SD 241310.24 | Duty Log | Ops | Ens Locke "A short hop and a sharp snap."

Posted on Fri Oct 25th, 2013 @ 4:43am by Ensign Markus Locke

556 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: In the Dark
Location: Earth Orbit

=/\= Orbital Shuttle SOT-240 =/\=

The small craft's low rumble soon gave way to an eerie smoothness that cast an equally eerie calm over the passenger in the co-pilot's seat, sitting cross armed with his eyes closed and seemingly completely at ease. Markus Locke had always had a natural affinity for space, and even took to Zero-G training easily where most tended to become nauseous in their first encounters. The inertia dampers on board the shuttle were efficient, but by deadening his other senses Locke could differentiate between planetary gravity and the artificial gravity generated within the hull.

"Glad to be getting off planet?" the pilot asked, a junior grade lieutenant not much older than Markus. When Locke didn't answer, the pilot continued to press. "Unusual to be transferring cadets to assignments prior to graduation day."

"Technically, I'm no longer a cadet," Locke responded, opening his eyes and allowing himself to enjoy the deep black void before them. The Moon was hovering in view, seemingly small without visual context. "I imagine the assignment officer would not have allowed me to walk out with the full pip on my collar if I hadn't been given my commission."

"Might be you stuck it on after you left," the pilot jabbed. Locke rolled his eyes. By uniform code, the pilot was his senior officer and Markus should have been speaking to him with more obedience and respect, but the man was attempting to be aggravating and one of the lessons Markus' father had passed on from his years is a diplomat was to never let petulant children dictate the conversation. Granted, Antony Locke was usually referring to Markus being the petulant child, but the theory remained sound.

"You are implying a distasteful scenario, sir," Markus said with a sharp emphasis on the 'sir,' "and I would suggest you refrain from making any more direct comments on the matter, lest you find yourself before a review board for making unfounded accusations against a fellow officer." Not very subtle, but Markus was in no mood to bandy wits with a sour-faced pilot whom he was certain he would never have to see again. Markus was almost certain his father had not pulled any strings to secure a commission several months early, and that it was simply a need for manpower in the field. Almost.

The pilot glowered at the Ensign but said nothing more for the rest of the trip. Soon, they approached the orbiting dry dock where Locke's assignment was... laid up, for lack of a better term. Even from afar, one could see the heavy repairs on the visible damage the USS Vindicator had suffered in the recent incident. The assignment officer had mentioned the Vindicator was a veteran warship, but this vessel had more scars than paint on the hull. Markus could not bring himself to ponder what sort of mess lay within as well.

With a short dock with an external port, Ensign Markus Locke gathered his duffel and gave a cool but necessary request for disembarkation from the shuttle, which the pilot was more than eager to be rid of him.

After presenting his papers to the security officer at the port entry, Locke made his way to report into the ship's commander, anxious to get to work.

= End Log =

Ensign Markus Locke
Operations Officer
USS Vindicator

 

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