"Med Force Two was sent to Freeport 6 because of transponder issues," she explained. "I can't keep it close to Crayter facilities or patrols as they open fire on it and I figured that maybe there the engineers could troubleshoot it. I mean yeah, I COULD hire a local to fix it but whenever that happens, it so often result in someone else shooting at you that didn't before. I just don't want any trouble."
She paused a moment, "I think it's a Med Force thing because all Med Force assets trigger the same response which is which is why I was surprised to see Doc's shuttle land here."
She then thought and smiled at him, "Perhaps your people or even your government could rectify that issue. If you did then you could have the full support of my ship."
She took a sip of her drink and became curious. "Borneo," she inquired. "I've never heard of it. Tell me more about it."
"Yes, I will see what we can do to fix the Med Force ships transponder issue. Sorry for our pilots, they are a bit trigger happy." he said starting on it's steak "Borneo was the first free planet that our people landed when they arrived in Sirius. Is an oceanic planet with a few large archipelago's that represent the only land mass. " he said in between bites "The planet is having primitive flora and fauna, rich oceans full of fish and eatable algae, sorry to make a pause from it, but the Chef really done this steak perfectly. Now, back to Borneo. The planet is having at the equatorial area the main settlements that we build before the Gallic invasion. We had a few hundred thousands people then. We expanded slowly and soon we made settlements in the pole caps and on each of the islands. The planet settlements are like small rustic villages, build mostly in Crayterian Architecture. Fresh air and a cool breeze is what the doctor ordered to feel alive." he stopped looking at Sarah "We plan to build there a Medical Academy. I was hoping you will accompany me there in setting the place. Could need a good coordinator to begin with. Plus also lots of chances to enjoy the wilderness and the freedom ... "
For a moment, Sarah found herself.....lost. A slight smile crossed her face as she was clearly daydreaming. The thoughts of living in such a paradise, an island with associated fauna and beaches sounded perfect. The idea that she could live in such a place and and work, even for a short time, was very appealing. For that same moment, she forgot about her food as she stared off....smiling.
"We plan to build there a Medical Academy. I was hoping you will accompany me there in setting the place. Could need a good coordinator to begin with. Plus also lots of chances to enjoy the wilderness and the freedom ... "
She snapped out of it when he stopped, shaking her head.
"Sorry about that," she commented, "I just got lost in thought. It definitely sounds appealing. I'm no medical professional but I can organize and coordinate. We do need to get the transponder issue addressed for our fleet though. My engineers have already said that if they alter anything, it'll cause a lot more trouble than we already have."
She took a bite of her food and went back to her original thought, the thought of living on a place like Borneo. She snickered before she took another bite, "I get this impression that you're trying to steal me from Med Force Enterprises." She snickered again, "My life would surely be a lot less boring."
Oreste smiled and he continue to enjoy his drink "Stealing you from Med Force? Hmm maybe, but maybe not. What I wish and what you want to do is something totally different. I am a servant of our Republic, I go where I am needed to save or terminate lives if they threaten us. But you, you are free. You do not have hanged on your head the axe of death."
He stopped and looked at her "Yes, daydreaming. All Crayterians does that. We dream about a future where we do not have to fight such intense battles and where our civilization can flourish. Arts and science to take precedents, not to worry about planetary security or that one day we may be under an invader boot. You just turned into one of us." Oreste said taking a breath and straighten up "But the Republic would welcome the Med Force if they wish to be based out on Yuma... And I would be more then happy to have you as my colleague. As for the transponder, we shall see what we can do.... "
She nodded. "If you can get the transponder issue addressed then I will order my ship into Tau 44 as soon as it's able. You know, just enough for it to dock and land without incident is all we need. It'll be nice to expand its range in the Taus."
She finished the last of her food and sat up a bit, rubbing her stomach as she did. "That was delicious! I couldn't eat another bite." She then took a sip of her drink. Thoughts of Borneo were running through her mind. She now longed to see it as it sounded so different from Stuttgart.
"A colleague," she thought to herself. To her, it did indeed sound like a job offer. But, her sense of loyalty stood like a wall. It was blocking the ideas of doing something like that. She had been given such an opportunity by her boss and she didn't want to be....."disloyal." On the other hand, where else could she really move up to? Of course, she escaped war in Rheinland for this opportunity. She was afraid of death and didn't want to be in another warzone. She eventually wanted to settle down....to have a family. Yes, her mind was a bit of a storm.
"All depends what you want. The Republic and I will support your decision regardless of what you choose." he said and smiled.
"ATTENTION CITIZENS! STORM WARNING AND CURFEW WOULD BE LIFTED IN 17 MINUTES. ALL PASSENGERS PLEASE REPORT TO YOUR DESIGNATED PAD. ALL SHIPS WILL LEAVE WITHIN 27 MINUTES. THANK YOU!"
Oreste listened to the announcement and touched his ear lobe and listened the report from the ILL Shuttle 221. "Sarah, sorry to cut it sort, but we need to get to the Pad. We must attend to our meeting and then will show you more of Yuma. You will like it" he said and made a sign to the waiter "Please put the tab on the Government Fund for Emergency, thank you" he said and turned towards Sarah "A small thing we have here on Yuma"
Sarah was confused. Procedure was far more different than she was used to. After all, life on a Zoner cruiser wasn't as military as anywhere else. Still, she reached into her past and followed suit.
