Stars & Empire 2: 10 More Galactic Tales (Stars & Empire Box Set Collection) by Jay Allan & Isaac Hooke & G. S. Jennsen & Nathan Lowell & Chris Reher & Edward W. Robertson & Jasper T. Scott & Raymond L. Weil & Endi Webb & Autumn Kalquist

Author:Jay Allan & Isaac Hooke & G. S. Jennsen & Nathan Lowell & Chris Reher & Edward W. Robertson & Jasper T. Scott & Raymond L. Weil & Endi Webb & Autumn Kalquist [Allan, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steel Magnolia Press
Published: 2014-11-26T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Darbat System: 2351-September-28

The run into Darbat Orbital wasn’t terribly different then leaving Neris. The daily mess cycle gave all of us a structure to our day that became second nature. Cookie and Pip closeted themselves with the computer and whatever simulations they were running during the afternoon break. I took that opportunity to load up engineering training, intending to take the engineman exam after Darbat. I flashed through the instructional component in about a week and started taking the practice tests. I didn’t do too badly, but I couldn’t get a passing grade.

The cargo materials were pretty straight forward: container types, cargo handling procedures, various techniques for securing containers and the proper way to use cargo manipulation tools like grav pallets and hoists. There was not a lot of meat to it, and I saw how somebody might get a bit bored.

Cargo handlers packed it in, made sure it didn’t move while we were underway, and unpacked it on the other end. I vowed never to complain about mess duty again as I tried to envision forty days in a row of: yup, it’s still there. The other side of that coin would be that you’d have a lot of time to study for another rating. Looking ahead to cargoman, I saw the program got into various cargo types, trade rules, and some other more interesting stuff about the classifications of stores. The study guide contained lessons on margin, profit, and more safety regulations. Mr. von Ickles’ comment about turnover at the cargo handler level made a lot more sense once I saw what the job was, at least on the tablet.

I ran through the cargo handler instructional materials in one evening and took the practice exam just for fun. I aced it. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried another test the next afternoon and passed with flying colors again. Smiling, I sent a calendar note to Mr. von Ickles to reserve a seat at the cargo handler rating exams when they came up.

* * *

Midmorning, about a week after jumping into Darbat, we had a suit drill. Pip and I had almost finished the breakfast cleanup when the klaxon started doing a whoop-whoop sound at about a billion decibels. My coworkers dropped everything and ran to a panel at the back of the galley. By the time the klaxon stopped and the announcement came, they’d already pulled out three lightweight suits with helmets attached and tossed one at me. “THIS IS A DRILL. THIS IS A DRILL. ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY HAS BEEN BREACHED. ALL HANDS DON PROTECTIVE GEAR. ALL HANDS DON PROTECTIVE GEAR. THIS IS A DRILL. THIS IS A DRILL.”

The sudden silence came as a blessed relief as I struggled to get into my suit. I had one leg in, and was working on the other, when I noticed my two co-workers looking down at me through their clear helmets.

Pip looked at Cookie for permission before speaking. “This,” he said, indicating me sitting on the deck, “is why we drill.