A week and a day later.....
Jim's eyelids lowered slightly as he stepped out from the ferry onto the ramp that led into Spaceport Crescentia. Stopping at the bottom of the ramp, He closed his eyes, leaned back his head and let the memories of his first voyage come back to him. It was over three years ago and yet, Jim still felt like he was, in some ways, the same lad who was starting out on his first voyage. He was still young and learning more each day. But this time he felt ready; he had three years of extensive Military training and much experience under his belt. Yes, this was a voyage that would "test the cut of [his] sails." The words came so clearly that it was like Silver was there and had spoken them in person. Jim opened his eyes and looked around. No, it was only his memory that fooled him. With a deep but happy sigh, Jim set one foot ahead and walked off to find the surveyors and there vessel.
After 15 minutes of walking and reading directional signs, Jim came to his destination. The ship's name was Ulterior and it wasn't exactly a spacer's dream come true. Compared to the Legacy, it would probably pass for a wooden bathtub with the blunt bow, low poop deck and three mainmasts with two large, rectangular mainsails each. Jim had to chuckle; he knew the truth but was discrete enough to keep any secret confided to him.
Snapping out of his second trance, he jogged up the gangplank to the Loadmaster who was conversing with a large, tiger-humanoid arrayed in a Interstellar Navy officer uniform with the shoulder tassels that attested to his rank of First Mate. The two looked up as Jim came up to them, stood in attention posture and saluted the tiger. "Cadet James Hawkins, requesting permission to come aboard, Sir." "Permission granted, Cadet!", answered the First Mate with a return salute. "I am Officer Georges and this is Mr. Trump, our quartermaster." Jim shook hands with the bespectacled elephantine alien and exchanged greetings. Then Mr. Georges continued: "The Captain has been expecting you and has requested that you meet with her in her stateroom as soon as you are settled."
"Her?" Jim replied with raised eyebrows. He was not unfamiliar with female officers—especially captains or commanders-in-chief. It just never ceased to amaze him that so many held high positions or offices. "Yes, and she is to be addressed with the utmost respect and courtesy that you would upon, let me say, a lady-in-waiting. Is that clear, Cadet Hawkins?" "Yes Sir," Jim replied with resolved candor. "Mr. Trump here shall give you your instructions and your list of duties that shall be expected during your stay here." "Oh yeah, I forgot—", and he added in a deeper tone of voice that mimicked Mr. Arrow's, 'See to it the new cabin boy is kept busy!'" "Exactly what the captain requires, except that she nor will any other official on this craft shall tolerate the slightest inkling of insubordination. And that includes sarcasm or mockery. Is that also clear Cadet?" Mr. Georges said in a more stern tone. "Yes Sir," Jim answered with a defeated monotone. "Very well then. Gentlemen." And with that, he moved off to inspect the sails and rigging.
"Let me see now," began the quiet yet affable Mr. Trump, "your quarters are down in the second cargo hold. Go down these spiral stairs that circle the middle mainmast, stop at the third deck and enter the doorway directly in front of you. On your left hand side, you will find a berth bed and bureau with a lamp. All your belongings must be stowed under the bunk and please- please-do not touch anything that is not composed of a wooden substance." "Aye-aye sir", Jim answered. And with that, he gripped his large backpack and headed down the staircase.
A few minutes later, he emerged in his white cadet dress uniform, sighed a happy, contented sigh and strolled across the long deck, up the stairs to the captain's stateroom and knocked quietly. "You may enter", replied a female voice. Jim opened the door to find the human captain in conversation with Admiral Valencia. They both looked up towards him. "Come in and close the door behind you," she commanded. Jim did so, took a few steps to the center of the room and stood at attention. Admiral Valencia stepped back as the captain arose from her desk armchair to look Jim over. She was about 5" 8" with a steady, brown-eyed gaze and set lips that bespoke well-bred authority and commanding presence. To Jim, she appeared to be un-impressed though it did seem her eyes betrayed a slight tenderness.
Finally she spoke. "My name is Captain Hathaway; you shall address me as Captain at all times from this moment forward. Is that understood, Cadet James Hawkins?" "Yes, sir—I mean, Captain."
"Very good. As you should have already been informed, your duties while onboard shall be to assist in maintaining this ship in an impeccable and dutiful manner. I do require that all young cadets begin with and master such procedures before proceeding on to assist as a regular sailor."
