After the ship docked and they boarded it, they were told that the ship was going to the Mars station where they would be told their assignments and ranks. One of the transport ship’s crew showed them to their quarters for the trip. They spent the next month on the ship as it traveled from the training station to the Moon. They spent their time mostly in the recreational facilities that the transport had, and the rest inside of their room discussing what their next assignment would be. Most of them wanted to be placed on a transport or a cargo ship, with all of them agreeing that a post on a mining ship would be the least favorable. Adrian on the other hand believed that there was a good chance that they would be posted to serve on one of the Olympus’s warships, but the others didn’t even know that those existed, and Adrian couldn’t tell them. So he agreed with them.
After they arrived at the Moon station, they were immediately met by a woman in fleet uniform, with the rank of Adjutant who sent them instructions on where they needed to check in. They were split, with most were sent to the offices in charge of transport ships, save Alexander who was sent to the medical, and Adrian and Bethany who were only given the instructions on how to get to the office where they were supposed to check in. They said their goodbyes and agreed to meet later that day.
“I wonder why we weren’t sent with the others. It doesn’t even say where we are going, just the instructions on how to get there. I hope they don’t plan on assigning us to a mining ship.” She said. Adrian didn’t need to wonder, he knew exactly where they were going, he went there often when he was on a break from the Academy and had the time for the trip to the base orbiting the Moon.
“We are going to the Laura Reiss’s office.” Adrian said.
“And how do you know that?” Bethany asked frowning.
“I was there before.” Adrian said.
Bethany stared at him, but when he didn’t elaborate she gave up and they walked the rest of the way in silence.
When they arrived, the secretary in front of the office instructed them to go in. Adrian entered the office with Bethany following close behind. The office was the same as it had always been. Laura sat behind her desk reading reports. Or rather Fleets Master Laura Reiss, Adrian corrected himself, he couldn’t keep referring to her as he usually did, at least not in public. When she noticed them she stood up and walked around the table to stand in front of them. Both Bethany and Adrian stood at attention, Laura studied them for a moment, and then reached out and hugged Adrian, surprising him. A moment later she let him go, without him even having the chance to return the gesture.
“Congratulations on passing Adrian.” She said smiling brightly. Adrian looked at her and couldn’t help but smile as well. Laura was the closest thing to a mother he ever had, and even though he had forgone the possibility of being adopted when he accepted to come to Olympus, he felt as if she was his family, and even without her last name he felt a close bond with her.
“Thank you.” Adrian said, and then he remembered Bethany, he glanced at her and saw that she had a startled and confused look on her face. She of course didn’t know about his connection to Laura.
Adrian coughed uncomfortably and looked back at Laura, she looked at Bethany and her face reverted to her commanding form.
“Cadet Jones, congratulations on passing the training.” Laura said.
“Thank you ma’am.” Bethany responded tightly, Adrian had no doubt that he would need to explain some things later.
Laura nodded and then turned to her desk where two black boxes that sat there. She picked them up and turned back towards them.
“I know that both of you are wondering why you are here. The answer is simple, I wanted to inform you of your earned ranks and your assignment in person.” She opened the boxes and retrieved two sets of Low Prime insignia. “Both of you are granted the ranks of Low Prime in the Olympus Fleet.” She pinned the ranks on both of their shoulders. They were stunned they never expected such a high rank, at most they would be given the rank of Adjutant. Their faces must have conveyed their thoughts because Laura smiled. “There was much debate over what ranks were to be given to those who passed the training, you have all exceeded our expectations, most the others have gotten the ranks of Station Handlers or Adjutants, but the two of you were the only ones to get the Low Prime ranks. There was a lot of arguing over that decision, some even wanted to give you a higher rank, mostly because your scores in the simulations at the Academy, and those during the past year far surpassed those of our fleet officers. But in the end we decided that while you were impressive at the Academy, you still lacked experience.”
Bethany and Adrian were speechless, they couldn’t have known how their scores measured up to others who weren’t at the Academy.
“As for your assignment. Both of you are going to be posted at the same ship, at least for a little while, the ships name is Athena. Most of the ship’s crew is currently on leave, and had transported out to Mars, the ship is going through upgrades and there isn’t much to do, so Adrian you will to assume position as the acting Ship Master, and Bethany as the acting High Prime. When the Athena’s Ship Master and High Prime return, Adrian you will assume the position of Low Prime, while you Bethany will transfer to Neith, which should be arriving at the same time for its scheduled upgrades, its crew, like that of Athena will be going on leave, and you will assume the position as Ship Master. This is so that you may gain some experience commanding a real ship, though there won’t be much to do.” Laura finished with a grin.
Stunned once more the only thing Bethany and Adrian could do was to stare at Laura. A moment later the name of the ship they were posted on clicked with something Adrian learned years ago.
“Athena?” Adrian asked. “Isn’t that…”
“Yes.” Laura responded. “We have high hopes for the two of you. And now I believe it is time you go and report to your new posts.”
With one last smile she sent them off. After they left her offices Bethany turned on Adrian.
“You know the Fleets Master?” She asked in whisper.
“Yes.” Adrian said.
“Care to elaborate?” Bethany asked.
“It’s complicated.” Adrian said. Bethany just kept looking at him until he relented. “She kind off adopted me.” He said finally.
“Adopted you.” Bethany looked at him strangely, and then a look passed over her face that Adrian knew very well.
“No! She never favored me! I didn’t even know her before I was invited to join the Academy.” Adrian said quickly.
Bethany looked shamefaced. “Sorry.” She said.
“It’s ok.”
“What was it that she said to you at the end, something about the ship? Do you know it?” She asked.
“I know of it.” Adrian said.
Again she looked at him funny.
“You seem to know an awful lot.” She said. But this time it was in a playful tone.
“Yeah.” Adrian said a little embarrassed. “Athena and Neith are warships.”
It took Adrian a few steps to realize that Bethany wasn’t walking with him, he turned and saw her staring at him incredulously. “Warships!” She yelled.
Adrian shushed her, and walked to her.
“Warships?” She asked in a whisper.
“Yes, they were built a few years ago, so that we may have something to protect ourselves with. Just in case.”
Bethany’s incredulous expression soon turned to excited.