“Thanks Joe… Joseph,” Mac said after the AI alerted him to someone at the ramp requesting entry. He stirred the spaghetti and turned the burner down. Mckenzie then walked through the airlock separating the habitat module from the cargo hold and opened the hatch. Joseph sent him another message. “Good thinking Joseph. I should get in the habit of checking the camera feeds before just opening the hatch. That said, I’m not too worried about being hijacked here at the academy.”

  Still, he has an excellent point. I just wish he hadn’t been so condescending, Mac thought as he checked the camera. That’s not someone I expected to see.

  “Captain Mahoney,” Mckenzie said in greeting after opening the hatch. “What can I do for you, sir?”

  “Evening Mr Edwards,” the academy’s security chief replied. “I thought it was past time I took a look at your vessel. With me is Sergeant Kathleen. She’ll be doing the actual inspection.”

  The droid with short brown hair and brown eyes nodded. The beret is a bit much, but she looks almost just like the Chief and Aenor.

  “Welcome aboard,” Mac said.

  “Smells like pasta is starting to burn,” Sergeant Kathleen stated.

  “That’s supper,” Mckenzie said.

  “Tend to it, Mr Edwards,” Captain Mahoney instructed. “I’ll shut the hatch.”

  “Thanks sir,” Mac said, before dashing back to his galley.

  *

  “You didn’t have to feed us but thank you for the meal. It was good,” Captain Mahoney said after he finished eating. Even the Sergeant had eaten. “This is a nice ship. She’d make a good yacht for someone with the credits and that doesn’t mind the design.”

  “You’re welcome and thanks for the compliments, but the Hawk isn’t for sale,” Mckenzie replied.

  “Fair enough,” Mahoney said. “So, let’s get to business, shall we?”

  “I thought Sergeant Kathleen had already done that,” Mac replied.

  “She’s done part of it, yes,” Mahoney agreed. He grinned. “She found your smuggler’s cubbies too.”

  “Uh…” Mckenzie started.

  “Relax,” Captain Mahoney said, holding up his hands. “Titan Custer encourages smuggling as long as it’s not to one of our properties. And you don’t have any contraband aboard.”

  “Whew,” Mac replied. “The Chief had mentioned that, but I wasn’t sure.” Mahoney nodded. “So, what other business do we have?”

  “I understand you need a licensed captain for a few sols over the break,” Mahoney said.

  “Yes sir,” Mac replied. “Do you mean you?”

  “No,” Mahoney laughed.

  “He means me,” Sergeant Kathleen said.

  “But…”

  “She’s only a sergeant?” Mahoney asked. Mac nodded. “Kathleen is a fully licensed and qualified captain according to standard regulations and requirements. But the academy only uses her as a sergeant in my security force, so that’s what her rank is.”

  “I see,” Mckenzie said. But I don’t really. Guess this is just one of the differences between humans and droids. Most people just consider them property and use them how they want. He dismissed his thoughts. “You’re offering me her services?”

  “We are. Kathleen’s rates are higher though since she is part of my staff and not normally offered to students,” Mahoney answered. “But we’ve had a higher amount of second sol-year students want to go home to show off their ships, so we’ve made an exception.”

  “Her rates will be added to my debt account,” Mac said.

  “Just so,” Captain Mahoney agreed. “So, do you still want to go home over the break?”

  “Yes sir,” Mac answered. I want to see my folks and show them my ship.

  “Sergeant?” Mahoney inquired.

  “I am now assigned two weeks duty to the FT Lady Hawk starting now,” Kathleen replied. The captain nodded, smiled, and exited without another word.

  “Um…. I’m afraid the Hawk only has the one cabin,” Mac said.

  “I’m aware,” Kathleen replied. “I’ll stay in the lounge while you sleep. But I will use your shower to maintain my cleanliness.”

  “That works,” Mckenzie said.

  “You should clean this up,” the sergeant said as she stood and gestured at the table. “I am only here so you have a captain aboard for legal purposes and will not cleanup after you.”

  “Right,” Mac replied. “Should I refer to you as Captain?”

  “No. You can refer to me as Sergeant Kathleen, Sarge, or Sergeant,” the droid answered. “I will return to my quarters to gather a few changes of clothing and other personal effects. I will return shortly.”

  “Alright Sarge,” Mac said, standing and gathering dishes as the droid left. I really need to read up on droids more. I had no idea they took showers and needed other things. He shook his head and carried the dishes into the galley to be washed. “Joseph, the next few sols might be interesting.”

  The AI replied that he looked forward to having more stimulating conversations. Mac laughed.

  37

  “We’re clear for departure,” Mckenzie advised the Sarge the next sol just before noon after Joseph advised him that they had clearance. “We’ll skim Saturn for fuel and then head onwards to Mars.”

  “Very good, Mr Edwards. Take us out,” Sergeant Kathleen replied from the couch.

  “Yes ma’am,” Mac said. I think we’re the first ones leaving too. It’s a good thing I only have work study this afternoon and completed my project two sols ago. The wings extended once the Lady Hawk lifted above the other nearby ships. A moment later, the landing gear retracted, and the merlin soared up.

