'' This Academy instructor Snow, All cadets assigned to live training exercise A1, report to the USS Alsea. Senior Cadets Hansen, Holland, Shadowhunt and Terix, report directly to me on the Alsea bridge. Snow out.''
As the announcement reverberated throughout Starbase Lotus, Lieutenant Snow took the command codes from Chief Engineer Sangliar with a slight smirk.
''Not a scratch on the paint, Sir.''
''You better, '' snorted the Tellarite engineer. ''You're only going a light year away an, please note, directly away from all the borders. We will be monitoring while you test the ship's systems and your kids. And if I ever see peanut butter or jelly anywhere after that, there's gonna be hell to pay.''
Sangliar stepped off the bridge and left her with a telling glare to get to the turbolift.
''The ship is yours, Lieutenant. Remember, this is also a test for you if you wish to ever graduate from Command School. This is going to be your first command... or your last?''
The turbolift doors closed on his gruff laughter. The Inuit woman stood alone before the command chair on the deserted bridge, for a moment lost in her own thoughts. Then, slowly, almost reverently, she sat in, head high and staring at the bulkhead where the main screen would activate to show them their way towards the stars.
Captain Rivers, Hero of the Borg War... Captain Jureth, living legend of Operation Horizon... they sat in this very chair. This may just be a little training cruise and a mere test flight... but this is the Alsea, the shining knight of Lotus Fleet. How lucky these cadets are... How lucky I am. may we all prove worthy of this honor and privilege.
That is something she could have said as pep talk speech, if this was actually to be her command and their commission. But it was just a little training cruise, a mere test flight, tethered by subspace to Starbase Lotus. This was no first mission and the last thing these cadets needed was to feel more important or privileged. In Starfleet, privilege had to be earned... and shared. And importance was only measured up to the responsibility entrusted in them. Their actual mission as of now was simply to prove themselves worthy of that.
And she was not going to make it easy for them.
Hearing the words of the Academy instructor reverberate suddenly within the walls of the Engineering department snapped the cadet from her introspective thoughts. She stood and repositioned her slightly disheveled uniform back into place as she headed out of the cavernous room and toward the nearest turbolift.
“Bridge,” Sabrina commanded as she closed her eyes for a moment and forced a few deep breaths to transpire while the enclosure traveled toward deck one.
As the lift doors parted with a crisp whoosh, she ambled her way out, heading on a beeline toward the center seat.
“Sabrina Shadowhunt reporting for duty,” she offered as she stood formally at attention before the Academy instructor who would be serving as their commanding officer for this series of exercises. She had no idea what awaited them, but she knew with certainty that she was more than ready to face whatever was thrown her way. Little did she realize that cadets were often a seemingly mixed concoction of nervous anticipation and self-assurance. She was no exception in this aspect.
With no obvious role in the modification project Terix had taken a few moments to himself in the ship's newly renovated observation lounge after the group of cadets had been dismissed from engineering. The Romulan stood for a long while simply watching the activity in the starbase hangar both around the Alsea herself and around a few of the other vessels also undergoing repairs. This is where it starts, he thought this is where I lay the building blocks for my future. There were some, probably quite a few actually, of his old friends and even family who would call him vang'radam, traitor, or say that he was no longer Rihannsu. Terix was determined to prove otherwise even though he hadn't even been accused of anything by anyone. On hearing Lt. Snow's call to report he gathered himself, and making sure to close the viewport, left the lounge headed for the Alsea's bridge. As he stepped from the turbolift he noted Shadowhunt already arrived and speaking with Lieutenant Snow and so he stepped to the side clasped his hands behind his back and waited to be acknowledged.
The Inuit woman nodded to him and to the human girl the acknowledged with a glance Cadet hansen coming out of the next turbolift to hop nervously besides them and stretch himself into a ramrod attention stance. The noise coming out of the turbolift shaft announced to her that Cadet Holland was also on his way.
The turbolift doors opened again and Gunner stepped through.
"Cadet Gunner... Holland reporting in Captain"
There was a brief pause as Gunner spoke. While his Betazoid heritage gave him a surname, he was Klingon and never truly accepted having to use it. He always saw himself as Gunner son of Torgo, or just Gunner. His reservations worked in the Academy, but this was the big leagues now and Gunner was going to have to adapt.
"Reporting for tactical assignment Captain. All preliminary tactical modifications are complete and multi vector assignments are preloaded per my simulations."
