Once in her small room, Mara quickly changed into uniform meant for warmer weather. The shirt was made of white webbing that kept her warm or cold depending on her body's temp readings. She slid on a short-sleeved jacket that also held her rank on the sleeves, and her last name on the front with the Air Force insignia.
Looking at the time, glowing above the door, Mara realized she was going to be late. I am not going to be late again. She grabbed her security card, her small box, and walked out the door of her quarters.
The warm breezes earlier that morning turned to a dry, sultry hot wind. It hit her as soon as she stepped out of her quarters. Headed to the docking port, where a submersible was waiting, she turned left. It was to take her to a civilian space travel center (CSTC). She took the aluminum stairs to the lower deck. The Wies Hart, gleaming in the sunlight, came into view. It was white, with the United States flag beginning a navy blue line running the length of the ship. It looked more like a luxury cruiser if it wasn't for the launchers along its edge and the compact design of the vessel.
Upon reaching the deck, she walked across the bridge connecting to the Wies Hart. A Military Policeman stood guard at the vessel's entrance. Labeled on his green, pixel uniform read 'Gehspfor'.
They saluted. "Are you Airman Koilo?"
"Yes, Sir." She handed him her identification card, along with her orders.
It was mandatory to show your orders on any craft before boarding. It became law for the Military when spies had infiltrated the system 45 years ago. People thought that it was a good idea to just keep the law to prevent future mishaps in case terrorists wanted in again.
"Oh, man, you're headed to Sector 7?", the guard asked in a sympathetic surprise.
Mara looked at the man with furrowed brows. She detected something else she didn't know in his voice. " I don't understand.", she replied, accepting the card and orders from him.
Gehspfor looked more surprised. "Did you not get briefed on the current situation?"
"No, I wasn't. I suspect I will be when I get on board or when I reach Onkorplas."
"Alright, well Godspeed in your assignment, Ma'am."
"Thank you, Sir."
Questions about Onkorplas and Sector 7 filled her thoughts as she entered the vessel. She had some idea of what was going on over there. Putting that aside for later, Mara turned to find some place to be during the 2 hour voyage. A Navy officer stood directly across the hall from the entryway. He looked no older than 20.
" My name is Josh. I will be escorting you to meet with Captain Florstaff."
"Nice to meet you, Sir," she said as they shook hands. Then they strode to the left, with a gesture from Josh.
Down the corridor, Mara observed the interior design. It was all white, with medal grated flooring, that had a tint of color that resembled mother-of-pearl. Set in the outward curved wall were small spherical windows; while on the other side were huge touchscreens showing the ship's status. The screens ran the length of the vessel. They passed other navy-men walking about in a hurried manner. They were most likely getting ready to dive the Wies Hart.
Presently, they came to a conduit, set in the wall across from the windows.
"This will take us to the command deck," said Josh.
She stepped in. Instantly, Mara found herself on the bridge with a massive window that looked out to the water. The base could be seen to the right. The sun was high with no clouds in sight. Mara quickly stepped out of the conduit to make room for her escort. Raised consoles lined the floor facing the viewpoint. Men and woman sat at them with their hands moving swiftly across their screens. She saw that the Captain stood waiting outside his office.
To her embarrassment, Josh walked into Mara, who did not move enough out of the way.
"Begging your pardon, Ma'am."
She smiled her forgiveness, while on the inside she chided herself for not paying more attention. To make matters worse the Captain looked amused. Josh straightened himself out and saluted his superior. The smiling man decked in his Navy uniform, returned the salute.
"Is this the Airman you were bringing, Josh?," questioned Florstaff. The guy looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh.
Josh turned to look at Mara. He raised his eyebrows. "Yes, Sir," he cheerfully replied. What was so amusing?
"You are dismissed, Josh. Report to your station."
"Yes, Sir." He walked back into the conduit.
"This way Airman Koilo," said the Captain. He stood aside, as she walked into his office.
"Airman, you had better lose that look before I double over laughing."
"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir." Too much emotion played in her features from the previous embarrassment. She realized then that she was blushing.
"Have a seat, Koilo."
