Futuristic Starbound: A Timeless Voyage

[Sephus]

Pvt. Walter Pierce gripped his safety harnesses as the transport groaned under the stratospheric pressures. A single breach in the hull would instantly crush the three dozen bright-eyed recruits. How was everyone so care free? His thick brows knit together as his azure eyes flickered from graduate to graduate. Most had the luxury of knowing the enlistee beside them, but a few, like him, sat quietly with pensive eyes. He had the privilege of sitting next to a small window. He had the privilege of sitting next to the two-way design oversight; an unnecessary structural flaw that would send him careening into space to suffocate while his blood boiled. He wondered which would take him first: the lack of oxygen or Ebullism.

The croaking chassis was on the verge of folding in on itself before the transports thrusters switched off. A sudden silence had everyone pause. Walt turned to the small window by his ear. It was a serene expanse that had no horizon. There was no ambient noise beyond the small vessel's hum and the supervising officer unbucklingo fher harness. Said officer stood up and proceeded to the head of the ship, just in front of the closed cockpit cabin.

She was garbed in a dark blue uniform consisting of: a flat top, combat jacket, slacks, and polished steel-toed boots. Her dark eyes scanned the batch of privates from under the brim of her hat.
"Good evening recruits. I am Petty Officer Okonjo. Our ETA for the LVC star base oh-five-hundred (05:00). When we dock, you will file out and form up in front of reception. From there I will do a roll call and assign each of you to your respective group. You will then report in to your Group Leader for further instructions. Am I clear?"

A united confirmation resounded throughout the cramped transport. PO Okonjo nodded and rapped on the cockpit door behind her. It hissed open and she disappeared inside.

Buckles and belts came undone as privates stood to stretch or mill around. A few leaned past Walters shoulder and peaked outside at the endless nothingness. He wasn't a fan of having strangers breath by his ear, so he pressed the metal release located at the center of his safety harness and maneuvered away from the growing crowd. Everyone seemed to wanted a peek at an unadulterated space that wasn't accompanied by fanfare and a voice-over requesting brave individuals enlist with the Light Brigade Voyage Company.

LVC wasn't Walt's first choice. It was more like his only choice. There was a plethora of companies and fleets throughout, but only a select few even bothered with the boonies. As long as they got him off that forsaken rock, he would follow them to the ends of space. Plus they gave him a free holo-notepad and a matching holo-pen; how could he say no.

He chewed his lower lip as he slumped his lean figure into an empty seat. He brought his head down and began running his fingers through his textured burnt-mahogany hair. His sister offered to give him a trim before he shot up into space, leaving her and mom to take care of Bill and Derrick. It was barely 12 hours and the pit of his stomach missed home. Maybe he didn't miss home.. but he missed the familiarity.

 

[Clepsydra]

The LVC base, though it is one with well-produced operations and a respectable, highly trained staff, has had its fair share of hiccups. Twice in the past week - it was the 5th day of it - at least one of the small transport cabins' wiring went berserk, creating a multitude of stress-inducing sparks. So, as it seemed, on her first day as a Captain, the day which she was intended to travel home to see her father via one of the transports, her designated transport had been quarantined. Something about a pressure leak, or a pressure build..? She had overheard what the predicament was while she had waited around the bend of the hallway, listening in before she left to pursue accomplishable things. It wasn't as if Rian Perloff had any clue - she just did what she was told and instead reported back to her chambers to wait by her Holopad for further update.

As she returned to her compartmentalized chambers, she heaved a great sigh of both relief and resignation. Though she loved her father very much and would do anything to ensure he pull through, she did want to risk causing him to worry. Since her mother's death, it had just been her and her father; It wasn't a lonely experience at all. Rather, her father and she were able to do more without the constant ping of a mother who would yell at their child for even standing near the stove when it was off. However, with age and illness comes the stark realization that death is inevitable - well, for most: rumors had been circulating for 17 years that the Empress of the Gaius two galaxies over had conquered the ability to immortalize herself, her staff's vast array of medical knowledge surely coming into handy for the aging dictator. However, Rian's father was not the Empress of the Gaius - rather, he was an old, graying man who had spent 35 years working in deplorable factory conditions. Accustomed to hard labor, his hands had become rough, the skin itself rough on the exterior yet fragile due to the wear over time. His eyes had a weak glow to them, mainly from the illness, but stemming from his long hours and lack of sleep for years. He, also, had developed a tick. Though he hadn't the faintest idea he had it, occasionally he would slam his hand forward, as though there were something in front of him (there sometimes was). After years of testing the strength of fuel canisters for leaks, her father now mimicked the motion subconsciously. He had always been a hard working man, but now it definitely showed.

