Twist of Fate

 Chapter 1

The sun had already set on the planet of  Imeria. Stars were slowly appearing one after another and giving the sky the almost magical clear appearance which was typical for this time of year. No cloud was to be seen anywhere and the light of the moon-shaped spaceport of Crescentia shone softly on the Interstellar Academy. Behind the windows you could see the students dancing, could hear their happy chatter and their cheerful laughter. The huge hall had been decorated with silken banners and exotic kinds of flowers. A huge golden sphere was hanging down from the ceiling, its countless facets glittering like thousands of diamonds and projecting what seemed like an enormous star-field onto the dancefloor. Everybody was spruced up and wearing very solemn clothes. The men their academy uniform, which consisted of navy blue jackets and pants, rimmed with golden hems, a black shirt and dark boots, while the women each wore another beautiful dress that seemed to have been bought just for this special occasion.

And a special occasion it was.

3 years have passed since Jim and Dolphy had started their education at the Interstellar Academy and tonight was the graduation ceremony. They were surprised that the last few years had gone by so quickly and now was the beginning of a new chapter in both of their lives.

But at the moment Jim only cared about where his girlfriend was.

“Where the heck is she?” he meant absent-mindedly while not taking his eyes off of the door.

“Oh, Jim, honey, you have to be a bit more patient. Women just need a bit more time to smarten themselves up.” explained Mrs.Hawkins, smiling sympathetically at her son.

She, Captain Amelia and Doctor Doppler had gladly come to Jim`s and Dolphy`s great day. The students had gotten their diplomas already in the afternoon, what turned out to be a rather starchy process, but the event now seemed like one huge party. Doppler had just come back from the bar, handing his wife a glass of red wine. He took a quick glance at Jim who was nervously picking at the sleeve of his uniform. An amused snort could be heard from him as he put off his glasses and cleaned them with a cloth he had pulled out of his pocket.

“Now, don`t worry my boy, she said she would join us in a few moments, didn`t she?”

“Yeah, but…what takes her so long? We`ve been waiting here for, for-“

“5 minutes.” interjected Captain Amelia matter-of-factly before taking a sip of the wine.

Jim glanced at her and Sarah had to restrain a chuckle at the helpless attitude of her son. He had really fallen for that girl. But suddenly the opening of the door, which he heard through all the noise around them, caught his attention and his gaze stopped at the person who had just entered the hall.

“Woa…” was all he could say as he stared agape at the girl that was slowly approaching him.

“Do you like it?” asked Dolphy shyly.

She was wearing a low-cut red dress that consisted of a strapless cloak-like top part which was held together on the chest by some darker ribbons. Those ribbons stopped at the waist so the light fabric hung down on both sides and revealed an almost white skirt underneath. As jewelry she had a collar in the same colour as the ribbons with a drop-shaped pendant and matching earrings. Her bangs were braided to the back of her head and held together by a flower like barrette.

“You…you look awesome.” Jim managed to say at last with a look that said more than any words could ever do.

Dolphy smiled happily and gazed at the man in front of her. It seemed as if this uniform was made just for him, it made him look even handsomer than he already was. Knowing that she tended to get a little uncomfortable when talking to adults Jim gently grabbed her hand and led her to them. Of course she had already met them a few times but she was still afraid of saying something inappropriate and acting like an idiot. She knew how much Jim and his mother meant to each other and she wanted to be accepted and liked by her.

“Good evening Mrs.Hawkins.” greeted Dolphy shyly but to her relief she smiled softly and shook her hand heartily.

“How often have I told you to call me ‘Sarah’?” she meant in a very friendly way. “Good evening to you,too. Oh, and what a special evening it is! I`m so proud of Jim and you!”

Dolphy blushed and shot a quick glance at Jim to see that he was smiling fondly at her.

“Thank you Mrs.Haw-,…uhm, Sarah. I`m glad you could come.”

