Mike and Penny stood sharing a moment in the Embarkation Lounge, admiring the close-up view of the Empress of the Skies, the mammoth vessel that would be their home for the next several days. From their vantage point high atop the Empress Tower, they could see several of the small utility tugs still flitting around the big ship, like pilotfish attending a shark.
Obviously, the Company wanted to impress its clients with its attention to service and 'the human touch' but, given the number of mandroids and maidbots at the resort, Mike was pleasantly surprised to have been greeted here in the Lounge by an attractive and efficient young human woman. She had glanced at her readout and, wishing Mike and Penny a pleasant voyage, confirmed that their luggage had already been delivered to their stateroom.
The ship was in the final stages of boarding - most of the passengers had already boarded the shuttle trolleys that made their way across the connecting bridge. Even now, Mike and Penny could see one returning to the tower, ready to carry them over. Reluctantly, they tore themselves from the view, the magic of the moment somewhat lessened by the noisy arrival of the young child, with mother in tow.
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