However, that is quite enough about her father: it seems Rian has moved onto other things. Sitting alone in her cabin, she had grown quite bored. It was enough to watch the telly drone on and on about the current escapades of several rebellious groups attempting to revolt against their capital government - it may sound alarming, but the infinite expanse of space that is civilized would experience a healthy amount of revolt and revolution. So, instead, she slipped out of her travel uniform and into something far more comfortable. The restrictive, airtight clothing she had grown accustomed to was simply a small evolution. She still preferred the looser articles of clothing, so that she might actually breathe air into her lungs. So, with swiftness, she pressed her small clothing vacuum to her hip, allowing the airtight contraption to be flooded with enough air for her to remove it. Feeling already much more stable, she slid on a professional wear of her black and blue dress pants, a white, constructive upper garment, and her favorite pair of water log shoes. Aware of her own loneliness, she recruited her android, the latest XTI-295 as a gift of congratulation by her graduation professor, and headed directly to the entrance of the cabin. To most, it would appear she was on a mission or was rushing to having an interesting chat with possibly a friend or a romantic interest. The stride in her step, however, was not for the purpose to socialize necessarily.

The recruits were arriving within the hour, and she always had a soft spot for those new to the Company. No matter their position - defense fleet, crew member, repair technician, scientist, etc. - she longed to see the new recruits, to know them. Most everyone she met who was unfamiliar with her thought her to be a recruit, if not for the small, lopsided hat pinned to her hair labeled "CAPTAIN" in bold, blue print. However, her linguistics soon proved otherwise. She had a sharp tongue, that of which never necessarily landed her into trouble, but put her into occasionally unfortunate coinicidences. So Rian, excited for the new recruits, sat in the lobby at a cafe table, waiting to be served as she watched the doors, smiling ear to ear.

 

[Sephus]

Another enlistee graciously took Walter's original seat. If he wanted to be the first one to be spaced upon an integrity breach, then more power to him. He pulled his safety straps on and had the four belts snap into the centerpiece buckle.
He now sat within earshot of the cockpit, where he heard the muffled exchange with the bay's controller. "T-2930 requesting permission to land"

"T-2930, this is LVC control, what is your authorization code?"

"Authorization code is 349827TC, 3-4-9-8-2-7 Tango Charlie."

A brief pause as the controller punched in the code.

"Confirmed. T-2930, proceed to bay 5"

"Thank you control"

The transport turned slightly and the cadets sitting near windows all gave a soft gasp as their eyes widened at the sight: The Light Brigade Voyage Company's Outer Fringe Base 8. LVC had tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of these meccas, but seeing the hulking space edifice in-person was always humbling. This particular base had a mushroom-like body with several docks protruding from its stalk for larger ships. The bulk of the inhabitants worked and lived in the cap-like dome that topped the mega structure. Dock 5 was also located on the edge of the domed cap they were quickly approaching. Okay, maybe Walter would've liked to have kept his seat. From where he was, he could only catch glimmers of LVC's flagship star base. Outer systems always got the newer bases.

The transport pitched up for a moment before decelerating and with a soft bump and shake, it landed in Dock 5. PO Okonjo stood up with her clipboard under her arm. The transport's door hissed open and walkway slid out from under the exit. "Alright let's move soldiers!"

Her command and the ensuing flurry was like water bursting from a dam: safety harnesses flew off and soldiers rapidly formed a line as they filed off the ship. Walt was 3rd in line, and soon found himself stepping over the ship's threshold. The bay was a massive mechanical cavern, with smaller corvettes, fighters, and transports arriving and departing. Large heavy doors lined the walls, while between the landing pads, there was a service strip that had engineers, droids, and service vehicles whizzing up and down the lane.

The couple of enlistees ahead of him hesitated for a moment before Walt tapped the young man's shoulder and pointed at a large desk station nestled between two wide doors. The station was staffed by at least a dozen workers who all fashioned white uniforms and a blue holo-eyepiece. The congregation of Privates lined up into a row of four. Every enlistee sported a dark blue beret, a matching tight-fitting shirt, grey cargo pants, and black boots.

