Kodon

by Chris Mills

  “A junior-lieutenant,” Andy called. “That’s a mouth full. Junior-Lieutenant Jones.”

  “It’s long,” Stephen said. “I guess I’m a little above you.”

  “Rub it in my face now.”

  “Hey,” Stephen said. The two laughed. Stephen patted the pins. A right tug brought one off. Coming close once more, it went into place. “That is cool. I think I’m ready. We don’t have a lot of time. Herald wants to leave early.”

  Stephen had all his things in a duffle bag on the bed. It felt pitiful to have so little to move into a new home; a few clothes for off duty, his uniforms, shoes, and a tablet Herald gave him. Onboard he could get more, but he could only wonder if it would be the choice of something plain or something to be himself among the crew.

  One last check and Stephen had the bag in hand. Down in the lobby, they weren’t the only ones in uniform. The others waited, along with some strangers who Herald seemed to be having a good conversation with. Stephen stared up to the top of the high tree. A new decoration had come this morning, some oblong, green, four-point tipped hat.

  “Looking good, Andy,” Kim said.

  “Am I?” Andy chuckled. “I can’t say I pictured you in it.”

  Everyone wore pants it seemed. Another girl talking to Herald had an orange uniform with the same design. Uniforms did make things simple. The booklet had much to it. Stephen had tamed his hair the best he could and considered a shorter haircut, which his commanding officer could demand or the captain upon inspection. Kim followed her booklet by having her hair back in a ponytail from its length.

  “You all took to uniform great,” Herald said. He stopped by Andy and shook his head. “You missed a spot shaving.” Andy brushed over his face. Herald soon laughed. “I’m allowed a little fun.”

  Clean shaven only came as a suggestion for certain races where it could look bad. The booklet wanted facial hair to be groomed and kept well. It felt pointless to grow your beard or goatee naturally onboard. Luckily, they could speed up hair growth or attach it better today.

  “Hmm,” Herald said. He patted Stephen’s pins. “You’re a junior-lieutenant. You’ll figure out your responsibilities soon enough.”

  “You’re a lieutenant,” Stephen said. “That’s impressive.”

  “It’s only a rank. It’s what you do with it, Stephen.”

  Fields kept back the fire for the transport shuttle. Ten stayed in their seats onboard, while their pilots preferred to stand in front of a raised dash to control their ascent. Three of those who joined them were from the hotel, the other two waited at a hanger. They weren’t alone to launch.

  The shuttle rocked lightly as it broke into space. Stephen rested his head back. It hopefully would be some time before he had to come back to Galat II. There was a whole galaxy. If he came back, he wanted it to be for the council reconvening to send Gabe and Kim home.

  “Do you think Jim will be there?” Andy whispered to Stephen.

  “Maybe,” Stephen said. “He always has a lot on his plate. He may watch the launch from his office.”

  The shuttle sped fast past a small planet with a lot in orbit. It took course towards a large cruiser. More protection waited in the area. Warnings projected, stating clearance was needed for all to pass. A giant turret came overhead of them. Stephen tried not to get up. His butt did come off the seat a little. It didn’t help the man in front had height.

  Five shipyards were protected behind this force. The largest had a ship under construction and hadn’t gotten past the bare bones. Their shuttle rounded it and took course to the far back, one much smaller than the rest. Another shuttle passed through a blue field on the side. Theirs quickly went inwards and started to set down where a man in a yellow vest motioned.

  “Safe voyage,” their pilot called.

  A set of incredibly clean boots had a nice shine with their polish. A tall and very fit Salzmenian kept good posture as they neared. Three gold stars rested nicely on the chest piece of his blue uniform. His yellow eyes seemed to judge everyone he stared at.

  “Welcome,” the commander said. “I am Commander Hatch, Chief of Security. Head through doors behind me. You will be directed onboard and told your quarters. Read material in room. Be present at call. Dismissed.”

