Acme Time Travel Incorporated - Volume 2

The ACME-HUB (orbiting space satellite)

Gabriel must have asked Ship countless times over the last four days as to how the starboard motor was running. Each time Ship had advised that there were no faults being identified. It appeared that it had been fixed.

Gabriel could see that his constant questioning was beginning to irritate Ginny, but he didn’t seem to be able to stop himself.

“We are approaching the ACME-HUB,” Ship advised. “We have been given permission to lock onto stub 12. We are on approach now. Docking time is 3 minutes.”

“I suggest that once we have docked, that we head for the client quarters,” Vicky suggested. “We don’t know if the place will be in a state of chaos or not, but if we look purposeful, we should be able to get into one of the client apartments. They are used by clients before they set off on their excursions. The apartments should have news-feed facilities. We should be able to find out the current situation.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Gabriel.

Ginny looked circumspect. “Our plans don’t seem to be having a very high success rate,” she said.

“Docking in one minute,” Ship advised.

“Thanks,” Ginny said.

“Incidentally,” Ship advised. “The ACME-HUB has an Earth-like environment. You won’t need suit-helmets in any area.”

“Thanks again,” Ginny said.

“It’s a pleasure,” said Ship. “ACME INC are always keen to assist their clients in any way.”

Gabriel chuckled. He hadn’t heard Ship giving an ACME INC-spiel for quite a long time, and he suspected that it was doing it now more as a joke than as a pre-programmed piece of advertising. He looked across at Ginny, but she either hadn’t seen the joke or she had other things on her mind.

“We’re docked,” said Ship. “Shall I open the cockpit door, Ginny?”

Gabriel pondered again on the relationship that had formed between the starship’s AI entity and his girlfriend.

“Is there anyone out there to greet us?” she asked.

“Not currently,” Ship advised.

“Ok, come on then. Let’s get going,” she said.

Gabriel picked up the rucksack that he had stored his few belongings in and threw it over his right shoulder. Ginny was straight out of the cockpit door, and Gabriel jumped up and followed right behind her.