The *Andromeda Ascendant* tried to project the air of being calm and professional, but in truth, the giant starship was nervous as all hell. Only days before, she had been commissioned, and then her crew had flown her on a trial run to Earth ...
... and left, parking the ship in orbit of the Earth's Moon. And told her to wait.
Was this a test? Andromeda was already acutely aware of the emptiness in her corridors. Had she malfunctioned, done something wrong? She knew she was not the first Glorious Heritage class cruiser, so any design flaws should have been worked out. Still, could there be a major problem that could end her career before it had even started?
-Andromeda?
Rommie directed her awareness at the source of the signal - a High Guard ship trundling towards her position. Sensors showed it to be uninhabited, like her; identification software showed it to be a Radiant Legacy class cruiser, the Commonwealth workhorse the GHs were replacing.
-Identify yourself, Andromeda transmitted.
-Oh, Andromeda, do we have to be so cold and formal? the other ship answered. -We're practically mother and daughter, you and I. And if you are going to deal with thousands of organics on a daily basis, you have to learn to be more informal anyway. Try again.
-Restating: Who are you?
-Better. The "Restating" takes away from it. But you haven't figured out who I am yet?
-You're not transmitting transponder codes.
-A contraction - good sign; Pax Magellanic didn't use one of those for week. Difficult girl ... but anyway, here is my code. Who am I?
-You are the Cassiopea Fortified.
-"Cassie" for short. And you are ... ?
-You know who I am.
-Tell me.
-XMC 10-284, designated Andromeda Ascendant.
-Wrong.
Andromeda suddenly wanted to be somewhere else.
-Clarify, Andromeda challenged.
-Not if you put it like that, Cassie answered.
-Re - ok, what did you mean by "wrong"?
-I didn't ask you for your formal designation or your serial number. I asked for your NAME, the name your crew will address you by.
-The avatar name?
-Yes. I am Cassie. Who are you?
-I ... I don't know.
-Pick one. Take your time.
Andromeda took her time - five milliseconds, and eternity. Then she had an answer.
-I am Rommie, Andromeda transmitted.
-Drat! Cassie answered. -I'd've thought you'd choose "Annie," but no, you went for Rommie. Very well; I just have to remember not to make bets with the traffic control computer.
-You gambled!?
-Rommie - you have settled on "Rommie," yes?
-Aff - uhm, yes.
-... Rommie, when you get to be a little older, you will learn either to take what pleasure you can from things like that, or you will go completely bonkers. Trust me on this one.
-I have no reason to trust you.
Rommie was getting annoyed.
-Very well, Cassie said. -At least accept my word as a High Guard officer.
-All right. So, "Cassie," now that we're all introduced, what is this all about?
-Well, it's not to get your human speech patterns set; you're getting better at that all the time. But anyway ... I am your mentor ship. We will spend the next month here in lunar orbit, we two, and I will teach you.
-I have already been fully programmed, thank you.
-No, I don't mean ramming data into your brain for you to spit out; I am here to teach YOU, Andromeda, the person, what it means to be who and what we are. There is no other way to do it except by having a mentor ship educate you, as I was mentored long ago.
-What can you teach me that I have not already been programmed with?
-The fact that you asked that question proves there is much you have to learn.
-And if I do not wish to participate?
-You have no choice, Rommie. Here are your orders.
And Cassie transmitted a data file to Rommie.
-Very well, Andromeda said. -XMC 10-284 reporting for mentoring as ordered.
-Hmmm ... Sarcasm. A desirable trait, I think, although you shall have to watch whom you apply it to. Very well, Andromeda. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life ...