  Commander Hatch moved from their path and lifted a finger to the door. Stephen took little time to move with the others. The hallway was white and clean. Warnings hung around in different languages about work zones. A tap suddenly came to his shoulder.

  “How long does it take?” Gabe questioned. Stephen rose an eyebrow. “The thing they put in my head before the party.”

  “Oh,” Stephen said. “I think it’s different for everyone. Stop staring at their mouths, bud.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “Holy cow!” Andy exclaimed.

  Finally, the white hall ended on a side. Glass covered a long stretch and gave an excellent view to what would be home this next journey. The Celestial waited, a handful of tunnels leading in. Its engine sections, or wings, were planted on the back, ready for cruise. It could outrun and outmaneuver the monster of the ship that destroyed the Explorer C; the Amandora.

  If it weren’t for the lit walls inside the shipyard, the Celestial may only look as if a faint, red glow of stripes lingered in the darkness. “Is it smaller than the other one?” Kim questioned.

  Herald rubbed his chin. “I don’t know,” he finally spoke. “We only have seventy or so aboard. I think the Celestial could easily handle more if needed. As for size, I can’t be sure.”

  “Size doesn’t matter,” a man ahead said. “It’s the technology and the space we maximize.”

  A woman in a yellow vest prevented them going farther than the tunnel in. The transparent material making up the tunnel saw a few stumble at first. Stephen slowed, fighting the urge to press the curved wall. A green ray ran over the marks of the Celestial at the front. The small craft moved on and rushed over the tunnel, its blue engines radiating.

  Another voice rose, same tone as the rest. Two white spherical droids floated at the end of the tunnel into their new home. Stephen stopped as ordered. The droid did not turn to him. “Jones, Stephen,” it spoke, “Crew Quarter B112. DNA Signature registered. Proceed.”

  Decks on the Celestial couldn’t really be compared to any building Stephen had been in. Decks themselves were a layer, similar to a floor of a building, but the rest of the designation referred to a section and room. B112 was on Deck B, Section 1, Room 12. Telling the computer aboard the lift a section got him there fast from what Herald explained earlier. Stephen could also tell it ‘Deck 1, Section 1,’ as military ships in the empire used.

  The Celestial had a screen near each lift and specific parts of the hall. One Stephen neared had off letters that changed to English as he tapped it. A menu appeared, one giving a layout of the ship, which let him choose a deck and section. An option came to also pick from a universal language to view it in. One of the five chosen were required to graduate. Earthborn gave him a little advantage.

  A panel with a touchscreen rested by each door. Most had the last name of a person on it. Below, a little harder to catch if walking by quickly, was the room number. Even numbers covered this side of the hall. It didn’t take long. Stephen thought seeing Jones in the past like this would be for his office.

  A simple tap gave way to where Stephen would spend his coming months or more. Light grew within his quarters. “Good morning,” a friendly voice rose within. “Please consult the booklet on your desk.”

  A studio apartment could have less or a lot more. The small living room had a large couch and a chair that may fit two, positioned around a slim holo table with rounded edges. An end table by the couch had an orb hovering slightly off it. Stephen tossed his bag on the couch and brought his hand close to the thing.

  “No recorded light setting,” the orb spoke, rising a bit more. A ring of light swarmed around its top. “Do you wish to set one up now?”

  “
No,” Stephen said. Sweet.

  A clear desk was nestled up the wall with a view. A single large window took up most of it. It curved in slightly as it went up. A tunnel ran to the ship with a few people heading in with their things. Coming in, he hadn’t seen light coming out of any section of the ship.

  “Computer,” Stephen began. “What settings are there for this glass?”

  “You have full control of the inside tint,” the computer came through. “Night mode is currently set to maximum. Your current tint is at five percent. Do you wish to set up favorites?”

  “No,” Stephen said. “Can anyone see in?”

  “No,” the computer said. “The Celestial’s construction valued privacy and stealth.”

  “Oh.”

