Courage, Fire and Hell

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Andrew, now dressed in his Navy Uniform, opened the door to his room with a quick palm scan. Opening the door, he walked into the room, closing it behind him. He bit into the apple he grabbed from the officer’s mess and walked to his console. Noticing the strobing light, he powered it on to read the messages. Sure enough there was a message from The Bureau of Navy Personnel. Knowing it was a response to his inquiry about an Executive Officer for his new command, He sat down and tapped the screen to display the message

TARGET ID: Commander Andrew Bates, LNS-Drayton
SUBJECT: Crew Assignment

Commander,

As it stands there are no active duty personnel that are not currently assigned that are available for assignment to be the Executive Officer on the LNS-Drayton.

However, due to the increasing need for Quick Response Force warships on the Gallic Front, you are hereby ordered to proceed to Richmond Military Academy. You will observe and evaluate the graduating OCS personnel, and choose an officer to be your XO.

Bates sighed, and powered down his computer and checked the shuttle schedule to the Academy.

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The Shuttle to Richmond was not very full, with only 3 people in the Officer Only section. As the ship disconnected from its mooring line to Washington Shipyard, the pilot hit the intercom.

“As you all know, the trade lane from Richmond to Washington is down, so we will be cruising for this trip. The estimated trip time is five minutes, however due to heavy traffic at Richmond we will be delayed an additional five minutes before we will be able to dock. “

Andrew pulled out a small Neural Net tablet and began to scan the roster of the class he would be observing, making note of officers that had promise.

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Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.