She gulped inconspicuously when she looked at Doctor Doppler and Captain Amelia. On the one hand she knew that they were rather nice people but on the other one she had great respect for them, especially for the captain. Jim gently squeezed her hand as he sensed her nervousness. Before she could say anything Doppler came towards her and shook her hand excitedly.

“Ah, good to see you again! And for Jim above all! I was honestly worried about him getting a nervous breakdown from waiting for you but I`m glad he seems to be fine now and-“

He was interrupted by a light blow of his wife`s elbow while she was clearing her throat in  order to prevent him from talking furthermore.

Dolphy and Mrs.Hawkins had to chuckle as they saw the flushing on Jim`s face and him rubbing his neck in embarassment.

“Uhm, yeah, can we change the topic now, please?” he meant eventually.

“A very good idea, James.” said Captain Amelia in her usual noble way.

Jim quietly rolled his eyes at her appellation. He hated it when people called him by his true forename but at least it was better than being called ‘Mr.Hawkins’.

“So, it`s good to see that so many of the Academy`s students have passed their exams. I know from experience that not everbody who succeeds in getting here really meets the requirements, let alone manages to keep up with the education.”

A hint of a smile was to be seen on the felines face which seemed to indicate that this had been a compliment for the two of them.

“Yes, ma`am, it hasn`t been easy for us either, but that`s why I`m so glad that we`ve gotten it over with. I just hope Jim and me will get a place on the same ship.”

Dolphy was talking about the traineeship that would start in two weeks. Now that the students had passed their exams they would finally be allowed to work on a ship where they had the chance to use their theoretical knowledge. It was of great importance that they made a good impression on the captain of the particular ship, since he would be the one who was going to write them a letter of recommendation which would ensure everybody to get on board of the most respectable ships of the entire etherium. So this traineeship was going to be a very significant event for their future career as sailors and if they were skilled and lucky enough, maybe even captains. Dolphy was looking forward to finally sail through the etherium, to see the different galaxies and to feel the freedom that Jim had enthused about when he told her about his voyage to Treasure Planet. But suddenly she came to think of what would happen if they didn`t find places on the same ship. She wouldn`t see him for at least 2 months and that was going to be pure torture if you beared in mind that they had shared a room and hadn`t been separated from each other for more than a few weeks ( which was in the summer holidays because they visited their families ) during the last 3 years.

“It`s not common for particular groups of students to get an internship on the same ship, maybe through pure chance but I fear that`s highly unlikely.” meant Amelia sympathetically but with brutal honesty.

“Yes, I know…”

Not wanting those negative thoughts to ruin this evening Dolphy quickly diverted herself from them by starting a new topic.

“Uhm, but now for something completely different, where are your children?”

“Oh, they`re back at the Benbow Inn!” interjected Doppler. “You see, evening events aren`t suitable for them, they`re still too young for staying up that late and would only get bored after about 5 minutes. It`s much more fun for them to play with B.E.N. and Morph.”

Dolphy`s eyes widened and her look darted to Mrs.Hawkins.

“You left them at the Inn unattended?”

“But my dear, the doctor already told you that B.E.N. keeps an eye on them.”

“Yes, but who keeps an eye on B.E.N.!?”

Jim chuckled at her her remark, surely she`d got a point.

“Nah, don`t worry, I`m sure he`ll manage to not cause a catastrophe for one evening…at least I hope so.”

He grinned while nudging her gently. At that moment the luminosity was dimmed, the only light coming from the glittering sphere on the ceiling. Love songs started being played by the Academy band on the small stage at the other side of the hall, inviting the couples to a slow dance. Jim offered his hand to Dolphy and with a kind smile he asked politely :

“May I have this dance, please?”

Dolphy just smiled in return and took his hand, following him on the dance floor. Jim lay his arms lovingly around her waist while she put her hands on his shoulders, her head leaning against his chest. Dolphy closed her eyes and seemed to forget everything around her, only feeling the comfort she found in his arms. The music was only a faint sound to her, playing solemnly  in the distance.