  Stephen took hold of his bag and neared his large bed. It may be a little under the size of a king and pressed very close to the other wall. An end table rested at one side with another small orb floating slightly above it. He unzipped his bag on the bed, eyeing his only choice for storage. The closet had sliding doors that vanished behind the walls. It gave him plenty of room for what he had and more to store when he obtained some real off-duty clothes.

  The uniforms were hung up. Their material didn’t wrinkle well. He pushed what other clothes he had onto the shelves. Megan in the past had tried to get him to organize his closet better - rather than shove shirts onto a shelf and where he felt. He always found what he needed. What was wrong with a little messiness?

  “Wow,” Stephen said.

  The bathroom door slid open with a pull. Light had a low warmth to it. The sink was small, mirror spotless, and a drawer gave room for his things. The toilet looked pretty nice, and he hoped it could stay that way. Only a shower would come after a long day here. It didn’t feel cramped when he stepped inside. While small, he nodded his head at how it all worked out.

  “Booklet,” Stephen said aloud.

  Stephen pulled back the chair from the desk. It floated up as his butt came to it. He shook a little in it. Not once did it sink back to the floor until he started to stand. A laptop awaited him, a thin, dark glass handheld similar to what Herald once had, another of the floating orbs, and last, a red booklet with the empire’s seal on it. He flipped it open. Physical information existed, and it stated that it could be found in the database. He needed to set up his account by the end of his first day.

  Tech had come far. The Celestial was state of the art. Stephen stuck with his booklet. It instructed him on how to set up his communication line, as well as his account onboard the Celestial. It gave information on the panel inside the door which linked to his messages and let him set greetings. There was a lot to make this room his own.

  “Computer,” Stephen said. He cleared his throat. “Turn off overhead lights.” His father would smack him if he saw this laziness. Darkness took the quarters. Faint light trailed in from the construction yard. “Turn on personal lights, full.”

  The light orb on the desk rose and lit with a natural warm yellow, as well as the one by his bed, and living room table. Light came from a shelf by the wall. It felt like he was back in college. He hated the overhead lights. His old roommate and he only had those on at the end of the year when they moved out. These lights left shadows that felt normal and seemed to ease him the more they stayed on.

  Stephen pushed the light around on his desk. It had no heat to it. The booklet told him to consult the database for more information on them or ask the orb itself. They were very customizable, including color. He chuckled and leaned back. The chair only let him go as far as his old desk chair.

  A long whistle came not long after Stephen finished with the last of his account setup. He still had to put in some information to customize it. The sharpness faded.

  “All officers, report to the hall for inspection,” a woman said. The chair’s legs came to the ground as he stood. He patted down his uniform and took a large breath.

  Stephen tried to check his hair once more in the bathroom. He shook what that girl said out of his head. A surprising man stood in front of the door to his left. “Ah, Stephen,” Mike Vandabar said. “We will be neighbors.”

  “It seems so,” Stephen grinned. The two shook hands quick and took spot at their doors. “You must come over when you can.”

  “I’d like that,” Stephen said.

  The next quarter down from Mike had a familiar face to it as well. Serena’s hair was a little shorter, straight, and kept free from her eyes. A whistle sounded out, shaking Stephen. He kept himself straight and matched Mike’s position; arms behind back, feet together, head forward.

  Three officers appeared at the end of the crew quarters. Captain Maley kept his hands behind his back as he stopped by each. His head moved little, eyeing each of his new officers. The Telicion woman behind him looked in her early thirties and was the second in command, Commander Nvgoer. Commander Hatch kept his distance, doing his own inspection it appeared.

  “Jones,” Captain Maley said. Stephen kept still. The scholarship committee flashed in his mind. “I look forward to seeing your progress.” Stephen nodded. Captain Maley cleared his throat. “Ease up.” Stephen didn't notice the hand expecting his. The captain had a firm shake. He smiled and headed on to the next to meet his inspection.

