Major Kim Ye-Jin had just been assigned to Fighter Corp from her previous position in internal security. With the loss of so many of Fighter Corp's pilots who foolishly remained loyal to the traitor, Katz, there was an urgent need for trained pilots. Since her simulator scores were just above the minimum required for Fighter Corps, she had been transferred. She wasn't entirely happy about it, but when the Volkhan said 'jump', she asked 'can I come down now?'
That was how she found herself aboard the CPW Aeon's Fall as it's new commander. The previous commander, Major Robert Thacker had been murdered by a Katzist counter-revolutionary. Despite being a decorated Hero of the Revolution, he had a reputation for having a relaxed command style, and had surrounded himself with people of similar temperament. Major Kim did not share that style. She would have to set things in order quickly if the Aeon's Fall was to be a weapon worthy of the Volkhan.
As she stepped through the airlock onto the gunboat, she saw a very large man in a nondescript jumpsuit. There was a Captain's insignia on the shoulders and a ship's patch on the chest, but otherwise he was not in a standard uniform. His demeanor was relaxed and there was a wide smile on his face.
"Major Kim welcome to the Aeon's Fall! I'm Captain Mark Smith, ship's exo."
As Captain Smith spoke, he extended his hand for a handshake. She did not take it. She glared at him for several seconds, and just as it began to get uncomfortable, she spoke.
"Captain Smith, you will address me as Comrade Major at all times, are we clear?
She allowed herself a brief moment of satisfaction as she saw the smile fall from his face. He then came to attention, as he should have in the first place.
"Yes, Comrade Major!"
"Good. You are relieved of duty. Report to station command for reassignment."
With that, she paid the hapless Captain no further attention. She turned and walked down the short corridor to the engine room at the back of the ship. In there was a pair of technicians. She looked around and saw that the ship's generator was half-disassembled, and both technicians were working on it. They did not notice her entry.
"Why is the generator all over the engine room floor?"
The higher ranked technician, a Sergeant, answered.
"Comrade Major! We detected a minor fault in the generator's containment field. Had the field failed in operation, the entire ship would've been destroyed."
"And what caused this?"
"One of the capacitors was burnt out, Comrade Major."
"When was the last time that capacitor was replaced?"
"Six months ago, Comrade Major."
"Aren't they supposed to be replaced every four months?"
"Yes, Comrade major, but the part was still in working..."
She interrupted his excuses.
"You are relieved of duty. Report to station command for reassignment."
She then turned to the junior technician.
"And, what are you doing?"
"Whatever I'm told, Comrade Major."
"Good answer. You're in charge here for the moment. Clean up this mess."
"Yes, Comrade Major."
She made her way up to the cockpit next, to finish her tour of the ship. There was no pilot or gunner there, as they had both defected to the Katzists. She would be requesting a replacement for them, along with the Executive Officer and Chief Engineer. She would clean up the ship's reputation or die trying.
![[Image: pyBjInU.png]](https://i.imgur.com/pyBjInU.png)