Star Shatter

Time quickly passes by, as Cedric is lost in his training. Before long, the space-carrier he is on stops. A high-pitched female voice rings out throughout the ship, stating that they have arrived at their destination. The door opens, grabbing his backpack, and checking his sheath is properly attached to his belt, Cedric proceeds to go through the door leading outside.

Greeted by what he assumes is the officer in charge of recruits, the brown-haired female officer offers him a salute, raising his hand to his head in reciprocation. The officer stands to Cedric's side and says: "Welcome aboard the Star-Shatter. As we tour around, I shall give you a briefing on what our vessel could offer you in order for you to pass the time during our trip."

Passing through a hallway 3 meters in diameter, illuminated by light-emitting runes carved to the four extremities of the metal passage, they arrive in front of a metal door blocking their path. As the officer presses a button on the console attached to their right side of the wall, a red outline reminding Cedric of a portal-gate membrane appears to scan them.

After getting scanned, the metal door opens, revealing the grand interior of the ship. Looking like a large hangar with countless drones and workers milling about.

"We are now situated on the lower deck arrival area. If you would have been nicer to your accompanying void-knight, he would have brought you straight inside through our entry hatch."

Cedric, being reminded of the grump, decides to change the topic. He questions: "Do you guys have any training rooms I could use? Preferably the ones with the simulated combat machines."

"Ah, yes. I see you truly are the son of an ex-military lieutenant, alright. Seeing as how you're already versed with military technology, don't worry, we shall get there when it is time. For now, you see that staircase on our right, that's the path to the middle deck. There's nothing to show around here on the lower deck, it being filled with just scrap and machines doing maintenance work. Follow me."

The officer turns to their right, while walking to the staircase. Cedric turns to marvel at his surroundings. The "Lower Deck" was a sprawling metropolis filled to the brim with engineering crews and drones working around the clock to maintain the ship running. Around them, there must have been at least a thousand crew members toiling about, accompanied by hundreds of drones.

The drones' appearance varied from tripods 3 meters in height, with long grasping limbs attached to their base, an oval-shaped see-through glass. Inside sat a mechanic clothed in orange work clothes manning the controls. Some drones were completely autonomous, powered by essence crystals. Their appearance was what Cedric could best describe as small chest-sized metal spiders, skittering rapidly on the walls and ceiling of the cargo bay they were now in.

Reaching the staircase, to the side there sat a platform with a small control pad attached to a metal rod sticking out of it. The officer waves to Cedric to follow her and proceeds to stand on the round platform.

"The name's Sarah. That's Officer Sarah for you. For the remaining of your stay on this ship, you shall be called Slag."

Cedric looks over to the officer, hoping she was joking. Upon seeing the serious look adorning her face, Cedric gulps.

Narrowing her eyes, the officer scrutinizes his facial expression.

"Because until you manage to finish your trials and prove yourself useful to the Federation, in my eyes, you're nothing more than waste. Have you got that, Slag?"

"Yes, Officer Sarah."

"Good, now. Hit that big red button over there, and let us go to the middle deck, where you will be shown what you can, and can't do. Also, while we're at it, you are to not go to the upper deck, nor the lower deck during your stay. Unless accompanied by an officer. You are not to explore the ship by yourself. Please try not to disturb the soldiers and technicians doing their work, we are low on able-bodied workers as it is."

Arriving at the middle deck, stepping off the platform, Cedric sees a large room spanning at least three football courts in length. With the ceiling around 80 meters high, Cedric wonders how big the ship itself actually is.

The room looks like a lounge, with couches and tables spread all around. Cedric spots a few fellow recruits scattered around playing cards, eating, or just talking.

"This area before you is where you shall spend most of your time. Mingling with other slag. To your right is the barracks we have prepared for you to reside in. If you look over to our left, at the other end is the training area. There you will find an AI-controlled drone attendant. He will answer any questions you have. You were assigned to room number 38. If you get hungry, just approach any of these..." Pointing at the holo-screens floating in the communal area, the Officer continues "and put in any request for food. Since we are rationing our food, you'll be limited to ordering three times a day. You'll be able to enjoy a nice array of assorted goods, meaning a standard MRE."

Waving Cedric off, the Officer walks away, minding her own business. Making sure to take in her retreating form, trying to memorize what an officer's gray suit looks like, in order to avoid future encounters with any officers at all.

Cedric, now finished ruminating about his theory that all soldiers are injected with grump-juice upon their entry into the army. Turns to his left, spotting an elf sitting at a lone table, eating a plate-full of what looks like rice and stir-fried pork belly. Cedric, remembering that he hasn't eaten anything besides some of his father's dried jerky, decides to order himself some food, and use the opportunity to perhaps make a new friend.