A Trip To The Underwater City
Posted on Wed Nov 7, 2018 @ 6:32pm by Lieutenant Martha Cusack & Lieutenant JG Lucia Cusack & Elsie Cusack
Mission:
An Oceanic Shoreleave
Location: Pacifica
Timeline: MD38; 09:00
Martha was looking forward to the family's trip to hi'Leyi'a - the underwater city which she read about the other day. Before that however they would have to check in to the hotel Martha had arranged for them.
She approached the check-in desk whilst Lucia and Elsie waited on one of the sofas which was there for guests. After collecting the key for their room - which had a private balcony - Martha led them to it.
"You pushed the boat out didn't you Martha?" Lucia said with a smile.
Martha shrugged. "I like rooms with a balcony"
"It's perfect. Thank you" Lucia replied.
After depositing their bags in the room they headed for the transport which would take to to hi'Leyi'a. Martha read the previous evening that the journey would take around half an hour or so.
"How long does the journey take?" Elsie asked.
Martha replied. "Around half an hour according to the database. It's on a submersible craft which has room for about 20 people - I've already booked us on there so we just need to collect our tickets"
"Oh cool. I've always wanted to go on a submarine" Elsie responded.
Lucia looked around as Martha and Elsie talked about the underwater city. She was surprised that the crew of the Triumphant had been granted shore leave again so soon after the last one - but it was a pleasant surprise.
Once they arrived at the jetty where the craft docked Martha went up to the office and collected their tickets. The were then directed to the waiting area as the craft surfaced and moved over to the jetty to let the passengers disembark.
"That looks so cool" Elsie commented.
As the craft surfaced Martha reached for her camera and took some pictures for her photo album. After ten minutes or so the Cusacks - along with around ten others - boarded the craft and waited for departure. Each side was made of reinforced glass so the occupants could look at the sea life and the approach to hi'Leyi'a.
"So what's the schedule Martha?" Lucia asked.
Martha reached for the PADD inside her bag. She liked to make schedules to make sure she had plenty of time to do what she needed or wanted to do while she was on holiday.
"Here we go" Martha replied.
Lucia smiled. "You and your schedules. It's so cute"
"I suppose" Martha said.
As the craft moved towards its underwater destination its occupants admired the sea life which went past. The Risan tour guide on board told the interested occupants what the various sea creatures were as they went past. Martha decided to record some of the journey on her camera to show her friends back on the ship.
Half an hour later the Cusacks had exited the dock and were stood in a nearby square.
"How many species have you seen now Martha?" Lucia asked.
Martha liked to make a note of which species she had seen in person. She had lost count a while ago but their visit to hi'Leyi'a Martha had now seen Pacifica's native Selkie species.
Martha replied. "Oh I've lost count now"
"So...where to first?" Elsie asked.
Martha showed Lucia and Elsie the PADD - pointing to the first place they were going to in the underwater city. There were a number of attractions but Martha wanted to make sure they visited places they would all enjoy.
"Well...I thought we'd go and visit the aquarium first. There's apparently a nice café which I thought we could go to for lunch" Martha responded.
The Cusacks headed for the aquarium which was a fifteen minute walk from where they were. After arriving outside they decided it was a nice place to take a new family photo - which they asked a Betazoid man to take for them. After thanking the man - who was also visiting the aquarium - they went inside.
"This looks amazing" Elsie said.
Lucia nodded in agreement. "It really does. Is there a tour we can take so we get to see everything?"
"There is. We're just in time for the next one - it looks like the tours from over there" Martha replied.
Martha, Lucia and Elsie walked over to where the tour started and asked if they could join. A few minutes later the friendly tour guide commenced the tour of the aquarium which they were told would take around 90 minutes or so.
"That was amazing" Elsie commented.
Lucia nodded. "It was. Did you get lots of pictures Martha?"
"I did. The guide gave me and the Denobulan marine biologist a data module which has a list of the species which we saw. It'll be nice to be able to tell anyone who doesn't recognise them what species they are. It's a shame we don't have time to come again" Martha said.
Lucia pointed to a free table in the café which was opposite the entrance to the aquarium. They took their seats and spent a few minutes deciding what to have to eat before Martha went over to order their lunch. She was glad Elsie and Lucia had enjoyed the tour just as much as she had - and she hoped they would all enjoy the rest of their holiday too.
