Mankind's First Step

[Severyane]

UNS Celestial
In Orbit Around Jupiter
August 17, 2349

"Son-of-a-bitch..."

Devin Belkos wiped an oily rag across his forehead, removing the sweat but leaving behind a thick black mark. He sighed and took another look at the busted drive coil which lay seated deep within Celestial's number four engine. His worst suspicions had been confirmed. The engine's coil had overheated and turned itself into a mess of molten slag which had now hardened. He would have to take apart many of the surrounding components to remove and replace the destroyed piece. Luckily he'd had to deal with this issue before, it would only take him two and a half hours to replace. He heaved another great sigh and reached for a small wrench and began the task of removing the mechanical bits that surrounded the coil. As he reached in to pull out a compressor unit a sharp voice resounded from a catwalk above him.

"Lieutenant Belkos!" He recognized the Captain's voice immediately and stood, wiping his face with the cloth again, and gave a half-hearted salute to the Officer.

"Aye, sir?"

"What's the status of the number four engine?" he said, eyeing Devin from head to toe.

"She's rooted for sure, sir, but don't you worry. She'll be right in five hours."

The Captain frowned and let out a growling sigh. "Not good enough Belkos, I want it done in three."

Devin suppressed a smile. "Aye, sir."

The Captain turned to walk away and just before leaving through the bulkhead door, he stopped and gave Devin a mean looking smile. "Oh, and Lieutenant? Before you get too into your work, there's someone on the vidcom for you. I don't know whose cereal you pissed in, but it's an Admiral." He cursed to himself as the Captain left the engine room. He wiped his hand across his forehead, smudging the oil mark even further and made for the catwalk ladder. Once at the top he headed for the same bulkhead door the Captain exited through. Devin tucked in his shirt while traversing the corridors to the vidcom station. One elevator trip to deck two and he arrived at his destination, and hesitantly entered. On the large screen in front of him was a well put together man dressed in a sharp uniform. Devin snapped into a crisp salute.

"Admiral, sir, reporting as ordered, sir." The Admiral returned the salute and Devin dropped his arms to his sides.

"Lieutenant Devin C. Belkos I presume?"

Devin gave a nod. "Yes sir."

"Good. I'm Rear-Admiral Brian Fischer, Adjutant to Admiral Jan Hauser." Fischer took note of Devin's confusion. "I can't say much over this line, but I'm going to need you to inform your superior officer that he is to make way to Haven Station immediately, no questions asked. Admiral Hauser wants a word with you."

Devin screwed his face up in confusion. "Admiral... word with.. with me? I..."

"Relax son, you're not in any trouble. Admiral Hauser has an offer for you. I'm afraid I can't say much more, I'll see you soon Lieutenant. Dismissed."

---

Haven Station
Luna orbit
August 20, 2349

Devin walked through the door of Haven Station's Office of Personnel wearing his best poker face along with his dress uniform. His Captain hadn't been pleased with him at all when he'd given an order on behalf of the Admiral. In fact, he'd earned some extra duties on their trip back to Luna, duties normally given to a recruit. Regardless Devin was happy to be free of the Captain even if it was just for this visit with the Admiral. Devin hadn't gotten on well with the Captain of the Celestial ever since the incident near Ceres. He smiled as he followed an Administrative Assistant further into the depths of the Office of Personnel. His smile waned when he was shown to a door marked with crisp white lettering reading "ADM. J. HAUSER". The Administrative Assistant pushed a button next to the door and motioned for Devin to proceed in as it opened. He stepped into the office and snapped into a salute.

"Sir, reporting as ordered, sir!"

Hauser smiled at Devin, returned the salute and motioned him into a chair. "Welcome to Haven Station Lieutenant. I take it you don't know why you're here?"

"Can't say I do sir, Admiral Fischer wasn't exactly clear with me."

"Forgive him, that was on my orders. This project isn't exactly public knowledge."

Devin screwed up his face. "Project, sir?"

"Two years ago, a secret team stationed on the Eris Research Station discovered a way to conduct faster-than-light space travel. It was designated the Columbus Project, and after the success of the tests at Eris Station, we've decided that the time has come to send a manned ship where no human has gone before. By the end of the year, Lieutenant Belkos, we'll send a ship outfitted with this FTL technology to Alpha Centauri. You're a gifted engineer Belkos. We want you on the ship to head up the engineering team."

Devin's eyes had gone wide. He wasn't sure what to say. "I... sir... I..."

"There will of course be further training, we wouldn't send you out into the murky unknown without at least that much."

Devin swallowed. "I'd be honored sir."

Hauser smiled wide at him. "Welcome aboard, son."