Pausing slightly Gunner glanced over at the tactical station. Taking it for real for the first time was a thrill, and he tried to hide his anticipation.
"Shall I take my station?"
'' Please do, Cadet. You will act as chief of security and tactical for the duration of this exercise. I hope you will be most familiar with the tactical capabilities of this ship by the time we dock. ''
Snow then looked at the other three.
''The three of you are all from the same science track at the Academy. However, there is only one seat at the science station. Because of her initiative and thoroughness of work on the sensor systems of this ship, Cadet Shadowhunt is tho best suited to test those new systems she conceived. Cadet Shadowhunt, you will serve as chief science officer and man the sensors. ''
She then turned towards the tall, imposing young man at her right.
''Cadet Hansen, you showed high marks in astrogation and piloting courses and have already earned your wings. You will serve as our chief helmsman and navigator.''
''Aye M'am; I mean Lieutenant; I mean, Captain... Sir... M'am...''
''At ease Cadet, before you sprain something. Take your station please and make the preparations for immediate departure.''
She finally looked at the Romulan cadet.
''Cadet Terix, I am well aware that during your Academy years you have found some... difficulties in earning, shall we say, full acceptance and recognition by your fellow classmates. We may live in enlightened times, but prejudice is still unfortunately part of Human nature; and of the nature of several other species as well. But in Starfleet, one is inevitably judged by one's accomplishements above anything else.''
She paused before finishing.
'' It is time for you to... silence the critics once and for all; something that will benefit you but also your classmates in need of... enlightenement. You will therefore serve as Chief of Operations... and as my Exec.''
And so saying, she showed him the chair on the right of hers.
Terix was quite shocked by the Lieutenant Snow granting him the first officer position. Had he been asked he would have fingered Shadowhunt as a better candidate given her initiative. He tried not to let that emotion show on his face as he moved toward the first officer's chair. Most Romulans were supremely arrogant and would have believed they deserved the position just by virtue of being Romulan. Terix not only was not sure he that he deserved it, he wasn't even positive he'd earned it, but the Lieutenant seemed to think so. As his mind has told him in the observation lounge, and Lieutenant Snow had just vocalized, this was his chance to silence the critics. The chance to show Starfleet Inteligence he was not a spy, and that he belonged among them as any other officer.
Sabrina nodded in acknowledgement to their captain then immediately seated herself at the science station. She had studied and ran through so many console simulations she believed that she could man those controls laid out before her blindfolded. She gave a subtle wink to her fellow human Lep Hansen who was just settling into the helmsman position.
She spun her chair around and looked back at her Romulan counterpart Terix who was just settling into his seat and gestured a thumbs up to accompany her wide grin.
“I recall a certain renowned Vulcan who also served as first officer many years ago,” she whispered to him with a playful smirk.
Terix offered a slight smile to Sabrina, "Yes, I am familiar with Ambassador Spock. Growing up I was taught he was a criminal and that Unification was nothing more than the rantings of a cult. He was one of the first Vulcans in Starfleet, and while I am not the first Romulan, I will leave my mark as surely as if I were."
''Actually he was the first ever, '' Snow chimed in. ''The only Vulcan to ever serve aboard a Starfleet vessel before him was Sub-Commander T'Pol, a Vulcan High Command observer assigned to Captain Jonathan Archer. But despite severing her ties with the High Command and her years of exemplary service onboard the NX01 Enterprise, she never joined Starfleet officially. You however, Cadet Terix, are the very first full-blooded Romulan to enter Starfleet Academy; let's see if you can prove yourself more than a footnote.''
She glanced at the others.
''As for the rest of you, you don't even have that. In Starfleet, it is what you accomplish that matters. So let's see what you can do.''
She sat back in the command chair and opened the shipwide channel.
''Now hear this; now hear this; all cadets, to your stations. The Alsea is about to leave spacedock. Let's make sure your career will go farther than the starbase's spacedoors.''
Snow lifted her head slightly.
''Computer; activate EHO on all unserviced stations.''
On the bridge, the Engineering station was suddenly occupied by a gold-collared half-Klingon woman, the counselling chair by a statuesque half-betazoid woman with a blue collar and the Ops station chair filled by a white-skinned, yellow-eyed Human-looking presence in a gold-collared uniform.
