[L-1 Colony Cluster, 2337 A.D.]
As Elias quietly stood on the edge of the observation deck, he took a moment to stare into the endless stretch of stars known as outer space. The very same stars that glimmered against the infinite void like glitter atop a dark sheet of paper. For Elias, the stars had always been a beacon, a reminder of why he was here. And every minute he spent under their gentle light only solidified his resolve to become a Naval officer.
And now, at the tender age of nineteen, the young man was close to finally getting what he wanted.
His time as an apprentice officer, also known as a midshipman, aboard the CSS Dauntless would be coming to an end in just a few months. And the exam to officially become a Colonial Naval officer was quickly approaching. A part of Elias was eager to take that next step, to prove to everyone-including himself-that he really had what it took to be here. However, another part of him...a quieter part that he made sure to keep to himself...wasn't quite ready to move on to the next chapter of his life just yet.
"Someone's deep in thought." A familiar voice suddenly declared from behind Elias. "You okay there, Thorton?"
The green-eyed man quickly turned around to see Captain Victor Nelson approaching him, the man's boots clicking sharply against the metallic floor of the ship with each step as he came in closer. Captain Nelson was a broad-shouldered man in his forties, with a graying beard and a quick, measured stride. And he was the same man whom the young officer-hopeful was currently learning under. Captain Nelson wasn't just Elias' teacher, though; he was also a close friend of his aunt. And it was by his grace that the young midshipman even managed to land such a wonderful opportunity to learn the ropes as an apprentice under his command.
To say that very few people had the chance to do a hands-on apprenticeship like this would be putting it mildly. And if Elias's information was correct, there were fewer than two-dozen active midshipmen in the entirety of the Navy. These days, pretty much everyone who wanted to become an officer went to the service academy in the Nimitz colony located in the L-4 colony cluster. That was the normal and more common way to go about becoming an officer. However, for people like Elias, there was another option available.
For those who had the right connections, the chance to do a shipboard apprenticeship for three years was an alternative path. One that cut the time it took to learn everything that they needed to know by an entire year. Technically speaking, the entire midshipman program was a holdover from the early days of the Colonial Navy. Back then, humans were just starting to get settled into life in space, and there was a shortage of qualified personnel who could be put aboard a military vessel. So, providing the Navy with an extra bit of labor at reduced pay with the promise of becoming an officer at the end of your tenure became a very attractive offer. An offer that was especially enticing for many of the youngsters out there who didn't want to do other kinds of work, like mining and colony building.
That was pretty much all in the past, though. These days, the program was much harder to get into. The reason for this was mainly because of how many hoops one had to go through to get approved for it. Not only did you need to be under the age of twenty and have written permission from your parents, you also needed a letter of recommendation from an active-duty naval officer. On top of that, you needed to find someone who would agree to let you join their crew. Fortunately for Elias, this was never a big issue for him. Especially since he was able to get most of what he needed through his aunt and the long list of connections and favors she had available to her.
In fact, Elias originally wanted to try and spend his apprenticeship within his aunt's fleet. However, such a thing simply wasn't possible.
Rear Admiral Kara Howell's ship, the Vanguard, was a combat ship that saw far more action than the military transport vessels Elias had spent the last three years bouncing between during his time as a midshipman under Captain Nelson. Elias had always admired his aunt, but she had made it very clear from the beginning that her fleet wasn't the place for an unseasoned youngster like him. Her people were constantly in harm's way. And to allow him to train in that kind of environment would've been both dangerous and unfair. Especially since it would've technically violated the terms of his apprenticeship.
But it wasn't just her ship, it was also the mission that it was assigned to. Elias had read the reports, and he had certainly seen the combat footage. Aunt Kara had her hands full dealing with pirates who decided to plague the trade lanes between Earth and Mars, and she didn't want her nephew anywhere near that chaos right now. And Elias had simply accepted that. Then again, it wasn't like he had much choice in the matter to begin with.
The Dauntless, on the other hand, was a perfect fit for a newbie sailor like him. It was quiet, calm, and routine. It was a simple military cargo freighter meant to transport supplies, materials, and the occasional passenger from one place to the next. Still, even in this relatively calm environment, Elias had learned more than he thought he would in the last three years.
"It's just the exam, sir." Elias answered the man's question as he pushed himself off the railing and faced his captain. "It's almost here."
Captain Nelson smiled, his deep-set eyes twinkling in the soft light of the observation deck. "Really? That's what you're so worried about? I thought you'd be more concerned about all the errands you had to run when we dock in Utopia in a couple of days."
Elias couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that's not really anything new, is it? But...now that it's getting down to the wire, I can't stop thinking about it. I really don't want to mess it up. If I do, I'll have to wait another six months before I can take the exam again."
"You won't." Captain Nelson said confidently. "You've got the skills, kid. Hell, I might even go as far as to call you talented. Try not to sell yourself short."