  “The wings work well for atmospheric flight,” the Sarge remarked. “I had my doubts and thought they were a gimmick.”

  “They do work well,” Mac agreed. “The wings have given me some ideas when it comes to combat too.”

  “You’re thinking of dipping into atmosphere to escape pursuit,” the Sarge stated.

  “Yeah,” Mckenzie agreed.

  “That’s not an original idea, but an old one that will work in simulations and catch most of your classmates by surprise since dropping into a planet’s atmosphere hasn’t been widely done in about a decade,” Kathleen said. “But it most likely would not work against an experienced opponent.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “What do you think about using the Hawk’s wings to change her profile?” Mckenzie asked. “That’s something Joseph suggested.”

  “That could work to throw off a missile lock, depending on how advanced the missile is,” the Sarge replied as the Lady Hawk exited Europa’s atmosphere. “But I wouldn’t worry about combat too much just yet.”

  “Why is that?” Mckenzie asked.

  “Because you won’t have combat classes until your senior year,” the droid answered. “The junior year of the captain’s track focusing on contracts, accounting, management, law, and the other aspects of running a ship.”

  “Does that hold true for those of us pursuing the engineering and captain’s tracks?” Mac asked.

  “Depends on what Saagar has in store for the few of you doing that,” she replied. “Academy policy is to get students into the track that most suits their talents. But yourself, Tabors, Alberto, and a few others are determined to pursue both tracks and have shown the ability to pull it off, so exceptions will most likely be made.”

  It is interesting, but not surprising that TCA is still trying to force a path on us that benefits the wealthy and corporations, Mac thought. He shrugged and headed towards the gas giant.

  “You don’t seem surprised that the academy wants to force a certain track on students,” the Sarge observed.

  “I’m not,” Mac answered. “It benefits the corporations and wealthy to force the rest of us into certain roles and keeps others from joining the wealthy elite’s ranks. Or at least makes it extremely hard to do so.”

  The Sarge laughed. “Joseph is surprised you figured that out. Honestly, so am I. Most people don’t realize that until after they graduate and get a bit more experience.”

  “Yeah well, I’m more than just a pretty face,” Mckenzie quipped. Plus, I was warned. “Joseph, extend the fuel scoop.”

  “I wouldn’t say you’re pretty either,” Sergeant Kathleen said, giving Mac a thoughtful look. “You’re more ruggedly handsome than pretty… for a human.”

  “Thanks,” Mac laughed. Joseph advised him that refueling was complete and the scoop was retracted a few minutes later. “Alright. Thanks Joseph. Next stop is Mars.”

  *

  “Joseph, has Redrock’s local control authorized our landing yet?” Mckenzie asked. Mac read the response on the console’s screen. “Well, tell them we’re going to land at my parents’ farm and not the landing field.”

  “Is there a problem?” the Sarge asked.

  “Yeah, the traffic controller is looking for a cut of landing fees,” Mac answered.

  “Redrock doesn’t use an AI or droid for traffic control?” she asked.

  “Nope. They’re too cheap to pay for droids or AI,” Mckenzie replied. “Though I’ve always been told the job pays well for Mars.”

  “Interesting,” the Sarge said.

  “Plus, since they let controllers take a cut of landing fees, it means they’re extremely diligent when it comes to their jobs.”

  “And I suppose these jobs go to friends and family of corporate executives,” the Sarge stated.

  “Yes ma’am,” Mac said. “Redrock traffic controller jobs require training, but not an academy or university degree, so they go to certain people.”

  “That is why the corporation doesn’t buy an AI or droids to do the job then,” she said. “Too many friends and family in the role of certain executives currently to just cut them loose. But if that ever changes, expect an AI or droids to take over. Most corporations removed people from that task decades ago.”

  Mckenzie read Joseph’s latest message and then checked Redrock’s landing ordinances to make sure things hadn’t changed. “Oh no! I’m not paying a bribe to that useless leech and I’m not paying landing fees either. Redrock doesn’t have a law stating I have to land at a designated landing zone. Joseph, tell them I’m setting down at my folks’ farm and if they want to inspect the Hawk for contraband, then they can come out here and do it.”

  “Mckenzie, you do realize that your landing at your parents’ farm may end up changing the rule, don’t you?” Sergeant Kathleen asked.

  “No, I hadn’t considered that was possible,” Mac answered. “Too many private ships land at estates and farms owned by the Redrock higherups for such a rule or law.”

  “Joseph is correct. They can always make exceptions for themselves and their guests,” the Sarge said.

  “It’s too late now and I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” Mac said with a shrug. “We’re here. I’m going to set her down on that field on the west side of the large barn.”

  “Why not set down in the empty field beside the house?” the Sarge asked.

  “See those little raised rows in the field beside the house, Sarge?” Mac asked. She nodded. “That field was recently planted. If you look at the field beside the barn, you’ll see it hasn’t been planted.”

  “I see,” the droid replied. “The soil is upturned though.”

  “Yeah. Looks like Dad has plowed it,” Mac said as Joseph extended the landing gear. He noticed his parents watching from the house’s front porch and waved. I doubt they saw me wave. “The ground will probably be a little hard to walk on.”

