A Liberty Story

[Sunset Glow]

Recruit Rivers

After completing the accelerated primary fleet officer training program on planet Manhatten, Sandra found herself flying the upholder bomber back enroute to the Mississippi in the Texas system where her primary fleet recruit craft was already waiting. A brand new, freshly refurbished top of the line heavy fighter nicknamed ... "death trap" or "executioner". The latter actually being its registered name but the pilots humorously referred to it in an ambiguous way.

She remembered how the other pilots warned her to be careful in this craft and that it had its name for a reason. There were also a few select (actually just one pilot) who seemed to like this craft. Having never flown it herself and being a dedicated bomber pilot she could hardly comment except that she was probably about to find out.

During her flight her thoughts began to wander for a moment...

In the officer training program there was little emphasis on flying lessons or actual combat. Emphasis was put on command structure, leadership abilities and cooperative team-work. The officer training program seemed to be a preperational basis for a career in the primary fleet that included options for leadership.

That was something Sandra found she was appreciating but not so appreciating at the same time. And as she remembered her results she knew exactly why.

Personality functional and intact. Very cautious and timid but might have leadership qualities if developed. Highly attentive but quickly overwhelmed. Very good with team-work but lacks self-confidence.

Command Structure:
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Works well with authority, but performance drops drastically when coerced or constrained. Also has a tendency to approach given orders in unorthodox ways.

Leadership Qualities:
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Very sensible, responsible and foresightful but lacking in self confidence and presence.

Teamwork:
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This recruit's saving grace. Excellent team work abilities, her qualities work in her favor. Foresightful and clever use of team-resources. Always chooses a flight lead, especially in combat scenarios. Valeuable in formation and team efforts.

... lacking in self confidence and presence? And quickly overwhelmed?

Recruit Rivers wanted to deny it but she realized that she couldn't. With such results, her career in the navy would not go very far she figured. But then, she could be glad that she had come as far as she did after all that had happened during her early adolescence. Everything could have turned out a lot worse and by that.. she meant a LOT.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she approached battleship Mississippi and the traffic control prompted her to identify herself and state point of origin, intended course and destination.

She transmitted the data and then sent a docking request. "Here recruit Rivers, I need clearance to dock."