Gunner looked up and grinned slightly. While she was a hologram he could not deny the beauty of the Klingon woman who was now operating Engineering. He recognized her from his academy studies, but as a tactical officer his studies with engineering were not overly detailed. Gunner could not help but wonder if this hologram was programmed with the same reputation as the person she was based on.
''We have full power on all systems; thrusters hot, impulse engine at optimal readiness, warp speed at your discretion Captain,'' the hybrid chief engineer stated in clipped tones.
''All ship systems nominal; stores and reserves enough for one standard ship testing mission. All parameters met to begin trial run, Captain, '' the smooth, barely inflexed voice of the holographic officer announced.
''Crew eager and anxious to be underway, captain, '' the ship's counsellor added with her soft, regal voice.
Not blinking at the familiar, legendary faces, the Academy instructor adressed her students.
''All stations report launch readiness to Exec.''
Terix recognized the legendary holograms as surely as any other Academy cadet would, interesting choices to fill the unoccupied chairs for certain. Taking his cue from Lieutenant Snow he keyed the intercom on the XO's seat and spoke aloud.
"This is Executive Officer Terix on the bridge, all departments submit readiness reports."
His tone was even, and cool belying the nervousness tugging at the back of his mind. He had not actually realized he was Starfleet's first full-blooded Romulan member. Starfleet Intelligence had not divulged that fact in all of their interrogations. It made their treatment of him make a little more sense, but did not fully justify it. Still, he conceded to himself, how would the Star Empire treat a human that suddenly showed up on their doorstep? He knew the answer before his brain asked the question. Mentally shaking the thought away he waited for the various department heads to report in.
After confirming that all console functions and sensor relays were indicating optimal status, Sabrina announced “Science department is prepared for launch,” as she transmitted her official report to her executive officer.
She could feel a tingle of anticipation as those words departed from her lips. It was time to bring all that she had studied and learned throughout her life and during her intense time in the academy into the cold reality of outer space. Sabrina knew that she and her fellow cadets would be tested during this training exercise but did not have an inkling of how this would manifest.
''Helm ready for departure, Sir.''
Hansen was visibly nervous and excited at the same time. He made sure for the fourth time to locate magnetic clamp and inertial moorings controls. He would not make a fool of himself by trying to start a ship still anchored to a starbase. This will be a so much by-the-book launch that they will next use a record of it to teach proper procedure at the Academy.
"Acknowledged," Terix replied nodding to both officers. He then decided it was time to poke the Alsea's ranking commander a bit and so keyed the intercom on his chair arm "XO Terix to engineering...please report warp core status."
For a moment, there was like some rumbling static over the comm, as if the speaker was broken. Then it dawned on everyone listening that it was some deep voice grumbling as the strange garbled sound became words.
''Aye Exec Sir, all systems nominal Exec Sir, warp core at one-hundred and four point seven percent efficiency Exec Sir; hot enough for you not to worry about getting your morning raktagino, Exec Sir.''
Terix's mouth curled into a smile as he listened to the Tellarite's gruff response "Actually," he replied "I prefer Vulcan spice tea, but thank you Commander. Bridge out." Terix then turned to Lieutenant Snow "All departments report ready for departure Captain."
''Thank you Exec,'' Snow responded, not showing any sign of her ongoing evaluation of their actions. She flipped open the comm to external. ''Starbase lotus, This is the Alsea; request permission to launch.''
A slightly slouching voice, obviously Ferengi, was nonetheless clearly heard in response.
''USS Alsea, this is Sarbase Flight Control; you have clearance to launch, spacedoor delta. Smooth sailing, Alsea.''
''Thank you, Flight Control, '' acknowledged Snow before returning her full attention to her bridge crew. She took a long breath then ordered; '' helm; proceed with undocking. ''
Hansen too took a moment to breath in but his was shallower.
''Aye Captain; starbase has released docking clamps and tractor beam. Releasing magnetic moorings.''
They felt nothing; yet, there was a clear conviction in everyone aboard that they were no more part of the starbase as they had been until now.
''We are free and clear to navigate.''
''One quarter impulse power, Helmsman. Engage.''
Hansen's finger hovered over the controls.
''What's the delay, Helmsman?''
''Unable to comply, Captain. At more than eighteen thousand kilometers a second, spacedoors will not yet be open by the time we reach them.''
Snow smiled. Her own finger switched off the override control on her armchair, restoring active function to the one the young man had not yet dared touch.