  “For you maybe. I’m not leaving the ship,” the Sarge replied as the Lady Hawk settled gently to the ground. “Nice landing.”

  “Thanks. I’ve had lots of practice,” Mac said. And I’m a lot better now than I was when I started.

  38

  “It looks like a giant metal bird,” Mckenzie’s dad said as he gazed up at the Lady Hawk while they walked around the ship. “It even has that blue-gray coloring on top like some of those small falcons from earth and the white belly.”

  “William!” Samatha, Mac’s mother, chided. “I think it’s pretty.”

  Yep. This is going about like I thought it would, Mac thought. “Thanks Mom. Since the color scheme Dad described is from the merlin bird, and the Lady Hawk is a merlin class caravel, I thought the color scheme fit. That’s something I have in common with the prior owner. Do you guys want a tour?”

  “Of course,” his father answered. “And what’s the deal with the name?”

  “Lady Hawk is something that merlins were called back on earth during the Middle Ages. The prior owner thought it was appropriate,” Mac answered. “I had considered changing the name but have gotten used to it. So, I doubt I change it.”

  “Where’s the airlock?” his mother asked as they walked up the loading ramp. “Shouldn’t there be one?”

  “That’s inside and separates the habit module and bridge from the hold,” Mckenzie answered.

  “Then how do you dock at space stations with this thing?” William asked as they entered the cargo hold.

  “Inside hangars or at older cradles that have a connection that surrounds the loading ramp,” Mac answered. “As you can see, this is the cargo hold.”

  “It’s not that large,” his dad pointed out.

  “It’s big enough for what I plan on doing with the Lady Hawk,” Mckenzie replied.

  “And what do you plan on doing?” Samatha asked.

  “I plan on doing some exploring, mapping, small cargo hauling, courier work, and perhaps some mining,” Mckenzie replied.

  “What about those guns?” his dad asked. “I may just be a farmer and former miner, but I recognize the ends of gun barrels when I see them.”

  “Those are particle cannons for self-defense,” Mac answered. His parents both looked impressed and a bit shocked. “I don’t intend to get involved with any pirating or privateering, but I don’t want to play around either.”

  “You won’t be with those,” his mom said. “No missiles?”

  “No ma’am,” Mac replied. “While I understand there’s a lot of credits made doing privateering and pirating, it doesn’t feel right, and you guys raised me not to steal. Plus, I don’t want to risk my life doing that sort of thing.”

  “That’s my son,” William said proudly.

  “Let’s see the rest of your ship,” Samatha said, giving Mckenzie a hug.

  “Yes ma’am,” Mac replied. “We’ll start with engineering and then I’ll take you up to the hab module. There, you can meet Sergeant Kathleen. She’s a security droid that is acting as the Hawk’s captain since I don’t have my license yet.”

  “An android?” his mom asked. Mac nodded. “I’ve never met one before. Does your ship have an AI too?”

  “Yes Mom,” Mac answered. “You’ll get to meet Joseph as well. You’ll have to read any replies he makes to you on the video screen in the lounge or pilot’s console on the bridge since the Lady Hawk is only a level 1 ship and AI verbal responses are locked out.

  “That’s stupid,” his dad said.

  “I agree, Dad. But it’s one of the things the corporations figured they could charge for, so it is what it is,” Mckenzie replied. “Anyway, come on.”

  *

  This week has flown by, Mckenzie thought as he repaired an automated tractor for his dad. He closed the engine cover and started it up. The tractor started. But it’s been nice and relaxing even though I’ve made a few repairs for Dad and a neighbor or two.

  “You’ve got the knack son,” William said.

  “Thanks Dad.”

  William sent the tractor onto its assigned task while Mckenzie put away his tools and sent them back to the Lady Hawk. “Ready for lunch?”

  “Yes sir,” Mac answered. I do love that automated tool chest.

  “I wonder who that is,” William said, gesturing to a hovercraft approaching the farmhouse.

  “Weren’t expecting company, were you?” Mac asked.

  “Nope,” his dad answered. “Come on. Let’s see what’s going on.”

  *

  “As I said Mrs. Edwards, my name is Judy Allen and I work for Whitely Dawson Solicitors at Law,” a twenty something woman was saying as Mac and his dad got within hearing distance. “We are looking for the owner of that ship.”

  “About?” Samatha asked.

  “That’s a confidential matter,” Judy Allen answered. Mckenzie saw his mother cross her arms and lean against one of the porch posts.

  “That can’t be good,” Mac’s dad said.

  “No sir,” Mckenzie agreed.

  “Didn’t break any laws when you arrived, did you?” William asked.

  “No sir, though I did refuse to land at the landing field,” Mac replied. His dad grunted.

  “Well, let’s see what the lawyer wants,” William said. He called out, “What do you want with our son?”

  That’s dad. Always forthright, Mac thought with a smile on his face.

  The woman turned and the smile on her face slipped. Her eyes went from William to Mckenzie and back. She then smiled again. “As I told Mrs. Edwards, it’s a confidential matter, but I can say I have a short contract opportunity for Mckenzie if he’s amenable.”