Last Chapter Recap: "Fortunately, the rest of the crew should not be as wary of you as Lt. Chand..." Selana said, before her tone shifted as they reached their destination. "Meanwhile, we've arrived at our destination. This is the main battery room."
NOW
"Captain? What—oh, is that the new intel guy?" a woman with purple hair said.
'Another pretty girl.' Adam thought, glancing at her. 'Though this one looks more conventional and flat. still a great body... She's pretty enough to turn heads, even on Neo-Terran.'
"Yes, Ensign, this is Major Aurora, who operates the defense system of Goliath," Selana said, introducing the purple-haired woman with a nod toward Adam.
"That's right, I am the person who makes you safe, as well as the operator of those big bam-bams! Pleased to meet you, newbie," Aurora said with a smile.
"I'm Adam Black, and uh, by 'big bam-bams' you mean...?" Adam asked, his tone filled with doubt as he tried to figure out exactly what Aurora meant.
"Twenty-nine gigavolt Gaussian energy cannon, also known as the main battery, or you know, the thing that evaporates enemy ships in one second," Aurora said with a bright smile.
'That's certainly a weapon worthy of a small battleship... no wonder it was omitted from the ship's specifications.' Adam thought. 'So that's what obligated the Kingdom on Platinum.'
"Well, nowadays all I do is aim and press the button, ha ha. Modern technology is really scary," Aurora said, chuckling.
"Aurora also leads our strike group and is a capable hand-to-hand fighter," Selana said, her voice laced with pride as she introduced the major's skills.
"Geez, you're flattering me, Captain..." Aurora said with a bright smile.
"I'll be careful to stay on your good side then, Major. My body does not go well with, uh, Gaussian energy," Adam said.
"Ha ha, don't worry, I only use them on bad guys! You're not a bad guy, right?" Aurora said in a playful tone, raising an eyebrow at Adam with a mischievous smile.
"Of course not!" Adam said hurriedly.
"Aurora, don't tease him. How are the drills going?" Selana asked, turning her attention to the major with a more serious tone.
"Perfectly, Captain! Secondary batteries working! Shields working! Turrets working! Anti-personnel systems working!" Aurora said, snapping a salute and speaking in a serious tone.
"Good. Just in case, though, please run a second round of drills. I want nothing to change in the mission," Selana said, her tone firm and decisive, making it clear she expected perfection.
"Yes, Captain!" Aurora responded sharply.
"Ensign, were you told what kind of task Goliath has been given this time?" Selana asked after walking out of the room.
"No, Captain, actually I was about to ask you about it," Adam said.
"If you weren't told, then you weren't meant to know. The precise orders will be revealed when we arrive at our first destination. Until then, please perform your duties as usual," Selana said, her tone calm and matter of fact.
'That's awfully secretive of Alliance HQ.' Adam thought, feeling a sense of unease about the lack of transparency.
"Understood," Adam said, giving a salute.
"No further questions? I'm starting to like you, Ensign. Keep it up," Selana said with a slight smile.
"Um, almost...?" Adam asked.
"I can respect only men who prove their courage and dedication to the Alliance cause through deeds. If you're a coward, or worse... a traitor," Selana said in a serious tone, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"You're distrusting me, Captain? Oh dear," Adam said with a teasing tone, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his voice.
"There's trust, and there's trust. Fortunately, after this mission, I'll have a good impression of what kind of man you are," Selana said, her tone firm but not unkind.
"What do you—" Before Adam could finish his sentence.
"Here we are, the deck. Everyone should be waiting," Selana finished her sentence and walked ahead.
Deck. If the engine room is the heart of the ship, this is the brain. The mere amount of complex instruments could make my head spin.
"Everyone gather round, I want to introduce you to our new officer," Selana said to everyone on the deck, her voice commanding attention.
"I'm Adam Black, pleased to meet you," Adam said to everyone, offering a respectful nod as he scanned the faces around him.
"These three are permanent deck members and my closest aides. From the left, Lt. Laura, our communications officer," Selana said to Adam, gesturing toward the woman standing at the far left.