Sergey sat in his berth and read the latest of the Coalition's inspirational pamphlets. This one was shockingly good, extolling the virtues of hard work and purity of soul as commendable virtues. Sergey added it to his foot locker, with the collection he'd slowly acquired over the years.
"Sub-Lieutenant Litvenko report to the Docking Bay at once."
With that Sergey's mood dropped, it had been bad enough to receive personal mail form the Grand Marshall about his Partisan destroying skills, as well as having Commissar-Captain Katz dub him Pinata. Now he would have to endure the rantings of the Air Boss, who would no doubt be very angry indeed. From laughing stock to whipping boy. Today would not be a good day.
He trudged down the corridor sluggishly, until a passing Commissar slapped the backs of his legs with his cane.
"Walk tall! The Coalition is for the proud, not the weak."
Arriving in the docking bay, he walked straight to the Boss's office. Inside was the Boss and some tech that Litvenko didn't bother to pay too much attention to.
Litvenko was surprised to see the Boss sitting down, he'd suspected that it would be ten minutes of full in your face, ear melting hollering including words that would make nuns blush. However he seemed calm. Litvenko was now very worried indeed.
"Sub-Lieutenant Litvenko, I'd like you to meet Ensign Yvanova, she is responsible for many many repairs to your Partisan over the last two weeks. She has something to say to you..."
The young pretty ensign, grease and oil smeared all over her coveralls, looked at Litvenko, her face stern, suddenly she burst into tears
"Why? Why do you do this to me? My fiancee has left, my mother won't talk to me, my father says it is a disgrace to see his daughter fix a ship for a stupid man who cannot even fly it. I HATE YOU!"
With that she turned around and stormed out.
Livenko was stunned, and before he could say a word, the Boss turned to him.
"Litvenko, the next ship you lose, I will be handing Ensign Yvanova a pair of nutcrackers. The express orders will be to use them on you in a manner of her choosing, am I clear? Good. From now on your non flight time will be spent in the simulator. Go!"
Sergey almost ran from the office.
Saint Del is considered a holy healer of diseases of children, but also as a protector of cattle.