Unity

Chapter 21

I awoke eager for my first official day XO of the Unity. I had slept soundly aboard the Unity, due to the surprising comfort of the beds. Now that my time in the Academy was over, I was eager to being my service in Battle Fleet and my future seemed bright. We were due to depart from the Academy to begin our first mission within the hour, so I decided to start my morning. PT was such a part of my time in the Academy this last year, it seemed strange not to keep up on it, so I decided on a leisurely jog through the passageways two decks below the bridge. This area was mostly storage compartments and thus I was undisturbed in my run. After a quick shower and a visit to the galley, I was making my way to the bridge.

I wasn't required to be on the bridge for this mission, but I wasn't going to miss our maiden flight for the world. On the bridge, things were running smoothly, and only the din of normal bridge communications could be heard. We were already underway and making our way towards the shipyards to pick up the Galactum, as well as other last-minute supplies.

"Good morning," I said happily as I approached Admiral Jones.

"Maybe for you," He replied grumpily. He had covered the last half of the third watch and was several hours into his watch. He also had to deal with disembarking from the Academy and the stress that entailed. "Read this," he ordered as he sent a file to the tablet, I hadn't realized I was carrying around. After a year of hauling it around it had almost become part of me. I joked with the other commanders that my tablet was Battle Fleet's replacement for my brain.

A pinging sound caught my attention, and I opened the file. It was a report on some engine upgrades that were being done. They were supposed to have been completed a week ago, but there had been some complications.

"Is this something that we need to worry about?" I asked.

"I've been told it shouldn't impact the mission at all," he answered. "The equipment that is being installed is in a chamber next to the engines. It's probably more redundancy. Heaven knows we don't have enough of that already." His last remark was dripping with sarcasm.

He brought me up to speed on what had happened since my shift ended. Only a few reprimands had to be issued to overenthusiastic crew members during the celebrations. Other than that minor incident, it had been quiet.

I walked up to and inspected the holotable. We were still in transit, the Academy quickly receding in the distance. It was a short flight to the shipyards where transport ships were waiting to dock with the Unity.

"Tell the fighters to deploy," Admiral Jones commanded as we neared the shipyards. "We are officially on the clock so everyone stay sharp. We have reports that Chaos wants to sabotage this mission and there is no way I'm letting them humiliate us."

Several minutes later several cargo transports landed in the docking bays. "If they were going to try something, that was their chance," I said. "There is no way that they can touch it now." I turned to Admiral Jones and asked, "Our destination is a secret research facility right?"

"That is what the mission briefing states," he replied.

"How are they going to keep it a secret after today?" I asked. "We stick out like a sore thumb. Anyone with a telescope would be able to track us."

My question seemed to catch him off guard. He thought for a minute and then said, "I honestly have no idea. Those who planned the mission obviously know more than we do."

"It would be nice to be kept informed about these details," I muttered.

Admiral Jones must have heard me because he chuckled and said, "One thing all governments have in common is that they don't like to inform those who need to know the important details they deem unnecessary."