The first private off called, "Attention" as PO Okonjo approached and centered herself at the front of the formation. She started rattling off instructions, but from the corner of his eye, Walter caught a glimpse of a straight-backed brunette officer. He couldn't help himself, as his head swiveled for a moment, tracking the young officer before she joined another small group of officers who were also waiting for their new assignees.

The sharp call of his name snapped Walter's gaze back forward. "Pierce! You will be assigned under Captain Perloff".

Okonjo was only halfway through the alphabet, so Walt took the opportunity to peer at the group of amassed captains from the corner of his eye. What he would do for that doe-eyed officer to be Perloff. Somehow the name Perloff more suited the grizzled old veteran that stood beside her with thick shoulders and a snarled expression.

"Dismissed!" Okonjo called as the group saluted and broke apart. How did all the enlistees seemingly know where to go? Walt frowned but made his way to the group of captains in tandem with a large portion of the group. He eyed the Captains' name plates. The scarred old marine's name tag read Hall. He decided to allow himself a moment to inspect the officer that he was so smitten with; of course with the pure intention of learning her name.

Perloff.

 

[Clepsydra]

It was much harder for the new Captain’s to focus when there was such a plethoras if bottled excitement surrounding them. To this excitement, Perloff was no stranger. The energy in her step, the way her body moved like rhythm as she stood as still as possible, her legs still giving way to a gentle sway out of pure anxiousness. She had never felt so included in such a thing in her life. So, as she heard the old hag that she had becomed so accustomed to shout her name, she stood more at attention.

Her eyes scanned the trainees as each of them were assigned a captain, but never had her name on those lips sounded so sweet on such a harsh woman’s mouth as then. The man assigned to her immediately struck her as someone quite serious, though to her everyone seemed a bit too serious. She narrowed her eyes at his posture and watched him carefully, ensuring that she seem more intimidating than she looked - that attempt fell short. Instead, Perloof looked like a deer in the headlights as the man stepped forward, seemingly confused at first. However, that confusion was so brief you would think she had imagined it.

Instead, she smiled at the man through a closed mouth, gesturing him to stand beside her. She took a deep breath, leaning over to him and whispering as quietly as possible, her lips millimeters from his ear. “She will talk for hours and hours or until she starts coughing. Let’s just hope she’s been under the weather lately.” As if in agreeance, her droid made a high pitched squeak. Thought it was only the sound of her gears relaxing, she smiled at the thought of it. She let out a small chuckle, hoping to gain some sort of trust in who she hoped would look up to her, and returned to her attention.

As promised, the woman talked their ears off for what seemed like centuries. The uncomfortableness among all in the lineup was quite obvious. The quiet shuffling and awkward throat clearing was enough to turn the centuries into millennium. However, as promised, she soon coughed, which resulted into a horrific crackle. Perloff winced, picturing the grotesque act of being the man of woman who had to kiss that mouth. The thought entertained her, however, long enough for the end of the speech to arrive.

“Cadets, Captains, you should understand your orders. However, I will repeat them if necessary. Cadets, you’ll be following your captain around the base, learning the path so that you don’t get yourselves lost and run around aimlessly. Captains, you will lead them in areas that you have been instructed to go. Under no circumstances may short cuts, special trips, or entry into the dorms be allowed. That is all. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

As the woman left, the shoulders of each cadet and captain slumped in exhausted gratitude. Perloff, in contrast, seemed more chipper than before. She immediately turned to her cadet, bright eyed as she held out her hand. “Hello, my name is Captain Rian Perloff, but you can call me-“ She paused, unsure of what to say. If she said Captain or Perloff, it would seem stand-offish. Captain Perloff seemed to make her feel too high and mighty, and Rian was even worse. Instead, she snapped out of her thoughts and quickly finished her sentence with a toothy grin. “-whatever you feel is most appropriate...cadet.”

 

[Sephus]

Walt's skin broke out with goosebumps as he felt his new captains soft breath on his ear. He instinctively pulled away slightly, the intimacy a little off-putting. He nodded but could not refrain from blushing. He kept his eyes forward and did his best to think about 0-g baseball.

