Going Home: Loyalty (7)
18 Jun 2023Vasil Vasilescu
I sat in the pilot seat and began buckling the harness. It felt good to be in the seat again and I knew, wounded as she was, the Always Lost would do what I asked of her. After three decades together, the ship had become something other than just steel and electronics; it was more like an old, loyal hound who, in spite of the pain that comes with age, only wants to make their master happy. And I, in turn, had grown to depend on that unconditional loyalty so much that I am not sure what I would do without the Always Lost. “Welcome aboard,” said Jefferson, lighting up the controls and HUD.
“Jefferson, how’s our old gal doing today?”
“Sorry, Commander, I do not understand the query.”
I sighed. “Ship status, Jefferson.”
“All systems functional, but not at optimum operating efficiency.”
I expected that, having ordered only the necessary repairs to get the ship spaceworthy enough to reach Cemiess. “Jefferson, compliance check for required Imperial safety standards and Cemiess system safety standards.”
“All systems meet minimum Imperial safety requirements as well as supplemental safety requirements for station access within the Cemiess system.”
Looking through the ship’s module status, I saw that the power plant was generating only three-quarters of its normal output and that it was maxed out. The Port Engineer said the reactor needed to be overhauled in a proper yard period, so that would have to be scheduled once I reached Cemiess. To avoid stressing the reactor, I started shutting down unnecessary modules until power use was at eighty percent of current power capacity.
“Okay, Jefferson, secure the ship. Set secondary and tertiary internal spaces to emergency power only. Request departure window from station control.”
Jefferson acknowledged the direction and a few seconds later an automated AI voice from flight control replied, “Sierra Charlie Foxtrot One Charlie, you have been cleared for a departure window between 1835 and 1840 .” A fifteen minute countdown time appeared on the canopy HUD to indicate when the departure window was open.
I could not avoid returning to Cemiess now. Duty to family and the Empire aside, Octavia had agreed with my plans for mass repatriation of citizens to Emerald and designated me as the final arbiter of any contracts the family was to enter into. I had no excuse to delay returning home any longer.
“Time to go,” I mumbled, giving voice to my thoughts.
“Not for another fifteen minutes, Commander.”
I closed my eyes, jaw tightening in mild exasperation. “Jefferson, shut up.”