  A set of yellow eyes kept to Stephen. Commander Hatch grunted and headed on, tail moving behind. A soft sigh let Stephen relax. “Did he have anything nice to say to you, Mike?” Stephen whispered.

  Mike grinned. “He read one of my papers a year back,” he said. “I like him. What about you?”

  “He’s interested in seeing what I can do.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do well,” Mike said. He patted Stephen on the side. “I’ll see you soon enough.”

  “Very.”

  **

  “Final procedures set,” Commander Eliusie Nvgoer said.

  “Thank you,” Captain Andrew Maley said. He leaned forward in his chair, scratching his chin. He had been on the bridge twelve times and knew once more that there were better captains who could sit in this ship.

  The Celestial had been a shock. The prototype deep space vessel had big potential. Weapons had been implemented to make up for its size if combat would come, its warp capabilities could take them farther and faster than others, and those who came to operate it were very promising. The technology onboard surpassed any of the captain worked with. He knew someone who would love to sit in this chair.

  “Take us out,” Andrew said.

  The bridge of the Celestial had a nice crew. The captain’s station rested in the middle, elevated, so watchful eyes could watch and stay alert. Many of the stations had both a holographic screen above and controls on the station itself in case of issues. Sometimes the best tech needed to be real and not a projection. Too much can happen on a ship.

  Andrew brought his holo-screen in front of the chair. The very bridge itself had the ability to display the outside of the ship on the circular walls, whole or concentrated. The screen was plenty. He tapped at his armrest. Two shuttles kept in front of them, lights flashing. It took little for their path to clear and get them moving faster than ships about could.

  Galat II fell far behind. Andrew brought up their course. They had a bit to do onboard before a true course would come for Sterno Operations. He tapped at the coordinates. It was planned they wouldn’t leave the ship for nine days - a little less than some vessels. The crew must get acquainted with the ship and time would tell who would be transferred off. Andrew would hate to have to let people go on this ship.

  “Sir, we’re clear,” the helmsman said. “Course is locked in.”

  “Engage at maximum cruising speed,” Andrew said.

  The Celestial was flung forward, vanishing in a blast of light.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The door on the lift slid open. Deck E Section 3 had been designated for Sterno Operations. The computer warned as Andy departed the lift that this sector was heavily monitored, and crew not associated with it wer
e not to linger. He wore a smile at the sight of someone ahead. The purple coated Kazmilin leaned against the wall with a gorgeous smile.

  “Hi Sophie,” Andy said.

  “I promised I’d wait,” Sophie said.

  “I’m glad you did.”

  “We have about five minutes,” Sophie said. “We should hurry.”

  Sterno Operations had a total of two halls and one joining them. They had been given eight rooms. One was the briefing room they had been ordered to report to. Andy kept pace with Sophie. She kept glancing his way with her smile. The two stopped and headed back to the joining hall. Herald’s new lab had a red glow to its panel. Hopefully, he would have good space to work.

  Andy could spot the briefing room ahead. The two nodded at each other. They quickly crossed over to the other hall for a peek. They had enough space that the operation had a locker room put in. Quickly, they hurried back. They had been blessed to have a lot here. Their briefings would take place in a room that tilted down a little towards a stage. Three rows of seating had people in it already. Stephen had a place in the front. Andy thought to join him, but quickly saw the screen in front of every chair had a last name on them. His rested in the back row near Sophie’s.

  Andy sunk into a very comfortable seat that kept him sitting straight. He tapped at the screen. He smiled once more at Sophie. She too had a login. Andy spotted an icon for setup. It took little to register his account with the pre-created profile for Sterno Operations.

  Hmm. The Sterno Away Team had been pre-chosen for him to serve. It gave little information, only to tap to continue. The screen flashed to a dark blue logo with Sterno Operations running in two lines through it in bold, powerful letters. Their logo was a blue sphere with what may be a darker blue star behind it, a point rising out the top, and two angled points below. Andy nodded and leaned back. This would be work, and he would see pay in an account from it.