For the remainder of the drive, Jack asked the Prince about the state of politics on the planet and caught up on any interesting rumours, the man knew.
Maya listened to their talk while being more or less glued to the window. One reason was to hide her face, as she was still a little embarrassed, the other was, Vallia was a high-density luxury population planet, meaning only those who had money could live here. There were big and pompous buildings all around, everything was clean and looked modern and stylish.
At one point they passed a heavily ornamented gate, with guards on both sides, behind it lay a beautiful garden, with white statues of people and creatures she had never seen.
The Prince somehow noticed her curiosity and explained to her, that it actually was a few kilometres long park walled off park, that separated the nobles from the rest of the planet.
She gulped and tried to imagine how rich someone had to be to build a few kilometres of garden around a city only for not have to see the neighbours.
The buildings behind the park were only one or two stories tall, compared to the skyscrapers early she thought little of them until she realised how decadent it was to build such a small house on a high-density planet.
When they arrived in front of the royal palace she first thought it to be another Wall. The building was much higher than everything surrounding it and seemed to stretch indefinitely to the sides. The whole thing was built from white polished stone with golden and black inlays. The ornaments were in gold and black as well as blue.
They left the vehicle, the prince at the front, Jack half a step behind and Maya struggling to follow them with her eyes wide open, trying to see every single thing. There was a double row of beautiful servants awaiting them. They bowed when the prince crossed them without the slightest notice. The Prince guided them up a massive flight of stairs and trough and thirty-metre high wooden gate into the entrance hall, that lay behind.
Maya looked up and almost fell over. The hall was at least fifty meters high with massive arches holding the ceiling above them. There were bright paintings, telling the story of a man in the colours of house Vallian, saving the population of what seemed like a mining rig from a Xeno attack.
"I can call a historian if you are interested in the story of this great House, my Lady."
Maya screamed and jumped back as someone suddenly spoke directly behind her. There was a woman in a black uniform standing there with a blanc expression on her face.
Maya looked around, only to learn, her father and the prince had apparently left her behind. She turned back to the waiting servant.
"Uh, so where are the others?"
"The young Master and the Captain Voidfarer left for the Master's study."
"Then can you please bring me there?"
The maid shook her head slightly.
"The young master did not invite you in, I am afraid."
"What else am I to do then?"
"You can wait here if you wish to."
Maya took a look around the massive, empty room and slowly shook her head.
"Absolutely not, can you please take me somewhere else, preferably somewhere I don't stand out too much?"
The Maid thought for a moment, then she gestured Maya to follow her.
She led the other woman through a series of small hallways and corridors, that seemed to stretch forever. From time to time they encountered small groups of Servants, but none bothered them or anything.
They reached an inner courtyard, that was filled with grass and sand. There was a multitude of animals, being trained by their handlers.
"I like to come here to pat the dogs."
The maid said with a straight face. Maya hesitated for a moment, then she stepped outside. Everyone stopped what they were doing once they neared and let them inspect and play with the animals. Maya thought they must know the Maid, but in reality, her being accompanied by one of the Maids marked her as Guest of the Prince and house.
She found that she had the best connection to the dogs, out of all the animals. She could communicate with them and they would listen to her much easier, than with the maid.
When they were done with the animals, Maya asked the maid to bring her somewhere to eat. Again, the Woman thought for a moment, before guiding her through the halls and corridors to one of the servant's kitchens. The meal was hearty and filling and Maya enjoyed having something other than nutrient paste.
The other servants in the kitchen seems somewhat agitated, but she didn't pay them too much attention and focused on the delicious food.
Sometime later they were informed, that her father and the prince had finished their meeting and Maya was asked to return to the captain's side. The maid guided her fast and efficiently once more, so that she arrived at the car, at the same time as her father.
Seeing that jack entered without talking, Maya just followed, despite all the questions and things she wanted to tell. As soon as the doors closed behind them, Jack looked at her seriously.
"I already have a few new contracts from the Prince and his entourage, most of them come by Invoice, the rest I'll write up and send to you, don't worry, I haven't decided on anything without you."
Maya nodded, happy to be involved in the decision making.
"We still need more crew. No one will leave us here, but as soon as we leave House Vallian's territory. We will also clearly lose the crew. Besides, there is one, possibly two, people on this planet that I have a particular interest in recruiting."
He seemed to consider for a moment whether to continue.
" One person, Is Doctor Miranda Vallian-Deus. She is one of the leading xeno-biologists and also a gifted medic. She lives and does research here in the Prince's court, but he is unlikely to let her go voluntarily. I already have a few ideas but we can talk about that when I'm done thinking."
Maya had never heard of the woman but mentally made a note to do some research on her.
"The other person is, ... difficult. I know a few places she might be staying, but the only way I can find out is by showing up there myself. So you don't have to worry about that either. Besides, I've discussed with the prince that you get a crash course in courteous behaviour."
Maya tilted her head and looked at her father questioningly.
"Is that necessary?"
"If you want to be a successful voidfarer you must be able to adapt to the customs of a planet. Just because we are outside their social norms doesn't mean it doesn't help to know them."
That sounded logical, so Maya had no choice but to agree to his suggestion.
They talked about some trivialities and finally reached the ship. Jack immediately hid in his cabin under the pretext of having to write the list for Maya and she did not bother him any further. She had already seen in the car how empty his social battery was and nothing would recharge it faster than staring into the void alone for a few hours. She had to shake involuntarily at the idea. She would never understand willingly listening to the call of the void, but she had learned not to question this habit.