''Well done, Cadet; through correct data, you are reminding your commanding officer of regulations while refraining from openly arguing what is in fact an illegal order... and saving ship and crew from it. It's the first time since I took this instructor job that a cadet solves this no-win scenario; that I do not have to intervene before a cadet send us crashing inside spacedock... or reprimand that cadet from discussing orders in the field.''
Her gaze went from him to the others in turn.
''Obeying orders is essential, even for officers, or would-be officers like you; but being an officer also means the captain is counting on your judgment in your respective responsibilities. Just as essential as discipline is for you providing in-time data to the commanding officer, so that that officer can make correct judgment and give correct orders. That's why a captain sits in a chair, not a a task station. A captain's job is to make decisions; your job is to make his job possible.''
Hansen eyes bulged.
''This was a test?''
Snow this time didn't smile.
''Everything is a test, Cadet; including life itself.''
She raised her gaze to the forward screen as she activated it.
''Helm, thrusters at full. Take us out.''
''Aye Captain.''
On the screen, the immense vista of the insides of the starbase moved in eerie silence only troubled by the sound of consoles around them. Right before them, they saw like a huge maw opening; the two halves of the gigantic doors isolating the inner space of the base with outer space. At five hundred kilometers per hour, it took them barely over half a minute to reach them just as they finished opening and suddenly have their entire field of view filled with stars.
''We have cleared spacedoors.''
''Confirm that we are cleared of space traffic.''
That one was directed at Sabrina Shadowhunt manning the sensors.
Engaging ship sensors first then temporarily connecting to the sensors on the exterior of the Starbase, Sabrina conducted a thorough sweep throughout the vicinity of space they were about to embark within.
“No objects or anomalies registering anywhere in the surrounding area Captain. We are clear for departure.”
Snow nodded, her eyes glued to the main viewer, her arms rigid on the arms of her command chair.
''Helm; course 180 mark 15, impulse speed; ten percent incremental accelaration every thirty seconds until full impulse. Engage.''
''Aye, Captain; 180 mark 15, ten percent impulse, thirty seconds... mark.''
Snow was not doing this just to make it easier for her novice helmsman. Chief Sangliar wanted a thorough testing of the ship's systems and it was only under this condition that she had been allowed to improvise this sortie with a... boatload of children, as he had said. And at this moment, she was as much under evaluation as her cadets were. Not following mission orders would have ended her hopes for a command career then and there.
And there was no better teaching than by example.
''Full impulse... mark,'' Hansen reported.
She forced a smile to ease the tension in her coppery face.
''Well, since we haven't heard yet our chief engineer holler, it is safe to assume everything checks out. Helm; emergency impulse for another thirty seconds. ''
''Emergency impulse... engaged.''
The ship went from half the speed of light to the edge of what would start to cause time dilation aboard. As all helm indicators still showed gree, Snow tapped her combadge.
''Engineering; are we ready for warp speed?''
''Are we ever!''
The gruff response over the speakers made her smile but for a moment. Then she brought her gaze back to the screen.
''Helm; warp 1; engage!''
There was a sharp increase in the ship's whine and a flash before their eyes announced the streaming of starlight on the main viewer.
''Warp One, captain; all navigational systems nominal,'' said Hansen with excitement barely contained in his voice.
''All department chiefs; report after launch status to Exec.''
''Engineering to Exec; purring like a tribble down here,'' came the rough grumbling voice of the Tellarite chief engineer.
Gunner shuddered slightly at the voice. He hated tribbles.
"Do those furry things actually purr?" Terix wondered aloud to no one in particular before shaking his head and acknowledging the report "Thank you Commander." Without stopping he turned to Cadet Gunner "Tactical, defense systems status?"
Checking over the varying systems report Gunner responded.
"All tactical systems are ready Captain. Weapons are charged but not armed, shields are powered but not raised, and all targeting systems are operating at full capacity. Systems report multi vector is a go as needed as well Captain."
Terix nodded at the Klingon and then the ship's intercom came to life "Sickbay to Bridge,"
The disembodied voice was quite familiar to anyone who had any experience with Starfleet's Emergency Medical Hologram programs as that of the very famous holographic Doctor of the U.S.S. Voyager.
"This is XO Terix Doctor, go ahead."
"I just wished to inform the Captain that Sickbay is standing by, but hopefully I won't be patching up any cadets any time soon."