Admittedly, Elias was never the best at taking compliments. But coming from Captain Nelson, those words really meant something to him.
The captain had been an awesome mentor to Elias throughout the young man's time as a midshipman. After all, this was their third time being on the same ship together. And each time was just as enjoyable as the last. The other three times Elias had been assigned to a ship doing cargo runs to-and-from Earth, he was forced to work under different officers who weren't as fun or engaging as the man currently standing before him. Compared to the others, Nelson was great at offering advice, assigning tasks, and pulling him into hands-on situations where Elias could practice what he'd learned. He was exactly the kind a guy that every young midshipman wanted as a teacher.
Of course, even with Captain Nelson's guidance, there were still times when the young man felt overwhelmed while trying to perform his duties. But he always ended up pushing through in the end. And he was determined to prove himself and show that he deserved to be here. Fortunately, thanks to that determination, some of the crew members started referring to Elias as a "natural" when it came to certain duties aboard the ship. Things such as navigation, system diagnostics, and even troubleshooting the occasional mechanical failure. All tasks that Elias could now say that he could perform at a superb level. Something that always seemed to impress the members of the crew.
The fact that he had gotten along so well with the crew had genuinely surprised him, though. When he first stepped foot onto this ship three years ago, Elias expected them to treat him like a kid, like a young rookie who didn't belong here. However, that wasn't the case at all. The Dauntless' crew treated him like one of their own right out of the gate. They included him in all of their conversations, offered him advice when he needed it, and, at times, asked for his help. He'd learned a lot, not just from Captain Nelson, but from the others as well. Something that Elias was greatly appreciative of.
On top of that, the fact that he'd already been to Earth over ten times and visited several other colonies had certainly helped his perspective, too. These days, Elias wasn't just some bright-eyed kid from the L-2 Colonies anymore. He was an experienced midshipman on a Colonial Navy transport ship, seeing the stars for himself, day after day.
Despite all of this, however, the weight of the upcoming exam still weighed on Elias' shoulders like a heavy cloak. He had always been a diligent student, but the fact that he was training for something as monumental as the Colonial Naval Officer's exam made his stomach twist with nerves. This was the next stepping stone toward his future. If he passed, he'd be well on his way to his goal. But if he failed...
"Don't worry about the exam too much, kid." Captain Nelson then said, interrupting the man's thoughts. "You've already proven yourself. The exam's just a formality, trust me. The fact that you've even gone through with an apprenticeship instead of kicking your feet up at the academy shows that you're already a cut above the rest. Barely anyone actually goes through the trouble of becoming a midshipman these days. Especially people with connections, like you."
Elias nodded, forcing a smile. "I know, sir. It's just...it's everything I've been working toward."
The captain then patted him on the back, his voice suddenly serious. "Then keep working. You may not be there yet, but you're pretty damn close. Just keep doing what you've been doing. You're already showing the kind of leadership and tenacity that will serve the fleet well. Remember, it's not the title that matters. It's what you do with it once you've earned it."
Elias took a moment to look out at the stars again, the weight of his captain's words settling in.
'What would it be like?' He thought to himself. 'To stand on a bridge as a full officer, commanding a ship of my own? Just like Aunt Kara.'
What kind of captain would Elias be? He wanted to be like his aunt, that much was certain. She was a fierce, well-respected leader. Someone who inspired loyalty and fear in equal measure. Even so, Elias knew that he'd have to forge his own path and make his own mark. This childish admiration of his would only get him so far.
The young man's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden crackle of the ship's comms system. The familiar voice of one of the Dauntless' lieutenants then echoed over the intercom, sharp and professional.
"Captain Nelson, Midshipman Thorton, please report to the bridge. We have incoming traffic with an unidentified vessel."
Elias's heart skipped a beat. 'Incoming traffic? That's not good.'
The Dauntless wasn't known for its combat capabilities, it was a transport ship after all. But either way, they still had to keep their wits about them. Even if they were using a secure transport lane, anything could happen. Luckily, the crew was trained for situations like this. And Elias had spent the last few months studying all the various protocols for contact with unknown vessels.
Nelson gave him a curt nod. "Looks like you might get to add a bit more practical experience to your exam packet, kid."
Elias swallowed while returning the nod. He then followed Captain Nelson as they made their way to the ship's bridge, his mind racing a mile a minute. This could be another routine encounter, or it could be something else entirely. Either way, he knew that this was what he'd been preparing for, the real tests of his training. This was what every day would be like for him once he passed the exam.
As soon as they arrived at the bridge, Elias took his position at one of the free communications terminals. And just as quickly, Captain Nelson stood behind the captain's chair, doing all that he could to assess the incoming vessel.
Elias was ready.
And for the first time in a long time, he felt it.
One step closer.