Mara sat down in the seat provided across from the Captain's desk chair. It immediately molded to her form that resulted in excellent and comfortable support. Light filled the room through a tall window behind the desk. The office felt quite spacious. Florstaff also took his seat.
"Now, .... I have been instructed to brief you on the current events in sector 7." He began. She gave her full attention, keeping herself well composed this time.
"Terrorists have regrouped and made alliances where we believed those alliances would fail. Their main focus right now has seemed to be gaining more territory. So far we have been able to make it extremely difficult for them to break through defenses. Unfortunately, we have not done a very top notch job." He sighed. "Onkorplas station is facing a likely attack, sometime soon, according to the Pentagon.
On your way there, you may encounter some isolated skirmishes. You have to be prepared for any encounter with the enemy. These guys are merciless."
"How much of Sector 7 was taken?" she asked.
" My name is Josh. I will be escorting you to meet with Captain Florstaff."
"Nice to meet you, Sir," she said as they shook hands. Then they strode to the left, with a gesture from Josh.
Down the corridor, Mara observed the interior design. It was all white, with medal grated flooring, that had a tint of color that resembled mother-of-pearl. Set in the outward curved wall were small spherical windows; while on the other side were huge touchscreens showing the ship's status. The screens ran the length of the vessel. They passed other navy-men walking about in a hurried manner. They were most likely getting ready to dive the Wies Hart.
Presently, they came to a conduit, set in the wall across from the windows.
"This will take us to the command deck," said Josh.
She stepped in. Instantly, Mara found herself on the bridge with a massive window that looked out to the water. The base could be seen to the right. The sun was high with no clouds in sight. Mara quickly stepped out of the conduit to make room for her escort. Raised consoles lined the floor facing the viewpoint. Men and woman sat at them with their hands moving swiftly across their screens. She saw that the Captain stood waiting outside his office.
To her embarrassment, Josh walked into Mara, who did not move enough out of the way.
"Begging your pardon, Ma'am."
She smiled her forgiveness, while on the inside she chided herself for not paying more attention. To make matters worse the Captain looked amused. Josh straightened himself out and saluted his superior. The smiling man decked in his Navy uniform, returned the salute.
"Is this the Airman you were bringing, Josh?," questioned Florstaff. The guy looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh.
Josh turned to look at Mara. He raised his eyebrows. "Yes, Sir," he cheerfully replied. What was so amusing?
"You are dismissed, Josh. Report to your station."
"Yes, Sir." He walked back into the conduit.
"This way Airman Koilo," said the Captain. He stood aside, as she walked into his office.
"Airman, you had better lose that look before I double over laughing."
"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir." Too much emotion played in her features from the previous embarrassment. She realized then that she was blushing.
"Have a seat, Koilo."
Mara sat down in the seat provided across from the Captain's desk chair. It immediately molded to her form that resulted in excellent and comfortable support. Light filled the room through a tall window behind the desk. The office felt quite spacious. Florstaff also took his seat.
"Now, .... I have been instructed to brief you on the current events in sector 7." He began. She gave her full attention, keeping herself well composed this time.
"Terrorists have regrouped and made alliances where we believed those alliances would fail. Their main focus right now has seemed to be gaining more territory. So far we have been able to make it extremely difficult for them to break through defenses. Unfortunately, we have not done a very top notch job." He sighed. "Onkorplas station is facing a likely attack, sometime soon, according to the Pentagon.
On your way there, you may encounter some isolated skirmishes. You have to be prepared for any encounter with the enemy. These guys are merciless."
"How much of Sector 7 was taken?" she asked.
"Closed to 69% of it. If Onkorplas is attacked they could gain at least 15% more. It is very important that none of our assets there are compromised."
"I understand. Am I expecting anyone else on the way?" asked Mara. She had no idea what to expect on this assignment.
"Well, someone is headed the same way as you, so you will be accompanied by him. As far as anyone else, I don't know. You'll just have to be prepared. In fact your traveling buddy is here." He held his hand out to the door where a man in an Army dress suit stood with a huge grin. It was her brother, William Koilo. 