Of course it was not that easy. During the course of four hours Joe lost track of the number of documents she had to sign. Reviewing the confidential specs revealed quite a different ship than the old Y-class freighter. Engine-compartment and crew section where packed at the back of the ship. From there a long spine extended forward, ending in a large navigational deflector. The spine would serve as anchor for the cargo modules, providing power and life support.
The spine was modular, sections could be added and removed without the need of a space dock, but had to be stored somewhere. Each section was long enough to fit a cargo module with some room to spare. Connection the sections were airlock-modules. On the front the airlock was replaced with the deflector assembly.
The spine connected to the crew section with a launch bay, housing 2 crew shuttle pods. The two front cargo modules each housed a cargo lifter. Each cargo lifter was big enough to carry one standard container, enabling the ship to bring containers up from and down to a planet without any orbital facilities.
"Of course the cargo lifters are not the most efficient way to load and unload the Hermes." Sunblast pointed out.
"It would take forever just using them."
"Indeed." Joe answered.
"They have to land, unload the container and take off again, then be reloaded to repeat the process."
"Yes, but if there's no orbital facility to conduct cargo operations using ferries it is still possible. Considering where we're going this will be important."
"Ok, makes sense. Not every port has facilities to handle containers that have been the standard for mass shipping on earth for centuries. I have not visited one so far."
"Yes, curious isn't it?" The Commodore chimed in.
"As far as we know no one is doing the kind of mass shipping that we consider completely normal on Earth. We're about to change that. The Hermes can transport one year worth of cargo from Earth to Vega with room to spare and do it in just two weeks' time. This will speed up our colonization effort tremendously."
After several hours the initial briefing was concluded and Joe was ordered to take a shuttle pod to the ship that was waiting for her. She was quite light-headed with all the information presented to her. Joe carried a secured briefcase full of pads with all the information and much more to review as soon as she would find the time. She arrived at the launch bay in no time, amazed that she managed to not get lost.
"Ensign 9!" The shout startled her, waking Joe from her thoughts.
"Yes!"
A smart looking, young crewmen greeted her.
"Crewmen Svenson, I'm to take you to your assignment. Please follow me, mam."
He led the short way to a waiting shuttle pod. As Joe was the only passenger she was free to choose any seat.
"Mind if I call shotgun?"
He grinned back. "Not at all."
Joe stored the briefcase, noticing that her duffel was already stored, she had completely forgotten about it, leaving it at my temporary quarters that morning. Then she strapped herself into the seat for the co-pilot.
As he went through the pre-flight checklist Joe let my thoughts wander. She barely registered him asking for launch clearance. She did notice the Pod leaving the Bay. Joe have not used shuttle pods very often, but she'd never grow tiered of the view. Leaving the Bay the cockpit revealed the stars.
Some larger spots betrayed ships and installations in high Orbit of Mars. Turning the shuttle pod the Planet came into view. Rust colored like it has always been, the very thin atmosphere barely visible.
After some Minutes of flight one of the specks of light started to grow. Using the controls Joe zoomed in to reveal the Hermes. Dominating the ship where three cargo modules with large white numbers on them. The ship was out of the cradle dock and docked at the side. A mobile working rig was attached to the side they were approaching. At the back the warp nacelles where glowing slightly.
"I see they managed to start the reactor." Svenson remarked.
"Was there a problem with it?" She asked.
"It is a brand new ship, first of her class. Problems are to be expected, so I've been told."
"Right." She had not thought of that. Ships where usually well broken in, new parts where very sparse and easily recognized for being clean and sparkling.
"Are they still working on it? I thought the ship was finished?" Joe asked.
"It is. They're making some modifications, but I was not told what they're doing."
A hail interrupted his explanation.
"Space dock 6 to shuttle pod A5, you're cleared to land in Bay 2, sending guidance signal. Now."
"Confirmed, 6." Svenson replied crisply.
"Locking onto guidance signal, ready for approach."
Joe closely monitored his action, she just could not help myself. His handling the Pod spoke of quite some experience. She often stole glances to the Hermes, the work rig coming into view until it was cut off by the station's landing Bay.
"Smooth landing, Svenson. Thanks for the lift!"
Joe unstrapped and got out of the seat.
"You're welcome, Mam. Anytime."
Grinning he ran through the checklist to power down and secure the shuttle pod.
"When you do this run 6 times a day you get enough practice."
"I can imagine."
Joe got up and grabbed the briefcase and started for her duffel bag.
"You can leave that, Mam. It'll be delivered to your quarters. "Thanks." After the hatch opened she moved to exit the Pod.
"Thanks, Svenson. Good bye."
"Till the next time, see you."
She left a bit puzzled, entering the Bay. It was not very big, almost identical to the one on the station if a bit grimier. It was apparent that this was a place where work was done, looks would take a second place naturally.
Joe could not spot someone who looked like my welcoming committee, so she just asked the next crewmen she could find.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, Mam?" the woman answered.
"I'm ordered to report to the Hermes, can you show me the way?"
"Easy, Mam. Just follow the green line, that will lead you right to Airlock 5, that where she is docked."
"Thanks."
With that she set out, following the lead. There were quite some colored lines on the ground, every few meters the destination and an arrow pointing me the way. After a short Journey Joe arrived at the open Airlock, ready for anything.
So she thought.