"Thank you Doctor," Terix replied "bridge out."
Terix said nothing more after acknowledging the doctor waiting for the other cadets on the bridge to report their status. He didn't feel it was necessary to repeat the Snow's request for a status report.
''All ships systems report nominal; alpha shift crew at stations. We are ready to proceed, Captain, '' confirmed the legendary android simulacrum at ops.
''We are in stable and continuous contact with Starbase Lotus, confirming our telemetry being received,'' the no less famous recreation of the flagship's counselor added with her silky voice. ''All channels open and clear.''
“All science divisions verify full readiness status,” Sabrina added while she visually scrutinized the sensor readings. “There are no unusual signals or indicators received within this parsec.”
She turned from her console to glance at both the executive and commanding officers positioned nearby.
“We are free to proceed as you she fit, Captain.”
Snow acknowledged everyone with a nod and sat back in her chair as she opened a shipwide channel from her armrest;
''Thank you; well done so far everyone. Now, prepare for emergency impulse; we will experience some time dilation effects as we get to ninety percent of the speed of light before going for
the big jump. Helm, prepare for warp speed, same heading; time for sixty seconds of emergency impulse, then go to warp 1''
Hansen had to contain himself so as to not rub his hands together.
''Aye Captain; same heading, emergency impulse, ready for warp factor one.''
''Engage.''
The young cadet pushed his slider on the impulse control beyond the yellow marker into the red zone and they all felt the strange aftereffect image and echoing sounds and sensations of time dilation. It made everything take an eerie look and feel before the inertial dampeners finally adjusted well enough to make it less queasy. The voice of cadet hansen then sounded as if he was speaking underwater.
''Emergency impulse stable.''
''Warp factor 1.''
Snow,s voice sounded just as distorted but was yet clearly heard. Hansen activated the next slider control on his console and suddenly a big flash of light splashed them from the main viewing screen and the light of the stars became tiny moving dots stretching to thin streaks as they neared the edge of the screen.
''Warp 1.''
The announcement from the helm sounded almost like a casual statement about the weather. But inside, Hansen felt like the very first time he had learned how to swim as a toddler; a whole new reality was now his for the taking.
''Implement warp 2 after sixty seconds,'' Snow ordered, ''then add a factor every sixty seconds until we reach cruising speed.''
''One factor increment every minute until warp 7, aye Captain.''
And six minutes later, they were flying among the stars at three hundred and forty-three times the speed of light.
''All departments report warp flight status to XO, '' again Snow methodically ordered from her crew.
The first to do so was again engineering, through the computer simulation of the gold-collared half-klingon woman at the engineering station.
''Warp core output steady, warp field stable, nacelles alignement off zero point zero zero four three percent; compensating with tractoring system... alignement now optimal fo maximum and emergency warp testings.''
Monitoring readouts from the various science divisions, Sabrina fixated on detecting any unusual events or readings as they transitioned through each warp vector. She continued running a variety of sensor sweeps as they settled into warp seven. Moments later she addressed the executive officers.
“Science department reporting everything registering within standard protocols. There are no…”
She abruptly fell silent as a quizzical expression replaced the remainder of her verbal report. Her fingers began engaging the science console as she focused her attention on all of the resources available at her station.
Terix, at the risk of overstepping the captain he spoke up when the science officer trailed off "Shadowhunt?" He inquried "What's wrong?"
Although she was cognizant of the inquiry addressed to her from the Romulan executive officer, Sabrina was enthralled with the task at hand, yet she found herself caught in a quagmire of perplexity. Looking up from her console minutes later, her exasperation was veiled beneath a controlled voice and expression as she attempted to explain the situation.
“For a fraction of a second, I thought that I detected some sort of anomaly… like an indistinct signal or a distortion of some kind. But I cannot find any traces of such an occurrence nor find anything similar as I repeatedly sweep through all of the regions within range of our sensors.”
The veil began to waver a bit as she admitted “I cannot even estimate where such a harbinger emanated.”
''Captain, I am receiving a distress call.''
Snow turned her head towards the counselor chair as the simulated woman.
''Specify.''
''It was just before Science 1 reported the anomaly. It was very brief and faint but I made out the name Republic... then it was lost. ''
''Can you pinpoint it, Counselor?''
'' Bearing 0 mark 12, one light year beyond our scheduled theater of operations.''