There was a time

There was a love

There was just the two of us  

Do you remember our first date

Nothing could ever separate us    

Before this twist of fate.

Now life is dark

Now life is lone

Now life`s all in vain it seems

We used to reach for heaven`s gate

But that`s just forgotten dreams

Amongst this twist of fate

Oh where`s the light

Oh where`s my love

Where`s the one who owned my life

Everything seems to be too late

Who can like this kind of life   

Deep in this twist of fate.

No matter where

No matter how

No matter if you`ll be apart

You`ll always be my loving mate.

I`ll love you with all my heart  

Despite this twist of fate.

Despite this twist of fate…

Later that evening they sat together at a table and talked good-humouredly to each other.

“Hey, Mom, do you remember when B.E.N. accidentally greeted our new customers with some glasses of oil ´cause he thought that`s the typical welcome-drinks on Montressor?” laughed Jim while Dolphy listened amused to his stories.

“Oh, honey, don`t remind me of it! Thank goodness that I was around to stop him or otherwise we would have gotten several complaints because of poisoning our guests!” meant Mrs.Hawkins in a not-so serious tone.

“Aww, c´mon, I know you`d have liked Mrs.Dunwoody to drink some of that stuff, wouldn`t you?”

“Of course not.” she countered and tried in vain to prevent herself from smiling.

“Got ya!” grinned Jim mockingly.

“Now, now, James, don`t be so bold to your mother.” interjected Amelia reprehensively and took a sip of another glass of wine.

“Yes, ma`am.” he said while rolling his eyes.

“Good.” the feline meant and put the glass on the table. “Well, since the party is almost over I assume it is time to tell you the news.”

She gazed in Jim`s and Dolphy`s direction, who exchanged confused looks with each other.

“What news?” asked Dolphy curiously.

“Concerning your traineeship. I already told you how bad the odds are that you would get on a ship together, didn`t I?”

“Uhm, yes?” she replied unsurely.

“Well…” began the captain but stopped in order to take another sip of her wine before placing it back on the table.

“Well, what?” urged Jim impatiently.

“I spoke with Captain Smollett, one of my old friends, a very  respectful and kindly regarded man. He listened carefully to everything I told him about you and seemed to be very intrigued about it.”

Jim and Dolphy stared at her with wide eyes.

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, you two will complete your traineeship successfully on Captain Smollett`s ship, the RLS Defiance.”

Their jaws nearly dropped to the floor as Amelia`s words sunk in. Dolphy looked at Jim unbelievingly before she threw herself into his arms, squealing happily and almost toppling him onto the ground.

“Jim! We`ll be on the same ship!”

“Yeah, that`s what I`ve heard, too.” he smiled happily and hugged her in return.

Dolphy had some small tears of joy in her eyes which Jim gently wiped off before leaning closer and kissing her affectionately.

“Ahem…”

They were interrupted by Doppler`s harrumphing and ceased from each other as they looked sheepishly around them.

“Heh, sorry.” apologized Jim and blushed slightly.

But all of a sudden he had an enlightenment and stared reproachfully at Amelia.

“Woa, wait a moment…Haven`t you told us only a few hours ago that it`s nearly impossible for two students to get on a ship together? But you already knew that we would get there! So why-“

“Calm down, Jim.” interrupted Mrs.Hawkins her son.

“There is nothing wrong with increasing the suspense, isn`t it?” smirked the feline with a raised eyebrow.

“Guess not.” meant Dolphy still smiling overjoyed.

“Fine, but if I were you I would pack my bags quickly.”

“But it will be two more weeks until the traineeships start.” said Jim.

“Yes, but the RLS Defiance has an important mission which can`t be delayed.”

Jim shot an astonished look at Dolphy who seemed to be as taken aback as he was.

Captain Amelia continued :

“A space ferry will bring you to the spaceport of Crescentia tomorrow. The RLS Defiance is going to launch in a few days.”

To be continued…