Exhausted and accomplished, a combination one would experience when they achieve what they set out to get after numerous days sitting down in a training simulation. The Starfliers' legs were almost petrified and arms sore from having them held up to operate the transport. Having obtained the required training, with Malta Hyperspace Starfleet's own Alberto Cruz giving a formal congratulations of his completed training, Rex explains his reason of choosing the Kujira-Class.
"Leon said if I went for any of the trains, I would be flying under a certain colour, or House. Since we're essentially neutral to everyone, we wanted something to reflect our status. After doing some research, we found two suitable ships we could train with. The Whale-Class and Kujira-Class."
One deep breath in, and a longer controlled exhale later.
"Since I've never seen a Whale-Class flown by anyone other than Zoners and the fact that I don't exactly know where one is sold, I opted to go for the Kujira-Class. To my surprise, both vessels look very similar."
Rex chuckles a bit, remembering the designation he programmed into the transponder device on Starflier Base.
"No unnecessary colours or imagery taint the hull, the only things we can control were the engine colour and exterior lights. When the Kujira-Class lands on Starflier Base, it will get the Starflier Treatment and become Cephei. That's the name I came up for the ship."
Seeing the display show a bunch of green lights and success messages, one area stands out showing 22/23 rings. Not quite one hundred percent, Rex gazes at the number before turning back to Alberto.
"I'm no Maltese, but I'm not leaving until I fly through all 23 rings in one sitting. Looking at this, all the programs and scenarios are finished, but I want to iron this out out."
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
After the explanation concluded, Cruz remained satisfied by the response; even if the Starflier wanted to opt for a non-Outcast technology, as he considered taking that alternative would have been certainly restricted or even denied. He clarified the point on the matter:
“Fair enough, I still consider that approach as lackluster for your purposes; as you have chosen foreign tech. Nevertheless, it is the best option you have, at the moment. I have heard that the Whale is an interesting ship, though…”
Before an extended babbling would have suffocated Rex into boredom, Cruz referred about the ring trial:
“If you want to accomplish that course, I do not see why not. Let’s see how it goes.”
One more time, Rex jumped into the bridge of the transport. The starting sequence initiated and the course emerged in the screen. As dexterous as he thought Rex could be, Cruz reviewed his movements and how he predicted the necessary maneuvers to dodge failure itself. As the pilot drove the virtual machine, Alberto felt that the Starflier was starting to get more and more in touch with what needs to be done. Perseverance prevailed, as the counter marked 23/23, as both expected it to be.
“Well, I am impressed! Now you are REALLY not that bad for an outsider. At least the trade lanes will not crush on you.”
Cruz chuckled as deadpan as he could, as he touched with his index finger a console behind him, with the following words: 23 Anillos: Nivel - Principiante. As much as he could teach, Cruz believed that the sessions taken by Rex were not enough to feel the ship, as he expected from him to make a more thorough training, but at least it was a minimum achieved to navigate through space without causing problems.
“As promised, I will do the necessary procedures so you can leave, as our organization accorded.”
…
A couple of hours later, Cruz and Rex went to the elevator and the exit of the complex. But this time they were going up. The orange horizon can be seen through the transparent walls, the shadows were revolved in the far and gloomy surface of the meadows.
They reached the top, the doors opened and the reception area was seen. It was a vast and empty hall, with wide windows on the front, reflecting the wondrous landscape. Beyond those, a landing pad, an Outcast warship and several silhouettes appeared; the last ones walked towards Cruz and Rex and they approached consequently.
Alberto gulped.
“Dissapointment.
The darkness should have prevailed on the madman; he deserves no redemption at all. Moreover, he embraced it and became one with it…and the mystery will remain unsolved for you.”
Julia López arrived with a full complement of 10 bodyguards that quickly surrounded the two men, outnumbering them in an apparent change of plans. Cruz sweated as never before, trying to figure out if he did terrible mistake, one that he should have predicted. He tried to make sense in his mind, to Julia’s words, but in the end he just said:
“Come on, amiga! He is a nice guy! We were just…”
Julia spoke, cold as usual, with her eyes big and emotionless:
“Get out of my sight, Cruz; you are getting too soft. Señor Baker, the business has been concluded. No pills this time.”
With a subtle head movement, Julia ordered her guards to move forward. A couple of them violently pushed back Cruz to the floor, but they were soft in comparison with the Starflier. Already too close to them with no chance of retaliation, Rex was punched in the face and guts by 3 Julia’s men. Meanwhile, the rest grinned at the display of brutality and sadism, except for Julia and Alberto.
Cruz whined on the sight of his student being harassed unnecessarily, and he yelled:
“¡Julia, por favor! Remember that he must arrive…”
Julia’s dead eyes focused the low ranking member, a terrible look that reflected complete apathy. Finally, after long 20 seconds of gratuitous entertainment for the bodyguards, one of them looked at Julia and she waved her hand, a sign to stop. The man drew a stun baton and applied it to the Starflier. Rex flinched and relaxed, his lights were off.
…
…
Consciousness returned in a dizzy, distraught state. Lights from every side can be seen vaguely. A familiar place was taking place in his eyes and ears. A barman looked carefree to the man, followed by the cleaning of the bar table. A couple of glasses and a bottle were in front of him, drinks on the house. Rex was returned to Freeport 10, relatively safe; the painful concussion and the several treated scars in his body were left as an ominous reminder.
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