| Genesis 2 p. 3 |
| They talked until late in the night�about old memories, inside jokes, instructors that they hated and loved. They planned their first reunion after Mansel came back from his seven year �torture� as Jim Brungess had described it. Mansel asked him not to remind that he�d be locked in a brand spanking new starship stuck doing exploration. �Something tells me that you�re going to encounter more than you expect,� Eric Meelan said over a sip of his iced tea. �What makes you think that, Eric?� Mansel asked, finishing off his third Root Beer. Meelan merely shrugged and snatched his empty can from him. �I don�t know,� he said. �I just got that feeling that we�re all going to get into more than we imagine.� He looked at Mansel, then Maki. �Especially you two. Jim�s got a pretty cushy job.� �Cushy?� Jim Brungess said, about to hop off the couch until he remembered that Maki was still resting her head on his lap. �Just because I�m a liaison doesn�t mean I have a cushy job. I have to work both sides�the EDF and the UNSF. It� s my job to make sure you guys stay in understanding with each other.� �Whatever,� said Meelan. �Anyway, Darryl, you need help packing up?� Mansel shook his head. �Nah, I already got that done. The only thing I have left is to pack is the sheets on my bed.� He glanced at his chrono. �Speaking of which, it�s getting kinda late, and I gotta be up early tomorrow, so�� Meelan nodded. �Right. I guess this is the last time we�ll see each other together like this for a while, then.� He extended his hand to Mansel. �Good luck.� Mansel accepted it. �You too, Eric.� He looked over the rest of the crew. �All of you.� They all said their good-byes, wondering when each would see one of the others again, since all were in different professions. They were sure that they�d see each other again, it was just a matter of time. *** In the morning, Mansel awoke to Jim�s alarm clock, which happened to be ten minutes early. He stuffed his sheets into his most available suitcase, and shook Jim. �Hey, Jim, it�s about time for me to go.� Jim blinked his eyes a few times and rolled over in the bed to take a final look at his best friend. �Alright guy, don�t let the stars be too mean to ya.� Mansel smiled. �I won�t. Don�t get too comfortable with your job either.� Brungess yawned and nodded. �No problem, D. Take it easy, guy.� �Peace, guy.� With that, Mansel took one last look around his room, picked up his suitcases and left to head for a new life among the stars. *** �Captain on the bridge,� Talaj announced again as Mansel stepped onto the bridge of his ship for a second time. �At ease,� said Mansel, more comfortably this time, as he was sure that his bridge crew noticed. Mansel looked over at Vaughn, who was sitting in the Executive Officer�s chair, next to Mansel�s own command chair. �Is everybody here?� �You�re the last, sir. We sat and watched Captain Hicks� ship leave just a few moments ago.� �Is that right?� Mansel asked, coming to a halt behind his own chair. �Has Space Control given us the go-ahead yet?� �Yes, they have, sir,� Ensign Hardy announced from her post behind and slightly to the right of Mansel. �Well,� said Mansel, �I guess I should address the crew.� �That would be wise,� said Lieutenant Commander Lamb from his seat at Tactical. Mansel ignored him. Pressing the ship-wide intercom on the panel underneath his armrest, he cleared his throat and thought about his words before speaking. �Today is the day we launch into a new era,� he began, looking at the members of his bridge crew. �This is our era: the era of Explorer. Seven years we�ll be exploring the galaxies that the UNSF has within its boundaries, mapping new star systems and hopefully encountering new species that will be willing to join our cause. Needless to say, I expect one hundred percent effort out of each and every one of you, as you will receive my one hundred percent. So good luck, fair weather, and remember�exploring is what we�re all about. Let�s make this one for the history books.� Mansel cut the ship-wide comm off, thinking about how lame that sounded. �Clear all moorings, Mr. Broadaway,� said Commander Vaughn as Mansel continued to lean against the back of his chair. �Moorings cleared, sir.� �Maneuvering thrusters.� �Maneuvering thrusters, aye.� Commander Vaughn looked up at Mansel. �Your call, sir.� |
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