Jim's eyelids lowered slightly as he stepped out from the ferry onto the ramp that led into Spaceport Crescentia. Stopping at the bottom of the ramp, He closed his eyes, leaned back his head and let the memories of his first voyage come back to him. It was over three years ago and yet, Jim still felt like he was, in some ways, the same lad who was starting out on his first voyage. He was still young and learning more each day. But this time he felt ready; he had three years of extensive Military training and much experience under his belt. Yes, this was a voyage that would "test the cut of [his] sails." The words came so clearly that it was like Silver was there and had spoken them in person. Jim opened his eyes and looked around. No, it was only his memory that fooled him. With a deep but happy sigh, Jim set one foot ahead and walked off to find the surveyors and there vessel.
After 15 minutes of walking and reading directional signs, Jim came to his destination. The ship's name was Ulterior and it wasn't exactly a spacer's dream come true. Compared to the Legacy, it would probably pass for a wooden bathtub with the blunt bow, low poop deck and three mainmasts with two large, rectangular mainsails each. Jim had to chuckle; he knew the truth but was discrete enough to keep any secret confided to him.
Snapping out of his second trance, he jogged up the gangplank to the Loadmaster who was conversing with a large, tiger-humanoid arrayed in a Interstellar Navy officer uniform with the shoulder tassels that attested to his rank of First Mate. The two looked up as Jim came up to them, stood in attention posture and saluted the tiger. "Cadet James Hawkins, requesting permission to come aboard, Sir." "Permission granted, Cadet!", answered the First Mate with a return salute. "I am Officer Georges and this is Mr. Trump, our quartermaster." Jim shook hands with the bespectacled elephantine alien and exchanged greetings. Then Mr. Georges continued: "The Captain has been expecting you and has requested that you meet with her in her stateroom as soon as you are settled."
"Her?" Jim replied with raised eyebrows. He was not unfamiliar with female officers—especially captains or commanders-in-chief. It just never ceased to amaze him that so many held high positions or offices. "Yes, and she is to be addressed with the utmost respect and courtesy that you would upon, let me say, a lady-in-waiting. Is that clear, Cadet Hawkins?" "Yes Sir," Jim replied with resolved candor. "Mr. Trump here shall give you your instructions and your list of duties that shall be expected during your stay here." "Oh yeah, I forgot—", and he added in a deeper tone of voice that mimicked Mr. Arrow's, 'See to it the new cabin boy is kept busy!'" "Exactly what the captain requires, except that she nor will any other official on this craft shall tolerate the slightest inkling of insubordination. And that includes sarcasm or mockery. Is that also clear Cadet?" Mr. Georges said in a more stern tone. "Yes Sir," Jim answered with a defeated monotone. "Very well then. Gentlemen." And with that, he moved off to inspect the sails and rigging.
"Let me see now," began the quiet yet affable Mr. Trump, "your quarters are down in the second cargo hold. Go down these spiral stairs that circle the middle mainmast, stop at the third deck and enter the doorway directly in front of you. On your left hand side, you will find a berth bed and bureau with a lamp. All your belongings must be stowed under the bunk and please- please-do not touch anything that is not composed of a wooden substance." "Aye-aye sir", Jim answered. And with that, he gripped his large backpack and headed down the staircase.
A few minutes later, he emerged in his white cadet dress uniform, sighed a happy, contented sigh and strolled across the long deck, up the stairs to the captain's stateroom and knocked quietly. "You may enter", replied a female voice. Jim opened the door to find the human captain in conversation with Admiral Valencia. They both looked up towards him. "Come in and close the door behind you," she commanded. Jim did so, took a few steps to the center of the room and stood at attention. Admiral Valencia stepped back as the captain arose from her desk armchair to look Jim over. She was about 5" 8" with a steady, brown-eyed gaze and set lips that bespoke well-bred authority and commanding presence. To Jim, she appeared to be un-impressed though it did seem her eyes betrayed a slight tenderness.
Finally she spoke. "My name is Captain Hathaway; you shall address me as Captain at all times from this moment forward. Is that understood, Cadet James Hawkins?" "Yes, sir—I mean, Captain."
"Very good. As you should have already been informed, your duties while onboard shall be to assist in maintaining this ship in an impeccable and dutiful manner. I do require that all young cadets begin with and master such procedures before proceeding on to assist as a regular sailor."