The PO's spiel seemed to drag, but Walt's attention was elsewhere as his eyes snuck peaks at his new superior. A heavy chested cough seemed to mark the end of the unending welcome speech that no one asked for.

Before beginning their tour, Walter's new captain turned to him and introduced herself. He glanced at her out-stretched hand and he clasped it gratefully smiling at her, "I'll stick with the formalities for now, Captain".

In his mind he expected to be paired off with the grouchy aged captain who now stood a few feet away shouting orders and laying down the law as the color drained from hiscadet's faces. Walter turned back to Perloff, "So it's just.. you and me?" He glanced around at the small groups consisting of a captain and 4-6 cadets.

Before he could ponder further, a taller black male shouldered past Walter, "Captain Perloff? I'm Private Peterson" he took Perloff's hand and shook it firmly.

He stepped aside as a redhead about he same height as Rian stepped forward, "Private Kavanagh, reporting in, Ma'am- Captain.." she hesitantly said with a fading Irish accent. Her ginger curls fell across her downcast face as she stepped aside, falling in with Peterson and Pierce. Peterson was jostling his shorter counterpart Pierce, his bright smile contrasting with his ebony complexion.

"Ma'am, Private Varma" her voice was crisp and rang of British decent. Her hazel brown eyes sized up Rian Parloff and she dropped her salute, her dark bob cut tied back into a tight bun. She fell in beside Kavanagh.

The four stood at ease and looked to Captain Perloff for further instructions.

 

[Clepsydra]

It was unbeknownst to the new captain to have so many people address her as such. In most situations, her last name would have been shouted and she would need to be standing to attention by the time she heard it. However, this is the moment that changed, and she did not want to ruin it.

Rian Perloff took a healthy step back, clasping her hands behind her back. “Private Varma, Private Kavanaugh, Private Peterson, and Private Pierce...” she paused, charging her voice for dramatic effect. “I wish to thank you all to the base! I’m sure you will find that through this initiation process you will come to love this place! Sure, it *does* have some electrical issues and occasionally the prices for food is horrific but...” she clears her throat, realizing how off topic she had gotten. “Forgive me, my mouth has run away with me again. Anyways, I will not insult your intelligences and ask that you lot behave, considering our circumstances.”

The captain eyes Kavanaugh in a knowing glance, a sarcastic way of silently saying: ‘You look like trouble’, to which Kavanaugh grows bright red from embarrassment. A hearty, bubbily laugh escapes the captain- however, a stern crack of a plastic stick to her back charges her mind. As the captains were trained, they had been dociled to understand that they’re rank is larger but there will always be a bigger fish. Physical punishment was a way to keep any officers in line.

Biting her lip at the sharp pain, she takes in a deep breath and knows better than to turn around and face her old instructor, Sergeant Coby. Instead, she turns her attention to her droid friend, who she had been neglected. Kneeling down, she quickly programmed him to follow along their required path. After several moments of waiting, Perloff’s group was the last to leave. However, their next stop was just head, so their timing was actually impeccable. As Perloff led them into the commons, she stopped by the doors, turning to the rag tag group. “Any questions you may have, please ask me. I’m sure that anything you wonder is not stupid and will help each and everyone of you. If if it is just to pass time and break ice... now... the commons!” She swung open the doors, leading the group through the rows of seating to the small bar in the front. “Here, all members of the crew have their designated lunch breaks. I, for one, have an early lunch break, which means the food is still...well, not cold but the time I arrive. And yes, cadets, no more rations. Real food!” Sitting down at the counter, she urged the rest to follow them. Waving down one of the workers, she offered her a toothy grin, to which the worker responded with one that lacked a good deal of teeth. “This is Janette. She is a wonderful member of our staff and a fantastic chef! She is the reason why what we eat not only is edible and delicious but extremely good for our individual diets.” As if it were planned, Janette reaches under the counter and pulls out her holopad. Projected is the meal plan of each member of the base regarding what they have intolerances for and what sort of nutrition they need for their occupation on the ship.

Smiling, she gestures to the holopad and stands up. “Each of you are to fill this out quickly. It should take each of you no more than a minute: it’s a brief quiz. Then we shall move onto far more exciting things, I swear it!” Her optimism once again gets the better of her, as her cheeks go rosy and the end of her sentence ends in a small squeak.