It All Started with a Shuttle Flight

Chapter 7 M/M

Mark Alexander

Low Point Station

Alexander Industrials Military Training Facility

It took me twenty minutes to change and head down to my next training. The Marines were teaching me how to use the Assault Shuttles so I get another couple of hours training in the simulators. Not the full scale simulator I was in the other day, but individual simulators that mimic the gun turrets and firing stations, as well as the other control stations. The Electronic Counter Measures suite interested me, as did the Electronic Warfare suite. More importantly, I am learning how the systems are used together, which someday will also be added onto my own ship. At least, that was the plan. To add military grade systems to my own Mining Vessel.

A young noncom met me at the main office where I was talking with Lieutenant Briggs. She introduced us and led the way through the training center. The light gray of the bulkheads with the dark-colored deck almost made me feel like I was in a tunnel of sorts. We passed several rooms that contained both single and multiple station training systems. Two were even mockups of an Assault Shuttle cockpit. One was in use as the new trainees learned the systems. I had already done that. And my performance in the life-sized trainer was admirable, considering my background and training prior to that. As the Lieutenant said, my seventy-nine point four scoring was very good, all things considered. Personally, I was unhappy with it as that is a very low score for me. Again, I guess that all stems from competing with the family legends of my great grandfather Joshua Alexander created as he built the corporation over 300 stanyears ago, as everyone is looking to me to be the next producer of the Alexander family legends.

"Try this, Sa Alexander." Said the Sergeant shaking me out of my thoughts as I sat down at the ECM station. "With this equipment you could send out Electronic Hazing to spoof missiles and targeting systems of drones, fighters and to some extent larger ships...." He continued on as I worked my way through the system. Listening to every instruction and trying each individual setting against the A.I. training system. Asking questions and having him show me when I didn't understand. The training session was extremely intense. As they always are. Heavy on theory and practical use as we worked through various uses of the system.

Mipshipman Janek Wojact

ANS Endeavor

My Link blipped me a message pending tone. I flipped my wrist and rolled my eyes at the sender before I excused myself from the Wardroom. Thankfully, I have to be back on duty in 15 minutes.

"Secret message?" Asked Shana Uroda. The closest friend I have here, or anywhere, for that matter.

"No, just my brother." The expression on both her and Rory Thorp matched my own weary look as I walked out into the passageway and down to the junior officers berthing compartment. The holo came to life as I played the message. Jonasz Wojact's image filled the view. Older, shorter and very much the extrovert to my introvert. Always having a plan. Always in some sort of trouble. Always trying to bully me to get what he wants.

Don't think just because you don't live here anymore that I don't need your help. When are you going to stop training and get assigned some place that you could start sending items home? You need to get with the program and start helping me make credits. I stopped the recording, cutting his latest diatribe off. Sighing, my head dropped into my hands. No matter how far away I go. It's never far enough. A fast massage of my temples and a few deep breaths before I stood. Back to duty. I thought as I left the compartment.

My crowning achievement in my life is my understanding of how to hide away from prying eyes. Which is what I do when I am on Watch, but not today as I standing on the Bridge as Junior Officer of the Watch. I'm running the ship under the watchful eye of one of the senior officers. Someday I hope I can command a ship of my own. Far away from my previous life on Vol-Stadt Station in the Zebarra Sector. The only thing I ever want to see from there again are my parents. I turned back to confirm our course with the Conning Officer as I double checked our location with the Navigation Officer, Midshipwoman Uroda. She was the reason I understand navigation now, as I always had trouble with the math's involved.