Read Online Mission Origin View (Final Days Trilogy) by Barry Knox - Free Book Online
Authors: Barry Knox
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“ If there’s anything you need, please let Admiral Corbin know,” Admiral Frank said. “He’s there to make sure you complete your training on schedule. If anything comes up that might delay the schedule, or if you discover something that you might need on the mission while training, let him know. He and Captain Bowser will go over the training schedule in a moment.” Admiral Frank paused and, with a smile on his face, continued. “Also, when the meeting is over, get aboard the Stephen Hawking , get out of those white jumpsuits, and put on your mission uniforms. Good luck!”
Hand claps and cheers erupted as the hologram disappeared.
After a few seconds , Admiral Corbin and Mary began briefing the crew on the training schedule.
SRS Stephen Hawking Docking Bay, Phobos Naval Station
1300 —February 15, 2372
The crew, escorted by Admiral Corbin, entered another enormous docking bay and saw the SRS Stephen Hawking for the first time.
Colored black and about the size of a small frigate-class vessel, the ship sat on its massive landing gear. It was rectangular shaped with sharp angles on its sides, ends, top, and bottom to make it stealthy. Other than the landing gear, only the BHP pyramid on top protruded from its sleek surface.
“ Not as big as I thought it would be,” Gault commented to no one in particular. The rest of the crew just stared at the uniquely shaped ship and smiled at his remark.
The crew was allowed to walk around the ship for a few minutes , familiarizing themselves with the external locations of escape hatches, docking bay doors, communications-access panels— anything they might need to know if they ever found themselves outside the ship in space.
Eventually, the maintenance crew, already aboard, opened the ship ’s rear-access door and lowered a ramp. Hydraulic motors and pistons whined until the ramp touched the docking bay floor with a metal clank.
A senior maintenance officer walked through the open access doors and halted at the bottom of the ramp. He acted as the officer of the deck and began the traditional boarding of a US naval vessel crew.
Mary led the officers, enlisted crew, and scientists to the ramp. She stopped, saluted the flag of the United States of America stenciled on one of the open ramp access doors, and then turned to the acting officer on the deck, saluted him, and asked, “Permission to come aboard, sir?”
“ Come aboard,” the acting officer on the deck said, returning her salute. The rest of the crew followed and used the same protocol.
Once they were aboard, maintenance personnel escorted the crew to their quarters so they could change into their mission uniforms and attach their Anna to their forearms. As expected, the sailors and scientists followed an escort in one direction while the marines followed an escort in another.
The enlisted marine’s quarters was a large bay, which could easily accommodate thirty marines.
“ Gunny, take charge. Have the men change, stow their gear, and stand by,” Captain Neubauer ordered.
“ Aye, aye, sir,” Xia said.
Captain Neubauer and Gideon followed their escort down the same passageway and were shown their individual quarters.
“ Lieutenant, after you’ve changed and are squared away, report to my office in the armory.”
“ Aye, aye, sir ,” Gideon said.
***
Gideon’s quarters contained three bunks, three closets, a large desk, a chair, and a latrine. He unpacked his duffel bag, stowed his clothes and toiletries in a closet, changed out of the white jumpsuit, and put one of his new green mission uniforms. Finally he attached his Anna to the left forearm of his uniform using the micrometal velcro and turned Anna on.
“ Welcome to SRS Stephen Hawking , Gideon, ” Anna said into his implant.
“ Thank you, Anna.”
“ I have access to the ship’s main computer. Let me know if I can be of assistance.”
“ Can you direct me to the marine armory?” Gideon
“ If there’s anything you need, please let Admiral Corbin know,” Admiral Frank said. “He’s there to make sure you complete your training on schedule. If anything comes up that might delay the schedule, or if you discover something that you might need on the mission while training, let him know. He and Captain Bowser will go over the training schedule in a moment.” Admiral Frank paused and, with a smile on his face, continued. “Also, when the meeting is over, get aboard the Stephen Hawking , get out of those white jumpsuits, and put on your mission uniforms. Good luck!”
Hand claps and cheers erupted as the hologram disappeared.
After a few seconds , Admiral Corbin and Mary began briefing the crew on the training schedule.
SRS Stephen Hawking Docking Bay, Phobos Naval Station
1300 —February 15, 2372
The crew, escorted by Admiral Corbin, entered another enormous docking bay and saw the SRS Stephen Hawking for the first time.
Colored black and about the size of a small frigate-class vessel, the ship sat on its massive landing gear. It was rectangular shaped with sharp angles on its sides, ends, top, and bottom to make it stealthy. Other than the landing gear, only the BHP pyramid on top protruded from its sleek surface.
“ Not as big as I thought it would be,” Gault commented to no one in particular. The rest of the crew just stared at the uniquely shaped ship and smiled at his remark.
The crew was allowed to walk around the ship for a few minutes , familiarizing themselves with the external locations of escape hatches, docking bay doors, communications-access panels— anything they might need to know if they ever found themselves outside the ship in space.
Eventually, the maintenance crew, already aboard, opened the ship ’s rear-access door and lowered a ramp. Hydraulic motors and pistons whined until the ramp touched the docking bay floor with a metal clank.
A senior maintenance officer walked through the open access doors and halted at the bottom of the ramp. He acted as the officer of the deck and began the traditional boarding of a US naval vessel crew.
Mary led the officers, enlisted crew, and scientists to the ramp. She stopped, saluted the flag of the United States of America stenciled on one of the open ramp access doors, and then turned to the acting officer on the deck, saluted him, and asked, “Permission to come aboard, sir?”
“ Come aboard,” the acting officer on the deck said, returning her salute. The rest of the crew followed and used the same protocol.
Once they were aboard, maintenance personnel escorted the crew to their quarters so they could change into their mission uniforms and attach their Anna to their forearms. As expected, the sailors and scientists followed an escort in one direction while the marines followed an escort in another.
The enlisted marine’s quarters was a large bay, which could easily accommodate thirty marines.
“ Gunny, take charge. Have the men change, stow their gear, and stand by,” Captain Neubauer ordered.
“ Aye, aye, sir,” Xia said.
Captain Neubauer and Gideon followed their escort down the same passageway and were shown their individual quarters.
“ Lieutenant, after you’ve changed and are squared away, report to my office in the armory.”
“ Aye, aye, sir ,” Gideon said.
***
Gideon’s quarters contained three bunks, three closets, a large desk, a chair, and a latrine. He unpacked his duffel bag, stowed his clothes and toiletries in a closet, changed out of the white jumpsuit, and put one of his new green mission uniforms. Finally he attached his Anna to the left forearm of his uniform using the micrometal velcro and turned Anna on.
“ Welcome to SRS Stephen Hawking , Gideon, ” Anna said into his implant.
“ Thank you, Anna.”
“ I have access to the ship’s main computer. Let me know if I can be of assistance.”
“ Can you direct me to the marine armory?” Gideon
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