I rubbed the bleariness from my eyes as the doors of the ship opened up, revealing glints of the sunny, arid planet in front of me. A massive craft sat before us, the word Sleipnir etched across the side. I took a deep breath and stepped out, inhaling and exhaling the hot, heavy fumes as men and women around me bustled, attempting to organize various registrations, trying to find comrades they had met before in the academy, and whatnot. I knew no one here, so all I could do was wear the goofy, relaxed face that had been my trademark ever since I was a child in the isles and hope for the best.

I fiddled with the choker around my neck, scratching the back as I could feel the sun beating down on me, trying to burn my already browned skin. I flexed my toes, feeling so constrained in the military-ordered legging/shoe things that I was forced to wear. I'd have much rather rested them in the ocean, or a pool, potentially over a brew with some of my surfer bros, but unfortunately that was not going to be possible.

I was drafted. They weren't. Shit happens.

Before the front of the ship, my new home for the next…well, at least eight months, the Gov had said, were metal tables where this new base's registrars were organizing all of the new additions to the Sleipnir. I got in line behind some dude with an undercut and waited, shoulders back, arms slightly folded, just like Astor had taught me at the academy.

The line moved slowly, giving me a ton of time to collect my thoughts and think about the ramifications of the entire situation, how just months ago my biggest problem was figuring out which beaches to hit up over the summer vacation, and now I was going to pretty much be thrust into the middle of a war zone any day. I felt my breath catch in the back of my throat for a second, then I swallowed it again, rolling my shoulders to ensure that it went down smoothly.

"You did well in the Academy, you'll be fine." I told myself. That was correct, actually - I even had been shocked by my scores in the final assessment. I pretty much had a choice of whether or not to become a Fighter or Navigator - I had the build for a Fighter, definitely, thanks to years spent battling the waves at home, and in the final physical aptitude challenge I had scored highest out of anyone in my troop when it came to Reflexes and Evasion.

Then again, even though I had never been extremely book smart, I also ended up doing surprisingly well in my Navigation test. I scored around the middle in terms of the written aspect, but my evaluator commented that in the practical portion, I was the only person to consider utilizing a Stealth maneuver - well, at least a maneuver that could work.

"You're an interesting one," he had told me as I sat in my final meeting, still mulling over what my final choice would be. "You could really do either if you wanted. You could be a phenomenal Fighter, for sure, with your quick trigger finger, ability in hand-to-hand…heck, even your underwater acumen could prove to be beneficial should it come to that. Then again, though…you seem to have a burgeoning tactical mind, as well. And Navigator would seem to fit your temperament better, from my vantage point at least." He shrugged.

"Where would they need me more, Commander?" I asked, trying to be helpful.

"That's not how they operate, and you know that," he'd responded, rubbing his buzzed scalp. "And please, call me Astor, like I've told you time and time again."

I grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

The line moved as I was caught up in my own mind. I shook it like I was getting water out of my ears, feeling the weight of my tight, black hair tied up behind me in a ponytail. Even though I had not chosen this path, I had to admit, there was something absolutely intoxicating about the thought that, potentially in a matter of days, I could be in the middle of an interstellar battle for the fate of all of the Alliance against those malignant Colterons. I was a little scared, sure, but then I remembered what Astor had told me in our final meeting before I went aboard the ship, ready to depart for my new journey.

"Here's the thing," he had said as we sat across the table from one another, both acting like we were eating dinner but really just considering what would happen at daybreak. "Every occupant aboard the Sleipnir has something about them that is special, even if they don't know it yet. Internally, there's a lot of respect in our office for that ship. It's a young ship, full of exuberance, talent, and...cockiness."

Astor choked a little bit on that last word and guffawed. I bit my lip in a smile - of course, I'd heard the rumors about the Sleipnir's reputation for sexual proclivity. I was prepared for it, although I'm not the kind of person who's easily wooed, whether by faux bad-boys or pining, needy twinks. This was a job, first and foremost, after all. Earth needed protection and I was tasked to heed her call.

Astor continued. "We lobbied for you to get on there because we think you could be a really nice complement to it, though. It's your attitude. Sometimes, a calming influence is exactly what a ship like that needs, and your ability under pressure was off the charts based on our testing."

"Hah, thanks," I said with a smile. It was my blessing and my curse, I supposed. I always tried to put out the appearance of being as chill as possible, fulfilling every Islander stereotype in the process. However, some saw this as arrogance rather than relaxation, as if everything came easy for me and I could not be bothered to help anyone else. I didn't have a lot of close friends - at least, I didn't have a lot of friends who worked with me in a competitive capacity. Too self-assured for my own good, I guess. Maybe the guys on the ship would be different.

The line wriggled forward again, and I could see the front now. I was almost there.

The final conversation I had with Astor kept echoing over and over again, in my head, as I gave him a hug goodbye after leaving his room for the night.

"I'd keep you here longer, but you'll need your rest for tomorrow," he had said, his arms wrapped around my shoulders. I could feel his muscles tensed. He had made it so clear that I would be missed, by him at least, and I really appreciated that, even if I couldn't necessarily vocalize it. He understood that perspective.

"I believe in you," he whispered, looking at me straight in the eyes, his greens locked into my blues, our noses touching. The bond we had formed over the past few months was strong, exactly what I needed to make it through the rigors of the Academy. I came a boy, I would leave a man.

"I'll miss you," I said back with a grin, giving Astor a light kiss on his forehead, making him blush a bit. I loved getting to him like that, making him feel just uncomfortable enough to have his body betray his normally stalwart attitude. He kissed me back on the lips.

"Oh, you'll fit in with the Sleipnir cats perfectly, I know it." He patted me on the back and broke off our hug, saying one more goodbye with his eyes as he began to close the door.

"Kick some ass out there for me." I nodded with a smile, and then Astor was gone, his soft eyes burned into my memory for all-time. I'd miss him.

"Name?"

I started, noticing that almost as if on autopilot, I had moved to the front of the line. Looked like the other dude, I think his name was Helios, had been taken by the receptionist on my right. I gulped and looked forward.

"Taskname is Chanun, ma'am." Cha-noon, from the back of my throat .I'd have to get used to that sounds. It scratched me and made me cough a bit as I brought the sound up from the back of my throat.

"Are you sure of your Class?"

I had made my decision the night before. When I had confirmed it, I did it with a touch of dread, but I knew it was the right choice.

"Fighter."

The woman looked through her records and then gave me a key card. "You're in Room 300. At 2100, there will be a fuller briefing for all Fighters and Navigators that are coming aboard this ship. Welcome to the Sleipnir." She finished her spiel with a smile. I grinned back, took my key, and walked inside.

Time for a new journey, a new opportunity. I was scared, but stoked.