year on Zaphoriazos, the Morgwana Convention of the Sciences would take place, an esteemed event held at the beautiful Morgwana Altana Convention Center.
And she was finally going to attend.
Her work on molecular superstructures had landed her, an invitation. And here she was, amongst the best and brightest of Xialzaphoria, headed to Morgwana to proudly display their findings amongst the best of the best on Zaphoriazos. It was incredible. She could barely contain herself, shifting and squirming on the couch, looking to the others, impatiently tapping her foot.
She wanted the trip to be over already.
Though, she thought, she had to admit: the Express was luxury at its finest. Usually a ticket would cost upwards of ten-thousand chits, but she was here on the dime of the Royal Morgwanan Sciences Association. So in other words, she was here for free, and that made her hungry, for some reason. She thought about heading to the dinner car to see if any action was taking place. Or should she go to the tea car, she wondered. The glass garden car, perhaps?
The insides of the cars were stained wood, plush carpet, mosaics, fountains on the walls, artwork, lush curtains, soft furniture, and beautiful reds and greens and stains and gradients. Sconces on the walls illuminated the cars like torches, and they gave the otherwise rustic cars a sleek, modern feel. In this car, one of the three social cars, a thin vein of silver light was the lightsource, running down the length of the ceiling and giving the room a sterling glow. Apparently, its color could be changed at will, and it was bioluminescent. Fascinating, she thought.
Her eyes wandered the room, occasionally checking on her fellow scientists. She'd yet to meet them all. Well, all but one. Across from her, and down the train car, sat a woman with long black hair and dazzling blue eyes, wearing red glasses that rested on her sharp nose. She was dressed in a long coat that resembled a lab coat, only more fashionable, buttoned in the front, with boots. She too was staring silently out the window, watching the salt flats go by. Observing. Thinking.
Tam frowned at the sight of her. That was Zo. And all these years later, she still didn't like Zo.
Well, she didn't
dislike
her, she supposed. But how else could one feel about one's rival scientist? She'd solved the Machlen Equation when Tam had failed. Of course, Tam was younger than her by four years, and thus had more room to grow, she thought, but it was an insult, and she took it as such. Ever since then, they'd been warring with each other, scientifically speaking.
Zo caught her gaze and turned to face her, and Tam looked away hurriedly. She wasn't wanting to engage. Her attention instead turned back to the salt flats, which she hoped would preoccupy her mind and push the thoughts of Zo out. But, when there was movement from down the train car, she knew it was hopeless.
Zo had stood, dusted herself off, and was making her way toward Tam now. Tam sat up straight, and quickly recalibrated her emotions, throwing on a grin as her rival approached. She looked over to Zo, and smiled, offering a small wave as the other scientist approached.
"Zo, Zo, how's it going," she said, waving to a seat beside her on the otherwise empty couch.
Zo examined her for a moment with a cold stare, before taking a seat on the couch opposite her, across the train car. Here, the woman crossed her legs and sat back, staring at Tam for a moment. Then, finally, she said, "Congratulations on finally doing something useful, Tamatha. I'm sure you're enjoying the train ride."
Tam felt a heat flush in her cheeks. "It'd be better with some alcohol. Might head to the tea car, honestly. Care to join me? Might be a little difficult lugging your giant ego between cars though."
"I think I'll stay here and enjoy the salt flats."
Tam eyed her suspiciously. "You're just pissed because my work on molecular superstructures outdoes your work on black hole singularities. And that's okay, Zo. Just because I'm going to win the Committee's prize this year, doesn't mean your work is any less valuable, unless it's compared to mine."
She winked, and Zo rolled her eyes. Tam continued, "And besides, it's my last year doing any of this, so you'll be free of me soon enough."
Zo paused. Blinking, she opened her mouth as if to say something, but hesitated. Then, finally, she said, "And what does that mean?"
"It means," Tam said, "I win. This year, I'm taking my prize, and I'm leaving Zaphoriazos. Going back home, to go to school. On Lullalamon."
"I see..." Zo said, frowning. "For what?"
"Hydroponics. Lullalamon is an ocean planet, so that's how we farm. Gonna settle down with my family for a bit." Tam shrugged. "Being a scientist, it was my dream. But this will be just as good, I guess. A simple life."
