The 'Ferrous.Wheel' made her departure slowly.
None of Ian's crew seemed too keen on bothering him
as he sat, looking thoughtful, in the Captain's seat.
They plotted a course for Bering, through Bretonia and Liberty.
Planning to perhaps stop in New London and see if they couldn't scare up some decent cargo.
Ian thought about Theobald, and how he had instantly liked the man.
Perhaps it was his determination, or his love for his vessel.
Ian wasn't sure. But he was sure that he had a great respect for Theobald. "Perhaps we'll meet again."
He whispered to himself, staring out at the vast expanses of space.
He paid very little attention to his usual job of commanding,
instead delegating the job to someone else.
But eventually he couldn't stand watching space fly by anymore,
and he retired to his quarters, tired from the hustle and bustle,
having told his crew to do whatever they see fit,
but to not disturb him until they reached Bering.
He was glad to have met Theobald, and even more glad to have been able to help him.
"They are finished!" was the only sentence Stevan Jester has written.
Theobald Franklin hadn't believed his eyes, when he has read the short message. It has been only several days since he couldn't stand it anymore and has left Freeport 1. He actually has planned this to be an extended leave, to go back to Manhatten, but after several days he just checked his inbox. And there it has been. "They are finished!" three words with an in-depth meaning.
He immediately activated the long range channel on board his Arrow. "Where the hell are you, Theo?" Stevan shouted, clearly angry and annoyed. "Relax, Stev, you know I needed some fresh space," Theobald tried to smoothing things over, but failing miserably, "I am taking the 'Bolt out for a spin." "Yes, for five days!" Stevan sighed, "look, Theo, I don't mind if the Captain just vanishes for days, but the DSE guys are all fed up. You didn't respond to Harus Burks first message. So I had to be present, when they announced that they are done." "I know," the captain sounded apologetic, "but I am sure you did a fine job." "Screw your praises, Theo! Just get your ass back here!" and the chief engineer cut the channel.
One day later Captain Franklin walked through the newly renovated hallways and rooms of the Reverie. Everything smelled new and sparkled. The last bits of decorations, done by Orbital staff, were underway.
Franklin couldn't finish marveling how everything seemed just perfect. Deep Space Engineering has outdone itself. Every detail was up to spec and where space was for interpretations he could find enough traces of the personal style of DSE or Stevan. Everything else was as he remembered. The total picture was similar to the ship before, but with slightly differences. Anybody who knew the ship by heart immediately saw that she has changed. And the sound was also significantly different. That was what has irritated him the last time and did so now too. But he knew he will soon love these sounds and vibrations as he did when he entered the Reverie for the first time.
"What do you think, Cap?" Stevan came up to him from behind on the main bridge. "She feels different, but I like it," Theobald smiled. "I think everything will be fine, if she flies." "We will soon know," the chief engineer scratched his head, "you still want to have the first flight in public? What if anything happens?" "Then the Junkers are to blame," he chuckled, "they installed these Rheinland Engines. The test firing went smoothly, so I am pretty sure it will work. Relax Stev, everything will be ready for the big party. How are the supplies coming?"
Steav laughed: "How should I know? I am just an engineer, not the quartermaster; but I heard from him, that they are still not here. Why don't you ask Mathew on board the Isolaiva if he can't do the round and bring everything here?" "Yes, I probably will," Theobald sighed, "but first I need to finish everything with DSE and then I can prepare for our departure. We will still be here for some time, before she is restocked. But be ready, I guess it won't be long now. I will call, when we have a date.
Theobald looked out in front of the large windows on board the main bridge, and then turned around. He walked to his office next to the command center. Everything in here was as he remembered: from the style of his desk to the pictures on the walls. He had been very specific in the instructions within OS&C's database how his office always should look like. And DSE has been accurate to the letter. Theobald sat down and set himself to work. There was still much to do.