"Don't leave me," she hurriedly said. "I'll keep up but well..." She snickered and grinned, "....I'm short. I don't want to get lost in a crowd."
She did just that. She stuck with Oreste as right now, he was the only person she knew. Now wasn't really a time for questions. She figured that it wouldn't take long to get used to things and get herself into a routine. She had no idea where she was going but she found that despite her short frame, she was able to keep up with him.
Once at the pad, she asked him, "So where are we going?"
Oreste kept looking at his hand where the device was pointing to which pad to head and with Sarah's remark, he turned and seen her a bit confused "Don't worry. Is very simple, we just have to follow the indications I am receiving." and he showed his arm "This is my best friend here" and he took her hand and guided her "Do not get lost, here" he said but quickly he tried to make his way through the crowd "Excuse me, please move," and he smiled as he turned towards her when they reach the pad "We are going to New Astarte Island,"Alexander Wingates" Yuma Military Academy. We are having a meeting there and afterwards, you can join me for a trip to Gemini Colony on Borneo."
They boarded the ILL shuttle and soon they departed the Pad. While he and Sarah had a small chat, they approached the New Astarte, having the island shield still glittering in the sun and the domes rising majestic "Welcome to New Astarte,our Science Heart. Here is where most of the University Buildings are situated and where we must go"
"ALL PASSENGERS PLEASE PREPARE FOR LANDING. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING INTERPLANETARY ILL LINES. REMEMBER PLEASE TO REPORT TO THE SECURITY GATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR AN ACCESS ID. FAILURE TO COMPLY CAN LEAD TO A FINE. IF FOUNDED ON THE UNIVERSITY GROUND WITHOUT PROPER ID CAN LEAD TO PROVISIONAL ARREST BY THE SECURITY FORCES. WE WISH YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DAY."
"Don't worry about that. We are very careful with whom enters this island as there is a lot of data here that needs protected. A lot of people will give anything to find some of our secrets that are stored in the Archives."
Soon, the ship landed and the duo passed the security gate and headed to the Central Dome. All around them, an Utilitarian Style of architecture could be recognized and Oreste felt the need to explain "This island was build not with beauty in mind but more like a distraction free so that your brain can focus on learning and becoming a specialized member of our Republic. However, despair not. Proper living rooms had been made and self contained flats with all the distractions you need, local holo-tv channels, Intranet, pool table and beautiful gardens. But they are only in that area. What you think of our small center ?"
Sarah did all she could to keep with Oreste. She was, after all, short and her short legs didn't make running an easy task. Still, she managed to keep up.
Once at the pad, she took in the sight of New Astarte. "Beautiful," she said of it. She was astounded how the Crayter people could use what was available to create a new home. She had only heard the stories of Borneo. She knew of the Gallic advance. Being of Rheinland decent, the Gallics were never a real issue for her.
"Don't worry about that. We are very careful with whom enters this island as there is a lot of data here that needs protected. A lot of people will give anything to find some of our secrets that are stored in the Archives."
She nodded at this. "Oh trust me, I get it. Med Force Enterprises keeps a lot of tight security on it's research and information." She paused a moment in thought. With all of this science, technology, medicine and engineering marvels, she was at a loss as to where she was going to fit in to all of this. She was little more than an organizer, a cruiser commander who kept crews and departments working together. A doctor, scientist or engineer she was not. She re-expressed the concern to Oreste.
She then listened as he spoke about living arrangements and such. "My quarters back on ship are quite nice but in reality, I'm a simple girl and don't need a lot," she explained. "I enjoyed the outdoors of Stuttgart and Baden Baden so I think I'll adjust nicely here."
Oreste smiled and he nodded "Don't worry Sarah, in our Republic everyone will fit in. I know you are an organizer which is why you could help us also. We have doctor Naggar to help us with medical research and we have our doctors but is a bit of loose end. I am going to propose that you would be the manager of the new site of Military Medical College on Borneo and you to coordonate our efforts to see that dreams of ours completed" and as he wanted to continue a Guard came running "Sir, you are summoned by Minister Kase and the Marshall in the Central Dome, B12 Tower."
"Thank you!" he responded and turned to Sarah "Our time is near. Please follow me to the Tower"
As they passed through the campus, they head through a capsule wearing the 53rd insignia "Won't be long now. This tube is our latest means of transport. Completely ecological"
"WELCOME TO CAPSUL 33. DESTINATION ACCEPTED. Time to arrival: 6 minutes. Please fasten your seatbelt."
"Better do what it says Sarah, this magnetic trains are fast"
A few minutes later they could see the island through t he transparent tube and Oreste tried to explain the view when they come to a halt in a building.
The building seems cold and austere, being painted in grey and once they debark,4 AIT could be seen on the platforms and once their ID had been checked they entered an elevator "Welcome to Athene Building, more officially B12. Sorry for all the soldiering you seen but we take our security serious."
The elevator stopped with a ding and they entered a one room floor, separated by bambus native to Yuma. In one of the separation a great glass table was present with 2 people sitting on it.
"Welcome to Yuma. I am minister Kase. This gentlemen here is Marshall Duncan, Armed Forces. I think you know Oreste. In the name of the Republic, i appologize for the delay, but we cannot control the weather, and we do not want to. Anyway, I welcome you again and if you want any refresher, please let us know. Now, I think we should start this meeting by stating why you are here Commander... "