Chapter 2: Picon to Aquarion
"Major Hayes is needed in CIC. I repeat Major Hayes is needed in CIC."
"What's the issue?"
"You are the last Senior Officer standing sir. Fleet regulations require you to take command of the vessel."
I'm a doctor godsdamnit, not a Commander."
Your record says you took part in Command Training on Picon. You got the Con sir. Congratulations and Godsspeed."
"Return the Trident and the Hostages. Once that has been done, we can start talking."
"Over my dead body, Picon Scum."
"I want all Vipers ready to launch in 5 minutes. Notify both Raptor Squasrons for an upcoming mission."
[ Almost 4 years earlier, T minus 12 years to fall]
"Today is a big day for all of us Danny." his mother said during breakfast
"You're the first of us to join the fleet and to study at the naval scientific institute in Aquaria." added his father Daniel Hayes III. He had served in the engineer corps of the National Guard in the Cylon War along with his brothers George II., Henry and Frank. Henry unfortunately didn't make it out of the war alive. He left behind a widow and a son.
After the war Daniel III., George and Frank were picked up by Picon RD, a joint venture between the Fleet presence in Picon and the guard. Both organizations also had their own private sections. Daniel III. and George worked there, before George entered Politics and Daniel took over his father's (Daniel II.) Ambrosia venture.
He fathered 3 children and adopted Henry's son Jake after his mother OD'd. They were: Daniel IV., Henry II. and Sarah Hayes.
"We'll miss you up there bro. Visit us everytime you have leave-time. That's an order." came from Sarah.
It was then that his cab arrived. He said goodbye to everyone and left for the Spaceport.
[ Three hours later ]
He had arrived a bit late. He hastily made his way through to the Terminal where his ship was to depart from.
'Picon Express Liner 32 to Aquaria is now boarding from gate 53' came from the Spacedock's intercom.
He arrived at gate 53 to board. The attractive lady had already opened a boarding lane for passengers. Luckily there weren't many. PEL 32 was a smaller and older troop transport that had been converted into a passenger ship with an FTL Drive. A larger ship was not needed, as at a population of 25,000 people Aquaria was very small.
After giving his luggage to the personnel and checking in, he entered the Liner and seated himself on Seat 4A. The Business Class seat was very comfortable. 'Fleet privilege' he thought. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are ready to take off. Please strap on your seatbelts and..." the person on the intercom talked about safety procedures for the flight. Soon that was over as well and the small liner started its takeoff sequence.
Its powerful military-grade engines lifted the ship into the sky with a loud roar.
The ship vibrated as it slowly made its way out of Picon's stratosphere. Once in a stable orbit it started spooling its FTL-Drive to jump to Libran Station located in Helios-Gamma. Some real estate investors were to board the liner to go to Aquaria to plan a possible real estate and infrastructure project.
The crew started the jump countdown and soon the ship jumped from Picon Orbit (Helios Alpha) to Libran Station (Helios Gamma).
[ Libran Station, Helios Gamma ]
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have arrived at Libran Station. We will stay here for just under 1 hour. If you have arrives at your destination or you need to get to another vessel, please exit from Portside exit #1. If you are going to accompany us to Aquaria, please remain on-board. Thank you." was the Pilot's statement once they had docked at Libran Station.
Daniel's neighboring seat had been unoccupied during the 10 minute venture from Picon to Libran, and not expecting someone to be seated next to him, he made himself comfortable.
"I'm sorry, but I think you're occupying me seat sir." came from an ensign around Daniel's age. "Ah yes, of course. Take a seat ensign." he told the young man. The two didn't talk much until mid-flight.
...
"What's your name sir?" asked the ensign.
"Daniel Hayes IV. And cut the Sir, we're off-duty. What's your name and where are you from?" was Daniel's answer.
"I'm Jack Robbins, son of Marty Robbins. And from the way I speak, you probably already should've concluded that I'm Virgonese." he said with a small chuckle.
"Not bad. At least you're not Gemonese or Sagittaron. I'm from Picon by the way. If you're from Virgon, what did you do on Libran?"
"I had to change vessels. It's really exhausting I tell ya. I guess you're also going to the Aquarian Scientifc Institute of the Fleet?"
"I guess any Fleet Officer, who goes to Aquaria only goes there for the Institute."
"I'm going to take a nap, but how about we share a place once we arrive at the Institute?"
"Sounds good to me." Jack took a nap and Daniel just looked at the stars outside.
Two hours later it was time. Jack was woken by the vibration of atmospheric entrance. Soon they were able to see Aquaria's surface from the ship. Aquaria was a cold planet, too cold for some to settle. But it was the best scientific research colony in the Cyrannus Cluster.
Founded as a research outpost, it soob grew into a a settlement. Then there were more settlements until Aquaria was it's own giverning body. The population of Aquaria almost fully consists of members of other tribes. Aquaria was known as a place where you could quietly retreat to, if you had had enough of the Colonies. That's how the planet's population grew as well.
As it's population is very small, Aquaria has become a direct democracy. There is no parliament, only 1 representative for the Quorum of 12 and 4 district governors, who only are there to implement ideas of the people.
"Thank you for flying with PEL." Daniel exited the Liner and stepped for the first time, stepped foot on "Aquaria".
AN: Chapter 2 is done. This one's short as well, but longer ones will come. Aquaria's system is based on our Switzerland.Characters: What they look like:Daniel Hayes IV - Colonel Bishop from Ace Combat: Assault HorizonJack Robbins - Anton YelchinAlso: The first bit of colonial politics will be presented in one of the next 3 chapters.