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."
Zo examined her for a moment, before standing, and looking down at her. "Well, I wish you luck, Tam."
Then, she walked off.
Tam sat there, staring at her, watching her as she departed the train car and stepped into the adjacent social car, before Tam turned her attention once more to the salt flats outside. Now, they were skirting along the edge of the ocean, having made it around the bend. The track made something of an S shape, cutting straight through the salt flats, before curving and running along the ocean shore for a bit, before correcting course and shooting straight out over the water on raised concrete pylons.
Tam watched the water flow by. It was crystal blue, and sparkling in the sun. The way the water mixed with the reflective flats bent her perception, warped her mind for a moment. It was beautiful. Still, over five hours of beauty into the ride, one might come to the conclusion that a drink is more than a necessity, especially after her conversation with Zo.
Before she walked away, however, she caught her reflection in the window pane. Short blonde hair, on a thin, short frame, with strong hazel eyes that held a mischievous glint in them, thin brows, thin lips, and a smattering of freckles across her face, she was, she had to admit, rather pretty, if a little tired. The preparation for the trip had worn her out, writing and rewriting her thesis, the late hours leaving dark circles under her eyes.
All the more reason for a drink, she decided, popping her suspenders and heading through the social cars, to the tea car. On her way, she passed by Zo once more, and though neither spoke, Zo cast her a glare that seemed to either say
Stay out of my way
or
I will destroy you
, and Tam wasn't sure which it was. She swallowed and averted her eyes, before slipping through this car's link to the next, and the next, until she finally found it.
Some booze.
~Seven Hours Later~
As the sun began to grow fat and orange on the horizon, and the long night time crept up from the opposite skyline, the sky itself growing a mixture of purples and blues and oranges and reds and pinks. The waters teemed with life beneath the train as it cut through the vespertine light, steam billowing out of its stacks. Fish jumped in the water, strange, long eel-like creatures swam around and darted through the concrete pillars. Some were even bioluminescent, and there would be streaks of glowing green and purple in the water as some fish like creature or other swam by. Lemongulls and Zaphori Pelicans swooped across the water and beside the train.
Several cars down from the locomotive, there was a glass garden car, made of arching clear glass panes. It was a unique, long car, and it acted as a greenhouse, within which there were tomatoes growing on vines, silverflowers hanging from the rafters, evening glories in pots and gold coster flowers sprouting up here and there. There was even a fruit tree in the center of the car, a small one that grew simple seapples, its red, five pointed leaves soaking up the last rays of the setting sun. The car was warm, though air conditioned, and every thirty minutes, misters would spray the greenery and cool down the occupants.
Tam, slightly intoxicated, wandered through this car, sitting on a bench beside the fruit tree. It was truly something, the Saltwater Express, she thought as she sipped on her next martini. For a moment, she felt at peace. She'd go to Morgwana, display her findings, win her prize, and go home. A... bit disappointing, she had to admit. She'd had hopes for being a great scientist. But, she thought, maybe she just wasn't cut out for it.
And it was a lot of work, besides.
Maybe she'd enjoy farming more. Who knew? It's what her family had wanted her to do, instead of going to Xialzaphoria's University for the Sciences. Initially, she'd protested being stuck on Lullalamon, as a farmer, even if it guaranteed her food and basically infinite fickleweed. She wanted to do something with her life. Become somebody. See and do and become renowned. Well, this was her shot. If she could win the committee's favor, she'd have accomplished that goal, or at least, come close enough to it for her to be satisfied, she supposed. Maybe it was just... time to go home.
Just then, someone sat beside her. She flinched, and nearly spilt her martini, its green liquid sloshing in the V-shaped glass. She took a deep breath, and turned sharply to see who had just invaded her space, only to find it was a young woman who was smiling at her. Well,
