Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 7, 827 AS:
Day 1 - While my Defiant-class gunboat is undergoing refits with the help of Captain Christopher Edwards of the Fifth Fleet, I am taking my time to help my son in his studies at the University of Manhattan. I drank some tea today. Feeling refreshed.
His son arrived shortly after.
"Hello mister Howard, I have notes to take care of."
Steven replied: "Well, after a while I'll show you a problem. Are you ready?"
"Sure."
"My son, I have to explain this to you: currently the Prime Number is about to be refitted at the docking bay of Norfolk Shipyard. I have contacted Chief Technician Miriam Sanders to commence the process." He smirks.
"Now, I have some spare "Firstlight" gunboat turrets a retired Bounty Hunter gave to me, they will replace the antiquated ones. However, I have a question: If you fire one of the guns I said earlier in space, how many seconds will it take for the shot to dissipate?"
He correctly answers, explaining the mechanisms of the inverse square law in a vacuum.
"Very good", Steven said, with laughter on his face.
Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 8, 827 AS:
Day 2 - I have received a message from Miriam today. Told me the crate of "Firstlight" gunboat turrets should be prepared soon and that they have already finished renovating the main systems of the ship. It seems they have tightened their security because of the increasing number of pirate patrols within the vicinity. Needless to say, even when the ship has completed the refit process I still have weeks here on the planet.
"Farewell", his son says. I am off to the campus now.
"Take care."
He continues writing his log:
...I have had this ship for more than six years now, last renewal was months ago. The Navy has to deal with more and more pirates everyday. When I first used the Defiant, this thing proved more than capable. Now, since it is considered "antiquated", I feel it has to change like the newest models under Navy service. Therefore, I ask you to safekeep the ship in the secure hangars of Norfolk.
Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 9, 827 AS:
Day 3 - Now that the refit process has been completed, I would like to thank the Fifth Fleet for their ready response. However, as I have stated earlier the examinations are in two days' time. My son has to pass, because it would mean everything to him. For hours I have been teaching my son and he gets most of it.
Currently I have a small "Steafast"-type civilian ship that I just rented for me to take trips to Norfolk Shipyard and back. It is small enough to be carried within the chassis of a "Defiant"-class gunboat.
I am going to take a walk to the campus to see my son.
He finishes the log. Just as he crosses the street, he meets his old friend, a Bounty Hunter named James Copeland.
"Howdy! I remember you from the transaction I made earlier. Were you the sender of the crates?"
"Yes. I am the sender. Thought you would ask me something."
"It was for the gunboat that I refitted earlier."
"Ah, I see. Your gunboat is quite antiquated."
"Yes, it is. Would you like to have some tea?"
"Sure."
With that he continues his walk to the university campus.
Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 10, 827 AS:
Day 4 - An uneventful day for me. Nothing more than fresh air being blown within the wind. Today is the last day before exams. Good luck my son, if you read this.
He finishes the log.
He thinks to himself. What is a "prime number"? A question that rolls around his head many times. He thinks of his ship, as if it is his prized treasure. He walks across the balcony, taking a good look of the night sky and some flying ships.
"As soon as I get to Norfolk, I shall make myself known as a true bounty hunter in Liberty." He ponders, as he spots a "Defiant-class" gunboat flying directly above him, but he knows it is someone else's ship.
He contacts Miriam Sanders, the chief technician from earlier. She tells him the 5th Fleet admiralty has not yet sent a message to her. He returns to his apartment and gets a good night's worth of sleep.
Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 10, 827 AS:
Day 5 - It has happened. The exams take two more days to complete. I hope my son performs well. Anyways, it appears the Navy is busy with its usual tasks. So I got my cup of tea and did my daily usual routine. If anyone of you stumbles across this, let me tell you about my ship, the Prime Number.
The Prime Number is a "Defiant"-class Liberty Gunboat built in Norfolk Shipyard in the year 816 AS. The first person to be assigned command was Commander Jake Richardson of the Liberty Navy, where it operated under the name LNS Fidelity. One year into service, the ship saw many battles in the Liberty-Rheinland war. During a battle in New Hampshire, however, the Fidelity was crippled when a nova torpedo struck its hull, killing all onboard, including the commander. The ship was extensively retrofitted and deemed unfit for the Navy.
When I was a year into my bounty-hunting career, I was flying an old Orca-class gunboat at the time. The Navy could requisition their ships to those who show exemplary performance serving Liberty. I submitted a request detailing for one Liberty Gunboat and it was granted. The LNS Fidelity was given to me and was rechristened the Prime Number, after my son's interest in mathematics.
For the next six years I kept the ship for my career, with periods of retirement. Recently I renewed my license, but then found out the ship's past caused it to have only 90% efficiency. I contacted the Fifth Fleet days ago for a retrofit of its systems and powercore, and the process was completed.
That is how my story goes, and it will not continue in vain.
Steven Howard looked at his datapad and began to write his journal:
December 14, 827 AS:
Anyways, this will be my final log I will write. The past four days were all uneventful, and thankfully my son passed the exams. In fact he was the so-called "ace" test taker. He is planning to work as a technician in Norfolk Shipyard once he gets the necessary degrees. While I am beyond happy, I have just received word from Miriam Sanders, the Chief Technician of Norfolk Shipyard.
She linked to me the following secure transmission from her to the Fifth Fleet: LINK
According to her, the Fifth Fleet has the confirmation of my refit process. All is going well, at least. As soon as I get my hands on my small craft to Norfolk, I will officially resume my career of bounty hunting.
Steven ends his log, and enters the hull of a small multipurpose vehicle. He leaves Manhattan orbit, and takes two tradelanes before reaching his destination: Norfolk Shipyard.
As he enters the main hall, he spots his gunboat.
"This will be one exciting journey." He sips his tea in joy.