Gravitas

Chapter 2

  TIME AND DATE: 0815 HOURS, 13 AUGUST 2359 / Lambda Acallaris System / SPECTRE Fleet In-Orbit around Mavros IV / Aboard the Ramses-class destroyer USDF Selenium  

"Lieutenant, where's that coffee I asked for twenty minutes ago?" Captain Satriano asked in agitation, his forefinger resting on his COMPAD, his free hand rubbing along his stubbled chin.

A wave of static poured from the pad followed by a 3-second pause. "Right on it, sir. Sorry for the delay," a hurried male voice responded.

"Don't be sorry, be on time, Lieutenant," he directed, releasing his finger from the pad and placing it on the Ops station in front of him with a long sigh.

Captain Maurice Satriano stood on the elevated Command Ops station on the bridge of the USDF Selenium, a Ramses-class destroyer in the Spectre fleet of the USDF. The oldest class of destroyers still active, Ramses-class ships were outfitted with only a fraction of the arsenal the newer vessels carried. Ten standard M68 chain guns, four neutron rockets, and 2 heavy photon cannons were the Selenium's only defenses. Like all of its sister ships, the Selenium was also armed with four Ibis jets capable of carrying a payload of two short-range photon shells each and an assortment of pistols, assault rifles, and battle rifles that were standard issue for all 1,296 crewmembers. They were slower, heavier, and far less maneuverable than newer classes, which lent to a fairly docile life for their crews.

The bridge of the Selenium was its usual quiet as it orbited Mavros IV. A large viewport occupying the majority of the forward wall looked down upon a mountain range shrouded in clouds. The spires of Aganthos could be seen in the far distance, a silver gem tucked amongst a lush forest. Beyond, the blackness of space speckled with stars.

Captain Satriano thumbed his COMPAD once more, hailing the SATCON station at Echo Base.

"Good Morning, Echo," he said warmly, a smile gracing his lips, "this is Captain Satriano with the USDF Selenium. How're we looking from down there, boys?"

"Like an old warship ready for retirement, Satriano," a woman at SATCON quipped with a gentle laugh. "It's a pleasure to have you here, sir."

"Pleasure to be here, SATCON. What's the ETA on that inspector team?" Satriano retorted, a more serious tone lacing his voice.

The Spectre fleet was due for their yearly shipboard inspections by USDF engineers, hence the trip to Echo Base, but Satriano feared that this year might be the last inspection for the Selenium. Rumor was that all Ramses-class ships were to be decommissioned by the end of the year in favor of the new Neferu-class ships, which were lighter, better-equipped, and better-armed. Satriano would've jumped at the chance to captain one, especially the flagship Spirit of Magellan, but leaving the Selenium after three years with her was a bitter thought.

"Let's see...ETA for engineers Blackwell and Keller is roughly one hour and fifteen minutes," SATCON replied. "We'll COM you when ETA is within 30 minutes so you can hide all contraband."

Satriano accepted the mug of coffee offered to him by Lieutenant Watkins and gestured for him to wait. "It's all jokes with you today, SATCON. We'll see you then. Satriano out," he answered, releasing his thumb from the pad and rounding on Watkins.

"Lieutenant, may I ask what delayed you so much?" Satriano began, raising his eyebrows.

Watkins stammered under Satriano's gaze. "Sir- I...there was...there was a complication with the coffee machine and I..."

A svelte, young blonde slipped behind Watkins, stifling a laugh. She was Satriano's Chief Weapons Officer, Amanda Breznovik. She raised her hand in a silent greeting to the captain as she moved towards her Ops station.