Olivia stood on the ship’s deck, gazing at the Octagon Veranda, which had already shrunk to a tiny dot on the horizon. The beauty of the ocean captivated her, a shimmering expanse of blue that symbolized freedom—and perhaps a hint of revenge against Madam Blake. She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp, salty sea air. How could she not feel exhilarated? This was her chance for a real sea adventure. It was time to embrace the joy, to be happier than ever.

  “How’s it going, voyager?” Carl asked, catching her attention. His brown hair danced with the sea breeze, and Olivia felt a flutter of excitement.

  “I love this,” she whispered, pulling her gaze from the breathtaking view to meet his eyes. Carl stared into her mesmerizing gaze, feeling a spark in the air as he leaned in for a kiss—only to be interrupted.

  “Hey! Hey! This is work time!” Tara’s playful voice broke the moment. Both Olivia and Carl blushed and turned in surprise, finding Tara smiling alongside Curie.

  “Oh, you two are ridiculous!” Olivia laughed, her spirits lifting.

  “Isn’t the view amazing? Loving ?” Curie teased, a knowing grin on her face.

  “Are you two making fun of me?” Carl shot back, feigning indignation.

  “Out of girls' world, I’m heading to boys’ territory!” he joked, striding toward the cabin room, leaving Olivia with her friends.

  As Carl walked away, he spotted Calvin at the helm, expertly sailing the ship. Melvin was nearby, assisting Brayan with system checks.

  “Do you have double majors?” Carl asked Melvin, glancing at the computer screen.

  “Not exactly. Before we left, I was finishing my second degree in IT while working in the chemical sector. I have one more year to complete it,” Melvin explained her focus still on the screen.

  “Wow, you’re a genius,” Carl said, looking around the room. Melvin smiled a hint of pride in her eyes.

  “Thanks. But Curie is the real genius. Combining astrophysics with mechanical engineering is tough. She’s a spacewalker too. Astro training takes two additional years, meaning six years total, It has taken her a decade to get a double major with aeronaut training” Melvin said, her tone filled with admiration.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “But the toughest training at Octagon Veranda is in the security sector,” chimed in Clarence, a recent addition to the team who craved glory. He stood with an air of bravado.

  “I’ve heard the punishments are intense. It’s good we have two sailors; Calvin can catch some rest,” Carl said, glancing at the tall figure at the controls, guiding the ship with high-tech ease.

  “Ah, don’t worry. I’m trained to go days without sleep. Besides, sailing a high-tech ship is a breeze,” Calvin replied with a confident smile. Carl was surprised; it was the first time he had seen Calvin look anything but serious.

  “Hope you can teach me how to sail this thing,” Marcus said, approaching Calvin.

  “This is not a toy” Calvin joked, his smile widening.

  “Nah, I’m a pilot, so I should pick it up quickly if it’s like flying a flybat—or a spacecraft,” Marcus responded, his tone friendly. Calvin’s expression shifted from playful to impressed.

  “Definitely! Thanks to modern technology, there are a lot of similarities. I can teach you,” Calvin said, his enthusiasm evident.

  “Cool! When do we start? After lunch?” Marcus asked, eyeing the control panel eagerly.

  “Sounds good to me,” Calvin replied, his tone light.

  “See you then, Captain!” Marcus called, whistling a tune as he left the room, the camaraderie lingering in the air.

  If you're looking for a perfect voyage, Olivia’s experience is certainly one to consider. But the ocean didn’t seem to treat Melvin the same way. Just a few hours after stepping onto the ship’s deck, she found herself overwhelmed by seasickness. She rushed to the silver railing, covering her mouth with her hand and leaning forward, coughing violently. Olivia and Tara quickly rushed to her side.

  “Easy, easy, take a deep breath!” Olivia urged, gently grabbing Melvin’s hand in an attempt to offer comfort. But Melvin yanked her hand away, her irritation clear. Olivia stepped back, her friendly demeanour fading.

  Tara noticed Calvin approaching, having spotted Melvin through the glass of the cabin.

  “Are you okay, Emm?” he asked softly, placing a reassuring hand on her back. But Melvin flinched away from his touch as well.

  “I’m fine,” she replied curtly, then walked away from the railing, heading toward the staircase that led to the lower deck. Both Tara and Olivia could see the disappointment etched on Calvin’s face.

  “Don’t worry, I can give her some medicine,” Tara offered, trying to ease the tension. Calvin nodded, though discomfort lingered in his expression. He muttered a quick “Thank you” before retreating to the cabin, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

  Olivia, sensing the heaviness in the air, turned to Tara. “Why is Melvin being so rude?”

  Tara shrugged, heading toward the staircase alongside Olivia. “I have no idea, but one thing’s for sure: she’s cold-hearted.”