The Inuit woman then looked at the screen and calmly spoke to all of them.
''Options and recommendations.''
''At emergency warp, we will reach coordinates in eight point seven-six hours, Captain, '' Hansen calculated from astrogation.
''This is nearing our maximum continuous emergency range for our engines, '' the half-klingon simulated engineer added, '' but still well within our capabilities.''
''There is no other starship in range according to logged flight paths by Starfleet Command and Starbase Lotus, '' announced the holographic android ops officer. ''The USS Republic is part of Lotus Fleet but was not scheduled to return from sector 001 before the next three solar days.''
''Anything else on sensors?'' asked Snow.
Hearing the coordinates provided, Sabrina refocused her attention toward that designated area of space and continued with a series of sensor sweeps.
“Sir,” she continued as she worked, “I still am not receiving any further signals of any sort from that vicinity. If this were a federation vessel, typically a distress call would be automated to repeat. Since we are not receiving any other indications, it could be that they are unable to broadcast a signal or that a transmission is somehow being affected by an outside source.”
"Captain," Terix interjected "there is another possibility. It may not be the USS Republic...it may be a Romulan Republic vessel. While I was on Earth I heard rumor of a fledgling Romulan government. The anomaly may be the result of a singularity drive malfunction."
Snow turned towards tactical.
Gunner paused for a moment. He grew up torn between between Klingon and being a citizen of the Federation. Neither of his childhood norms trusted the Romulans.
"This is uncharted territory for us Captain. I suggest full tactical readiness given the situation."
Gunner verified system readiness for a moment and continued.
"If this is a Romulan vessel, especially given our current location, we must not assume peaceful intent."
Glancing over to his Romulan crewman Gunner nodded.
"No offense"
"None taken," Terix replied "The remnants of the Star Empire have not exactly done anything to persuade anyone to change their views of the Romulan people. My own...experiences with Starfleet Intelligence are proof of that."
Terix looked at Snow
"I concur with Cadet Gunner Captain, we must be vigilant even if we may be embarking on a rescue mission. It could just as easily be a trap."
Sabrina processed the speculations provided along with the words of caution offered by the bridge crew as she continued scanning the region ahead. Still not detecting any new signals, she confirmed that the science divisions and duty officers were prepared for any immediate contingency before she addressed the commanding officer.
“Orders Sir?” she requested as her gazed remained transfixed on the academy instructor currently occupying the center seat.
With a calm that belied the gravity of the situation, Snow lifted again her dark slanted eyes at the main screen.
''Engineering, Helm; Emergency warp bearing on that signal. Counselor, Ops, Science; communications and scanners have priority allocation. Sickbay; ready for secured rescue operation. Tactical; one hour before reaching coordinates, implement yellow alert. Exec, you take the conn. I will be in the ready room advizing Starbase Lotus of possible Romulan incursion and request assistance. Snap to it people!''
Terix nodded and moved to take the center seat as Snow vacated it. There was no hesitation from the Romulan as there might be in most cadets. It wasn't arrogance, it was confidence and training, but knowing that Snow would be taking it back before too long didn't hurt either.
"Aye Captain, I have the conn." he acknowledged before keying the intercom "All hands, Yellow Alert, departments make readiness reports to the bridge."
The science department had already completed a full detailed chronicle of divisional status moments before, so Sabrina immediately forwarded the results of that digital compilation to the Romulan executive officer now occupying the center seat… as he requested.
From her science post she continued monitoring the region of outer space surrounding the ship as it traveled at emergency warp velocity. Then taking a moment to glance around, Sabrina could sense an internal apprehension mounting as she witnessed the bridge being manned by only cadets and holographic personnel as their vessel dashed off toward some possible emergency situation or perhaps a trap as was speculated. This gave her a slight shiver sensing that they could be rushing into something they were not experienced to handle. This was not a simulation where there were margins for error. Their actions and decisions or a lack of either could literally be the difference between life and death.
Curiously enough, there was one person on the bridge that looked strangely... relaxed; and it was not a holographic officer. At the helm, Hansen was cool and composed, going through the motions of flight and navigation as if practicing on a simulator, concentrating on the most minute details of his job as if expecting to be submitted to a surprise inspection at any moment. His regular and always on cue reports on course and speed to Terix were crisp and textbook-like, devoid of any apparent strain or apprehension to what was coming next.
It certainly looked like he fully felt ready for this.
