Chapter 8, Aboard StarFleet Warship Eridanus, Corvette class, Day 301, 3015 Old Style
Egon Bisher stepped through the airlock on the Eridanus.
"Credential check," commanded a voice. "Please place your palm on the reader for a bio-verification."
Egon felt a series of pinpricks.
"Welcome, Mission Specialist Bisher. Please proceed past the security barrier to your station."
As the iris door closed behind Egon, lights flashed and a shrill alarm sounded.
"All hands, general quarters. All hands, general quarters. Prepare for attack. Prepare for attack."
Egon continued down the hall. Two ensigns trotted past him. He decided to follow them. The hall went up at a slight angle. A door opened and closed as they went past it.
Egon was puzzled. Were they under attack or were they preparing to attack? They entered the bridge area of the ship and the two ensigns took a seat. Egon saw the seat next to astronavigator's was open and took that. The alarms stopped and the lights became steady.
"Welcome to the skybridge, Specialist Bisher. I'm Captain Simme."
"Are we under attack?"
"That was just a drill. We like to do those things from time to time. Keeps the crew on its toes. In any case, congratulations are in order. CPO Modine will brief you."
Egon followed the young man who was slightly older than he was.
"Do you know the layout of the ship?" asked Modine. "I'll show you. You need to know the layout like your life depended on it, because perhaps someday it will."
"What's that odd smell."
"That's what a warship smells like. It's caused by ionization of small particles. Haven't you've been up here before?"
"Several times, but it didn't seem that intense."
"You'll get used to it. Here's the medical bay. This is our Chief Medical Officer, Amedeo."
"Call me Doc," said Amedeo.
"Down the hall is your room. I'll give you the nickle tour a little later. I need to get back on the bridge. But one more thing . . ."
"What's that?"
"Shove off is at oh-six-hundred hours."
The door to Egon's room opened.
"Welcome home," said the voice that greeted him when he came on the ship. "Do you have an environmental preferences?"
"Dim the lights. I feel really tired," said Egon.
Egon entered his room and glanced around. It was decorated in the typical haute couture of a standard warship . . . only the bare essentials. There was a folding bunk on the wall and a small egg-shaped chair. Egon could touch both walls with his hands
Egon pulled down the bunk and sent Opie a message.
"I don't know how you did it, and I don't want to know. All is well. Tomorrow the stars."
He shut his eyes and was soon asleep. Tomorrow the stars.
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07E6d4JR5K
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTqKyHKiG3
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpfwuB2MdM
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FKE3UvJQi
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbUT8XKvhd
825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi8K26VILA
