Boarding the Cleopatra

Helen's Journal

I've taken my seat on the Cleopatra. I must admit the element of adventure has lifted my spirit somewhat. The autostep leading up to the skydock gave me a long, long time to survey pour old Paris. The smoke from the fabric factories **** the throats of the gentlemen and ladies defiantly sitting at the cafes, the fading artwork under the toxic sky rotting in "British" museums.

I must note that even the lowliest of passengers is of exceptional beauty. I never realized that even the lowest of Rajan culture must be beautiful. Turkish blacksmiths with hardened muscles and almond skin, handsome farmboys with well-earned biceps, and the elegant daughters of downtrodden Continental nobility comprised the bulk of the passengers. The stewards of the Galactic Empire must be as perfect as their delusions demand.

The Cinematon Helmet I'll be donning shortly is a crude thing. Rough leather and stained brass ringlets around the lenses. This is much more crudely constructed than those on the Sigfried. God, please do not let it fail on my journey. A year, frozen awake, unable to move. One would go mad.

The crew, as on all Cosmoliners, is predictably disgusting. One of them, a man with an enormous nose and foul odor informed me I'd be the first woman he'd find if his Cinematon helmet malfunctioned. Now that's a pleasant thought to try and settle down and sleep to: that of being used as a sex toy for a year while you are none the wiser. What a dreadful fate!

We are ascending now. The Cleopatra will breach the atmosphere, and engage its Soma Engines. I'll put on my helmet, and pray I don't wake up deflowered. I've not even been told who my "employer" will be. For all I know I'm headed for the mines, or a brothel. I look down one last time, the glow of Paris under a cloud of Aethersmoke. I decided, then and there, even if I was able to return home, it would not be to that tainted city. Perhaps to Marsailles, which they have yet to defile.

This is it. The attendant is telling us to put on our helmets. I hope I have pleasant dreams should I fall asleep.